S gauge SD70ACe diesel by American Flyer (Lionel)

AFdiesel

In the September 2013 issue, I offered a critique of Lionel’s well-executed American Flyer passenger cars done in the postwar style. Although the cars were nicely made, their design followed the limited detailing of an older day, and so might not be up to par with a scale-detailed model railroader. This time we’ll examine an […]

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Bachmann HO scale F7A-B diesel locomotive

BachmannHOscaleF7ABdiesellocomotive

Bachmann HO scale F7A-B diesel locomotive The F7 diesel-electric locomotive has been a popular subject for scale modelers since it rolled out of General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division shops more than 60 years ago. Now Bachmann Trains is expanding its Sound Value line with F7A and F7B locomotives, each with ­dual-mode SoundTraxx Digital Command Control sound […]

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2013 National Train Show new products report part 1

AthearnTrainsHOscaleElectroMotiveDivisionSDP45.Preproductionsamplesshown

Athearn Trains HO scale Electro-Motive Division SDP45. Pre-production samples shown. HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SDP45. Erie Lackawanna, Great Northern (Big Sky Blue), and Southern Pacific. Four road numbers per scheme. Detailed cab interior, flat or pointed long hood end as appropriate, and railroad-specific brake cylinder placement on trucks. Direct-current model, $189.98; with SoundTraxx Digital […]

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Dick Iannacone’s realistic S gauge layout

Dick Iannacone's realistic S gauge layout

Inspired by a lifelong love of American Flyer trains and the beauty of his home, New England, Dick Iannacone built this highly realistic 16 x 20-foot S gauge layout set in the steam-to-diesel transition period of the late 1930s into the 1950s. Enjoy additional photos of his outstanding layout in the gallery below. […]

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Kato USA HO scale GE P42 diesel locomotive

KatoUSAHOscaleGEP42diesellocomotive

Kato USA HO scale GE P42 diesel locomotive Are two motors better than one? A typical HO scale locomotive uses a single direct-current (DC) motor mounted on the chassis. Earlier this year, Kato introduced a new approach on one of its HO scale Japanese locomotives by using two compact coreless motors mounted in the trucks. […]

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Model Railroader Memoriam: John Allen’s 100th birthday

Born on July 2, 1913, John Allen was a model railroading pioneer renowned for his skill at scratchbuilding and scenery work, as well as his thoughts on model railroad operation. His original 3’-7” x 6’8” Gorre & Daphetid HO scale layout debuted in the January 1948 issue of Model Railroader. He built a larger version […]

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Accucraft Whitcomb diesel electric locomotive

accucraft_whitcomb_diesel1

Marc Horovitz 1:20.3 scale, gauge 1, 45-ton diesel Accucraft Trains33268 Central Ave.Union City CA 94587Price: $995Website: http://accucraft.com 1:20.3 scale, gauge-1 model of 45-ton Whitcomb side-rod, diesel-electric locomotive; track powered; all metal construction; 0-24V DC operation; LED directional lighting; working knuckle couplers; two motors; all wheels powered. Dimensions: Length over end beams, 15″; width, 5 3/8″; […]

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Cody’s Workshop: Episode 5 – Installing ditch lights

Cody Grivno sitting at his workbench with a scratchbuilt freight house

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Cody is back in the MR Workshop this month to install ditch light castings on a Rail America diesel engine. He also shares how his freighthouse scratchbuilding job is coming along, and you’ll get to see the finished Turtle Creek MR&T heritage locomotive. […]

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