A trio of General Electric-built GEVO locomotives powers an intermodal rain past North Guam, N.M., on April 11, 2011. The first two diesels belong to the class ES44C4, an A1A-A1A-trucked A.C. traction model built to perform to six-motor D.C. designs. Photo by Steven M. Welch […]
Type of Train: Diesel Locomotives
MTH O gauge Premier Line 3GS21B Genset diesel
GenSet diesel locomotives are revolutionary in that they have multiple lower horsepower prime movers that kick in as more power is needed. A GenSet seemingly upsets the conventional wisdom of four or five decades that a switcher needs to have at least 1,000 horsepower for one-size-fits-all switching duties. A GenSet has the same concept, but […]
Video: MTH O gauge Premier lin 3GS21B Genset Diesel
The MTH O gauge GenSet is immaculately detailed from the brake air line on the pilot to the air conditioner on the roof. […]
Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale EMD GP40-2(W)
Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale EMD GP40-2(W) Before the wide-nosed “safety cab” became practically a standard feature on North American locomotives, it was known as the “Canadian cab” due to its development north of the border. One of the earliest Electro-Motive Division locomotives to use that cab, the four-axle GP40-2(W), is now offered in […]
Video: MTH O gauge Premier lin 3GS21B Genset Diesel
The MTH O gauge GenSet is immaculately detailed from the brake air line on the pilot to the air conditioner on the roof. […]
Isolating locomotives
Q What does it mean when diesel locomotives are “isolated?”— Ray Russell, Naples, Fla. A “Isolating” a particular locomotive in a multiple-unit consist means that the prime mover is still running, but the main generator and electrical system for propulsion are disconnected. The locomotive will not respond to throttle settings and essentially is along for […]
Kato N scale General Electric U30C diesel locomotive
Kato N scale General Electric U30C diesel locomotive It’s been 20 years since Kato last offered an N scale model of General Electric’s six-axle U30C hood units, and it’s been worth the wait. The new model, retooled under the hood to make it friendlier to Digital Command Control, is a sharp-looking and smooth-performing engine. Keep […]
MTH HO scale ready-to-run train set
MTH HO scale train set Many model railroaders get started in the hobby with a train set. A loop of track, power pack, a locomotive, and rolling stock will have a new model railroader running trains in a matter of minutes. MTH has taken its ready-to-run sets a step further by including its Digital Command […]
2011 National Train Show preliminary report
HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP7 and GP9 diesel locomotives. New paint scheme on GP7 is Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (zebra stripes). New scheme on GP9 is New York Central (two-tone gray). Separately applied details, wire grab irons, and plastic handrails. Both road names offered with and without steam generators. Direct-current models with Quick […]
Video: Athearn Trains N scale F59PHI and cars
We tested the Athearn Trains N scale EMD F59PHI diesel locomotive on our Salt Lake Route model train layout. Equipped with a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder, the locomotive looked and sounded great hauling a set of Athearn N scale Bombardier bi-level commuter cars. […]
Video: Athearn Trains N scale F59PHI and cars
We tested the Athearn Trains N scale EMD F59PHI diesel locomotive on our Salt Lake Route model train layout. Equipped with a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder, the locomotive looked and sounded great hauling a set of Athearn N scale Bombardier bi-level commuter cars. […]
Bachmann Trains HO scale Electro-Motive GP9 diesel locomotive
Bachmann Trains HO scale Electro-Motive GP9 diesel locomotive A smooth dual-flywheel mechanism and a dual-mode Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder highlight this new HO scale GP9 diesel from Bachmann. The four-axle locomotive model performed well during direct-current (DC) and DCC tests, and pulled a respectable number of freight cars on our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy […]