Video Review: Chicago, America’s Railroad Capital

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Chicago-America’s Railroad Capital Kalmbach Publishing, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612. Approx. 60 minutes kalmbachhobbystore.com Generations of railfans have been impressed at the magnitude of railroad operations in and around the Windy City. Currently, the Chicago area sees 25 percent of US rail traffic and almost half of the nation’s intermodal shipments. Chicagoland, of course, […]

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Video: Bachmann SoundValue HO scale EMD E7A

Bachmann SoundValue HO scale EMD E7A

An Electro-Motive Division E7A passenger diesel joins the Bachmann Trains’ SoundValue line of HO scale locomotives. This detailed model features a dual-mode SoundTraxx decoder. See the E7A in action hauling a passenger train along the main line of the Model Railroader staff’s Milwaukee, Racine & Troy layout. […]

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Digitrax Evolution advanced DCC starter set

Digitrax Evolution advanced DCC starter set

Digitrax Evolution advanced DCC starter set Digitrax adds another advanced command station, the DCS210, and a new DT500 throttle to its Digital Command Control (DCC) lineup. The new throttle and command station are also key components of the firm’s Evolution DCC starter set. [Another new Digitrax product, the DCS240 advanced command station, was reviewed in […]

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Bachmann SoundValue HO scale EMD E7A

Bachmann SoundValue HO scale EMD E7A

Bachmann SoundValue HO scale EMD E7A Our review sample is sharply decorated in the Pennsyvlania RR Tuscan five-stripe paint scheme. Separate detail parts include handrails, horns, and windshield wipers. For those modeling passenger service in the last half of the 20th century, General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division E-units are essential. This EMD E7A from Bachmann Trains […]

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Quick Look: Kato N scale SDP40F diesel locomotive

Kato N scale SDP40F diesel locomotive

Kato N scale SDP40F diesel locomotive Price: Direct-current, $125; with ESU LokSound Digital Command Control and sound, $250 Manufacturer Kato USA Inc. 100 Remington Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60173 www.katousa.com Era: 1988 to 1994 (as decorated) Road names: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (three road numbers) and BNSF Ry./Maersk (one number) Comments: Yes, we reviewed the […]

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Quick Look: Wheels of Time HO 62-foot bulkhead flatcar

Wheels of Time HO 62-foot bulkhead flatcar

Wheels of Time HO 62-foot bulkhead flatcar Price: Bulkhead flat: $38.95; 3-pack, $116.85; 12-pack, $467.40. Plain deck (no bulkheads): $35.95; 3-pack, $107.85; 6-pack, $215.70. Manufacturer Wheels of Time P.O. Box 846 Mountain View, CA 94042 www.wheelsotime.com Era: 1966 to 1998 (as decorated) Road names: With bulkheads: Southern Pacific, Golden West Service, St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton […]

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Video: MTH HO scale R17 New York Subway set

MTH HO scale R17 New York Subway set

MTH Electric Trains brings the sights and sounds of the New York City Subway to HO scale with this R17 Subway set. The model features the firm’s Digital Command System (DCS) and Proto-Sound 3.0 sound system that both operate on DCS, Digital Command Control (DCC), and direct-current (DC) layouts. Check out this exclusive Model Railroader […]

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Video: Bachmann SoundValue HO scale USRA light 4-6-2 Pacific

Bachmann SoundValue HO scale USRA light 4-6-2 Pacific

This HO scale United States Railroad Administration light 4-6-2 Pacific from Bachmann Trains models a hard-working passenger hauler that served until the end of the steam era. Part of the Bachmann SoundValue line, this HO scale model includes a SoundTraxx dual-mode decoder. See and hear the SoundValue HO scale USRA light Pacific in action on […]

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MTH HO scale New York City subway cars

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MTH HO scale New York City subway cars The MTH model includes working headlight, marker lights, and local and express indicators. The lead car in the four-car set is powered and houses the Digital Command System and Proto-Sound 3.0 electronics. The unpowered cars have a rudimentary interior and overhead lighting. Next stop, Dyer Avenue! You […]

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Bachmann HO scale SoundValue USRA light 4-6-2 Pacific

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Bachmann HO scale SoundValue USRA light 4-6-2 Pacific The HO scale model features many separate detail parts, including wire handrails and metal running gear. A SoundTraxx decoder and speaker are in the tender. A passenger workhorse of the steam era joins Bachmann Trains’ HO scale SoundValue lineup with this United States Railway Administration (USRA) light […]

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WalthersProto HO scale PRR BM70n RPO-baggage car

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WalthersProto HO scale PRR BR70n RPO baggage car The car has a detailed interior made of several plastic moldings. Contacts at one end of the car provide electrical pickup for interior lighting (sold separately). Fully-fledged post offices on wheels, Railway Post Office cars used to be called the most profitable cars in a railroad’s fleet. […]

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Quick Look: Atlas N scale Norfolk Southern gondola

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Atlas N scale Norfolk Southern gondola Price: Single car, $25.95; three-pack, $77.95; six-pack, $155.70 Manufacturer Atlas Model Railroad Co. 378 Florence Ave. Hillside, NJ 07205 www.atlasrr.com Era: June 1993 to present (as decorated) Road names: Norfolk Southern (with yellow conspicuity stripes, test roller bearings stencil, MW scrap tie loading stencil, and 263K GRL 1993 scheme […]

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