Kevin Strong 1:26 scale, automatic semaphore signalSouth Bend Signal Co.2303 Creek Rd.Niles MI 49120Price $60Website: www.sbsignal.com Large-scale semaphore; actuated by infra-red light; no wiring necessary. Dimensions: Height, 10″; width, 1″; length, 2½” Pros: No wiring necessary; easy installation on any railroad Cons: Cabinet may not be waterproof for permanent outdoor installations Kevin Strong I recently […]
Section: Product Reviews
Video: Bachmann Spectrum HO scale 2-6-6-2 Mallet
The Bachmann Spectrum HO scale class H-4 2-6-6-2 features a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. Watch this steam locomotive run on our model railroad, and listen to a demonstration of some of its sound effects. […]
American Mainline rail clamps for code-332 rail
Marc Horovitz Rail clamps for code-332 railAmerican Mainline (AML)33268 Central AvenueUnion City CA 94587Prices: Standard (#G102-01), $20/10; Universal (#G102-02), $20/10; Over joiner, (#G102-03), $20/10; Power clamp (#G102-05), $4/4 Web site: www.americanmainline.com Brass clamps with stainless-steel screws for securely joining rails Pros: Will securely and immovably join rails; relatively simple installation; can, in most circumstances, be […]
Bachmann Forney 2-4-4T
Vital statistics 1:20.3 scale, gauge-1 Forney 2-4-4TBachmann Industries1400 E. Erie Ave.Philadelphia PA 19124Price: $1,150Web site: www.bachmanntrains.com 1:20.3-scale model of a Sandy River Forney; available lettered for SR&RL or unlettered; available with inside or outside frames, wood cab or steel cab; plug-and-play electronics for DC, DCC, and R/C; flywheel motor; all-wheel electrical pickup; detailed cab interiors, […]
Bachmann Thomas the Tank Engine train set
Large scale, gauge 1, ready-to-run Thomas the Tank Engine train setBachmann Trains 1400 E. Erie AvenuePhiladelphia PA 19124Price: $385Web site: www.bachmanntrains.com Non-scale-specific toy-train set; locomotive, two passenger cars, track, transformer, all necessary wiring, instruction book and product DVD included. Locomotive: 0-6-0T with blind center drivers; see-through spoked wheels; non-working front and rear lights; removable cab […]
G-Scale Graphics RailBoss for 2.4Ghz R/C
Alan Olson Enhanced RailBoss for 2.4Ghz R/CG-Scale Graphics4118 Clayton Ct.Fort Collins CO 80525Price: $95 + $7 s&hWeb site: www.GScaleGraphics.net Train-control system to be used in conjunction with third-party R/C set Pros: Ease of installation and operation; clear instructions; simple programming; lower cost than other systems; adds endless possibilities for both manual and automated operationCons: None […]
RR-Concepts “Yard Master”
Kevin Strong “Yard Master” automated control boxRR-Concepts1357 Hodges Rd.Oceanside CA 92056Price: $55Web site: www.rr-concepts.com Automatic control box for controlling switches, station stops, reverse loops, point-to-point operations, signals, or various combinations; based on magnetic triggers Pros: Versatile control allows for many different applications; simple wiring; clear instructionsCons: Abrupt station stops; signal control uses common ground and […]
The Making of Tom Miller’s Fabulous F-scale Layout
Kevin Strong The Making of Tom Miller’s Fabulous F-scale LayoutPacific Vista Publishing, LLCPO Box 220 Newberg OR 97132Running time: Approx. 3 hoursPrice: $34.95 plus shippingWeb site: www.pacificvistapublishing.com If you’ve been reading the model-railroad press over the past two years, you’ve undoubtedly encountered an article on Tom Miller’s 1:20.3-scale indoor railroad (Garden Railways featured it in […]
Trainmax “Bark Box”
Subscriber extraSee Vance Bass’ video of this device! Vance Bass Trainmax “Bark Box”R&R Train Company2459 OdinNew Orleans LA 70122Price: $100-$125, depending on model (+ s&h)Web site: www.trainsales.com/barkbox.htm Smokebox resonator to enhance exhaust sound of live-steam locomotives; available for a number of popular gas-fired locomotives Pros: Remarkable increase in volume and depth of steam exhaust sounds; […]
Accucraft Forney locomotive
Subscribers: Don’t miss the exclusive highlight video of this impressive locomotive! Acccucraft Forney Marc Horovitz 1:20.3, gauge 1, live-steam 0-4-4 ForneyAccucraft33268 Central AvenueUnion City CA 94587Price: $659Web site: www.accucraft.com Freelance, live-steam Forney; all-metal construction; two double acting, piston-valve cylinders; piston-valve reversing; link-and-pin couplers; 50 psi blow-off pressure; single flue, gas-fired boiler; boiler fittings include safety […]
American Model Supply knuckle couplers
Gary Raymond Vital statistics 1:32 scale, working knuckle couplersAmerican Model Supply33268 Central AvenueUnion City CA 94587Price: $10/pairWeb site: www.amstrains.com Working knuckle couplers and sprung draft-gear boxes for 1:32 scale Pros: Prototypical, working drop pin; Kadee #1-scale #820/920 mounting-hole compatibility; perfect size for 1:20.3 cars using three-quarter-size couplers Cons: Slightly oversize for 1:32 scale American Model […]
Bachmann starter sets
Bachmann Lumberjack set Marc Horovitz Bachmann Prospector set Marc Horovitz Gauge 1, large-scale starter setsBachmann Industries1400 East Erie AvenuePhiladelphia PA 19124Price: Lumberjack, $350; Prospector, $375Web site: www.bachmanntrains.com Large-scale starter sets; each set has a 1:20.3-scale Davenport diesel-outline locomotive, loop of track, power supply, accessories, DVD, and instruction book; “Prospector” (#90070) includes four side-dump ore cars; […]