Roco-Fleischmann HO scale digital passenger train set no. 6041273

Price: $1,169.99ManufacturerRoco-Fleischmann Modelleisenbahn groupSilvergate Distributors Inc.9755 Birch Canyon Place, Suite 200San Diego, CA 92126silvergatedistributors.comComments: The digitally controlled features on this HO scale German-prototype passenger set may make North American-prototype modelers a bit jealous. The locomotive and all three passenger cars feature realistic lights, sounds, and other user-controlled effects. Using a Model Rectifier Corp. Prodigy Advance […]

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National Train Show 2009 preliminary report

Bachmann HO scale Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 articulated-steam-locomotive with VC12 Vanderbilt tender

Once again, Model Railroader magazine is reporting from the National Train Show, which this year is being held in Hartford, Conn., from July 10-12. What follows is a list of new products being announced by model railroad manufacturers exhibiting at the show. This is a preliminary list, including items revealed to Model Railroader before the […]

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Mantua HO scale Union Pacific 4-6-2 Pacific

David Schoedel photo This is a very nice engine made by Mantua. It has a black die-cast metal shell and a working headlight. It is very heavy so naturally, it pulls a ton! It also has electrical pickups in the tender and a working valve gear. It does unfortunately take a lot of power to […]

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Railroad History in a Nutshell

Powder River Basin

Railroad History in a Nutshell Two coal trains in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming illustrate the astonishing growth of railroad freight in the U.S. and Canada. Matt Van Hattem North American railroading has a rich past. How can it all be encapsulated? Where can you go to learn its roots? The Center for Railroad […]

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Carrabasset & Dead River

Name: Carrabasset & Dead River Scale: HOn2½ Size: 28 x 28 feet Prototype: free-lanced, based on Maine two-foot gauge prototypes Locale: coastal and interior Maine Period: 1941 Style: around-the-walls walkaround Minimum radius: 18″ Maximum grade: 3 percent Originally appeared in the October 2008 issue of Model Railroader. Click on the link to download a PDF […]

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Franklin & South Manchester

Name: Franklin & South Manchester RR Scale: HO (1:87) Size: 23 x 42 feet Prototype: free-lanced, based on Boston & Albany, Boston & Maine, and New York, New Haven & Hartford Locale: New England Period: 1935 Style: walkaround Minimum radius: 30″ Maximum grade: 2 percent Scenery construction: hydrocal on nylon screen over plywood forms Originally […]

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Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2 Steam engine Southern #5224

I recently purchased this product, and to be honest, it is one of the best 2-10-2 models ever made by Bachmann. The model features directional lighting and is equipped with a DCC decoder for compatibility with a DCC Controller. It also has unique drive rod connections on the wheels. I recently gave it a break-in […]

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Kato N Scale SD70ACe Rio Grande Heritage

I just received my new (and long anticipated) Kato N scale SD70 ACe D&RGW Heritage locomotive. I am truly impressed with the detail. The locomotive has flawless paintwork, crisp decaling and runs like a dream with the Kato five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels. This locomotive comes prototypically accurate with bolsterless non-radial HTSC truck and […]

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Reading Co. Office Car No. 15

Now on display at the Reading Co. Technical & Historical Society’s Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in Hamburg, Pa., office car No. 15, the Henry E. Huntington, led a rich life. No. 15 served the Reading for 40 years. Then, Philip and Diana Goldman purchased, preserved, and used the car. Author of “Going Home” in August […]

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EXCLUSIVE: Hunter Harrison, In His Own Words

Hunter Harrison, Canadian National Railway

Jim McClellan Almost bigger than life, Hunter Harrison had profound influences on the Canadian National and Illinois Central railroads (IC is now part of CN). In its August 2009 issue, Trains Magazine examines the legacy that this complex man will leave when he steps down as CN’s chief executive at the start of 2010. What’s […]

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