Trainfest 2011 show report

HO scale locomotives

Electro-Motive Division SD70ACe. New paint schemes: Montana Rail Link, CSX, Ferromex, and Union Pacific (Missouri-Kansas-Texas heritage scheme). Five-pole skew-wound motor with two flywheels, factory-installed detailed parts, and detailed cab interior. Direct-current models, $189.98. With SoundTraxx Digital Command Control and sound, $289.98. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com

Electro-Motive Division SD90/43MAC diesel locomotive. Model from previous run shown. New paint schemes and road numbers. Canadian Pacific, Indiana Rail Road, and Union Pacific. One road number each. Five-pole motor with brass flywheel, 42” blackened metal wheels, and illuminated ditch lights. $190 to $200. March 2012. Ready-to-run. Kato USA Inc., 847-781-9574, www.katousa.com

General Electric AC4400CW. Model from previous run shown. New road numbers: BNSF (Heritage II), Canadian Pacific, and Union Pacific. Five-pole motor with brass flywheel, 1.1” diameter speaker housing built into frame, and eight-pin plug for Digital Command Control decoder. $190 to $200. March 2012. Ready-to-run. Kato USA Inc., 847-781-9574, www.katousa.com

Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel locomotives. Western Maryland; Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (yellow bonnet or warbonnet); Chesapeake & Ohio; Erie Lackawanna; and Northern Pacific. Five-pole skew-wound motor with flywheel, injection-molded plastic shell, and illuminated cab interior. Direct current models: A-B set, $299.95; A unit, $159.95; and B unit, $149.95. With Proto-Sound 3.0: A-B set, $439.95; A unit, $229.95; and B unit, $219.95. Ready-to-run. MTH Electric Trains, www.mthhotrains.com

Alco FA-1 and FB-1 diesel locomotives. Reading Co., Great Northern, Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania RR, and Union Pacific. Five-pole skew-wound motor with flywheel, illuminated number boxes, and directional headlights. FA-1: direct current, $159.95; with Digital Command Control and Proto-Sound 3.0, $229.95. FA-1 and FB-1 sets: direct current, $299.95, with DCC and Proto-Sound 3.0, $439.95. Ready-to-run. MTH Electric Trains, www.mthhotrains.com

Electro-Motive Division NW5 diesel locomotive. Burlington Northern, Council Bluffs Ry., Fort Street Union Depot, Great Northern (as-delivered, Empire Builder, simplified, or Big Sky Blue schemes), Mass Central, and Southern Ry. Factory-painted brass model with railroad-specific details, Cannon EN22 motor with dual flywheels, directional lighting, and Kadee no. 58 knuckle couplers. $899. Ready-to-run. Overland Models Inc., 765-289-4257, www.overlandmodels.com

HO scale freight cars

40-foot steel plug-door refrigerator car. Santa Fe Refrigerator Dept.; American Refrigerator Transit (with Wabash and Missouri Pacific heralds); Burlington Northern; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Fruit Growers Express; Great Northern; National Car Co.; Milwaukee Road; Pacific Fruit Express; Western Fruit Express with Great Northern herald; and data only (yellow or orange). Injection-molded plastic kit with plastic wheelsets and Accumate knuckle couplers. $15.98. Accurail, 630-365-6400, www.accurail.com

40-foot postwar boxcar with six-foot door. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Canadian National; Erie Lackawanna; National Ry. of Mexico; Spokane, Portland & Seattle; Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo; and undecorated. Prototype-specific details, detailed underframe, and blackened metal wheelsets. $27.95 (undecorated, $22.95). Second quarter 2012. Ready-to-run. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

American Car & Foundry 4,650-cubic-foot-capacity Center Flow covered hopper. New paint schemes: Baymag; Excel Railcar; Freeport; Kerr McGee; Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern; and Western Pacific. Etched-metal running boards, blackened metal wheels, and detailed brake gear. $34.95. Second quarter 2012. Ready-to-run. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

Berwick Forge & Fabricating 50-foot boxcar. Preproduction model shown. Minnesota Commercial, BNSF, Canadian National, Chicago & North Western, Ferromex, Illinois Central, and undecorated. Three road numbers per scheme. Overhanging X-panel roof, underbody detail, and blackened metal wheels. $28.95 (undecorated, $24.95). Ready-to-run. Master Line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

Three-bay hopper. HOn3. East Broad Top (1930s or ’40s lettering), painted black but unlettered, and data only. Kadee no. 714 knuckle couplers, separately applied details, and wire grab irons. $54.95 (weathered, $59.95). Ready-to-run. Blackstone Models, 970-259-0690, www.blackstonemodels.com

Baltimore & Ohio class M-53 wagontop boxcar. Baltimore & Ohio (six paint schemes) and undecorated kit. Multiple road numbers per paint scheme. Injection-molded plastic with wood-grain detail on running and tack boards, wire grab irons, and Kadee no. 58 magnetic knuckle couplers. $32.95. Ready-to-run. Platinum series. ExactRail, 866-945-1701, www.exactrail.com

Evans 5,277-cubic-foot-capacity boxcar. Rock Island; Burlington Northern; Louisiana Midland; Railbox; and Lake Erie, Franklin & Clarion. Undecorated kit also available. Details and price to be announced. Ready-to-run. Evolution series. ExactRail, 866-945-1701, www.exactrail.com

Pullman-Standard 5,344-cubic-foot-capacity boxcar. Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern; Bangor & Aroostook; Milwaukee Road; Rock Island; Sandersville; and Texas Mexican Ry. Undecorated kit also available. Details and price to be announced. Ready-to-run. Platinum series. ExactRail, 866-945-1701, www.exactrail.com

Thrall 2,244-cubic-foot-capacity gondola. Detroit, Toledo & Ironton; Conrail; Chicago & North Western; and Rock Island. Details and price to be announced. Ready-to-run. Evolution series. ExactRail, 866-945-1701, www.exactrail.com

Trinity 50-foot hi-cube boxcar. New road numbers: TTX/Railbox. Injection-molded plastic model with wire grab irons and brake rods, metal wheelsets with metal axles, and Kadee no. 5 magnetic knuckle couplers. $29.95. Ready-to-run. Evolution series. ExactRail, 866-945-1701, www.exactrail.com

Gunderson Maxi-IV three-unit articulated well car. New paint schemes: Arkansas-Oklahoma and Pacer Stacktrain. Two road numbers per scheme. Injection-molded plastic and metal construction. $100 to $105. March 2012. Ready-to-run. Kato USA Inc., 847-781-9574, www.katousa.com

Canadian National Pointe St. Charles caboose. Canadian National (as-built, international service, or Operation Lifesaver). Factory-painted brass model with end backup lights, marker lights, and axle-driven generator detail. $328. Ready-to-run. Overland Models Inc., 765-289-4257, www.overlandmodels.com

Baltimore & Ohio class M-53 wagontop boxcar. Mid-1955 to late 1957 billboard scheme with “13 Great States” herald. Three road numbers. Custom-decorated Fox Valley Models car with Youngstown doors, wire grab irons, and Kadee magnetic knuckle couplers. Ready-to-run. Spring Mills Depot, www.smd.cc

Pullman-Standard canstock boxcar. Baltimore & Ohio, Chessie System with B&O reporting marks (with or without translucent roof panel), and CSX. Six road numbers per scheme. Correct roof panels for period and paint scheme, wire grab irons, and metal wheels. $49.95 (undecorated kit $39.95). Ready-to-run. Spring Mills Depot, www.smd.cc

Pullman-Standard 50-foot coal gondola. Preproduction model shown. Burlington Northern, Cajun Electric, Consumers Power, Detroit Edison, Fayette Power Project, and Southern Ry. Single car and two differently number six packs. Factory-installed internal bracing and brake gear, 36” metal wheelsets, and Proto-Max knuckle couplers. Single car, $21.98; six-pack, $129.98. March 2012. Ready-to-run. Walthers Mainline series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com

Trinity 14,000-gallon molten sulfur tank car. Preproduction sample shown. First Union Rail (TGOX reporting marks), General American (CGTX or GATX reporting marks), Sulcom Inc., and Trinity Industries Leasing (black or yellow). Two road numbers per scheme. Undecorated model also available. Factory-installed wire grab irons, underbody details, and 36” metal wheelsets. $37.98. April 2012. Ready-to-run. Walthers Proto series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com

HO scale passenger cars

Jackson & Sharp open-platform passenger coach. Denver & Rio Grande (red three-pack). Detailed interior, prototype-specific lamp vent placement, and truck electrical pickup wipers. $280. Single car painted red but unlettered, $97.95. Ready-to-run. Blackstone Models, 970-259-0690, www.blackstonemodels.com

Pennsylvania RR MP54-series electric commuter cars. Pennsylvania RR (prewar light Tuscan with brown roof and olive running gear, postwar Tuscan with black roof and running gear, or keystone scheme). MR54E2-TC coach, MPB54E1-TC combine, and MBM62E1 baggage-mail. Positionable pantograph, separately applied wire grab irons, and detailed interior. Powered models, $229.98; non-powered models, $129.98. Ready-to-run. Con-Cor, 888-255-7826, www.con-cor.com

HO scale train sets

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Pioneer Zephyr with twin headlights. Three-car set. Dual-mode Mars light, die-cast metal weights, and detailed interior on second and third cars. $449.98. Add-on coach, $149.98. Ready-to-run. Con-Cor, 888-255-7826, www.con-cor.com

HO scale structures

Solkowski’s Meat Packing Co. Laser-cut wood angled low-relief structure. $99.99. GC Laser, 815-354-6627, www.gclaser.com

County Co-op. Laser-cut wood flat. $19.99. GC Laser, 815-354-6627, www.gclaser.com

Consolidated Auto Parts Co. Laser-cut wood walls, Tichy Train Group windows and doors, tar paper roofing, white metal castings, and wood crates. $75. Motrak Models, 813-476-4784, www.motrakmodels.net

HO scale details and accessories

Freight car loads. Coal load for ExactRail FMC 4,000-cubic-foot-capacity coal gondola ($6.95) and scrap metal load for ExactRail 65-foot mill gondola ($7.95). Motrak Models, 813-476-4784, www.motrakmodels.net

End-of-train device. Track powered. End-of-train device is available with gray or yellow case and is mounted on scale coupler. Compatible with Ring Engineering RailPro, Digital Command Control, and direct current. Truck offered with 33” or 36” metal wheelsets. No batteries or wiring required. $39.95. Ring Engineering, 219-322-0279, www.ringengineering.com

Power pickup truck. Four spring-loaded bushings, built in short-circuit protection with auto reset, and 750mA maximum current. Compatible with Ring Engineering RailPro, Digital Command Control, and direct current. Truck offered with 33” or 36” metal wheels. $19.99. Ring Engineering, 219-322-0279, www.ringengineering.com

N scale locomotives

Electro-Motive Division GP7 and GP9 diesel locomotives. HO scale model shown. New paint schemes on GP7: Belt Ry. of Chicago, Kansas City Southern, Maine Central, and Western Pacific. New road numbers on GP7: Burlington Northern and Conrail. New paint schemes on GP9: Boston & Maine, Canadian National, Chesapeake & Ohio, and Western Maryland. New road numbers on GP9: Milwaukee Road. Low-friction drive with dual brass flywheels, golden-white light-emitting diodes, and Accumate knuckle couplers. Direct-current models $109.95, with NCE Digital Command Control decoder, $144.95. Second quarter 2012. Ready-to-run. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

N scale freight cars

50-foot boxcar. New paint schemes: Chessie System with Baltimore & Ohio reporting marks, Chicago & Eastern Illinois, Grand Trunk Western, Louisville & Nashville, Maine Central, and Milwaukee Road. Diagonal-panel roof, improved dreadnaught ends, and nine-foot Youngstown door. $16.95. Second quarter 2012. Ready-to-run. Trainman line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

United States Railway Administration double-sheathed boxcar. New paint schemes: Boston & Maine; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern; Great Northern; Missouri Pacific; and Wabash. Limited-edition scheme: General Equipment Trust. Injection-molded plastic model with prototype-specific details. $20.95. Second quarter 2012. Ready-to-run. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

Magor Car Corp. Chesapeake & Ohio caboose. HO scale model shown. New paint schemes: Amtrak, Apalachicola Northern, Belt Ry. of Chicago, CP Rail, Erie Lackawanna, Florida East Coast, Illinois Terminal, Long Island, National Ry. of Mexico, Penn Central, and Western Maryland. Detailed underframe and Accumate knuckle couplers. $16.95. Second quarter 2012. Ready-to-run. Trainman line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

American Car & Foundry 10,000-gallon single-dome tank car. Preproduction model shown. C.F. Simonin’s Sons Inc., Frontenac, Owenwood Motor Oil, Phillips 66, and Sparton Oil Co. Separate handrails and ladders, detailed brake rigging, and body-mounted E-Z Mate knuckle couplers. $17.95. Ready-to-run. Bachmann, 215-533-1600, www.bachmanntrains.com

Northeast steel caboose. Preproduction sample shown. Norfolk & Western, Lehigh Valley, Maine Central, Reading Co., Western Maryland, and painted red but unlettered. Metal wheels and E-Z Mate knuckle couplers. $18.95. Ready-to-run. Bachmann, 215-533-1600, www.bachmanntrains.com

Cabooses. Missouri Pacific DeSoto-Sedalia-built road caboose with platforms, Southern Pacific class C-50-10 caboose no. 1, and three transfer cabooses with general traits common to many home-built cars (small center side windows, long platforms, and double rows of railings). Separately applied details, window glazing, free-rolling trucks, and body-mounted knuckle couplers. Prices and availability date to be announced. Bluford Shops, www.bluford-shops.com

Wood-chip gondolas. Preproduction sample shown. Canadian National, Milwaukee Road, Southern Ry., Western Pacific (single car and three-pack only), and Union Pacific (two paint schemes). Knuckle couplers and 100-ton trucks. Single car, $19.95. Two-pack, $39.90. Three-pack, $59.85. Ready-to-run. DeLuxe Innovations, 201-857-5880, www.deluxeinnovations.com

Gunderson Maxi-Stack IV three-unit articulated well car. Preproduction sample shown. TTX (DTTX reporting marks), Arkansas-Oklahoma, BNSF (circle-cross herald), Iowa Interstate, Northwest Container Service (three road numbers), Mass Central, and Pacer Stacktrain. Four road numbers per scheme except as noted. $74.95. DeLuxe Innovations, 201-857-5880, www.deluxeinnovations.com

Trinity TRINCool 64-foot mechanical refrigerator car. Union Pacific. Twenty-four road numbers. Body-mounted draft-gear box, uncoupling levers, and Magne-Matic knuckle couplers. Price to be announced. Ready-to-run. ExactRail, 866-945-1701, www.exactrail.com

Milwaukee Road ribbed-side bay-window caboose. 1939-41, 1946, and 1951 prototypes. Original scheme and black roof with Milwaukee Road herald. Two road numbers per scheme. Prototype-specific trucks, etched-metal running boards, and body-mounted Micro-Trains couplers. $32.95. Ready-to-run. Fox Valley Models, www.foxvalleymodels.com

Texas & New Orleans class B-50-21 40-foot boxcar. As-delivered scheme. Custom-decorated InterMountain 1937 Association of American Railroads with Micro-Trains trucks and knuckle couplers. Single car, $21.95; four-pack, $79.95; six-pack, $118.95. Prototype N Scale Models by George Hollwedel, 512-579-0539

Union Pacific class B-50-27 40-foot boxcar. As-delivered scheme. Custom-decorated InterMountain 1937 Association of American Railroads with Micro-Trains trucks and knuckle couplers. Single car, $21.95; four-pack, $79.95; six-pack, $118.95. Prototype N Scale Models by George Hollwedel, 512-579-0539

Gunderson Maxi-Stack I five-unit articulated well car with 10 APL 40-foot intermodal containers. TTX. Two road numbers. Well car features injection-molded plastic and steel construction. Containers have magnets and metal plates. $145 to $150. March 2012. Ready-to-run. Kato USA Inc., 847-781-9574, www.katousa.com

N scale passenger cars

Heavyweight paired-window coach. Preproduction sample. Pullman and Southern Pacific. Injection-molded plastic with prototype-specific underframe, extended vestibule steps, and 36″ plastic wheelsets. Based on Baltimore & Ohio plan no. 2882B. $22.70. Ready-to-run. Micro-Trains Line Co., 541-535-1755, www.micro-trains.com

70-foot heavyweight baggage-express car. New York, New Haven & Hartford; Soo Line (single cars only); Southern Ry.; and Union Pacific. Prototype-specific roofs and trucks and knuckle couplers. Single car, $44.49; two-car set, $83.99. April-May 2012. Ready-to-run. Wheels of Time, 866-737-9654 (fax), www.wheelsotime.com

N scale details and accessories

Intermodal containers. 40-foot refrigerated containers: Itel (two-pack, $16.95) and Dole (five-pack, $39.95). 48-foot containers: NYK/TransAmerican, Canadian National Laser intermodal, and Burlington Northern America. Two-pack, $17.95. Injection-molded plastic. DeLuxe Innovations, 201-857-5880, www.deluxeinnovations.com

Intermodal container chassis. Hyundai, Hanjin, APL, and Maersk Sealand. Two-pack, $22.95. DeLuxe Innovations, 201-857-5880, www.deluxeinnovations.com

Transit motor coaches. Chicago Transit Authority and Los Angeles Transit Lines. Detailed interiors, clear window glazing, vinyl tires, and changeable destination signs. $25.95. February 2012. Wheels of Time, 866-737-9654 (fax), www.wheelsotime.com

O scale freight cars

62-foot bulkhead flatcar. BNSF (two road numbers), Canadian Pacific, Illinois Central, Trailer Train (two road numbers), Union Pacific, and undecorated. Four road numbers each except as noted. Prototypical pull plates and lift rings, simulated tie loops, and side stake pockets. Minimum recommended radius is 24″. $49.95. 2012 delivery. Ready-to-run. Trainman line. Atlas O, 908-687-0880, www.atlaso.com

Pullman-Standard 4,427-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper with low sides. New road numbers and paint schemes: Akron, Canton & Youngstown; Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Commodity Traders; Louis-Dreyfus; St. Louis-San Francisco; and undecorated. Four road numbers each. See-through running boards, separately applied wire grab irons, and die-cast metal 100-ton roller-bearing trucks with rotating bearing caps. $73.95. 2012 delivery. Atlas O, 908-687-0880, www.atlaso.com

Electronics/controls

Light-emitting diode string. Warm or cool white diodes. 12-18V AC or DC. Twelve diodes per string. $15. Evans Design, 303-410-1118, www.modeltrainsoftware.com

Cab06 and Cab06R. Intermediate-sized throttle with four-digit light-emitting diode display, functions zero through nine, and 28 or 128 speed steps. Cab06 tethered, $99.95. Cab06R wireless, $189.98. NCE Corp., www.ncedcc.com

Dual relay. Connects to a Switch-It or Switch 8 accessory decoder to provide two single-pole double-throw or one double-pole double-throw relay output for switching up to 2 amps of power. May be used for controlling polarity of dead-frog turnouts or automatic reverse loop control. Price to be announced. NCE Corp., www.ncedcc.com

CAT5 cable. Ten-foot section. Price to be announced. NCE Corp., www.ncedcc.com

UTP-CAT5 adapter. Two-socket adapter that converts NCE Corp. RJ12 socket to the CAT5 RJ45 socket. Price to be announced. NCE Corp., www.ncedcc.com

UTP-CAT5 panel. Same size as NCE Corp. UTP panel but has two CAT5 RJ45 sockets on back. Allows medium and large layouts to use common CAT5 cable. Price to be announced. NCE Corp., www.ncedcc.com

Assorted signals. Amtrak Northeast Corridor (ex-Pennsylvania RR) color position light signal (HO scale, $49.99; O scale, $69.99); PRR dual-head position light signal with clipped lower background (O scale, $69.99); and PRR signal heads (standard or clipped head) with wire light-emitting diodes (HO scale, $19.99). December 2011. NJ International Inc., 480-219-4135, www.njinternational.com

HC-1 wireless handheld controller. Control direction, lights, and sound effects on touch screen. Metal knob provides speed control. For use on layouts equipped with RailPro system. Controller measures 1-1/2” x 3-3/8” x 6-1/8” and uses built-in rechargeable batteries (plug-in recharger also included). $399.99. Ring Engineering, 219-322-0279, www.ringengineering.com

Caboose lighting decoder. For Blackstone Models HOn3 long caboose. Includes Hyperlight lighting effects, golden white light-emitting diodes, and advanced consisting. Compatible with direct current and Digital Command Control. $35.95. SoundTraxx, 970-259-0690, www.soundtraxx.com

General Electric U50 diesel locomotive sound decoder. Dual GE FDL-16 motor sounds, more than 14 other sound effects, back-electromotive-force motor control, and 16-bit sound processor. For use with any 8-ohm speaker. For models that don’t exceed 1 amp stall current. $119. SoundTraxx, 970-259-0690, www.soundtraxx.com

Software

Power Cab software version 1.65. Allows users to select up to six recalls. Software chip is user-installable. $25. NCE Corp. www.ncedcc.com

Airbrush supplies

Portable air compressors. 80-3N Breeze (occasional use), 80-8N Zephyr (professional specialty application), 180-15 Airstorm (moderate use), TC908 Aspire (includes air regulator, moisture filter, and gauge), TC909 Aspire Elite, and TC910 Aspire Pro (high-frequency use). Price range is $145 to $340. Badger Airbrush Co., 847-678-3104, www.badgerairbrush.com

Smart Jet Plus tubular air compressor. Oil-less piston compressor with .45 liter air tank, braided nylon-covered hose, and automatic shutoff. 1/6 hp, 60 psi maximum pressure. Includes air regulator and gauge. Price to be announced. Iwata-Medea Inc., 503-253-7308, www.iwata-medea.com

Weathering supplies

Wood stain. New colors: Cordovan Brown, Driftwood, Greige, Hunter Green, and Yellow Cream. Rubbing alcohol base. Eight-ounce bottle, $7 each. Three or more bottles, $6. Hunterline, 866-934-4174, www.hunterline.com

PanPastel weathering kit. Rust and earth colors; grays, grime, and soot; and scenery. Each kit contains seven colors in pan (cake-like) format, palette tray with cover, and Sofft applicators. Colorfin LLC, 484-646-9900, www.modelingcolors.com