This Proto 2000 Philadelphia Bethlehem & New England SW9/1200 diesel is available now from Walthers. Additional roadnames available on the limited-edition ready to run HO scale model include Chessie System/Baltimore & Ohio, Chicago Burlington & Quincy,Chicago & North Western,New York Central,Union Pacific and Santa Fe. The locomotive features QSI Sound and DCC and will operate on both DCC and DC. Sound features include variable RPM diesel engine, horn, bell, brake squeal, Doppler effect, air release, trailer and headlight control. Contact your favorite dealer for additional details.
In other news, Walthers says it’s HO scale Union Pacific “City of” streamline cars will have correct-color grab irons. The factory installed grabs will be painted appropriate to the roof and ends of each car while side grabs will be left in natural metal to match the stainless steel prototypes. In addition, the cars will have correctly tinted window glazing that matches the green color used on the UP prototype.
If you have ever attended a Narrow Gauge Convention you know that the highlight of the awards presentation is provided by the hilarious remarks of Charlie Getz, the genial master of ceremonies. DVD copies of the 2006 and 2007 conventions are being sold at $10 each as a fund raiser for the Narrow Gauge Preservation Foundation and the Durango Railroad Historical Foundation. For ordering instructions please send an inquiry to Ted Wiese at ted.wiese@gmail.com
|
Plano Products ( http://www.planomodelproducts.com) has six-packs of HO scale Morton running boards for 40-foot boxcars at $18.25 and Gypsum-pattern coupler crossover-platforms in packs of four at $6.
Richmond Controls Company ( http://www.richmondcontrols.com) has a small anti-flicker electronic module for passenger cars that drives a light emitting diodes that simulates a flashing Mars light plus two additional LEDs that function as continuously-lit marker lights.
The newest release from Signature Press ( http://www.signaturepress.com) is “The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway” by Pat Dorin. The book includes a description of operations and a complete history of the EJ&E. The new 176-page book contains 230 photos, including 93 in color, along with 12 maps, drawings and appendices with freight car rosters and timetables for various years.
Look for Tangent Scale Models ( http://www.tangentscalemodels.com) to rerun its acclaimed HO scale PRR, SP and Wabash ACF 70 ton gondolas this summer. All are currently sold out except the undecorated kit version.
Train Control Systems has several drop-in DCC decoders for Kato N scale diesels that feature adjustable lighting brightness and outputs for flashing ditch lights. Dedicated decoders are available for Alco PA-1 and PB-1 units, GE P42 "Genesis" diesels and Electro-Motive Division E9A, E8/9, F3A, F7A, F40PH, F3B, F7B, and E9B locomotives. Visit http://www.tcsdcc.com for complete application details for each locomotive type.
WrightTRAK is developing an HO scale Youngstown steel door as an optional modification for ExactRails’ Southern 50-foot waffle car. The door will be cast in resin and should be ready before the end of May. For additional information including placing a reservation visit http://www.wrighttrak.com.
Industry News
41,000 Attend WGH Show Chantilly, Virginia: Attendance at the Worlds Greatest Hobby Show held in late January at the Dulles Expo Center in suburban Washington, DC exceeded 41,000 people according to the show’s chairman Randy Bachmann. The crowd topped the record of 40,000 set a year ago at the Philadelphia WGH show. Rapido Launches OEM Factory In China Toronto, Ontario: Rapido Trains Inc. has established Maytex-Rapido, a new division of Rapido Trains that will operate as an OEM supplier to model railroad and scale model manufacturers. The principal manufacturing factory will be in Dongguan, China, with supporting offices in the US and Canada. Maytex-Rapido offers complete manufacturing capability including research, design, tooling, decorating, assembly and packaging. The firm’s background includes experience in manufacturing HO, N and OO gauge trains of both UK and North American prototypes as well as experience making model kits, slot cars, and other hobby products. More information can be found at maytex.rapidotrains.com.
Career Opportunity at Bachmann Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Bachmann Industries has an employment opportunity for a communications manager with train expertise. Duties and responsibilities include creation and distribution of print and electronic advertising materials, press releases, product samples and information to trade publications and the media. Management of the Bachmann website and newsletter, Maintenance of the Bachmann online product catalog, writing and proofing copy for the annual product catalog. A bachelors degree is required. For additional information contact Mr. Doug Blaine at blained@bachmanntrains.com.
|
 Richard Bale is our News and Events editor and columnist. Richard writes our news column under the byline of The Old Yardmaster. He has been writing about the model railroad trade for various hobby publications since the 1960s.
Richard is currently introducing 3 of his grandsons to the hobby by involving them in the construction of his fifth layout. He enjoys building models, particularly structures, some of which appeared in the June 2006 issue of Model Railroader magazine. |
DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Model Railroad Hobbyist or its sponsors. Every effort is made to provide our readers with accurate and responsible news and information, however, neither Model Railroad Hobbyist or the writer of this column can be held responsible for any inaccuracies or typographical errors that may inadvertently appear in this publication.
