Bachmann’s 1:20.3-scale Heisler locomotive

Dave Goodson Gauge 1, 1:20.3-scale Heisler Bachmann Industries 1400 E. Erie Avenue Philadelphia PA 19124 Price: $799 Web site: www.bachmanntrains.com Plastic-bodied, metal-framed 1:20.3 model (#81796) of a 3′ narrow-gauge Heisler geared logging locomotive; 8-wheel pickup; all-metal drive train and valve gear; detailed cab interior; sound-system ready. Dimensions: length over end beams, 18 1/8″; width at […]

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LGB 1:22.5 scale, Disney starter set

Marc Horovitz 1:22.5 scale, gauge-1 starter setLGB of America6444 Nancy Ridge DriveSan Diego CA 92121Check with your local dealer for prices and availabilityWeb site: www.lgb.com Disney starter set (#72350); includes Forney locomotive (#23251) painted to resemble Disneyland Railroad Fred Gurley locomotive, two open excursion cars, power supply, speed controller, 12 curved track sections, four straights, […]

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LGB Sumpter Valley 2-6-6-2

Marc Horovitz 1:22.5 scale, gauge-1 Sumpter Valley 2-6-6-2 LGB of America, Inc. 6444 Nancy Ridge Drive San Diego, CA 92121 www.lgb.comSee your LGB dealer for price and availability Articulated locomotive with tender; plastic and metal construction; 0-24 volts DC operation; two weather-resistant motor blocks with seven-pole Bühler motors; 12 powered wheels with power pickup on […]

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USA Trains Hudson locomotive

Marc Horovitz 1:29 scale, gauge-1 NYC Hudson USA Trains PO Box 100 Malden MA 02148 Price: $2,299.95 w/o sound; $2,699.95 with Phoenix sound system installed Web site: www.usatrains.com All-metal model of New York Central’s J1e Hudson; die-cast boiler, cab, tender shell, and detail parts; smoke unit synchronized to axle rotation (four puffs per revolution); working […]

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Aristo-Craft 2-8-8-2 Mallet locomotive

Marc Horovitz 1:29 scale, gauge 1 2-8-8-2 locomotiveAristo-Craft Trains698 South 21st St.Irvington NJ 07111Price: $945 ($993 for Union Pacific)Web site: www.aristocraft.com Plastic-and-metal model of a USRA 2-8-8-2 Mallet locomotive; USRA or Vanderbilt tender, depending upon road name; smoke unit; sound ready; DCC ready; battery ready; control switches under firebox; two motors with flywheels and fans; […]

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Designing a garden railway for live-steam locomotives

A Roundhouse “Fowler,” fitted with a coal-fired boiler by John Shawe, at work on the author’s garden railway near Toronto. Jeff Young photo When we acquire a small-scale live steamer, it is usually to run on an established garden railway. The selection of your live-steam locomotive was probably influenced by the physical characteristics of the […]

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Fire up a small-scale live steam locomotive

The No. 24 was the last locomotive supplied to the two-foot gauge Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad in Maine. This G scale live steam model was manufactured by Roundhouse Engineering of Doncaster, England. Kenneth Matticks Gas is added through the filler valve in the center of the tank. By watching the pressure gauge and […]

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Tinplate live steam

A pair of well used, tinplate live steamers. The engine in the foreground is by Bowman; the one behind is Bassett-Lowke. Despite their tatty appearance, they are both in good operating condition and see regular use in the garden. Jeff Young An important part of the history of small-scale live steam is the tinplate locomotives […]

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Fire up a small-scale live steam locomotive

The No. 24 was the last locomotive supplied to the two-foot gauge Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad in Maine. This G scale live steam model was manufactured by Roundhouse Engineering of Doncaster, England. Kenneth Matticks Gas is added through the filler valve in the center of the tank. By watching the pressure gauge and […]

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Designing a garden railway for live-steam locomotives

A Roundhouse “Fowler,” fitted with a coal-fired boiler by John Shawe, at work on the author’s garden railway near Toronto. Jeff Young When we acquire a small-scale live steamer, it is usually to run on an established garden railway. The selection of your live-steam locomotive was probably influenced by the physical characteristics of the existing […]

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Video: Reading T1-class 4-8-4 in HO

Precision HO scale Reading T1-class 4-8-4

Precision HO scale Reading T1-class 4-8-4 Executive editor Andy Sperandeo reviewed the HO scale “T Hog” in the April issue’s Product Review Extravaganza. Click the icons below to see a video clip of this well-detailed, well-proportioned model steam engine. All videos may take several minutes or more to download depending on your connection speed. […]

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