In Memoriam: Dick Elwell. Veteran model railroader Dick Elwell, builder of the well-known Hoosac Valley RR, died on October 21, 2022 after a 14-year battle with cancer. “Even after going through numerous medical procedures to cope with the disease, Dick’s positive attitude and lust for living shined through,” said Model Railroader contributing editor Lou Sassi. […]
Amtrak NPCU “Cabbage” Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $239.95; with dual-mode sound decoder, $349.95 Era: 1990s to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit features: Enlarged marker lights, supplementary air reservoirs, and a K5LA horn Operating strobe lights, […]
Maxi-IV well cars Scale: Z (1:220) Price: Contact manufacturer Era: 2012 to present Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com Maxi-IV well cars feature: Modified AZL 90001 roller-bearing trucks AutoLatch couplers Metal wheels Six 40- and/or 53-foot intermodal containers in various schemes Road name: Florida East Coast (brown with patched reporting marks). Three road numbers. Release […]
Alco PA-1 Scale: Z (1:220) Price: Contact manufacturer Era: 1949 to early 1960s Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com Alco PA-1 features: 7mm can motor Dual flywheels Six-axle trucks with blind middle axle (no flange) Traction tires Blackened metal wheels Directional light-emitting-diode lighting Optional front coupler cover and snow plow Road name: Missouri Pacific […]
34-foot 100-ton two-bay hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.98 (undecorated, $29.98) Era: 1970s to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 34-foot 100-ton two-bay hopper features: Factory-applied door and brake details Heavy die-cast metal underframe 36” metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Proto-Max metal couplers Road names: Gifford […]
Yard tractor Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $29.99 (add $3 for UPS) Era: 1990s+ to 2018+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: Factory assembled Separate, factory-applied detail parts Interior details Rubber tires Photo-etched metal steps and rear deck Adjustable fifth wheel height Clear window glazing […]
Wall-mounted billboard three-pack Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $17.98 Era: 1920s to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Wall-mounted billboard three-pack features: Newly tooled Parts to build three complete billboards Can be built with vintage- or modern-style platforms and nonworking lights Printed color signs Release date: Winter 2023 News & Products is […]
Maxi-III five-unit articulated well car Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $159.99 Era: 1988+ to 1994+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: 33” and 38” solid nickel silver wheels with RP-25 contours Body-mounted McHenry double-shelf couplers Injection-molded plastic body Improved metal bolster for added weight Minimum […]
Gunderson rebuilt all-purpose 53-foot well car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $44.98 Era: Mid-2000s to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Gunderson rebuilt all-purpose 53-foot well car features: Carries 20- to 53-foot intermodal containers Etched-metal see-through walkways Heavy die-cast metal body Body weld line details Factory-installed wire grab irons, brake gear, […]
JST-Next18 adapter kit Price: $16.96 Manufacturer: SoundTraxx, 141 Burnett Dr., Durango, CO 81301; 970-259-0690; soundtraxx.com Features: Allows use of TSU-N18 in almost any N scale model Next-18 socket Six functions Solder pads for additional functionality Dimensions: 16 x 9.5 x 5mm Max function current: 100mA per output Release date: Available now News & Products is a regular feature of […]
Gunderson Auto-Max articulated auto rack Scale: N (1:160) Price: $54.99 Era: 1999+ to 2016+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Gunderson Auto-Max articulated auto rack cars feature: Separate, factory-applied brake wheel and brake details Simulated corrugated roof Full articulation with flexible diaphragm Safety striping 70-ton […]
Pullman-Standard 5,277-cubic-foot capacity waffle-side boxcar Scale: N (1:160) Price: $29.99 Era: 1974 to present (depending on scheme) Manufacturer: ExactRail, 525 E. 1860 S., Provo, UT 84606; 866-945-1701; exactrail.com Pullman-Standard 5277 boxcar features: Factory-installed Micro-Trains No. 1015 couplers Body-mounted draft-gear box American Steel Foundries 70-ton Ride Control trucks CNC-machined 33” metal wheelsets Road names: Southern Ry. (1976 […]
