USA Trains center-cupola caboose

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Marc Horovitz 1:29 scale, gauge 1, center-cupola cabooseUSA TrainsPO Box 100Malden MA 02148Price: $199.95Website: www.usatrains.com Mostly plastic model of a standard gauge, steel, center-cupola caboose; available in a long list of road names and liveries; plastic trucks; metal wheelsets; operating lights and markers; operating fan-driven smoke unit; full interior; underbody detail; truck-mounted LGB-style hook-and-loop couplers […]

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iHobby Expo 2010 preliminary show report

athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD70ACe and SD70M-2 diesel locomotives

Athearn Trains HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD70ACe and SD70M-2 diesel locomotives HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD70ACe and SD70M-2 diesel locomotives. SD70ACe: Union Pacific (Western Pacific heritage scheme, one road number). SD70M-2: Canadian National, Florida East Coast, and Norfolk Southern. Four road numbers each unless noted. Direct-current models, $189.98. With Digital Command Control and SoundTraxx […]

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Walthers HO scale American Car & Foundry 85-foot baggage car

MRR-PR1210_06

Walthers HO scale American Car & Foundry 85-foot baggage car An 85-foot baggage car has been added to the Union Pacific “City train” series of HO scale passenger cars from Walthers. It represents one of the 33 cars (series 5631-5663) built by American Car & Foundry in 1954. It’s a ready-to-run model with factory-installed handrails. […]

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Michigan model railroad club runs the world’s longest model train

worlds longest model train

The 1,112.06-foot O scale model train runs threeabreast on the Chi-Town Union Station layout. More of the train is seen in the background. The white cards in the model railroad cars mark every tenth car. With state, county, and local government officials in attendance, Chi-Town Union Station, a model railroad club in Commerce Township, Mich., […]

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Techniques for freight car weathering

Prototype. The Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic 50-foot double-door boxcar in the 1970 photo to the right inspired Bob's modification and weathering of an HO model.

A great prototype photo can often be a wonderful source of inspiration for a model. This was the case for my Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic 50-foot double-door boxcar. When I saw the black-and-white inset photo of a well-worn DSS&A boxcar, I immediately decided to paint the car’s discolorations and markings on an HO model. […]

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ExactRail N scale Trinity hi-cube 50-foot boxcar

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ExactRail N scale Trinity hi-cube 50-foot boxcar Price: $22.95 ManufacturerExactRail LLC1053 South 1675 WestOrem, Utah, 84058www.exactrail.com Era: 1995 to present Comments: A contemporary 52-foot Trinity hi-cube plug-door boxcar has been released in N scale by ExactRail. It represents a high capacity prototype built by TrinityRail Corp. to haul heavy rolls of printing paper. The model […]

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Tips to rejuvenate postwar freight cars

gray model oil car

In the September 2010 issue, I showed how I rejuvenated a postwar Lionel No. 2458 boxcar. It’s one of several cars I bought from my local hobby shop’s bargain shelf. Here are photos of a few more cars I worked on, along with comments on what I did to improve their appearance. Sunoco tank car […]

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National Train Show 2010 preview

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Blackstone Models HOn3 class C-19 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive (pre-production model shown) HO scale locomotives HOn3 class C-19 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive. Denver & Rio Grande Western (four road numbers available, one in “Bumblebee” scheme) and Rio Grande Southern (one number). Pre-production model shown. Die-cast metal boiler, wire handrails, and magnetic knuckle couplers. Price and […]

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National Train Show 2010 preview

Märklin Inc. HO scale Pennsylvania RR class L-1 Mikado freight locomotive

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP9 diesel locomotive. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Baltimore & Ohio; Canadian National; Louisville & Nashville; and Pennsylvania RR. All available with dynamic brakes except for L&N. Digital Command Control, directional lighting, and E-Z Mate Mark II magnetic knuckle couplers. $89. October 2010. Ready-to-run. Bachmann, 215-533-1600, www.bachmanntrains.com Alco RS-3 diesel […]

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Walthers HO scale Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range caboose

Walthers HO scale Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range caboose

Walthers HO scale Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range caboose An abundance of wire details make Wm. K. Walthers’ new HO scale model of a Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range class G2 caboose a standout. Although the long service life of these cars and the DM&IR’s practice of repeatedly rebuilding equipment makes it difficult to nail […]

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Atlas HO scale bulkhead flatcar

Atlas HO scale bulkhead flatcar

Atlas HO scale bulkhead flatcar Prices: $16.95 decorated, $12.95 undecorated ManufacturerAtlas Model Railroad Co. 378 Florence Ave.Hillside, N.J. 07205www.atlasrr.com Era: 1980s to present day Comments: Here’s an interesting HO scale model of a modern heavy-duty flatcar fitted with low bulkheads. It represents a common 62-foot, 90-ton capacity prototype built by Thrall Car Co. These cars […]

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Build a 1:22.5-scale drop-bottom hopper car PDF

Build a 1:22.5-scale drop-bottom hopper car

Download the PDF of this project here. This PDF is formatted to print on your home printer. Most pieces are formatted to fit on a 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper. For larger parts of the plan, you will see “break lines.” Line up the break lines to create the larger piece. Despite our best […]

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