The Bowser HO scale Alco C-630 diesel is equipped with a SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. Watch this HO scale diesel run on the Model Railroader club layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. […]
Type of Train: Diesel Locomotives
Video: Digitrax DCC sound equipped Kato N scale E8
Model Railroader managing editor David Popp used an Aztec Manufacturing Co. milled frame and a Digitrax SDN144K0A Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder to add sound to a Kato USA N scale E8 diesel lcocomotive. Watch the DCC-sound equipped model run on David’s N scale Naugatuck Valley model train layout. […]
Video: Digitrax DCC sound equipped Kato N scale E8
Model Railroader managing editor David Popp used an Aztec Manufacturing Co. milled frame and a Digitrax SDN144K0A Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder to add sound to a Kato USA N scale E8 diesel lcocomotive. Watch the DCC-sound equipped model run on David’s N scale Naugatuck Valley model train layout. […]
Running long hood forward
Southern Railway SD45 No. 3121 leads long hood forward on a unit coal train at Oreton, Va., in 1984. Such design enhanced bidirectional capability. Ron Flanary Q When did railroads such as the Norfolk & Western stop running their road engines “long hood first?” How effective was this practice for crew safety? Did it have […]
New products for September 29, 2011
Athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel locomotives HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel locomotives. New paint scheme: Burlington Northern. Two differently numbered A-B sets available. Five-pole skew-wound motor with dual flywheels, prototype-specific details, and McHenry scale magnetic knuckle couplers. Direct-current models: A unit, $169.98; A-B set $309.98; with Digital […]
Bowser HO scale Alco C-630 diesel locomotive
Bowser HO scale Alco C-630 diesel locomotive All-wheel electrical pickup, newly tooled Alco Hi-Ad or Tri-Mount trucks, and many separate brass, wire, and photo-etched detail parts are some of the highlights of this HO scale Alco Century 630 from Bowser. The model is an upgraded version of the Stewart Alco C-630 reviewed in the March […]
Ready Made Trains O gauge Mini-F units
If you’ve been in model railroading long enough, you may recall back in the 1960s seeing ads from the Wm. K. Walthers Co. showing some cute little heavyweight passenger cars all resting on a single truck. Even though dyed-in-the-wool rivet counters might scoff, you could tell by the crook at the corners of their mouths […]
Video: Atlas HO scale EMD GP40-2(W)
The Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP40-2(W) includes a QSI Quantum Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. Model Railroader senior editor Dana Kawala runs the locomotive on our model train layout. […]
Video: Atlas HO scale EMD GP40-2(W)
The Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP40-2(W) includes a QSI Quantum Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. Model Railroader senior editor Dana Kawala runs the locomotive on our model train layout. […]
Locomotive throttle notches
Q Why do modern locomotive throttles still use notches?— Ben Redl, Williams Lake, B.C. A The primary reason is to help the locomotive’s engineer direct a specific response from the locomotive. Engine RPM speed must be increased gradually during normal operation. As the engineer demands more power from the locomotive by moving a notch at […]
Tribute paint schemes
Union Pacific’s Desert Victory and United Way tribute locomotives were the first to receive special paint schemes, in 1991 and 1994, respectively. John C. Benson Q I understand that Union Pacific ES44AC No. 7400 is the railroad’s 15th specially painted locomotive. What are the other 14 commemorative locomotives?— Wesley Chen, Irvine, Calif.A According to Union […]
New products for August 25, 2011
HO scale locomotives Baldwin AS-16, AS-616, and DRS 6-6-1500 diesel locomotives. Lehigh Valley (AS-16, two road numbers), National Ry. of Mexico (AS-616), Norfolk Southern (pre-1982 company, AS-616), Pacific Electric (DRS 6-6-1500 with trolley pole), Peabody Coal Co. (AS-16), Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (AS-16), Union Pacific (AS-616). Four road numbers each except as noted above. Can motor […]