Q On which railroad was the 1975 movie “Breakheart Pass” filmed? — Klaus Schmidt, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. A “Breakheart Pass” was filmed on the Camas Prairie Railroad, a short line in Northern Idaho. Originally a cooperative building effort by predecessors of the Union Pacific and the BNSF in the early 20th century, as of 2004, […]
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 […]
BLMA Models HO scale 64-foot refrigerator car A correctly proportioned model of a modern mechanical refrigerator car is now available from BLMA Models. The injection-molded plastic car features separately applied wire, plastic, and etched-metal details. The prototype cars began rolling out of the TrinityRail factory in late 2003. These excess-height cars, designated Plate F, can […]
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 […]
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 […]
Wm. K. Walthers Inc. HO scale locomotive crane A revised version of the Walthers HO scale American locomotive crane is now available ready-to-run. It comes assembled with an upgraded DC mechanism. The prototype for this diesel-electric crane dates to the mid-1950s. These 25- to 30-ton capacity locomotive cranes are self-propelled and capable of moving several […]
Kato USA N scale Penn Central’s “rainbow fleet” passenger cars Not too long ago, if a modeler was into N scale and the short-lived Penn Central’s passenger fleet, he would have some painting and decaling projects ahead. Now Kato has released its great-running GG1 electric locomotive and some passenger cars in accurate PC paint schemes. […]
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 […]
Bachmann HO scale 2-8-0 steam locomotive This Bachmann 2-8-0 is a wonderful scale model to model railroading with steam. It features NMRA- complaint Digital Command Controller decoder and metal details, such as handrails, bells and steam generator. It also has a detailed cab interior and painted cab figures. The tender has a metal ladder and […]
The death of Richard Steinheimer on May 4, 2011, closed out a career that, in the world of railroad photography, was unparalleled. Although he came to prominence in an era marked by other great talents, “Stein’s” visual insights, his astonishing technique, and his storytelling abilities were an especially potent combination. His images of railroading in […]
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 […]
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 […]
