Model Railroader 2014 No 06

As Exciting as the City It’s Named For !

WalthersProto Santa Fe 37-Class F7 Diesels Now in Stock! A-B Sets

A Units

Tsunami® Sound & DCC $529.98 Each 920 40697 #43L & #43A 920 40698 #43B & #43C

Tsunami® Sound & DCC $269.98 Each 920 40699 #42L 920 40700 #42C

Standard DC $329.98 Each 920 47697 #45L & #45A 920 47698 #45B & #45C

Standard DC $169.98 Each 920 47699 #44L 920 47700 #44C

San Francisco Chief Cars • 7 All-New ATSF Models – First Time in Plastic! • Based on Equipment in Service 1954-71 • Real Metal Finish Simulates Stainless Steel as Appropriate • Mix & Match to Model Other Santa Fe Streamliners • Prototypically Accurate Window Tinting as Appropriate

LED Interior Lighting Kits • Fully Assembled w/LEDs • Use on DC or DCC Systems 920-1060 For Budd & Pullman-Standard Cars 920-1062 For Full Dome Cars

• Limited Edition – One-Time Run of these Engine Numbers • Based on A-B-B-A Units Delivered in October 1952 with: * Simulated Stainless Steel Side Panels * New - 48" Dynamic Brake Fan * New - Nathan 5 Chime Horn * ATS Shoe on Engineer Side Rear Truck * Single Steam Generator on B Units • Available with Soundtraxx® Tsunami® Sound for DCC & DC Powered Layouts • Authentic “Bulldog” Nose • 14:1 Helical Gears for Quiet, Smooth Operation

74' Pullman-Standard Baggage Car 920-9325 $69.98 In Stock

85' Budd 36-Seat Diner 920-9326 $79.98 June Delivery

85' Pullman-Standard “Valley” Series 6-6-4 Sleeper 920-9328 $69.98 In Stock

85' Budd 46-Seat Coach 920-9320 $79.98 In Stock

85' Pullman-Standard “Hotevilla” Series 4-4-2 Sleeper 920-9321 $79.98 In Stock

85' Pullman-Standard “Regal” Series 4-4-2 Sleeper 920-9005 $74.98 Sold Out at Walthers - See Your Dealer

85' Budd “Big Dome” Bar-Lounge Dormitory 920-9324 $84.98 In Stock

85' Budd “Pine” Series 10-6 Sleeper 920-9002 $74.98 Sold Out at Walthers - See Your Dealer

85' Pullman-Standard “Blue” Series 10-3-2 Sleeper 920-9322 $79.98 August Delivery

85' Pullman-Standard Lunch Counter Diner Dormitory 920-9329 $79.98 July Delivery

85' Pullman-Standard “Yampai” Series 8-8-2 Sleeper 920-9327 $69.98 June Delivery

85' Pullman-Standard “Indian” Series 24 Duplex Roomette Sleeper 920-9323 $79.98 September Delivery

Get on board with the latest WalthersProto releases — sign up for Walthers E-newsletters at walthers.com/signup, or visit your local hobby shop. To find a shop near you, call 1-800-487-2467 or visit walthers.com. Prices and delivery dates as shown were accurate at press time; for updates, visit www.walthers.com/san_fran_chief. Preproduction models shown, some details and colors may vary. The Santa Fe marks are licensed marks owned by the BNSF Railway Company ©2014 Wm. K. Walthers, Inc.

JUNE2014

Online Content Code: MRR1406 Enter this code at: www.ModelRailroader.com/code to gain access to web-exclusive content

Volume 81, Number 6

IN THIS ISSUE

50

Easy industry: Model a bulk-transfer site

64

p 50

Switcher plus more reviews p 64 June 2014 www ModelRa lroader com

30

How to paint and weather track p 30

5 steps to a more realistic layout

26

INSID

E

61 ne ! produ w cts p 10

How to model an abandoned junction tower p 26

30 How to paint and weather track in 5 steps (and how to lay it) Spray painting, brush painting, and an India ink wash enhance commercial track by Lou Sassi

34 Add magnetic air brake hoses to HO rolling stock

HOW TO

34

38 36

Concealed magnets simulate operating brake connections between the cars by Pelle Søeborg ▸ Online bonus ModelRailroader.com

38 Kitbash a crane kit A Tichy 120-ton model is the starting point for Rutland’s 60- and 150-ton versions in HO scale by Andy Clermont

44 Hauling lumber and stone to the sea This Pacific Northwest logging and quarrying model railroad features dual-gauge track by Lou Sassi

50 Model a bulk transfer facility in an existing yard How to turn a dormant scene into a new industry in five days by M.R. Snell

p 34

On the cover: Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes no. 16, a narrow-gauge Baldwin 2-6-2, crosses a road near Strong, Maine, on Lou Sassi’s On30 layout. Lou Sassi photo

36 6 ways to use a digital craft cutter for your layout It’s similar to a desktop printer, but it cuts shapes instead by Alex Marchand

• Kitbash two different railroad cranes p 38 • Add magnetic brake hoses to freight cars • 6 ways to use a digital craft cutter p 36

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Digital MR

60 DCC Corner

by Dana Kawala

Protecting a layout entry gate, part 3 by Mike Polsgrove

8 From the Editor Big numbers for our hobby by Neil Besougloff

10 News & Products by Cody Grivno ▸ Online bonus ModelRailroader.com

20 Railway Post Office

54 Steam-to-diesel on the Boston & Maine

by Eric Stelpflug

Bob Gurley’s 22 x 50-foot HO scale layout models the transition era in northern New England by Mike Confalone

22 Information Desk

64 Product Reviews MREXTRA SoundTraxx DCC sound decoder for HO scale Kato P42, HO scale WalthersProto USRA 0-8-0 switcher with Tsunami decoder, and more by Dana Kawala

74 Trackside Photos

How prototype locomotives are painted by Jim Hediger

by Steven Otte ▸ Online bonus ModelRailroader.com

24 Workshop Tips

Modeling the 1960s by Tony Koester

NEXT ISSUE

NMRA Standards and Recommended Practices by Jim Hediger

85 Index of Advertisers and Cartoon

July’s issue will have you thinking small, with five stories about railroading in small spaces: three compact layouts, an industry in a tight spot, and modular benchwork.

73 Trains of Thought

26 Step by Step

86 The Operators

Model an abandoned interlocking tower by Cody Grivno

Why I like operating with train orders by Andy Sperandeo

MREXTRA www.ModelRailroader.com subscriber extra MRVP

Video on www.MRVideoPlus.com

Model Railroader (USPS 529 810, ISSN 0026 7341) is published monthly by Kalmbach Publishing Co , 21027 Crossroads Circle, P O Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187 1612 Periodicals postage paid at Waukesha, Wis , and additional offices POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Model Railroader, Kalmbach Publishing Co , 21027 Crossroads Circle, P O Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187 1612 Printed in USA Canada Publication Mail Agreement # 40010760

10

HOW TO

PLAN, ORDER AND BUY ATLAS MODEL RAILROAD PRODUCTS Whether you’re a consumer, dealer or distributor, Atlas has developed a superior, time-tested system to assist you in planning, ordering and buying your quality Atlas locomotives and rolling stock.

PART 1- PLAN The system starts every six months, (January and July) when Atlas publishes its ‘All Scales Catalog’ of N, HO and O scale locomotives and rolling stock announcements and arrivals. This catalog includes both the planned pre-order announcements, as well as products that are scheduled to arrive, for the next six months. You can find the latest catalog on our website in PDF form at: ÌÌ«\ÉÉÜÜÜ°>Ì >ÃÀÀ°VÉV>Ì> }°Ì

*
,/ Ó  ORDER Bi-Annual Catalog - print version

Now that you’ve previewed in detail what Atlas has planned for you, the key to ordering products is the ‘All Scales Monthly Catalog’ (ASMC.) All Scales Monthly Catalogs are distributed at the beginning of each month both April ASMC electronically and hard copy to all authorized Atlas dealers and distributors as well as electronically to all Atlas email consumer subscribers that sign up for the Atlas E- Newsflash. Signing up is as simple as visiting our home page, www. atlasrr.com, providing your email address and clicking subscribe!

*
,/ Î  BUY Pre-orders and in-stock merchandise can also be reserved through Atlas’ network of dealers, as well as through Atlas’ online store, shop.atlasrr.com. Atlas prints an updated Authorized Dealer listing in each ‘All Scales Catalog’ every six months. Atlas also provides an online Dealer Locator tool that can be accessed by visiting: ÌÌ«\ÉÉë°>Ì >ÃÀÀ°VÉÃÌÀiV>ÌÀ°>Ã«Ý Online Dealer Locator

Catalog Dealer Listing

For your FREE COPY of the detailed 4 page brochure, “How to Plan, Order and Buy Atlas Model Railroad Products”, send a #10 SASE to “POB Brochure” at the Atlas address below.
/
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DIGITALMR

▸▸ Visit us online for more

Dana Kawala

Subscriber Extras ▸▸ How To ▸▸ Videos ▸▸ News & Reviews ▸▸ Community ▸▸ Shop ▸▸

Step by step online extra

Bonus video Magnetic HO scale air hoses Contributing editor Pelle Søeborg shows how to install MagnaLock HO scale air brake hoses on page 34. Check out how the air hoses add realism to Pelle’s rolling stock in this short online video.

Track plan database Get the history of GO Tower on the MR&T

Get more than MREXTRA 500 plans

On page 26 you’ll learn how Cody Grivno modeled an abandoned version of GO Tower on the Model Railroader staff’s club layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. This month you can download a copy of Gordon Odegard’s January 1988 article to learn how he scratchbuilt the original structure.

Looking for your next model railroad? Subscribers can check out the Track Plan Database at ModelRailroader.com. You can search the database by scale, size, and type. Each plan can be downloaded as a printable PDF document.

New computer desktop wallpaper Get inspired each month Don’t miss this trackside photo of Ron Foreman’s HOn3 layout. You can use the image as a computer screen background. Find it under Online Extras.

New product demos

More track tips Save 30% on this featured download

MREXTRA

Watch new DCC-sound-equipped locomotives This month, subscribers can watch two product demo videos. We handle some switching chores with a WalthersProto SoundTraxx Digital Command Control-equipped HO scale 0-8-0. In a separate video, subscribers can watch a SoundTraxx-equipped Kato USA HO scale P42 in action. 6

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

Beginning with basic track terminology, this collection of previously published articles takes you through building and easily measuring grades and easements, laying roadbed, working with flextrack, and more. Download this 19-page article collection before June 30th, and you’ll save 30% off the regular price.

Railroader MREXTRA Model web extra Visit www.ModelRailroader.com for bonus material It’s exclusive to Model Railroader subscribers. Go now!

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JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

7

Neil Besougloff

FROMTHEEDITOR

Big numbers for our hobby

How’s the model railroad hobby do-

ing? Pretty good, judging by recent statistics taken from the new and improved ModelRailroader.com website. If you haven’t visited our website in a while, take a look. Subscribers can watch our exclusive workshop webcam, browse and make prints of more than 500 track plans in our searchable database, and read product reviews in advance. Even if you buy only occasional issues of Model Railroader, you’ll have access to weekly hobby product announcements and many of the website extras linked to the contents of each issue. Plus everyone can chat with other hobbyists in the lively and helpful Model Railroader forums. Since Model Railroader’s new website went live last fall, more than 1,939,602 visits have been recorded, or about 323,000 per month. Hobbyists have, in the month of March alone, looked at a total of 1,219,293 pages of information within the website. Model Railroader’s weekly e-mail newsletter has 148,323 subscribers, making it the largest and most timely digital source of hobby information 52 times per year. If you don’t already get the newsletter, go to ModelRailroader.com to sign up. It’s free. But we’re not the only ones who have had a good winter season.

More than 108,500 people attended World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour shows this past season. The shows promote the hobby of model railroading and are held in large cities each winter. There were four shows this past season, which means an average of about 27,000 people attended each show. Back in January, the Amherst Railway Society show in Springfield, Mass., saw 21,118 people pass through its gates for a total attendance number of 25,232. In suburban Milwaukee in November, Trainfest attracted 23,417 attendees. So the next time a train buddy starts wondering aloud about the fate of model railroading, start rattling off some of these numbers.

Founder

Inside this month’s issue you’ll find inspiration and how-to information. Author Lou Sassi, who usually is photographing layouts for Model Railroader, offers five steps for weathering track starting on page 30. Lou’s photography can be seen in the feature story about Floyd Simms’ logging layout starting on page 44. Matt Snell, another regular contributor, explains on page 50 how he carved space from an under-used yard to make a bulk-transfer facility, an easy-to-build industry for his HO scale layout. And on page 38, Andy Clermont explains how he kitbashed prototype models of not one, but two Rutland RR cranes, starting with Tichy Train Group HO crane kits. Oops, I’m out of space, but there’s plenty more in this issue, so go ahead and turn the page.

Kalmbach Publishing Co. President Charles R. Croft VP, Editorial/Publisher Kevin P. Keefe VP, Advertising Scott Stollberg VP, Marketing Daniel R. Lance Corporate Art Director Maureen M. Schimmel Managing Art Director Michael Soliday Group Advertising Manager Scott Redmond Ad Sales Representative Martha Stanczak Ad Services Representative Cassie Spoerl Production Manager Helene Tsigistras Production Coordinator Cindy Barder Corporate Circulation Director Michael Barbee Group Circulation Manager Catherine Daniels Circulation Specialist Valerie Lane Single Copy Sales Director Jerry Burstein

▸▸ Contributing to Model Railroader We welcome contributions from our readers, including articles, photographs, and prototype drawings. For detailed information on submitting material to MR, contact our editorial associate Eric Stelpflug at 262-796-8776, ext. 583, or [email protected]. Model Railroader assumes no responsibility for the safe return of unsolicited material. We assume unsolicited material is intended for publication by Kalmbach Publishing Co. unless otherwise noted. We assume letters, questions, news releases, and club news items are contributed gratis. 8

Model railroading is fun!

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

A.C. Kalmbach 1910-1981

Editor Neil Besougloff Producer, MR Video Plus A. David Popp Art Director Thomas G. Danneman Managing Editor Hal Miller Senior Editor Jim Hediger Senior Editor Dana Kawala Associate Editor Cody Grivno Associate Editor Steven Otte Associate Editor Eric White Associate Producer, MR Video Plus Kent Johnson Assistant Editor, MR Video Plus Ben Lake Editorial Associate Eric Stelpflug Editorial Assistant, MR Video Plus Jenny Maaske Contributing Editor Tony Koester Contributing Editor Pelle Søeborg Contributing Editor Andy Sperandeo Senior Graphic Designer Scott Krall Graphic Designer Drew Halverson Illustrator Rick Johnson Illustrator Roen Kelly Illustrator Kellie Jaeger Photography Supervisor William Zuback Photographer Jim Forbes

Phone: Fax: E-mail: Website:

Editorial offices

262 796 8776 262 796 1142 [email protected] www.ModelRailroader.com

Advertising Advertising inquiries: 888 558 1544, ex. 643 Fax: 262 796 0126 Advertising e-mail: [email protected] Selling Model Railroader magazine or products in your store: Phone: 800 558 1544, press 3 Outside U.S. and Canada: 262 796 8776, ex. 818 Fax: 262 798 6592 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.Retailers.Kalmbach.com Customer Sales and Service 800 533 6644 (Weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT) Outside U.S. and Canada: 262 796 8776, ex. 421 Fax: 262 796 1615 E-mail: [email protected] Phone:

SUBSCRIPTION RATE: U.S.: 1 year $42.95; 2 years $77.95; 3 years $107.95. Canadian: 1 year $52.95; 2 years $97.95; 3 years $137.95. Canadian price includes additional postage and GST, BN 12271 3209 RT, payable in U.S. funds. All other international subscriptions: 1 year $62.95; 2 years $117.95; 3 years $167.95. International price includes additional postage, payable in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank. Expedited delivery available for additional $40 domestic first class, Canadian air; $75 international air. © 2014, Kalmbach Publishing Co. Title registered as trademark. All rights reserved. Microfilms of Model Railroader are available from ProQuest Information and Learning, 800-521-0600; http://proquest.com.

NEWS&PRODUCTS

HO scale National Railway Equipment Genset II locomotive. Atlas Model Railroad Co. is offering this modern locomotive decorated for BNSF Ry. (post-2005 herald), Belt Railway of Chicago, Canadian Pacific, CSX, Indiana Harbor Belt, and NRE demonstrator (one road

Industry news

▪ Jaglinski to take over as Trainfest chair. Lifetime model railroader

and 20-year National Model Railroad Association member Ken Jaglinski will step into the recently vacated Trainfest committee chair position. The National Model Railroad Association’s Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE) Division board of directors announced the appointment in a March 24 press release. Jaglinski will take over the position from John Tews, who announced his retirement in January. Trainfest 2014 is scheduled for Nov. 8–9 at the Wisconsin Exposition Center in the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis. For more information, visit www.trainfest.com.

▪ NMRA 2014 national convention heads to Cleveland. Model railroad-

ers from around the world will gather in Cleveland from July 13-20 for the National Model Railroad Association’s national convention. The week-long gathering will feature clinics, operating sessions, contests, and prototype modeling displays. In addition to the modeling activities, there will also be a variety of prototype tours. Potential tours include the Wheeling & Lake Erie Ry., Mad River & Nickel 10

▸▸ New product announcements are posted on ModelRailroader.com every week

number). The Trainman Plus model, $144.95, is available in two numbers each unless noted plus undecorated. The four-axle unit has an eight-pin Digital Command Control decoder socket and separately applied grab irons. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

Plate Museum, Age of Steam Roundhouse, and area steel mills. The National Train Show will take place July 18 through 20 at the New Cleveland Convention Center. Stop by the Model Railroader booth to meet members of the magazine staff. ▪ Correction. The Kato N scale Electro-Motive Division F2 and F3 diesel locomotives announced on page 13 in April’s issue use a DCC-friendly frame, not the older style split-frame mechanism.

HO scale locomotives

(with Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range reporting marks), Southern Pacific (“Kodachrome” scheme), and St. Louis Southwestern (American Revolution Bicentennial scheme in one road number or as-delivered scheme). Three road numbers each unless noted. Roadnumber-specific details, Quick Plug for Digital Command Control decoder, and separately applied wire grab irons. $129.98. October 2014. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com

▪ Electro-Motive Division F45 and

FP45 diesel locomotives. F45: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (pinstripe scheme); Burlington Northern; BNSF Ry. (ATSF patchout, three road numbers); and Montana Rail Link (two road numbers). FP45: ATSF (Superfleet scheme) and Milwaukee Road. Four road numbers each unless noted. Roadnumber-specific details, detailed and painted cab interior with control stand, and McHenry couplers. Direct-current model, $169.98; with dual-mode SoundTraxx sound decoder, $269.98. October 2014. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com

diesel locomotive. Great Northern (Big Sky Blue), Erie Lackawanna, and Southern Pacific. Four road numbers each. Road-number-specific details, wire grab irons, and McHenry scale couplers. Direct-current model, $199.98; with dual-mode SoundTraxx sound decoder, $299.98. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com

diesel locomotive. Canadian National

and GP40 diesel locomotives. New

▪ Electro-Motive Division SD45T-2

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

▪ Electro-Motive Division SDP45

▪ Electro-Motive Division GP38

▸▸ Mobile Updates Scan the code to access Model Railroader’s website for weekly News & Products updates.

paint schemes. GP38: Central Oregon & Pacific; Louisville & Indiana; New York, New Haven & Hartford (Connecticut Department of Transportation logo); RailAmerica (unlettered); Vermont Ry. (RailAmerica patchout); and Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis. GP40: Belt Ry. of Chicago; Milwaukee Road (Hiawatha paint scheme); Rock Island; Seaboard Coast Line; and Wheeling & Lake Erie. Three road numbers each. Directional lighting, separately applied details, and Accumate couplers. Directcurrent model $149.95; with Digital Command Control and sound, $259.95. Fourth quarter 2014. Ready-to-run. Master Line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

▪ Electro-Motive Division

Cody Grivno

HO scale freight cars

▪ Wide-cupola caboose. New paint scheme: Soo Line (brown with white lettering). New road numbers: Burlington Northern, Chessie System (with Chesapeake & Ohio reporting marks), Conrail, and Denver & Rio Grande Western. Three road numbers per scheme. Acetal end platform handrails, metal ladders, and separately applied smokejack and brake wheel. $24.98. October 2014. Ready-toRoll. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com

▪ Florida East Coast Ortner three-bay hopper. Cast-resin kit with assembly hardware but no trucks or couplers. $14.99. Concept Models, www.con-sys.com

▪ American Car & Foundry

4,650-cubic-foot-capacity Center Flow hopper. New paint schemes.

Post-1971 car: Interstate Commodities Inc. (Golden West Service patchout), Solvay (two road numbers), and Union Pacific (Building America scheme with St. Louis Southwestern reporting marks or billboard lettering with Western Pacific marks). Pre-1971 car: Canadian National (reporting marks only, three numbers) and Great Northern (gray). Four road numbers each unless noted. Etched-metal running boards, detailed brake gear, and Accumate couplers. $37.95. Third quarter 2014. Ready-to-run. MasterLine. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

▪ Wabash 1885-era offset-cupola caboose. Cast-resin kit with assembly hardware but no detail parts, trucks, or couplers. $29.99. Concept Models, www.con-sys.com

SD70ACe diesel locomotive.

▪ Trinity Industries aluminum coal

▪ Bethlehem Steel 3,737-cubic-

Norfolk Southern heritage schemes: Jersey Central Lines, Erie, New York Central, Virginian, and Wabash. SoundTraxx Sound Value diesel sound package with prototypical prime mover, three air horns, and bell. $299. Sound Value line. Readyto-run. Bachmann, 215-533-1600, www.bachmanntrains.com

gondola. New paint schemes: BNSF Ry.

foot-capacity hopper. Chicago & Eastern Illinois (1973 as-delivered paint scheme, 23 road numbers), Chicago & North Western (1976 asdelivered scheme, 24 road numbers), Missouri Pacific (1984 small eagle herald repaint, six road numbers), and Texas & Pacific (1974 as-delivered scheme with Missouri Pacific herald,

(black), CIT Group, Penn Central, Pennsylvania RR, and Somerset RR. Four road numbers each. Weighted underframes, removable plastic coal load, and Accumate couplers. $24.95. Third quarter 2014. Ready-to-run. Trainman series. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

HO scale Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 diesel locomotive. New paint schemes on this Genesis series model is Electro-Motive Division leasing (Conrail patchout or solid blue in one number each, blue with white face in two numbers). The ready-to-run locomotive

features road-number-specific details, wire grab irons, and McHenry scale couplers. Direct-current models are priced at $169.98. Models with a dual-mode SoundTraxx sound decoder sell for $269.98. Athearn Trains, 310-7637140, www.athearn.com JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

11

NEWS&PRODUCTS

HO scale North American Car Corp. PD-3000 covered hoppers. These ready-to-run cars are the latest model from Spring Mills Depot. The NACC PD-3000 covered hoppers are decorated for Haliburton Energy Services, First Union Rail, North American Car Corp. (demonstrator scheme), Penn Central (nine road numbers) Atlas Cements (two numbers), BJ Titan, Blue Circle Cement (six numbers), Boston & Maine, Burlington Northern, CIT Group (National Mineral Corp. patchout in one number or solid gray), Conrail (Penn Central patchout

18 road numbers). Available with choice of flood- or heap-style coal load. Single door Wine locks; wire uncoupling levers, grab irons, and lever hangers; and interior wheel well panels. $38.95. Ready-to-run. Platinum Series. ExactRail LLC, 866-9451701, www.exactrail.com

▪ Bethlehem Steel 3,600-cubicfoot-capacity quad hopper. New

paint schemes: Bessemer & Lake Erie (American Revolution Bicentennial, one road number), Louisville & Nashville (Family Lines herald, six numbers), Illinois Central Gulf (1981 simplified scheme), and Union Pacific (class H-100-17 1989 black repaint and class H-100-17 1997 black repaint version 2 in three numbers each). New road numbers: Bessemer & Lake Erie (six numbers), Clinchfield (class FH19 original paint), CSX, Illinois Central Gulf (“Centralia Quad” with I-Rail herald), Louisville & Nashville, and Union Pacific (classes H-100-16, H-100-17, and H-100-19). Twelve numbers each unless noted. Etched-metal brakewheel platforms, separately applied air hoses, and Kadee couplers. $34.95. Ready-to-run. Tangent Scale Models, 828-279-6106, www.tangentscalemodels.com

in six numbers; early or late scheme class H58 car in one number each), Filtrol Catalysts, General Electric Railcar Services (gray car with NAHX block, Roman, or stencil reporting marks in nine numbers each or oxide car), IMCO Services, Milpark Drilling Services, and National Minerals Corp. (six numbers). The cars are available in three road numbers each unless noted. The hoppers ($54.95) have prototype-specific body style and ends, metal grab irons, and etched-metal running boards. Spring Mills Depot, 443-744-0938, www.springmillsdepot.com

improved brake gear; 33" metal wheelsets; and Proto-Max knuckle couplers. $31.98. April 2014. Ready-to-run. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com

HO scale passenger cars

▪ Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 85-foot Budd Hi-Level 72-seat coach car. Factory-installed grab irons,

detailed interior, and Proto-Max couplers. Standard, $79.98; with light-emitting diode interior lighting, $89.98. March 2014. Ready-to-run. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com

HO scale structures

▪ Yard Cafe/Hiway Cafe. Laser-cut

▪ Thrall 65-foot mill gondola.

Algoma Central, Baltimore & Ohio, CSX, and Missouri-Kansas-Texas. Newly tooled thin-profile ladders, see-through brakewheel platform, and 12

components. Sidewalks, resin and metal detail castings, and laser-cut shingles also included. Footprint is 81 ⁄2" x 11". $124.95. Limited run of 500 kits. Direct orders only. Bar Mills Scale Model Works, 207-929-3400, www.barmillsmodels.com ▪ Farmer’s Fertilizer. Laser-cut wood kit with tab-and-slot construction; peel-and-stick trim, doors, windows, and roofing; truck loading conveyor; bucket elevator with hopper car unloading pan, ladder, handrails, and control cabinet; and signs. Footprint is 75 ⁄16" x 73 ⁄8" (conveyor on side); 55 ⁄16" x 105 ⁄16" (conveyor on end). $57.95. Blair Line, 417-3598300, www.blairline.com

▪ Gibley’s Furniture Co. Kit includes wood, cardstock, and laser-cut paper

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

wood kit with peel-and-stick parts and tab-and-slot construction. Details include counters, barstools, rooftop air conditioner, and signs. Footprint is 31 ⁄4" x 43 ⁄4". $39.95. Blair Line, 417-359-8300, www.blairline.com

▪ Winery. Laser-cut cardstock kit includes main building, servant’s house, 24 vines, and a figure set. Main building footprint is 57 ⁄16" x 57 ⁄8". Servant’s house footprint is 23 ⁄4" x 49 ⁄16". Price to be announced. Noch GmbH & Co., www.noch.com ▪ Post Office. Injection-molded plastic kit with detailed rooftop machinery house, parts for three different entrances, and decals for high school, hospital, county courthouse, and library. Footprint is 31 ⁄2" x 131 ⁄2". $64.98. Cornerstone Series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com

HO scale details and accessories

▪ 53-foot trailer with refrigeration unit. New trailer numbers: Dick Simon

Trucking Inc., England Intermodal, Market Transport Ltd., May Trucking Co., and Stevens Transport. Three trailer numbers per scheme. Prototype-specific fuel tank, positionable rear bogie, and vinyl tires. $26.98. October 2014. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com

N scale Norfolk & Western CF class wood-cupola caboose. American Model Builders has released this laser-cut wood kit with cast-resin details and peel-andstick parts. The model, priced at $31.95, does not include trucks, couplers, or decals. American Model Builders Inc., 314-646-8588, www.laserkit.com

Twin. Rolling vinyl tires. Prices to be announced. Noch GmbH & Co., www.noch.com

numbers). New road numbers. C-628: Southern Pacific. C-630: Canadian National. Three road numbers each unless noted. Scale Speed motor, directional lighting, and Accumate couplers. Direct-current, $109.95; with Digital Command Control motor decoder, $139.95. Fourth quarter 2014. Ready-to-run. Master Line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

▪ Stained-wood grade crossing.

▪ Rock concert with figures.

Features laser-etched boards and nail hole detail. Two-lane crossing set (parts for two crossings, 39 ⁄16" long), $7; one-lane crossings set (includes parts for three crossings, 13 ⁄4" long), $7. Blair Line, 417-359-8300, www.blairline.com

Laser-cut model includes microprocessorcontrolled light console with 12 lightemitting diodes that flash in time to music, band figure set, and special adhesive. Connects with music devices (Walkman, smartphone, or MP3 player via 3.5mm jack plug. Limited edition of 1,000 pieces. Price to be announced. Noch GmbH & Co., www.noch.com

N scale freight cars

N scale locomotives

erator car. New paint schemes: Brinks

▪ Assorted figure sets. City cleaning, chicken and geese, fishermen, hobos, parents and children, police officers (two versions), restaurant, swans and ducks, and traffic wardens. Factorypainted injection-molded plastic figures. Price to be announced. Noch GmbH & Co., www.noch.com

▪ Electro-Motive Division F45 and FP45 diesel locomotives. F45:

Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (pinstripe scheme); Burlington Northern; BNSF Ry. (ATSF patch, three road numbers); and Montana Rail Link (two road numbers). FP45: ATSF (Superfleet scheme) and Milwaukee Road. Four road numbers each unless noted. Road-number-specific details, detailed and painted cab interior, and light-emitting-diode headlights. Direct-current model, $109.98; with dual-mode SoundTraxx sound decoder, $139.99. October 2014. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com

▪ Alco C-628 and C-630 diesel locomotives. New paint schemes.

▪ Assorted motorcycles. BMW R90/6, Jawa 350 Automatic, Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans, NSU Supermax, Triumph Bonneville T100, and Triumph Speed

C-628: Louisville & Nashville (Family Lines scheme, four road numbers), Pacific Ry. (two numbers), Lehigh Valley (two numbers), and Seaboard Coast Line. C-630: British Columbia Ry. (red, white, and blue) and Pacific Great Eastern (four

▪ 40-foot double-sheathed refrig& Sons, Genesee Brewing Co., Goetz Country Club Special, Marshall Canning Co., Pacific Great Eastern, and Wisconsin Canners Association. Two car numbers each. Positionable roof hatches, handle and latch detail, and Accumate couplers. $26.95. Third quarter 2014. Ready-to-run. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com

▪ Chesapeake & Ohio-style

center-cupola caboose. New paint

schemes: Baltimore & Ohio (one road number), Conrail (maintenance-of-way paint scheme), Erie Lackawanna, Lehigh & New England, Missouri Pacific, Monon, Norfolk & Western, Pacific Ry., and Soo Line. Two car numbers each unless noted. Weighted and detailed underframe, window glazing, and Accumate couplers. $21.95. Third quarter 2014. Ready-to-run. Trainman series. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

13

NEWS&PRODUCTS

O scale single-dome frameless tank car. This ready-to-run model is the latest offering from San Juan Car Co. The single-dome tank car ($89.95) is decorated for Union Tank Car Co. (eight road numbers), Milwaukee Road, and Pioneer Oil & Refining Co. The model, offered in four road numbers per scheme unless noted, features an injection-molded plastic body, metal wheelsets, and separately applied details. San Juan Car Co., 970-385-5256, www.sanjuancarco.com

▪ 50-foot combination-door boxcar. British Columbia Ry. Injection-

molded plastic body, plastic wheelsets, and Magne-Matic couplers. Fourpack, $99.95. Ready-to-run. MicroTrains Line Co., 541-535-1755, www.micro-trains.com ▪ Assorted freight cars. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 50-foot double-door boxcar with freight load, $24.30; Canadian National 33-foot two-bay hopper with removable coal load (two road numbers), $22.60 each; National Brewing Co. Inc. 36-foot double-sheathed refrigerator car, $26.95; Skelly Oil Co. 39-foot single-dome tank car, $26.95; and TTX 89-foot flatcar with two Stryker M1126 ICV loads, $34.25. All models feature plastic wheelsets and Magne-Matic couplers. Ready-to-run. Micro-Trains Line Co., 541-535-1755, www.micro-trains.com

▪ Chessie System bay-window

cabooses. Four safety paint schemes (white, blue, orange, and yellow) with Baltimore & Ohio reporting marks. Injection-molded plastic body, plastic wheelsets, and Magne-Matic couplers. Four-pack, $129.95. August 2014. Ready-to-run. Micro-Trains Line Co., 541-535-1755, www.micro-trains.com

N scale passenger cars

N scale structures

▪ Farmer’s Fertilizer. Laser-cut wood kit with tab-and-slot construction; peel-and-stick trim, doors, windows, and roofing; truck loading conveyor; bucket elevator with hopper car unloading pan, ladder, handrails, and control cabinet; and signs. Footprint is 4" x 5" (conveyor on side); 3" x 61 ⁄2" (conveyor on end). $37.95. Blair Line, 417-359-8300, www.blairline.com

N scale details and accessories

▪ Stained-wood grade crossing.

Features laser-etched boards and nail hole detail. Two-lane crossings set (parts for two crossings, 1.8" long), $7. One-lane crossings set (parts for three crossings, 0.9" long), $7. Blair Line, 417-359-8300, www.blairline.com

heavyweight Railway Post Office.

14

O scale locomotives

▪ General Electric Dash 8-40C and Dash 8-40CW diesel locomotive.

Magne-Matic couplers. $29.35. Ready-torun. Micro-Trains Line Co., 541-535-1755, www.micro-trains.com

▪ Pressed Steel Car Co. 60-foot New paint scheme: New York Central (two-tone gray). Injection-molded plastic body, separately applied details, and

Axsun, Bison Transport, Canadian Tire, Canadian National (white, black, and green with “We Deliver” slogan), CSX (“How Tomorrow Moves” scheme), J.B. Hunt (gray ocean containers, one set), J.B. Hunt Intermodal, J.B. Hunt Intermodal/Uline (one set,), Pacer, and Swift (two paint schemes, one set per scheme). Also available undecorated (two-pack, $17.98). Two sets per scheme unless noted. Two pack, $18.98 unless noted. Con-Cor International, 520-7218939, www.con-cor.com ▪ Assorted details. Eight piles of wood planks (Four different sizes, two piles each), loose wood planks (50 pieces), and drain covers (25 pieces). Prices to be announced. Noch GmbH & Co., www.noch.com

▪ 53-foot container. Schneider (orange or silver roof, one set per scheme),

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; BNSF Ry. (Heritage III); CSX (gray, blue, and yellow); and Union Pacific. Two road numbers each. Directional light-emitting diode lighting, separately applied details, and couplers. Direct-current model, $269.95; with Digital Command Control and QSI Quantum sound system, $429.95. Fourth quarter 2014. Ready-to-run. Trainman series. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlaso.com

O scale freight cars

▪ American Car & Foundry Type

27 8,000-gallon tank car. New paint schemes: California Dispatch Line, Crystal Car Line, North American Tank Line, Philadelphia Quartz, St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco). Four car numbers each. Metal grab irons, handrails, and stirrups; die-cast metal chassis; and metal wheelsets. $69.95. Third quarter 2014. Ready-to-run. Atlas O, 908-687-9590, www.atlaso.com

▪ Association of American Railroads 70-ton 3-bay open hopper.

New paint schemes: Central of Georgia (Southern Ry. repaint), Central Vermont, Chessie System (Chesapeake & Ohio or Western Maryland reporting marks), Minneapolis & St. Louis, and Reading & Northern. Separately applied brake wheel and brakewheel platform; flat or arched end as appropriate; and sprung, die-cast metal trucks. $55.95. Third quarter 2014. Ready-to-run. Trainman series. Atlas O, 908-687-9590, www.atlaso.com

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JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

15

NICHOLAS SMITH TRAINS Model Railroading For All Seasons ®

NEWS&PRODUCTS

VISIT OUR WEBSITE, OR GIVE US A CALL

For orders only: 1-800-848-9119 Product Info (610) 353-8585 Ɣ Fax (610) 359-9846

O scale structures

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Bachmann HO Locomotives D= Standard DC, S= DCC/Sound BAC52101 Bethlehem Steel 0-6-0 Side Tank (D) ... $76.99 BAC52102 Midvale Steel 0-6-0 Side Tank (D)........ $76.99 BAC52103 Midwest Quarry 0-6-0 Side Tank (D) .... $76.99 BAC52104 PRR 0-6-0 Side Tank (D) ..................... $76.99 BAC52105 Santa Fe 0-6-0 Side Tank (D) .............. $76.99 BAC63513 CSX GP40 Dark Future (D).................. $49.99 BAC63516 Conrail GP40 (D) ................................. $49.99 BAC63517 Chessie GP40 (D) ................................ $49.99 BAC63519 MKT GP40 (D) ..................................... $49.99 BAC65201 PRR GG1 Green Single #4912 (D) .... $118.99 BAC65202 PRR GG1 Tuscan 5 #4876 (D) .......... $118.99 BAC65203 PRR GG1 Green 5 #4842 (D) ............ $118.99 BAC65204 PRR GG1 Silver Red #4866 (D) ........ $118.99 BAC65205 PC GG1 Black #4882 (D) ................... $118.99 BAC65301 PRR GG1 Green Single #4807 (S) .... $162.99 BAC65302 PRR GG1 Tuscan 5 #4913 (S)........... $162.99 BAC65303 PRR GG1 “Black Jack” Green 5 (S) ... $162.99 BAC65304 PRR GG1 Silver Red #4872 (S)......... $162.99 BAC65305 PC GG1 Black #4853 (S) ................... $162.99 BAC65401 Central/Georgia ES44AC NS Her (S) $162.99 BAC65402 Southern ES44AC NS Heritage (S) ... $162.99 BAC65403 Lehigh Valley ES44AC NS Herit (S) ... $162.99 BAC65404 PRR ES44AC NS Heritage (S) .......... $162.99 BAC65405 NKP ES44AC NS Heritage (S)........... $162.99 BAC66001 Wabash SD70ACe NS Heritage (S) ... $162.99 BAC66002 Erie SD70ACe NS Heritage (S) ......... $162.99 BAC66003 CNJ SD70ACe NS Heritage (S) ......... $162.99 BAC66004 NYC SD70ACe NS Heritage (S) ........ $162.99 BAC66005 VGN SD70ACe NS Heritage (S) ........ $162.99 BAC84601 Undecorated Peter Witt Trolley w.DCC $79.99 BAC84602 Chicago Peter Witt Trolley w. DCC ...... $79.99 BAC84603 Brookyln/Queens Peter Witt w. DCC .... $79.99 BAC84607 Toronto Peter Witt Trolley w. DCC ........ $79.99 BAC84608 PTC Peter Witt Trolley w. DCC ............ $79.99

▪ Trailer Train 89-foot flatcar with two M577 personnel carriers.

▪ Shady Grove Texaco. Laser-cut wood kit with metal and resin details and color signs. Footprint is 4" x 6". $59.95. Bar Mills Scale Model Works, 207-929-3400, www.barmillsmodels.com ▪ Vehicle license plates. Arizona (1956-present) and New York (1960present). Each set includes tags for at least 10 vehicles. $1.50 per set (shipping included). Howard’s Hobby, 203-7325346, www.howardshobby.com

Bachmann HO Rolling Stock

sures 11 ⁄8" x 7". $4.96. Great Lakes Models, www.greatlakesmodels.com

Maryland (1950-1959), Massachusetts (1950-1969), and Virginia (1950-1959). Each set includes tags for at least 10 vehicles. $1.50 per set (shipping included). Howard’s Hobby, 203-732-5346, www.howardshobby.com

a casting that is 3" x 3" x 31 ⁄2". Makes 50 to 75 castings. $8 plus $3 shipping. Howard’s Hobby, 203-732-5346, www.howardshobby.com ▪ Ice crystals and icicles. For use on frozen lakes and ponds, road, roofs, eaves, or windows. Paste dries in two to three hours. 30ml tube. Prices to be

▪ Turntable. 1:22.5 proportion. 60- and 80cm diameter. Factory-mounted kits with modeler-installed detail parts, motor, and bridge planks. Weather resistant. Prices start at $650. Lokführer-Lukas, 0049 951 4074 9596, www.lokfuehrer-lukas.de

▪ Latex rubber rock mold. Produces

▸▸ Club offerings

Z scale locomotives

▪ Electro-Motive Division F7A

diesel locomotive. New paint scheme: Seaboard System. Injection-molded plastic shell, separate air horns, and Magne-Matic couplers. $109.95. Ready-torun. Micro-Trains Line Co., 541-535-1755, www.micro-trains.com



Store Hours: M,W,F 10-9 Ɣ T & Th 10-7 Ɣ Sat 10-5 Ɣ Sun 10-5 (Nov. 1st-Dec. 24th) 2343 West Chester Pike Ɣ Broomall, PA

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▪ Metal sea wall. White styrene. Mea-

Scenery

Large scale structures

Bachmann N Locomotives

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Z scale details and accessories

S scale details and accessories ▪ Vehicle license plates.

BAC51457 PRR Baldwin 4-6-0 DCC .................... $117.99 BAC51458 Southern Baldwin 4-6-0 DCC ............. $117.99 BAC51460 C&O Baldwin 4-6-0 DCC.................... $117.99 BAC51461 B&O Baldwin 4-6-0 DCC .................... $117.99 BAC61651 UP NW2 Switcher w. DCC ................... $78.99 BAC61652 GN NW2 Switcher w. DCC ................... $78.99 BAC61653 PRR NW2 Switcher w. DCC................. $78.99 BAC61654 NYC NW2 Switcher w. DCC................. $78.99 BAC61655 Unlettered Yellow NW2 Switcher DCC . $78.99 BAC63751 B&O F7 A w. DCC ................................ $66.99 BAC63851 B&O F7 B w. DCC ................................ $66.99 BAC63752 GN F7 A w. DCC .................................. $66.99 BAC63852 GN F7 B w. DCC .................................. $66.99 BAC63753 NS F7 A w. DCC ................................... $66.99 BAC63853 NS F7 B w. DCC .................................. $66.99 BAC63754 EL F7 A w. DCC ................................... $66.99 BAC63854 EL F7 B w. DCC ................................... $66.99 BAC63755 SF Warbonnet F7 A w. DCC ................. $66.99 BAC63855 SF Warbonnet F7 B w. DCC ................ $66.99



Yellow flatcar with RTTX reporting marks (four road numbers). Metal wheelsets and AutoLatch couplers. $85. Ready-to-run. American Z Line, 614-7641703, www.americanzline.com

O scale details and accessories

BAC13047 NS 85’ Full Dome Car .......................... $29.99 BAC16601 Ringling Bros.& BB Coach #75 ............ $21.99 BAC16602 RBBB Open Side Excursion Car #142 . $25.99 BAC16603 RBBB 40’ Gondola ............................... $16.99 BAC16604 RBBB 40’ PS1 Tiger Boxcar ................. $19.99 BAC17710 Reading Wide Vision Caboose .............. $9.99 BAC17728 EL Wide Vision Caboose........................ $9.99 BAC17432 Durango & Silverton Excursion Car ..... $22.99 BAC17435 Royal Gorge Excursion Car ................. $22.99 BAC17445 Cass Scenic Excursion Car.................. $22.99 BAC17447 Silver Unlettered Excursion Car ........... $25.99 BAC17448 Yellow Unlettered Excursion Car .......... $25.99 BAC17449 Green Unlettered Excursion Car .......... $25.99 BAC18348 Undec 52’ Depressed Flat w. Trans ..... $13.99 BAC18349 Undec 52’ Depressed Flat No Load ..... $14.99 BAC18601 UP Ore Car .......................................... $14.99 BAC18606 Conrail Ore Car .................................... $12.99 BAC18614 PRR Ore Car........................................ $14.99 BAC18627 CP Rail Ore Car ................................... $14.99 BAC18644 DMIR Ore Car ...................................... $14.99 BAC18907 PRR Flat w. Crate Load ....................... $17.99 BAC18908 PRR Flat w. Pipe Load ......................... $19.99 BAC71901 WM 52’-6” Drop End Gon w. Scrap ...... $23.99 BAC71902 NKP 52’-6” Drop End Gon w. Tires ...... $23.99 BAC71903 D&RGW 52’-6” Drop End Gon w. Coils $23.99 BAC71904 RDG 52’-6” Drop End Gon w. Crushed $23.99

19008

molded plastic body, plastic wheelsets, and Magne-Matic couplers. Norfolk Southern four-pack, $84.95; Railbox eight-pack, $179.95. Ready-to-run. Micro-Trains Line Co., 541-535-1755, www.micro-trains.com

Z scale freight cars

▪ 50-foot boxcar with exterior posts. New paint schemes: Norfolk

Southern (pre-1982 company) and Railbox (small herald). Injection-

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

▪ Sacramento Northern 40-foot double-sheathed boxcar. Accurail HO scale kit

custom decorated for the Western Railway Museum. Four road numbers available. $19.95 each plus $8 shipping, four-pack $74.95 plus $15 shipping. California residents add 8.375 percent sales tax. To order, call 707-374-2978, ext. 0; www.wrm.org

Scene created by Ken Patterson

Scene by Ken Patterson

EMD DDA40X

IN STORES NOW

LIVING LARGE

The DDA40X “Centennial”—the largest diesel locomotive ever produced is now available in HO scale. Four road numbers (#6913, #6916, #6930, #6946) represent the Union Pacific “Centennials” as they appeared from the late 1970s until their retirement in the mid-1980s. They feature cab-mounted horn, ACI plates (except #6913), sight glass (except #6913), and “Union Pacific” in the shield. Also included in this run is #6936, which still operates on special occasions. The #6936 has been modernized with a new nose door, rooftop air conditioner, Timken bearings, lightning stripe paint scheme, winged UP shield on the nose, and more. Besides the features you’ve come to expect from Genesis® locomotives, all of these monstrous models include two separate motors with individual drivetrains. SoundTraxx® Tsunami® sound equipped versions also have two individual sound systems. Visit your favorite retailer today to add these mammoth locomotives to your roster.

VISIT

Your Local Retailer

CLICK Athearn.com

CALL

1.800.338.4639

SERIOUS FUN.®

©2014 Horizon Hobby, LLC. Athearn and Genesis are registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, LLC. The Union Pacific mark and other marks owned by Union Pacific are made under trademark license from Union Pacific Railroad Company. SoundTraxx and Tsunami are registered trademarks of Throttle Up! Corp. All other trademarks, service marks and logos are property of their respective owners. 45199

NEWS&PRODUCTS ears. Each fret includes small, medium, and large loopers. $12.99 plus $7.50 shipping. Creative Dynamic LLC, creativedynamicllc.com

Software

▪ A-Track, version 4.3.2. Extension

Z scale Union Pacific class CA-1 double-sheathed caboose. American Z Line has released this ready-to-run brass model decorated for Union Pacific. The factory-painted caboose is available painted brown in two road numbers or yellow in one number. The model, priced at $135, features metal wheel sets, AutoLatch couplers, and clear window glazing. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, www.americanzline.com

announced. Noch GmbH & Co., www.noch.com

Tools

Decals

to complement and expand the capabilities of the NCE Power Cab or Power Pro Digital Command Control system. Updated version features extra options in Operate window, addition of MTH to list of decoder manufacturers, and corrections to errors in loading startup tutorial and connecting to online support page from help menu. Runs on any Windows desktop or notebook. Free. A-Trains Systems, www.a-train-systems.co.uk

DVDs

▪ Easy Model Scenery Using

FusionFiber. Updated from original 2010 version. Includes mixing and tinting demonstrations and tips on using the material for a variety of scenes. 60 minutes. $12. True Scene Modeling, 716-523-7305, www.truescene.com

▪ Assorted decals. Ghost lettering for

Books

assorted trailers; Incentive Per Diem boxcars; Citi Rail Leasing ES44AC, AC4400, and SD70ACe diesel locomotives; Milwaukee Road passenger cars (post-1947); Procor tank cars; and bathtub gondola and American Car & Foundry Coalveyor data. HO scale, $8; N scale, $6.50. Microscale Industries, 714-593-1422, www.microscale.com

By Robert D. Stutzman. 128 pages, soft cover. Tells the story of how Judge Thomas Mellon invested in a shortline railroad that would connect Ligonier to the Pennsylvania RR. Includes over 200 photographs. $21.99. Arcadia Publishing, 843-853-2070, www.arcadiapublishing.com

18

▪ The Ligonier Valley Rail Road.

▪ The Glue Looper V2. Micro-glue applicator for applying low-viscosity (thin) cyanoacrylate adhesive. Stainless steel construction with redesigned folding

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

K K

AM ONNECT

The New Standard in Modular Systems Kam Konnect Tables Remove Aggravation! You add IMAGINATION! Lay track across table joints. Secure track. Cut track with a Dremel tool. Now just place tables together and run trains!

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Read contributing editor Tony Koester’s thoughts about freight car trucks in the March 2014 MR.

Associate editor Steven Otte designed a new track plan by cutting up this old 4 x 8 plan, placing the cut pieces into the corners of an 8 x 12 space, and filling the gaps with new track. See the final plan in the April 2014 MR.

Turning a 4 x 8 inside-out Model Railroader associate editor Steven Otte did a great job showing how a 4 x 8 track plan can be arranged to yield a much larger and more exciting layout in the April 2014 MR. I have a suggestion to improve the Lime Ridge & Hercules and Portland & Western RR track plan. The entrance to LR&H staging should be as far away as possible from the P&W interchange. Currently, trains leaving LR&H staging immediately exchange cars at the P&W interchange, and then the train proceeds clockwise around the corner to Hercules. Only an un-modeled destination behind Eagle provides a reason for the train to proceed any further. But if the LR&H staging connection is at Lime Ridge, now the train proceeds counterclockwise to Hercules, where considerable shuffling will be needed to get cars from behind the locomotive swapped out at the P&W interchange before the train can proceed. Such awkward track arrangements are prototypical, and they significantly increase a layout’s operation value. Kelly Tissell, Seattle

Drying time vs. hardening time Cody Grivno and Aaron Skinner did a nice job describing different model paints in the March 2014 issue of MR. When articles about painting get published, I think it’s a good idea to remind everyone about the difference between drying time and hardening time. I recently discussed this with a friend who complained about the paint he was using. He said he waited for the paint to dry, but when he applied a second coat, it ended up with a soupy mixture, which turned into a complete mess. He didn’t wait for the paint to harden. I wait at least a day before applying a second coat. Sure, the paint dries to the touch in a few minutes, but the pigment and resin take much longer to harden. I believe this applies to just about all brands of paints. 20

This difference in drying time and hardening time also applies to indoor house paints. The manufacturers tell you the approximate drying times, but usually not the hardening times. William DeBuvitz, Mendham, N.J.

Sprung trucks, semi-scale wheels In the March 2014 Trains of Thought column, “Sprung trucks, semi-scale wheels,” Tony Koester made a good point that rigid HO truck sideframes may be the reason that code 88 semi-scale wheels perform better than their design specifications suggest they ought to when bridging standard frog flangeways. This may be an application of the geometric principle that any three points must lie on the same plane (think of a three-legged stool). At the moment the truck is crossing the frog, three of its

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

wheels are contacting the rails and the fourth is momentarily suspended over the gap. If the track is level and the lateral forces involved are minimal, the truck rolls right on through without incident. A contributing factor to some extent may also be the amount of “play” allowed in the truck-mounting screws. Conventional advice is that one truck screw should offer a little less play than the other to prevent the car body from excessive rocking, while still allowing the car to traverse slight vertical irregularities in the track, thus giving a pseudo three-point suspension effect. Regarding the origin of the code 88 wheel itself, an examination of NMRA Recommended Practice RP-25, “Wheel Contour”, July 2009 Revision, shows that wheels with a tread width of 0.088" and a flange depth of 0.023" are specified for HOn3 applications. James A. Whatley Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

April Fools! I loved reading the review of the analog rivet counting tool written by MR editor Neil Besougloff. I must admit that it was so well written that I was taken well through the review. After reading the last sentence, “and it will be on hobby shop shelves starting April 1,” I flipped to the cover and saw that it was the April issue. You really got me! Thanks, Neil, for the best product review I’ve ever read. William R. Pence, Walled Lake, Mich. Comments, suggestions, and additional information on Model Railroader articles and departments are welcome in this column. Every comment will be read, but not all can be printed or answered. Make your statement in 300 words or less, and send it to Railway Post Office, Model Railroader magazine, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187, or e mail [email protected]. Please include your name, city, and state.

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JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

21

INFORMATIONDESK

How prototype locomotives are painted Masked windows and number boards

Masked headlights and windows

Gray primer

Original white

Tape for yellow stripe

Tape edge for silver

St. Croix Valley GP7 no. 104 trades in the colors of its former owner, Huron & Eastern, for RailAmerica’s red, silver, and blue scheme. The unit is shown with its hood in gray primer while repairs are still in progress at the Minnesota Northern enginehouse in Crookston, Minn., in the summer of 1998. Cody Grivno photo Can you explain how a prototype railroad paints its diesel locomotives? How often are they repainted to keep them looking good?

Pat Williams, Grapevine, Texas Painting a prototype locomotive is a labor-intensive project that involves considerable time and expense, so most railroads repaint them on a 5- to 10-year cycle. Most of the costs involved are in cleaning, minor repairs, and surface preparation before any paint is applied. Before the locomotive enters the shop, engineering drawings are made to document the paint scheme so the paint and vinyl lettering or 3M Scotchlite decals can be ordered. According to the Norfolk Southern, it requires about 66 gallons of primer and paint to refinish a typical six-axle road locomotive. Most paint shops have three major work areas in a linear or side-by-side fashion. The first is the receiving bay where the locomotive is cleaned. All debris is removed from the engine room, cab, and the space beneath the cab. Parts that won’t be painted, like seats, communications gear, number boards, wing windows, and rear-view mirrors, are removed, cleaned, repaired if needed and set aside for later reassembly. 22

Next, the locomotive is sprayed with a degreaser, all decals and stickers are removed, and it gets a thorough steamcleaning inside and out. The shop’s second stall continues the preparation work by doing the initial masking of the exterior cab glass, lights, and control panels. Then a grit blasting system is used to remove all of the old paint down to bare metal. Then it’s time to make the carbody repairs. All dings, dents, and other imperfections in the carbody are filled with a fast-drying automotive body filler. Once it hardens, it’s sanded smooth and the area cleaned to remove dust. The third stall houses a large spray booth where the actual painting is done. It includes special safety lighting, a powerful ventilation system, and scaffolding. Everything related to the spray booth must meet strict federal, state, and local fire and safety requirements. The painters who work in the booth must wear respirators, face masks, and hooded plastic body suits. Years ago, railroads weren’t required to take these precautions, as is evident in the top right photo of the Alco locomotive. The trucks are usually painted first so they can dry while the interior cab windows and control stand or console

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

Painting is well along as former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Alco PA no. 66 becomes Delaware & Hudson no. 19. Note how masking has been applied for the nose stripes and over the headlights. Jim Shaughnessy photo

are covered with special masking paper and tape. The couplers and trucks are then covered with plastic sheeting to keep them free of primer. An application of epoxy primer comes next. Primer is commonly sprayed on top of the locomotive first, then the painters work down the sides, ends, pilots, and interior surfaces. Once it hardens, the primer is sanded smooth, any imperfections are repaired, and then the dust cleaned off. Then the cab and engine-room interiors receive a coat of light green or tan paint. Next, it’s time to apply the finish colors, usually working from the lightest to the darkest shades. The first finish paint application is usually the color of the lettering and striping. While this is drying, the backs of the pilots, underside of the chassis, and fuel tank are painted. Once these first colors are dry, it’s time to mask the areas that need to be protected from the next color. Masking tape is applied for all the striping, while adhesive stencils may be used for the road name and unit number. After the final color is applied and dry, the masking is removed to reveal the colors underneath.

Jim Hediger Precut lettering and graphics are made of sheet vinyl or reflective Scotchlite and come with an adhesive backing and a top masking sheet. These items are normally applied on the primer, and then oversprayed with the other body colors. Once everything is dry, the top masking layer is peeled off to reveal the lettering. These precut letters must then be trimmed along all the hood door edges with a razor blade so they won’t peel off when the doors are opened. Then a contrasting color is painted on all the safety appliances, and an overall clearcoat seals everything in place. The final step is to replace all the unpainted items, apply the warning and safety stickers, and clean the windows so the locomotive is ready to return to service. – Jim Hediger, senior editor

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High-side gondolas are unloaded by hand I’m modeling in On30 [also known as On2½ – Ed.] and have a number of Bachmann high-side gondolas. Since these cars don’t have bottom doors, I’m curious how railroads unloaded them. I know labor was cheap during the narrow-gauge era, but I can’t imagine unloading these cars by hand on a regular basis.

Gary Hess, Aliso Viejo, Calif. In the “good old days,” railroading was an extremely labor-intensive business. Solid-bottom gons were normally unloaded by a crew of workers who hand-shoveled the load over the sides. The Denver & Rio Grande Western had a bunch of flat-bottom gons with drop doors in the floor allowing at least partial dumping of the load. The rest was shoveled by laborers out of the openings. Other early gondolas had side doors, hinged at the top, so they could be unlatched at the bottom and swung open. Most of the gravel load would simply run out of the open doors, and anything left had to be shoveled out through the side openings. – J. D. H. Send your questions about prototype railroading to Information Desk, Model Railroader magazine, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187, or e mail [email protected]. We regret we can’t answer all the questions we receive.

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23

WORKSHOPTIPS

Standards and Recommended Practices in its advertising and on packaging as seen in the photo at left. Model Railroader’s reviewers rou-

NMRA seal

O scale N scale HO scale

On30

When a new product arrives at Model Railroader, editors subject it to a number of tests and measurements. A basic tool in this process is the NMRA standards gauge, shown above in N, HO and O scale standard gauge and On30 narrow gauge. In your product reviews I keep seeing references to the National Model Railroad Association’s Standards and Recommended Practices. What’s the difference and where can I find this data?

Will Tomaski, Chicago When it was founded in 1935, the

National Model Railroad Association’s (NMRA) primary goal was to develop dimensional standards that would ensure interchangeability of locomotives and rolling stock between member’s layouts. Thanks to the efforts of numerous volunteers with engineering expertise, the NMRA organized and set the basic Standards and Recommended Practices, which continue to guide manufacturers and modelers today. The original NMRA standards have been updated from time to time to keep up with developments in the hobby. The current NMRA Standards and Recommended Practices can be found online at www.nmra.org. According to the NMRA, a Standard is “a figure, relationship, or dimension that is mandatory” and must be followed for proper interchange or interface of the components. Changing a standard requires a membership vote. Thus, Standards cover only the factors and dimensions that are considered vital such as 24

trackwork, wheels, clearances, and electrical specifications. Two recent additions to the standards list brought the Digital Command Control (DCC) Standard into the electrical group, and Module Standards have been completed to guide the development and construction of portable layouts. Also according to the NMRA, the Recommended Practices (RPs) refer to “figures, relationships, or dimensions that the Engineering Committee has established through actual tests and feel are beneficial to operation.” The RPs cover a much wider range of topics with useful data and dimensions related to train performance, including: gauges to check track and wheel dimensions, matching track curvature to rolling stock lengths, turnout dimensions and details, basic car characteristics, car weight, wheelsets, and wheel contours. Special sections of the RPs are provided for modelers using Digital Command Control (DCC) and module builders.

tinely compare new products to the appropriate NMRA Standards and Recommended Practices to report on how well they conform to the dimensions and specifications. This conformance report helps to provide our readers with a good idea of how well a model will perform. A model that has a lot of dimensional inaccuracies in its trucks, wheelsets, and coupler height just isn’t likely to operate smoothly. We also check our sample models against prototype drawings to evaluate how closely a new product matches the specific prototype’s dimensions. – Jim Hediger, senior editor

Rice Harbor electrical connectors What is the stock number of the Ideal Electric plug sets editor Neil Besougloff used as the quick disconnects between the modules on your Rice Harbor Project layout? My local The Home Depot carries a very limited assortment of Ideal items.

Charlie Luedtka, Cedar Rapids, Iowa The Ideal power plug set is made for

use as polarized ballast disconnects in fluorescent lighting fixtures. It’s The Home Depot item no. SKU 643984, and they were on the shelf next to the wire nuts and other electrical parts. – J. D. H.

Conformance/Inspection Seal. The

NMRA has a Conformance and Inspection Group that makes official inspections of products. Items that conform to all applicable NMRA Standards and Recommended Practices receive a certification that allows the manufacturer to use the NMRA’s Conformance/Inspection Seal

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

These Ideal power plug sets are made for use in fluorescent light fixtures.

The Railroad Design Program

Jim Hediger

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Tunnel access I have a question about the right way of making an 8-foot tunnel. It’ll be against a side and back wall, so I’m open to tips on access. How do I keep the track clean, maintain tight rail joints, and avoid losing the integrity of my scenery in the area?

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Accessing any 8-foot tunnel will

be extremely difficult, if not nearly impossible, so I think I’d try to redesign the layout to eliminate the tunnel. If it has to be there, I’d try to work in a narrow access aisle behind the layout so the back of the tunnel can be opened or the top may be removed for any train retrieval or maintenance work that may be required. Some modelers have cut access openings through the tabletop next to the hidden track, and this works fine while you’re young and limber. But as we age, crawling under the layout becomes more of an issue. There’s on old axiom in the hobby that I truly believe: “Any place that’s inaccessible on the layout will always become a major headache.” – J. D. H.

Rusty diesel handrails I have some Athearn HO diesel locomotives which are more than 30 years old. Some have metal handrails that are very well attached and have started to rust. How can I remove the rust without damaging the paintwork?

Martin Sturmey, Sheffield, Tasmania, Australia Rust is a common complaint on the older Athearn handrails made from untreated steel wire. To remove the rust, I use fine-grit sanding sticks I get from Micro-Mark, or a fine emery board from a drugstore. Then I carefully brush paint the handrails with a solvent-based primer and paint made for metal. – J.D.H. Workshop Tips will pay $25 for published tips. Send your modeling and layout building questions and ideas to Workshop, Model Railroader magazine, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187, or e mail workshop@ mrmag.com. We regret we can’t answer all the questions we receive. There is no payment for questions; tips are paid for upon publication. JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

25

STEPBYSTEP

Boarded-up windows, peeling paint, and a dilapidated roof are all signs that GO Tower’s days as an active interlocking are over. Cody Grivno shares how he modeled the abandoned structure in this month’s Step by Step.

How to model an abandoned interlocking tower As on full-size railroads, manned

interlocking towers are becoming a thing of the past on the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, our HO scale club layout. GO Tower, built by the late Gordy Odegard for the January 1988 issue of Model Railroader, protected Mukwonago Junction on the original MR&T in downtown Milwaukee. When Kalmbach Publishing Co. moved from the city to the suburbs, GO Tower was saved and put at the same junction on the current layout.

To give GO Tower an authentic abandoned look, I studied prototype photos. Common themes I noticed were dilapidated roofs, boarded-up windows, broken glass on windows not boarded over, faded or missing tower identification signs, peeling and chipping paint, and debris around the building, among other features. If you model any time between the 1970s and today, an abandoned interlocking tower would be an appropriate

Step 1 A new GO tower

Balcony railing, Grandt Line no. 5019

Windows, Tichy Train Group no. 8131 Balcony floor, Evergreen no. 4040 V groove siding Stairs (modified) and railing, Grandt Line no. 5176 Doors and frames, Grandt Line no. 5021

right-of-way feature. Re-creating shuttered structures is pretty much a can’t-fail project, so give it a try.

Now on ModelRailroader.com Want to build a version of GO Tower for your layout? Go to our website, www.ModelRailroader.com, and read Gordy Odegard’s article from the January 1988 issue of MR.

Roof, Plastruct no. 91656 laminated to .040" plain styrene Upper trim (above windows), .040" x .125" strip

Belt, .020" x .060" strip Corners, .060" x .060" strip

Wainscotting, Grandt Line no. 5015 Siding, Evergreen no. 4061 clapboard Base, .060" x .156" strip

Balcony support brackets, .040" x .040" strip

I build a new version of GO Tower following Gordy’s article. I assemble the scale 8'-7" x 12'-10" structure using Evergreen sheet and strip styrene and detail castings 26

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

from Grandt Line and Tichy Train Group. The only part I can’t find is the Vollmer no. 6025 plastic roof. See step 3 for more on the roof.

Cody Grivno

Step 2 Painting and weathering

Keep brush in parallel motion to siding when drybrushing

Build up color in light layers

½" wide paintbrush

Burnt brown wash, Tensocrom TSC 211

Undercoat Light Gray, Micro Mark no. 29013

To ensure the final color would cover evenly, I airbrush the entire tower with Acrylicos Vallejo no. 70.601 gray surface primer. I let the primer dry overnight and then spray the tower with the same firm’s Shadows Flesh no. 343, part of its Panzer Aces line. After giving the paint 24 hours to dry, I use a ½"-wide brush to apply a burnt brown wash (Tensocrom no. TSC 211) to the tower. The color is part of the firm’s Active Surface Agents Set 2, available from Walthers. The wash brings out details in the wainscoting and clapboard siding. I let the brown wash dry for 30 minutes. Then I drybrush the walls with Acrylicos Vallejo Cavalry Brown and

Step 3 The roof saga Shake shingles, Plastruct no. 91656

Hole for chimney

Drybrush shingles with Undercoat Light Gray

I want the old roofing material to show through in spots under the new roofing material. I thought my answer was to cover Plastruct no. 91656 plastic woodshake shingles with a peel-and-stick three-tab shingle. I try to paint the injection-molded roofing material to look like real cedar shakes but, as you can see, with limited success. I carefully remove the roof and build a new one. After I build a new subroof from .040" plain styrene sheet, I apply American Model Builders no. 283 ATSFstyle diamond shingles. Then I brush-paint the shingles

Mahogany Brown (nos. 70.982 and 70.846, respectively). I don’t clean the brush between colors. Though the effect is subtle, it makes it look as though the tower has been repainted a few times. Then I drybrush the siding with Micro-Mark no. 29013 Undercoat Light Gray. When combined with the wash and previous two drybrushed colors, the gray enhances the look of peeling and chipping paint. To prevent the gray from looking too heavy, I build up the color in light layers. Don’t forget to drybrush the corner trim, doors, windows, stair treads, and other areas where paint would wear off.

Reefer Gray, Model Master no. 4886

Diamond shingles, American Model Builders no. 283

Highlight shingles in lighter (or darker) color to suggest roof repairs

Three tab shingles, American Model Builders

Omit random shingles to reveal original roofing

with Model Master no. 4886 Reefer Gray. To give the shingles an aged, sun-bleached look, I drybrush them with Undercoat Light Gray. Then I apply American Model Builders three-tab shingles leftover from a previous project. I randomly omit shingles to reveal the diamond shingles underneath. As before, I brush-paint the peel-and-stick shingles, but this time with Model Master no. 4887 Grimy Black. I brush a few individual shingles with a lighter gray color to suggest repairs to the roof over the years. JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

27

STEPBYSTEP Step 4 Boards and broken glass 1⁄32" x 3⁄8" stripwood stained with India ink wash

Broken window pane

Flat finish on exterior of window suggests dirt and grime

To prevent vandalism, boards are often placed over windows on lineside structures no longer in use. To capture that look, I use 1 ⁄32" x 3 ⁄8" stripwood. I stain the wood with an India ink wash (two teaspoons of India ink to one pint of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol). Then I secure the boards with cyanoacrylate adhesive (CA).

Step 5 Signs and final details

Drybrush signs with white paint to suggest black lettering and trim is peeling

Having all the windows boarded lacked visual interest, so I leave one window open. I use the clear glazing included with the Tichy windows to model cracked and broken window panes. Then I brush the exterior of the clear plastic with MicroLux no. 29006 Clear Flat Finish to give the glazing a dusty appearance.

Entire structure sprayed with MicroLux Clear Flat Finish

Signs from original article

Aged Concrete, Model Master no. 4875

Instead of removing the three GO signs, I weather them. First, I make a color copy of the signs from the January 1988 MR with the original GO Tower story. Then I drybrush them with Acrylicos Vallejo Model Color White no. 70.951. Once happy with the appearance, I cut them from the page and attach them with white glue. I brush-paint the foundation with Model Master no. 4875 Aged Concrete. Once the color dries, I apply the burnt brown wash from step 2. To give the tower an 28

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

Burnt brown wash over Aged Concrete

overall flat look, I spray it with the MicroLux Clear Flat Finish. As you can see here, the tower has a sufficiently aged look compared to Gordy’s model. Finally, I scenic the area around the tower, secure the structure to the layout with white glue, and add some barrels, weeds, and the board that used to cover the now-broken window near the base. Though GO Tower is no longer actively used, it will stand as a reminder of an earlier era on the MR&T.

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JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

29

With a bit of painting and weathering, Lou Sassi added realism to the Micro Engineering On30 track on his Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes layout. Here, Forney no. 9 rumbles over a grade crossing on the Kingfield Branch.

How to

PAINT AND WEATHER TRACK

in 5 steps (and how to lay it) Spray painting, brush painting, and a wash enhance commercial track By Lou Sassi • Photos by the author

30

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

I

n 2007 my wife, Cheryl, and I moved from upstate New York to North Carolina. In preparation for the move, I tore down my HO scale West Hoosic Division RR, the cover story of the July 1988 issue of Model Railroader and featured in Great Model Railroads 1999. Once we relocated, I started modeling my favorite Maine 2-foot railroad, the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes in On30 (also called On21 ⁄2). Though I’d handlaid all the track on my HO layout, I decided that at age 65 (and the proud owner of multiple pairs of reading glasses) I wasn’t ready to repeat the eye-straining process of handlaying ties and rail in O scale. Since manufacturers like Micro Engineering were producing fine examples of track with distressed ties, cast tie plates, and multiple spikes per tie, I felt the additional effort involved in handlaying was unnecessary. After looking over my first order of Micro Engineering track, I decided that in five easy steps, I could improve its appearance even more. This technique will work for all flextrack from Z scale through large scale. It’s a quick and easy way to give your track some added realism. Lou Sassi is a well-known author, photographer, and model builder. His work frequently appears in the pages of Model Railroader and Great Model Railroads. You can learn more about his scenery techniques in How to Build and Detail Model Railroad Scenes, Vol. 2 from Kalmbach Books.

Hobby knife with no. 11 blade

Flash

STEP 1 Trimming the flash Micro Engineering, like most track manufacturers, uses injection-molded plastic ties for its flextrack. On occasion, excess plastic oozes out of the mold, leaving flash on the tie edges. I carefully removed the flash with a hobby knife and fresh no. 11 blade.

Spray rails and ties

Rag soaked in paint thinner

Dupli Color Red Oxide Primer

STEP 2 Painting the track

STEP 3 Cleaning the railheads

Next, I sprayed the rails and ties with Dupli-Color Red Oxide Primer (DAP1687) from a local automobile parts store. Since this is an organic solvent-based primer, work in a well-ventilated area and wear a respirator and nitrile gloves.

I waited a few minutes for the primer to dry before cleaning the railheads with a rag soaked in paint thinner. As with painting, clean the track in a wellventilated area. Don’t worry if you wipe paint off the web of the rail, as it will be repainted in the next step. JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

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Cover work surface with old newspapers

Floquil Rail Brown

Paintbrush India ink wash

Apply wash with brush

STEP 4 Brush-painting the rails

STEP 5 Weathering

I didn’t want the rails and ties to be monochromatic, so I brush-painted the former with Floquil Rail Brown. This color has been discontinued by The Testor Corp., but Acrylicos Vallejo Green Gold (no. 70.795) is a reasonable stand-in.

Finally, I applied an India ink wash (three teaspoons of ink to one pint 70 percent isopropyl alcohol) to the track. Since I wanted the track to look like it had been around for a while, I applied two coats. Then I again cleaned the railheads with a thinner-soaked rag.

Now that you know how to paint and weather your track, the next step is to install it. I used a turnout for the example below, but the installation techniques will work just as well for straight track and flextrack.

Foam nails Three foot rule

Leave 1⁄8" gap between halves

Foam pencils, Woodland Scenics ST1431

Styrofoam

Secure Homabed with full strength white glue

STEP 1 Marking the course

STEP 2 Installing Homabed

I built my layout on a double layer of 2" thick Styrofoam. I started by marking the track centerlines with a 3-foot rule and a Woodland Scenics foam pencil. The pencil, which is bleed-free unlike a pen and marker, is designed to mark foam without damaging it.

Next, I glued the Homabed turnout pads to the Styrofoam with full-strength white glue, using 2" foam nails to hold the roadbed in place while the glue dried. Since On30 ties are a bit longer than those on HO track, I left a 1 ⁄8" gap between the two halves of roadbed.

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Woodland Scenics Foam Putty

India ink wash

Homasote pad for headblocks

STEP 3 Filling the gaps

STEP 4 Don’t forget the headblocks

I filled in the gaps in the Homabed with Woodland Scenics Foam Putty. The lightweight, non-shrinking filling material dries bright white, which could show through under the ballast. After sanding the putty, I applied an India ink wash to give it a gray appearance.

Once the location of each turnout was established, I cut pieces of Homabed and installed them next to the roadbed to support the headblocks. After I installed the track, I added Caboose Industries high-level switch stands, covered in the October 2013 Model Railroader.

Keep glue away from working parts of turnout

22 gauge wire

⁄ " wood bit

18

Apply full strength white glue to every other tie

STEP 5 Powering the frog

STEP 6 Installing track

I soldered 22 gauge wire to the bottom of the frog. Then I drilled a hole through the foam and roadbed and ran the wire to the center terminal of a fascia-mounted mini toggle switch. I later added wires carrying both track polarities to the switch’s other terminals.

Finally, I applied white glue to every other tie. I set the track on the Homabed and used foam nails to hold the track in place while the glue dried. Then I ballasted the track and added scenery to the right-ofway. In no time at all, I had trains up and running. JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

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These HO scale high-performance MagnaLock air brake hoses simulate prototype brake system connections with magnetic glad hands. Installing these small parts is easier if you build a tool to help.

Add magnetic air brake hoses to HO rolling stock Tiny magnets simulate operating glad-hand connections between cars By Pelle K. Søeborg • Photos by the author

W

hen I found out Pacific Western Rail Systems (PWRS) had started manufacturing and selling North American Railcar Corp.’s HO scale high-performance MagnaLock air brake lines (hoses), I thought they looked very cool and highly realistic. I immedi34

ately got online and ordered some to equip my rolling stock. Each package contains 10 pairs of magnetic brake lines and steel wire for the brake piping used to mount the new hoses. Some of my freight cars already had a brake pipe and brake hose details,

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so I just trimmed the original hoses off and glued a new hose to the pipe stubs.

A steady hand I followed the installation instructions on the PWRS website, www.pacificwestern-rail.com, but soon realized that

Fig. 1. Mounting jig. Pelle made this handy jig from a no. 11 knife blade so the brake hose magnet holds the hose at the proper angle for installation.

Fig. 2. Installation. With the hose aligned by the jig, Pelle adds a drop of cyanoacrylate adhesive and slides the hose end into place against the pipe while the glue sets.

Fig. 3. Subassemblies. Pelle has found it’s easier to assemble the hose and brake pipes before he installs them. The magnets hold them on a metal file for safekeeping.

Fig. 4. Installation. The brake pipe and air hose is mounted on the floor next to the coupler box. An extra drop or two of CA ensures the pipe is secure.

my hand wasn’t steady enough to do such precise work any more. According to the instructions, you grab the rubber hose with a pair of tweezers, put a dab of gel-type cyanoacrylate adhesive (CA) on the end of the hose, and hold it tightly on the end of the brake pipe. I had great difficulty in hitting the end of the pipe precisely, and if I succeeded, I still had to hold the hose steady for a minute while the glue cured. This was almost impossible, and I accidentally pulled the hose off many times before the glue had set properly. I also discovered that the magnets were attracted to some of the metal car wheels, which didn’t make things easier. It soon became apparent that I had to find a different technique if the project of applying magnetic brake lines to my fleet of rolling stock should be completed in the foreseeable future. But after a little thinking, I came up with a tool to help.

Hose installation Figure 1 shows a simple device

I made to help make hose mounting easier. It consists of the tip of a no. 11 knife blade glued, sharp edge down, to a styrene pad, with a small strip of square styrene to steady the blade. The glad-hand magnet at the end of the brake hose is attracted to the blade and sticks to it, holding the hose steady until the glue cures. See fig. 2. This tool works fine for mounting brake hoses on cars that already have brake pipe details. I use a different technique on cars that don’t have brake pipe details. As shown in the instructions, I make the brake pipes from the steel wire included in the package. I then attach the brake hoses to the pipes before mounting them on the cars. I do this step on a magnetic flat file, fig. 3, so nothing moves after I glue the hoses to the pipes. After mounting the brake pipes with hoses on the cars, I painted the wire pipe

to match the car color. See fig. 4. I also painted the glad-hand magnet at the end of the hose silver. The black brake hoses are made of a glossy material, so I gave them a thin coat of Vallejo Matte Varnish to tone down the shiny look. The varnish didn’t affect the hoses’ flexibility. I’ve found that working with CA can easily become a messy affair if you don’t pay close attention. On more than one occasion, I got some CA on my fingers without noticing it. When I grabbed a car to work on it, my finger stuck to it and left a nasty fingerprint. Of course, this sort of damage always occurs in the most visible place.

Now on ModelRailroader.com Model Railroader subscribers can watch a video of Pelle’s cars with opeating air brake hoses in action at www.ModelRailroader.com.

JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

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Loaded hoppers cross a bridge on a dark, rainy day on Alex Marchand’s N scale layout. In this scene, Alex used a digital craft cutter (inset) to make the palm tree fronds, palmetto bushes, stencils, and decals.

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WAYS TO USE A DIGITAL CRAFT CUTTER FOR YOUR LAYOUT

It’s similar to a desktop printer but cuts shapes instead By Alex Marchand • Photos by the author Whenever a machine can do something better and faster than me, I let it. That’s why I decided to purchase a digital craft cutter. A digital cutter is a tool that has many potential uses in model railroading. It’s similar to a desktop printer, except it cuts instead of prints. Digital cutters are available in a range of prices. The higher-priced cutters can cut thicker material like 0.20" styrene and balsa. Cheaper models can cut card36

stock, transparencies, paper, and adhesive vinyl. Most digital cutters come with software for laying out whatever shapes, letters, or numbers you want to cut out. However, some cutters don’t allow custom cutting, so they’re nearly worthless for modelers. Make sure to research the cutter you’re buying so it can do everything you want. The model I own is a Silhouette Portrait cutter, and it works great,

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but it can’t cut thick material. Listed here are just some ways I have put my own digital cutter to work for my layout. Obviously, you may think of even more uses, especially if you pick up a more versatile model. Alex Marchand is a writer, artist, and private investor. Alex models the phosphate-mining region of Central Florida known as the Bone Valley.

FASCIA LETTERING

Adhesive vinyl is a staple for making professional, durable signs. It’s also a great tool for making durable labels for a model railroad. Fascia lettering looks great in adhesive vinyl. Here’s how I made mine. Using my digital cutter, I cut out my fascia lettering from a piece of adhesive vinyl. After I cut the lettering I wanted, I peeled off the excess vinyl. I then used a product called transfer tape, which is transparent, to pick up the cut lettering and place it exactly where I wanted. Once it’s set in place, the lettering stays and the transfer tape peels away.

CUSTOM DECALS

I’ve used my cutter to help make custom decals. One method is to cut out decals from decal trim film, but there’s a limit to how small a cut the machine can accurately make. I wouldn’t venture into any complex cuts smaller than a half inch. Letters with counters (shapes that are entirely or partially enclosed by a letter, form, or symbol) would be quite problematic using such a method. But for simple shapes like stripes, a cutter makes some very useful decals.

PALM TREE FRONDS

PAINTING STENCILS

Palm fronds were my main motivation for buying a digital cutter. I designed the fronds myself. They were inspired by the way Hart of the South Models makes palm fronds, but they don’t offer any in N scale, which is what I needed. Other uses for the cut vinyl are corn stalks, sugar cane, tobacco, hemp, and banana trees. The tree in the middle is a Washington palm and the one on the right is a sabal palm. Both were made from cut vinyl. I simply glued the fronds to wire to form the top of the tree. (The other tree is a slash pine made from Supertrees and Silflor.)

Cut adhesive vinyl makes great stencils, as long as the vinyl is able to stick to the surface you want to stencil, and it peels off cleanly afterward. Adhesive vinyl stencils work great for painting letters, especially faded lettering, on rolling stock. As you can see in the photo above, I used a cut-vinyl stencil to paint the SCL logo on this custom N scale Seaboard Coast Line phosphate hopper model.

VENEERS

Even if a cutter is unable to cut thick material, it can still cut veneers for custom structures. Once you cut the veneer, simply strengthen it with your material of choice, such as styrene. You can go precisely around openings like windows and doors with structural styrene. You can also double or triple up identically cut veneers by laminating them together to make the structure more rigid.

CUSTOM SIGNS

Digital cutters allow a person to take a custom-printed highway sign one step further by cutting it out with the precision contours that only a digital cutter can achieve. Most digital cutters can cut out printed material.

JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

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NO. X454, 60-TON CRANE

KITBASH A CRANE KIT Tichy’s 120-ton model is the basis for Rutland’s 60- and 150-ton cranes By Andy Clermont Photos by the author • Illustrations by Rick Johnson and Kellie Jaeger

▸▸ Materials list Tichy Train Group 4027 120-ton crane kit A-Line 29220 chain, 27 links per inch Athearn boom from 250-ton crane (X160 only)

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Cal-Scale 3399 whistle 277 brake hoses Detail Associates 1202 bell (X454 only) 2206 short eye bolts 2222 long eye bolts Grandt Line 5039 turnbuckles

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5062 lamp reflectors (X454 only) 5099 21 ⁄2" nut-boltwasher set Kadee 5 couplers M.V. Products 204 18" lens (X454 only)

Plastruct 9590 5 ⁄16” light shade (X454 only) Styrene 1 x 2 strip 1 x 4, 2 x 2, 2 x 4, 2 x 8, 4 x 4 strip (X160 only) 1 x 1, 8 x 12 strip (X454 only) .010", .020" sheet

Fig. 1 The prototypes together. Shortly after the Rutland took delivery of a 150-ton crane from Industrial Brownhoist in 1929, the crane rolled on its side while lifting a locomotive boiler without the use of outriggers. The Rutland’s 60-ton crane was brought in to clean up the mess. Richard Costello photo

M  

y grandfather worked for the Rutland RR’s maintenance-of-way department, so I’ve always wanted accurate models of their work equipment. The Rutland had several cranes, but I never came across a brass model that was close enough to the prototype, and scratchbuilding seemed like an overwhelming project. I’d checked out the available plastic models and ruled them out, because none closely matched the Rutland’s 150ton and 60-ton cranes. Then I came across a photo that made me think the Tichy Train Group kit could be a starting point for the Rutland’s 60-ton crane.

Though they appear quite different, author Andy Clermont kitbashed both these HO scale Rutland wreck cranes from the same Tichy 120-ton crane kit.

The photo above, fig. 1, was taken in Rutland, Vt., shortly after the railroad received a 150-ton crane from Industrial Brownhoist. They tried to lift a fairly light boiler without the use of outrigging, and rolled the new crane onto its side. The 60-ton crane that came to the rescue had open sides and looked very much like the Tichy 120-ton crane. That inspired me to start looking through photos and records I had collected through the years, and I found that close models of the Rutland 60-ton and 150ton can be made from the Tichy kit. I was surprised to find the 150-ton crane had similarities, as it was built by Brownhoist, while the 60-ton version was built by Industrial Works. I discovered that in 1929, when the Rutland took delivery of the larger crane, the two companies were on the verge of a merger, and their designs were quite similar.

Rutland data books show that the chassis measurements were close, with the 150-ton being 26 feet long and the 60-ton about 18 inches shorter. I compared this to the Tichy 120-ton crane, which is 26 feet over the end sills, and decided to build both cranes. I’ll start by describing the changes required to model X-454, Rutland’s 60ton crane. The Tichy model is an excellent kit and easy to build if you take it in steps. Even if you don’t model the Rutland, my experience might open your eyes to the possibilities this kit offers. Andy Clermont lives in Albany, N.Y., where he models the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Subdivision of the Rutland RR in HO scale.

NO. X160, 150-TON CRANE JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

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The chassis Crane number X454, built in 1903, served as the Rutland’s primary hook for more than 25 years and wasn’t scrapped until 1965, after more than 60 years of service. The prototype was shorter than the kit, but I felt shortening the chassis by only a scale 18" wouldn’t be worth the effort. Not only would it make the chassis too short for the A frame, cab assembly, deck, and trucks, but would look only slightly different. On the kit, there’s structural reinforcement at the center of the side sill above the outrigging that isn’t on the prototype. I removed it with a fine router bit in a motor tool mounted on a drill press, as seen in fig. 2. I then cleaned up the surface with a piece of fine sandpaper glued to a piece of basswood. The grab irons on the side sill are also in the wrong location, so I filled the grab

iron holes by pressing Squadron putty (www.squadron.com) through from the back, then drilled new holes to match the prototype. On the end sill, I added cut levers bent from .010" brass wire mounted on eye bolts and wire grabs. I then cut and shaped the center outrigger support to a V shape with only one roller, as shown in fig. 3. I used a 21 ⁄2" nut-bolt-washer casting in the bottom center of the V to replace the two that were cut away. I then assembled the chassis according to the Tichy instructions and added a bell under the side sill. Finally, I hung rail clamp chains on Detail Associates eye bolts on the ends.

Boom assembly The boom on the 60-ton crane, while having the same shape as the Tichy model’s, was lighter. It also had a pulley fork assembly between the boom sides, with the pulley wheel turned to vertical. To reduce the size of the boom sides, I first cut off the riveted plate-covered

Original

Fig. 2 Milling away detail. Andy used a motor tool chucked into a drill press to grind away reinforcement detail on the chassis side frames that wasn’t on the prototype. He then sanded the area smooth.

Modified

Fig. 3 Modified rollers. On the 60-ton crane, there was only one roller on the end outriggers, but the Tichy model has two. Andy cut the center bracket plate to a V shape (right) and glued one roller mount at the bottom.

Cut off rings, turn 90°, and glue to block Styrene block

Narrowed beam

Rivet straps Cut off base plate

Fig. 4 Lighter boom. Andy modified the kit’s boom (seen unmodified at top) by cutting off the base plate and rivet straps, then narrowing the sides with a file before gluing the rivet straps back on. 40

Fig. 5 Modified forks. The Rutland crane’s torsion rod forks are rotated 90 degrees from the model, and are a scale foot shorter. Andy glued a block of styrene between the pieces to maintain proper spacing.

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base. I then cut the riveted straps off the top and bottom of the boom sides (see fig. 4) and used a file to narrow the boom sides to match the photos of the Rutland crane. Then I glued the riveted straps and base back together. The other change is to the pulley. I assembled the A-frame fork and boom torsion rod fork as instructed. I then cut the rings off the boom torsion rod forks, along with 1 scale foot of the rod, and glued an 8 x 12 x 18-scale-inch styrene block between the 1-foot sections that had been cut off the fork, spacing them 18" apart. The other end of the tension rod forks must be shortened to 9 scale feet, turned on their sides, and glued to the top of the block, as in fig. 5. I assembled the boom, substituting the new fork orientation between the sides. I made a plate to cover the top of the pulley assembly using .010" styrene with rivets pressed in from the back with a pin. I assembled the primary hook according to the instructions, but the secondary hook must be cut off the “T” and attached to three links of heavy chain to match the prototype (fig. 6). The Rutland crane was equipped with three lights on the boom for working at night. For the two on either side of the end of the boom, I used Grandt Line lamp reflectors, and for the floodlight under the boom, I used a Plastruct light shade with an M.V. Products 18" lens.

Building the cab Vermont winters are cold, so to protect the crane crew from the weather, the Rutland shop crew enclosed the cab. To model the cab, I first shaved off the builder’s plates from both sides with a chisel blade and saved them for later. Next, the cab sides (Tichy part numbers K2 and M2) had to be shortened to match the other side of the crane. I made two cuts with a razor saw to remove the front corner, one from the top to the lower bead, and the other horizontal. I used the saw to remove a length from the corner so it would match the other side, as shown in fig. 7, then spliced it back in place. I cleaned up the seam with Squadron putty and sanded it smooth. Next, I narrowed the cab roof on each side by 6 scale inches for a scale length of 9'-3" starting from the front (see Fig. 8). I then assembled the cab according to the instructions, but leaving off parts K5, K6, O1, L2 and L3.

X454, 60-TON CRANE Torsion rods

X bracing

Remove section Save corner

Cut off

Cover plate

Save corner Secondary hook on chain

Fig. 6 Boom assembly. The boom is assembled with the Tichy X-bracing, a styrene cover for the torsion rods, and lamps for night work. The torsion rods fit between the boom sides.

I used .020" styrene to make the sides that enclose the cab. I cut a scale 6'-10" x 8'-6" sheet for each side and scribed lines for the door and access hatch, as shown in fig. 9. To make the sides fit between the cab roof and the base, I removed a 1'-0" x 3'-6" notch at the bottom rear. See fig. 9 for the placement of the windows, doors, and details. I then glued the sides in place.

Fig. 7 Symmetrical sides. The Tichy model’s cab has sides of differing lengths, but the Rutland cab is symmetrical. Andy used a razor saw to remove a section from the longer side.

12" x 48" openings 8' 6"

8' 6"

5' 10" 12" x 27"

6' 10"

5' 10" 12" x 31"

12"

12" 42"

5' 6"

5' 6"

42"

HO scale

Details Finally, I applied details to the crane: some from the Tichy kit, others purchased, yet others crafted from styrene. First, I trimmed parts number C4 and C5, the cab-side footboards, to two boards wide and glued them in place on the bottom of the sides. Next I added 1 x 1-scale-inch strip styrene as a drip edge over the doors. I also added grab irons, the builder plates, and a Cal-Scale generator. For the funnel-shaped smoke stack, I fitted a tapered piece of styrene tube over a scale 1-foot-diameter piece. I made the cab fronts from 2 x 8 styrene strips, tapering the tops to match the roofline. I used Tichy brake cylinder ends to represent the crane’s cylinders where they protrude through the front of the cab. Don’t glue the cab fronts in place yet, or the cab won’t fit on the A-frame. I assembled the A-frame subassembly per the Tichy instructions, omitting the cylinders. I also left off the piston rods, and exhaust pipes, as they’d be oversized for the 60-ton crane and would be concealed by the cab fronts. To properly space the A-frame sides, I turned the pulley forks on their sides, spacing them to match the boom torsion rod fork, and glued them to a piece of 4 x 6 styrene strip. See fig. 10. Tichy recommends painting the major parts before assembly. I did that

Fig. 8 Narrowing the roof. Andy narrowed the cab roof by trimming 6" off both sides for a length of 9'-3". He kept the rounded corner of the roof to go above the side modified in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 New walls. Andy crafted new walls for the 60-ton crane’s cab from .010" plain styrene sheet, according to this cutting diagram. Forks turned 90°

4 x 6 styrene strip

Fig. 10 A-frame changes. Andy turned the short torsion rod forks on their sides before mounting them.

next, spraying Floquil Engine Black first and then a coat of gloss for a smooth surface for the decals. The decals I used were made by Concord Junction, set 8517, but that company isn’t in business any more. You could go with custom decals, or piece together what you need from a white letter set. After decaling, I sprayed the painted pieces with Testor’s Dullcote and lightly weathered the parts. I assembled the crane following Tichy’s instructions but strung the boom as shown in fig. 11. To keep the cables taut, I made a tensioner from a ballpoint pen spring. I attached one end of this spring to the boiler front inside the A

Fig. 11 Wiring diagram. Thread the 60-ton crane’s hoist cables through the pulleys according to this diagram.

frame and the other end to a string stretched to the bottom brace at the base of the boom. The final steps are to add window glazing and the cab front pieces. I also added boom tie-downs using eye bolts, chain, and turnbuckles. JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

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X160, 150-TON CRANE Detailing the chassis Because locomotives had increased in weight and size by 1929, the Rutland decided it was time to go shopping for a new crane. This time, they went to Industrial Brownhoist for a 150-ton model. Again, it’s easiest to take this in steps following the Tichy instructions, making changes as you go. Beginning with the chassis side, I filled the grab-iron holes by pressing Squadron putty through from the back. When it had dried, I cleaned up the exterior surface with a sanding stick.

2" x 4" Cut From 2" x 4" File away

The prototype has brackets at the ends of the side sills to support the outriggers. These supports are shaped as shown in fig. 12. To make sure all these supports have the same contour, I clamped eight pieces of 2 x 4 styrene strips together, then used a file to shape them all identically. I cut them to the same length and glued them between top and bottom braces made of 2 x 4 styrene strip. Their correct positioning is shown on the model in fig. 13. The end I-beam outriggers also needs additional support. I added stiffening ridges of 1 x 2 styrene to the outside end outrigger (Tichy part number A-8). Next, I added wire grab irons to the side sill and glued them from the back with cyanoacrylate adhesive (CA). I detailed the ends with wire grab irons, cut levers, brake hoses and chains, and eye bolts for the rail clamps. The placement of these details is shown in fig. 14, along with an unmodified kit end.

The last change to the chassis is to raise the pedestal that the crane body will be mounted on. The only thing I could find with a 7'-6" outside diameter for the raised pedestal was a plastic prescription bottle, but it worked nicely. I cut it to the height of 9" with a razor saw by spacing the saw blade a scale 9" above a flat surface and clamping it securely. Then, I moved the jar along the blade of the saw as shown in fig. 15, giving me a level cut. I topped the pedestal with an 8-scalefoot diameter disc cut from .040" styrene. After gluing this assembly to the center of the original pedestal, I drilled a hole through the center on which I’d later mount the A-frame.

Boom and A-frame The boom supplied with the kit doesn’t look hefty enough for the 150-ton crane, so I substituted a boom made from parts of an Athearn 250-ton crane. Grab irons (4 total)

2" x 4"

Cut lever Cut

Fig. 12 Outrigger brackets. The Rutland’s 150-ton crane had brackets for the outriggers at the ends of the chassis sides. Andy carved his from scale 2 x 4 styrene strip, as shown.

Fig. 13 Brackets installed. This photo shows where the outrigger support brackets, carved from 2 x 4 styrene strip as seen in fig. 12, should be added to the chassis.

Eye bolt (2 total)

Brake hose and chains

Fig. 14 End details. This view of the finished 150-ton crane end, along with an unmodified kit end plate, shows where Andy placed wire grab irons and other details. Torsion rod fork

18"

Primary hook pulleys

30"

End hook 6' 0"

4" x 4"

Fig. 15 A close shave. Clamping a razor saw blade a scale 9" above a level tabletop let Andy cut the bottom off a prescription jar precisely and evenly. This round piece became the 150-ton crane’s pedestal. 42

4" x 4"

Fig. 16 Scratchbuilt pulley bracket. This assembly, made from the Tichy kit’s pulley wheels, .010" sheet styrene, 4 x 4 styrene strip, and nutbolt-washer castings, make up the new boom torsion rod fork.

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Fig. 17 Boom detail placement. The reconfigured boom detail includes, from left, the Tichy end hook, styrene cross bracing, the vertical primary hook pulleys, the torsion rod fork, and Tichy X-bracing.

I split the Athearn boom in half, discarding the X-bracing, and shortened it by 3 scale feet at the base. I reassembled the boom using the shortened Athearn sides, the Tichy front and rear boom spreaders (parts H3 and G3), and the Tichy Xbracing. Next, I shortened the top Xbracing by cutting 6 scale feet off the top end to make room for the torsion rod pulley wheel bracket. The boom torsion rod fork was fashioned from .010" styrene sheet, 4 x 4 styrene strip, a pair of 6" nut-bolt-washer castings, and the Tichy pulley wheels, as shown in fig. 16. This fork is attached to the top of the boom in a bracket. I built this bracket from .010" styrene using the Tichy pulleys (parts P4 and P5) as seen in fig. 17. I finished the end of the boom with 2 x 8 styrene with rivets pressed in from the back and Tichy’s hooks and boom top casting (part O8). I made the double-ended hook from a piece of the plastic sprue from the kit. Next, I assembled the A-frame, with some modifications. First I modified the sides, parts G1 and H1. I cut off the forward boom mounts and added new ones fashioned from .020" styrene and trimmed with 1 x 4 strip, as shown in fig. 18. Then I built the A-frame following the instructions, but substituting a piece of 6 x 12 styrene strip for the unused trolley assembly.

Remove Cut and remove Tichy mount

Tichy part L1

Tichy part H1

Hinged New mount

Cut and remove Tichy mount 5' 6" Tichy part G1

5' 9" New mount

Fig. 18 New boom base mount. To fit the modified Athearn boom, the A-frame sides (part numbers H-1 and G-1) need lower, teardrop-shaped boom mounts crafted from .020" sheet styrene and trimmed with 2 x 4 strip.

60" 15' 6"

24"

33"

HO scale

Fig. 19 Replacement roof. The arched roof of the Tichy cab must be cut out to make way for the new flat roof. Andy made the new roof from .020" styrene, embossing rivets into it with a pin and adding the kit stack.

18" x 18" opening

Windows with casings 18" x 27"

18" x 18" opening

6' 0"

Cab modifications To build the cab, I started by removing all the detail from the outside surface of the cab’s right side (Tichy part no. K1). I sanded it flat and cut off the portion that extends forward, along with the base. Next, I reworked the left side to be a mirror image of the right. Figure 19 shows the new center roof that I made from .020" styrene sheet to replace the original, which I cut out and discarded. I scribed panel joints into the styrene and used a pin to add rivet detail. I then built a rectangular styrene frame, a scale 1'-0" x 5'-6" x 9'-0", and topped it with .010" styrene sheet to make a box. This would become the new rear base of the cab. I glued this box between the sides, as shown in fig. 20. I then assembled the rest of the cab, but left off the stack, interior walls, and roof panel (part L4). I replaced this panel with one made from .020" styrene. After test-fitting the cab on the A-frame, I glued a 6 x 12 styrene strip to

5' 3"

Fig. 20 Cab base and sides. Andy built a scale 1'-0" x 5'-6" x 9'-0" styrene box to give strength to the shortened and modified cab. The Tichy cab sides will be hidden behind the scratchbuilt sides, but are needed for strength.

the inside back wall of the cab, spaced just far enough above the base to act as a pocket for the rear of the A-frame. I filled the notches in the sides of the roof with .020" styrene shaped to match the contour of the roof. New sides of .010" styrene sheet were the next step. After scribing joints and cutting window openings as shown in fig. 21, I glued these sides in place. Cutting the smokestack base from the Tichy roof, I sanded the bottom smooth and fashioned a new stack from a scrap of brass tube. I added a whistle and guide wires to the stack.

24"

57"

27"

9"

15' 0" HO scale

Fig. 21 New sides. This diagram shows the door and window placement for the new cab sides Andy made from .010" styrene. He sanded the Tichy sides flat and laminated the new sides over them.

I painted the crane Floquil Engine Black before final assembly and decorated it using Concord Junction decal set no. 8517. Finally, I followed the Tichy instructions for stringing the cables and added boom tie-downs using eye bolts, brass wire, and turnbuckles. JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

43

Hauling lumber and This Pacific Northwest logging and quarrying model railroad features dual-gauge track By Lou Sassi • Photos by the author

stone to the sea

1. Engine no. 6, a Bachmann Spectrum model, crosses the harbor bridge on its way out of Elm Valley on Floyd Simms’ HO scale layout. Floyd kitbashed the operating lift bridge from an old AHM kit and scratchbuilt the tugboat.

2. In this view down one aisle of Floyd’s layout, Elm Valley and its harbor is on the right; the mountainous scenery on the left was incorporated from a previous layout. The upper level is the logging area, with hand-painted backdrops.

Valley, where trains bring in wood from the mills to make fish-packing crates that are then shipped back out by rail. Trains also deliver supplies for the local boat builders, pick up flour at the grain elevator, and haul granite from the Gray Granite quarry. Marine salvage is also brought to Elm Valley along with specialty logs and lumber to be shipped out by boat or barge. A small lumberyard and a box company are also located here.

Construction begins 3. Elm Valley Shay no. 5 has dropped off its log load at the sawmill and is now pulling empty flatcars for the trip back up the logging branch. Most of the layout, including this scene, includes dual-gauge track.

S

ince Christmas 1956, when his parents gave him a train set, Floyd Simms has built four layouts in an assortment of scales. He built his third model railroad, the HO scale San Juan Central, in the mid1980s. He integrated part of that layout into his current HO scale Elm Valley RR when he started building it in 1999.

46

Floyd has long been interested in logging and quarrying. So on his railroad, he combines the movement of timber from the Pacific Northwest forests to area mills and the resulting products to lumberyards. He also models rail service to and from granite quarries. One of Floyd’s favorite areas on the layout is the wharf at the port of Elm

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Floyd prepared the room by painting the plasterboard ceiling white and the walls sky blue. After building benchwork using L-girders and open grids, he handpainted a backdrop onto the walls. There’s an impressive thunderstorm in one upper section of the layout. In this area, Floyd combined painted clouds with flashing strobe lights to create the illusion of an active storm. The track on the layout, both standard gauge and HOn3, is Shinohara code 70. Much of it is dual gauge, including 17 dual-gauge turnouts. All turnouts on the layout, be they standard, narrow, or dual

▸▸ The layout at a glance

Elm Valley RR

Name: Elm Valley RR Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 15'-9" x 16'-6" Theme: logging and quarrying Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: 1950s to ‘60s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 75 feet Minimum radius: 18" Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 31 ⁄4 percent in helix Benchwork: L-girder with open grids Height: 44" to 67" Roadbed: cork and Homasote Track: Shinohara code 70 standard, narrow, and dual gauge Scenery: extruded-foam insulation board Backdrop: painted on walls Control: Digitrax Digital Command Control

HO scale (1:87.1) Room size: 15' 9"x16' 6" Scale of plan: 5⁄16" = 1' 0", 12" grid Numbered arrows indicate photo locations Illustration by Kellie Jaeger Find more plans online in the ModelRailroader.com Track Plan Database.

Upper level

Logging camp

67"

65"

Helix down

A

A 44"

2

Signal tower

Box factory Lumber company Marine salvage company Power station

Enginehouse

Lower level

Cannery

5

Elm Valley 1

49"

48"

Casket company

Log loading

Boat repair

3

45"

Dock

4

Grain elevator

Sawmill

Tavern Marine supply

Quarry

Station

49"

45"

50"

Helix up To future expansion

JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

47

4. Elm Valley Shay no. 5, a Bachmann Spectrum model re-gauged to 3-foot gauge by Weisman Models, crosses the high trestle going to the sawmill. It took Floyd a year to scratchbuild the trestle. The helix to the second level is hidden behind the mountainside.

5. Engine no. 200, a kitbashed Kato diesel, drops off logs at another sawmill while Shay no. 5 crosses the high trestle in the background. Floyd supplies his sawmills with logs cut from a spruce tree outside his house.

gauge, are powered by Tortoise by Circuitron switch motors.

Scenery and structures Landforms began with 2" thick extruded-foam insulation boards that Floyd stacked and carved to shape. Ground cover is sifted dirt from Floyd’s back yard. He covers it with assorted textures of Woodland Scenics ground foam. Woodland Scenics clump foliage is used for shrubs and weeds. The larger trees are primarily evergreens, more than 4,000 of them, and are of bottle-brush construction, covered with fine texture ground foam. Rocks are cast in molding plaster or are Mountains in Minutes foam. Both kinds are airbrushed and highlighted with drybrushed water-based paints. Floyd creates the look of water by painting the layout’s foam-board base blue and then texturing its surface with spackling compound, followed by a coat of clear gloss medium. Floyd enjoys kitbashing. Most of the buildings and bridges on the railroad were built this way. The operating lift bridge in Elm Valley is a 1960s-vintage

AHM product. He uses powdered pastels to weather all of the structures, rolling stock, and motive power on the railroad.

Mission accomplished Floyd recently converted the railroad from direct-current block control to Digitrax Digital Command Control. He has five standard-gauge locomotives. The narrow-gauge railroad has four, a soundequipped Shay and three diesels. There are 16 standard gauge and nine narrow gauge freight cars, all built to handle the curves and grades of a logging road. Floyd’s goal in building his layout was to develop a miniature rail transportation system, its purpose being the movement of logs, wood products, and granite. If he had to do it again, he’d consider On30, but he’d stick with the narrowgauge logging and quarrying theme. Floyd also wanted to enjoy many hours of scenery construction, which he says is his passion. He’s fortunate to have been able to achieve that goal. Lou Sassi is a frequent contributor of photos and articles to Model Railroader magazine and its special issues.

▸▸ Meet Floyd Simms Floyd Simms is a native of Toledo, Ohio, where he lives with his wife of 25 years, Carol. They have five children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. A retired cabinet maker, he’s been a model railroader for 55 years. His layout has been open for tours in conjunction with the National Narrow Gauge Convention. Floyd’s other interests include the online auction site eBay, “which takes my time up.” JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

49

In five days, Matt Snell turned the dormant South Plainfield, N.J., yard (inset) into an active bulk-transfer facility. The transformation took place on his HO scale Conrail Shared Assets Operations layout. Photos by the author

Model a

BULK TRANSFER FACILITY

in an existing yard How to turn a dormant scene into a new industry in five days By Matt Snell • Photos by the author

50

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

I 

t’s been said that model railroaders are never satisfied. We build something only to tear it down later. While this may be somewhat of a misconception, it’s true that we often tweak what we have on our layouts, changing anything from portions of individual scenes to entire sections of our layout. Such was the case on my Conrail New Jersey Division. When originally constructed, the layout was set in the 1980s. That soon morphed into the 1990s, and now I model Conrail Shared Assets Operations, jointly owned by Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation.

After 10 years of running my layout, it was time for a few changes to keep things interesting. I looked at the changes on the prototype and thought of ways I could implement them on my model railroad. One area that had changed was South Plainfield, N.J. The yard there went from a home for locals that served South Plainfield and Perth Amboy (N.J.) on the ex-Lehigh Valley Perth Amboy Branch and the nearby Lehigh Line to a period of use as a maintenance-of-way yard, and finally finding new life as a bulk transfer facility that is now lined with covered hoppers. It has become an

industry instead of a storage facility. Transforming South Plainfield yard would give my crews an additional industry to switch while requiring only minor changes to the layout rather than major reconstruction. Let’s take a look at how this simple five-day project changed a dormant freight yard into an active industry. Matt Snell is a prolific modeler, author and photographer who as had more than 40 articles published covering the kitbashing and detailing techniques he uses to keep his HO scale Conrail New Jersey Division up to date.

DAY ONE: Track removal The first step in transforming the freight yard into a transload facility was making room for the road. Rather than tear out the entire yard and rebuild it, I followed a common prototype practice in industrial areas of removing the siding but leaving the turnout. This made the reconstruction process faster and easier. To render the turnout inoperable and ensure electrical reliability, I drove a track nail through the hole in the switch rod and soldered the area where the point touches the stock rail. Next, I removed the middle yard track. I started by using a cut-off wheel in a motor tool to sever the yard track from the turnout at the rail joint. Wear eye protection when using a cut-off wheel in a motor tool. Removing the track in one piece was going to be difficult with track nails and ballast holding it down, so I used a pair of wire cutters to cut each tie in half. This allowed me to remove each rail individually, which proved to be neater and easier. With the rails and ties gone, I used a small putty knife to remove the ballast, being careful not to damage the roadbed. Now the South Plainfield yard was ready for redevelopment.

Track nail Solder area where point touches stock rail

Switch rod

Motor tool

Cut off wheel

Rail joint

Remove ballast with small putty knife

JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

51

DAY TWO: Preparing for pavement I started the second day by doing a little detail work on the turnout for the now-severed Track 2. The railhead on inactive track quickly develops a layer of rust. I re-created this look by brushpainting the railhead, flangeways, and

guardrails with a mixture of Floquil Rail Brown and Testor’s Rust. Next, I turned my attention to the grade crossing for the road. Following the prototype arrangement, I installed a grade crossing at the top end of the Rails painted with mix ture of Floquil Rail Brown and Testor’s Rust

Chain link fence, BLMA no. 4210 Paint area where roadbed meets the tracks to disguise imperfections after road is installed

Crossing planks, Blair Line no. 165 (cut in half)

yard; the road at the lower end is open where the tracks end. I used Blair Line wood crossing kit no. 165 to add the planks for the crossing on Track 1. Since this is a small industrial-style crossing, I cut the planks in half, cemented them in place, and painted them brown. Once the crossing planks were in place, I brush-painted the areas where the roadbed meets the tracks with Woodland Scenics Asphalt Top Coat. This would disguise any imperfections after the road was installed. After studying prototype photos, I realized that the bulk transfer facility needed a chain link fence and lights. I used BLMA fence kit no. 4210 for the former, airbrushing it with Floquil Old Silver and a light mist of Grimy Black to cover the etched metal. The fence kit includes styrene rod for posts. I drilled holes for the posts in the existing scenery, but they were hard to see. I placed pins in each hole until I was ready to install the fence. Since the transload is an aroundthe-clock operation, I needed to illuminate the area. I installed a pair of Walthers single-arm streetlights (no. 933-2311) along the treeline to the right of Track 3. The poles were tall enough for covered hoppers to clear, and the arms were long enough to illuminate the pavement.

DAY THREE: Pouring the road Blue painter’s tape Smooth It tinted with Rit black dye

Cover rails and crossing planks

With the details in place, it was now time to add the road. I started by masking the track and crossing planks with blue painter’s tape, which helped keep the Woodland Scenics Smooth-It away from these areas. I poured a small amount of the plaster over the tape to form a seal 52

between the track and roadbed, which prevented the Smooth-It from creeping under the tape. Though plaster is a handy modeling medium, if it gets chipped it leaves unattractive white spots. To combat this problem, I added a small amount of Rit black dye to the Smooth-It

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while mixing it. The dye adds color throughout the plaster, giving the final product a gray appearance, similar to old asphalt. Pouring the road was a two-step process. First, I poured a thin layer of Smooth-It to form the road and seal the tape against the cork roadbed.

DAY THREE: Pouring the road (cont’d) Once that cured, I poured a second layer of the road-making plaster. The thickness of the road varied in height from the top of the ties at the lower end of the yard to railhead height at the road crossing. While pouring the road, I took another page from the prototype, allowing the pavement to cover the edges of the cut off rails. On the prototype, contractors will often cover the edges of cut-off rails, removing the safety hazard of the exposed ends.

Smooth It covers ends of exposed rails

DAY FOUR: Painting the road I let the Smooth-It cure overnight before painting the road. To capture the look of faded, sun-bleached asphalt, I mixed Woodland Scenics Asphalt Top Coat with Americana brand Titanium White acrylic craft paint, available a craft supply stores. I painted the Smooth-It with wide, soft-bristled paint brushes to reduce the chances of leaving brush strokes. Then I applied a second coat of brown paint to the crossing planks to touch up the edges where the pavement meets the crossing.

Crossing planks painted brown

DAY FIVE: Touch-up and final details I spent the last day of the project doing touch-up work. Pouring a plaster road adjacent to a track can be difficult, and often there’s some plaster that seeps right up to the ties. This project was no exception, so I painted the tie ends with a mixture of brown and black paint and did some touch-up ballasting. Since this was no longer an active yard but an industrial facility, I applied a light sprinkling of ground foam to simulate weeds along each track. I put a heavier application near the turnout with the cut-off rails to further help blend it into the scenery. I completed the scene by adding a tractor with a bulk trailer near the back of the facility. I was unable to locate a trailer like those at the prototype, but the Herpa Waligna bulk feed trailer (no. 326-6071) is a reasonable stand-in.

Trailer, Herpa no. 326 6071

Touch up tie ends with a mixture of brown and black paint

Dusting of ground foam simulates weeds grow ing between rails

The South Plainfield bulk transfer facility will provide a new challenge for the local crew operating out of Manville. A quick, easy, and inexpensive project like this may benefit your

own layout, bring new operational interest to an otherwise dormant and unused scene. Better yet, no major reconstruction was required. JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

53

1. Rockingham Junction is a signature scene on Bob Gurley’s HO scale Boston & Maine. Bob scratchbuilt the station and many other structures on the layout.

Steam-to-diesel on the

BOSTON & MAINE Bob Gurley’s 22 x 50 foot HO scale layout models the transition era in northern New England By Mike Confalone • Photos by the author

M

odeling New England railroads comes naturally to Bob Gurley. Growing up in Lynn, Mass., next to the Boston & Maine RR, Bob saw first-hand the last steam locomotives on the line, as well as colorful first-generation diesels. It’s no surprise that the B&M continues to influence his model railroading efforts and plays a central role in his 22 x 50 foot HO scale layout, which is set among the bright autumn foliage of northern New England in 1954. As a teenager with limited funds, Bob’s early model railroading efforts included several small layouts. Typical for their time, these layouts had track

54

with brass rails and fiber ties. The models also lacked the detail found in today’s locomotives and rolling stock. Although he maintained a casual interest in model railroading throughout his life, Bob left the hobby for some time as an adult. Then in the winter of 1987, he was looking for something to read and spotted a copy of Model Railroader. Newly inspired, he returned to the hobby and began work on his present layout. The layout’s track plan is loosely based on the Boston & Maine’s Portsmouth Branch from Manchester, N.H., to Portsmouth, N.H., and a portion of the B&M main line to Portland, Maine. Beginning as a small layout under the

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basement stairs, Bob’s B&M has expanded significantly over the years. The layout now occupies most of the basement under his house and garage. The most recent expansion includes elements of the Grand Trunk Ry. and Maine Central at Portland, Maine.

Building the B&M Since he’s a carpenter by trade, Bob’s first priority was to finish his basement.

2. A trio of F units leads a freight train into Manchester Yard, as B&M no. 3007, a 2-10-2, waits in the hole. Bob’s skill at scratchbuilding wood structures is evident in the prototype-based B&M interlocking tower.

He framed the walls, installed drywall, and added a finished ceiling. He also installed electrical outlets around the room before beginning layout construction. The layout benchwork is open-grid and L-girder with 3 ⁄4" plywood subroadbed and Midwest Products cork roadbed. Bob starting laying Shinohara code 100 flextrack, but later switched to the

firm’s code 83 and code 70 products. The smaller rail profile of code 83 and code 70 track looked more realistic for the layout’s setting. Bob also installed Shinohara turnouts with Caboose Industries ground throws for easier manual control. Originally, Bob wired the layout for direct-current (DC) block control using two power packs. Several years ago Bob

converted the entire layout to Digital Command Control (DCC) using a Digitrax DCC system. He also installed SoundTraxx sound decoders in most of his steam and diesel locomotives.

Realistic scenery Building scenery is one of Bob’s favorite aspects of the hobby. He cites JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

55

To staging Laconia Granite

Raymond, N.H. Coal dealer

Scenic track (for future expansion)

Hood’s Creamery

4 Diner Oil dealer

6 Tower

1

3. Under construction at the time of this writing, the Portland, Maine, section will feature several large industries. The scratchbuilt Grand Trunk Ry. grain elevator (the white structure in the center) is taking shape. Bob also scratchbuilt the B&M Beans building on the right.

Station

2

B&M main line Rockingham Junction

Station

▸▸ The layout at a glance

Manchester, N.H.

Manchester Yard

Name: Boston & Maine Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 22 x 50 feet Prototype: loosely based on Boston & Maine, Maine Central, and Grand Trunk Ry. Locale: (New Hampshire and Maine) Era: fall 1954 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 128 feet

Duckunder

Station

Portsmouth, N.H. Portsmouth Yard

7

Portsmouth Branch

Boston & Maine

5

HO scale (1:87.1) Layout size: 22 x 50 feet Scale of plan: 3⁄16" = 1' 0", 24" grid Numbered arrows indicate photo locations Illustration by Kellie Jaeger Find more plans online in the ModelRailroader.com Track Plan Database.

Manchester Mill

Grand Trunk Ry. Deering Junction

Fore River Bridge Grand Trunk Ry. grain elevator

3

B&M Beans

Back Cove swing bridge

PT Tower Roundhouse 90 foot turntable

56

Commercial Street Wharf

Portland, Maine

Rigby Yard

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

Minimum radius: 24" Maximum grade: less than 1 percent Height: 52" Roadbed: 3 ⁄8" cork Track: Shinohara code 70 and code 83 flextrack Scenery: plaster over screen Backdrop: painted drywall with some photo backdrops Control: Digitrax DCC

model railroading pioneer John Allen as his primary influence. Bob starts scenery work by making basic landforms from plaster over screen wire. After letting the plaster dry, he paints it with a coat of earth-tone latex paint. Then he applies ground cover using Woodland Scenics turf as well as real dirt. All the paved roads are made with joint compound. Most of the trees on the layout are made of sedum, a perennial plant that Bob’s wife, Claudette, grows in their yard. Once dried, the plant’s branches make realistic-looking HO scale tree armatures. After painting the armatures, Bob applies Woodland Scenics foliage in autumn colors. For a slightly different look, Bob also uses dried pieces of blueberry bush for some tree armatures. He models water using Enviro-Tex Lite two-part epoxy. Before applying the epoxy he paints the streambeds with dark colors to simulate depth and adds details such as weeds and rocks.

4. Surrounded by colorful fall foliage, Boston & Maine GP7 no. 1575 leads a local along the Portsmouth Branch. Bob made the armatures for his realistic trees from dried blueberry bush and sedum.

Scratchbuilt structures There are more than 30 scratchbuilt structures on the layout and many more that are kitbashed from various materials. One notable structure is the ice house in Manchester, which is a replica of a model originally built by John Allen. Bob has a passion for scratchbuilding wood models of structures found on the prototype B&M. The first scratchbuilt structure on the layout was the threestall roundhouse at Portsmouth. The largest structure on the layout will be the Grand Trunk Ry. grain elevator in Portland. Other key structures include passenger stations at Manchester, Portsmouth, and Rockingham Junction. The crossing of the Manchester to Portsmouth Branch and the B&M main line to Portland, Rockingham Junction is a signature scene on the layout. It’s based on a prototypical location near Newfields, N.H. Another favorite scene of Bob’s is the branch line that runs through Raymond, N.H., and fills one of the layout’s peninsulas. Along with rural New England scenery, this area features a concentration of scratchbuilt structures, including a coal and fuel dealer, diner, and a Hood’s Creamery.

5. A Manchester Locomotive Works class G-11A 0-6-0, B&M no. 414, switches the mill yard area in North Manchester. For the backdrop, Bob used photos of the prototype mill buildings that still stand in Manchester, N.H.

To add depth to the Manchester mill scene, Bob used a high-resolution photo of prototype mill buildings along the backdrop. Bob plans to add photo backdrops to other scenes as time permits.

Sharing the railroad Although the layout is designed for point-to-point operation, the main line is a continuous run. This is especially helpful when Bob hosts visitors. JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

57

6. At Raymond, N.H., B&M no. 1500 drops a hopper at the coal dealer across the street from the Hood’s Creamery. With their work done, the engine crew will go for beans at Red’s Diner seen in the right foreground of the photo.

▸▸ Meet Bob Gurley A carpenter by trade, Bob Gurley lives in Goffstown, N.H., with his wife, Claudette. They have five children and nine grandchildren. In addition to model railroading, Bob enjoys camping, kayaking, and motorcycling.

7. In Portsmouth, the B&M’s only Alco RS-2 works the yard. Bob scratchbuilt the wood coaling tower for the yard’s engine terminal.

Each year Bob participates in the New Hampshire-based Tour-De-Chooche, a self-guided tour of local model railroads. During the event, Bob opens his layout to the public. Despite the tight confines of his layout room, he estimates that 58

nearly 100 enthusiastic visitors tour the B&M throughout the day. Bob doesn’t host formal operating sessions, but this may change as the layout nears completion. He has plenty of modeling tasks to keep him busy on the

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

B&M, as work on the Portland, Maine, expansion continues. Additional waterfront tracks, yards, structures, and scenery still need to be developed. Whether building models or running trains, model railroading has given Bob a lifetime of enjoyment and will continue to do so for years to come. Author and photographer Mike Confalone’s HO scale Allagash Ry. was featured in Model Railroad Planning 2012.

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JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

59

DCCCORNER

Protecting a layout entry gate, part 3

Mike Polsgrove wraps up his threepart series on protecting a layout entry gate by describing how he programmed the NCE Mini-Panels and sound decoder. Photos by the author In the last two installments of DCC

Corner, I described the premise for my layout entry gate and how I wired the two sub-panels. Now, in the final installment of this three-part series, I’ll describe how I programmed the sound decoder and NCE Mini-Panels. The west side of my gate is adjacent to Junction City, and the east side is a place called Rocky Run near a bridge crossing the Wisconsin River. I used these names extensively while wiring and programming instead of a numeric code. Using real names not only adds prototype flavor, but helps me keep things straight.

the bell, making the file small enough to fit in the decoder’s onboard memory. When I set up the sound project using Sound Project Helper, shown in fig. 1, I set the bell to loop as long as F1 was activated. I kept the default horn since many different types of locomotives would be crossing the gate. I set up F3 to sound the horn in the grade crossing sequence of two longs, a short, and a long. The horn sound is made up of three parts: attack, sustain, and decay. I made the horn blasts for the grade crossing cadence by looping the sustain section for different lengths of time. The software walks you through the process of making a sound project and converting it into the file needed to download into the decoder. While setting normal configuration variables (CVs) can be done with any Digital Command Control (DCC) system capable of programming CVs, downloading sounds requires a computer and either a Digitrax PR2 or PR3 programmer. The Digitrax ditch-light effect I used for the crossing lights is designed to operate when F0 and F2 are activated and can’t be remapped. Function 2 (F2) is the default horn function. Since I wanted the lights to flash independent of the horn, I remapped the horn to F3. To activate the flashing ditch lights, I programmed CV49 to 106 and CV50 to 107. The volume of

the crossing bell and air horn are set by CVs 140 and 141, respectively. Programming the Mini-Panel.

The crossing bell and flashing lights start when a train enters the detection section on either side of the gate. After a brief period, a locomotive horn blows a gradecrossing cadence, which repeats until the train clears the detection section on the other side of the gate. Because someone may open the gate when the crossing is activated or a train may back out of the block and never reach the other side, I programmed the Mini-Panel to cover all possible sequences of events. The Mini-Panel has 31 inputs. When an input is activated, the Mini-Panel can execute up to four DCC instructions, such as selecting a locomotive and programming a set of functions, among other items. These can be put together to form a sort of computer program. The Mini-Panel also has a set of nonDCC commands that control the flow of the instruction execution. Of those, I used link, skip, and delay. “Link” allows the computer program to jump to another input’s set of four instructions. The second input’s electrical input doesn’t need to be connected or activated when accessed by a link command. If the link command is used, the first input is limited to only three usable

Programming the sound decoder.

Programming the Digitrax SFX0416 sound decoder proved to be more of a challenge than I anticipated. I wanted the sound of a crossing bell instead of a locomotive bell used in most decoders. The Digitrax decoder allows the user to add and modify sounds with sound projects, so I recorded the bell from a nearby full-size grade crossing. However, I had trouble understanding how to load the sound into the decoder. I searched the Digitrax Yahoo Group archives for help and found a reference to Fred Miller’s Sound Project Helper (www.fnbcreations.net/projects.htm). [Fred’s work with sound decoders was featured in the June 2012 issue. – Ed.] I converted the bell recording into an 8-bit, 11 kHz .Wav file using WavePad, a sound-editing program from NCH Software (www.nch.com.au/wavepad). In addition to converting the file, I edited the recording down to a single ding of 60

Fig. 1 Custom sounds. Mike used Fred Miller’s Sound Project Helper software to transfer the sounds from a real grade crossing into the decoder. The software allows Mike to assign function keys, sound clips, and configuration variables.

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

Mike Polsgrove

Fig. 2 Junction City Mini-Panel program Mini Panel address 54, Begin of continuous memory 26, Last electrical input 26 Label Input Connection Step Instruction Start 25 Junction City detector 1 Locomotive select 2 Locomotive function F5 F8 3 Delay ¼ second 4 Link Crossing routine 26 Rocky Run indicator 1 Skip if ground 2 Link 3 Skip if open 4 Link 27 None 1 Locomotive select 2 Locomotive speed 3 Locomotive function F0 F4 4 Delay ¼ second Blow horn 28 None 1 Locomotive function F0 F4 2 Delay ¼ second 3 Locomotive function F0 F4 4 Skip if open 29 None 1 Link 2 Locomotive select 3 Locomotive function F5 F8 4 Skip if open 30 None 1 Link 2 3 4 Crossing routine end 31 None 1 Locomotive select 2 Locomotive Function F5 F8 3 Locomotive select 4 End

steps, since the last one is required to link to the second input. “Skip” is a conditional jump. It checks the status of an input. If it’s active it skips over the next instruction to the instruction following that. By placing a link command after a skip command, you can reroute the program flow from one path to another, based on an input’s status. The last non-DCC instruction I used is the delay. This is a programmable length of time the Mini-Panel waits before moving on to the next instruction. The Mini-Panel on the Junction City side is shared by the dispatcher’s panel that sets train-order signals on the entire layout. On that panel, only inputs 25 through 31 were available, as shown in fig. 2. I had to keep the program short enough to fit in that range of inputs, a total of 28 instructions. Another feature of the Mini-Panel is the ability to set a block of continuous memory so the program flow isn’t limited to four steps. The program automatically flows from the end of the fourth instruction of one input directly to the first command of the next input without the need for a link statement, saving room for additional commands. I set this up

Value 252 F5 8 26 25 31 26 26 253 1 0, 1, 2, 4 12 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 44 0, 1, 2, 4 25 28 252 26 31

252 9999

by programming memory location 3 of the Mini-Panel. I also disabled inputs above input 26 since I used the instructions but not the electrical inputs associated with them. Both Mini-Panels are programmed identically except for the address of the decoder that indicates if the opposite side of the gate is occupied. Since I had other uses for the MiniPanels, I couldn’t just let the program run continuously. I had to trigger its execution when a train approached the gate, otherwise it would be stuck in a loop executing the crossing signal instructions. I connected the track occupancy detector to input 25 and the relay that indicates occupancy of the other side of the gate to input 26. When the train enters the block, the program begins by setting the relay indicator for the Mini-Panel on the other side of the gate and jumps to the continuous memory section starting at input 26. Next, input 26 uses the skip command to double check if the local block is occupied, in case there was a false trigger. Then it checks to see if the other side is occupied. If it is, I don’t want this MiniPanel to take control yet, so the program loops, waiting for the other block to clear. If at any time while waiting for the other

Comment Start if Junction City occupied Set Junction City indicator Allow for occupancy chatter Jump to crossing routine Check if Junction City occupied Jump to crossing routine end Check Rocky Run indicator Loop until Rocky Run is clear Select crossing decoder Wake up crossing sound decoder Start flashers and bell Delay horn for effect Start horn Wait for horn to finish Reset horn function Check if Junction City occupied Repeat horn jump to blow horn Select Junction City indicator Clear Junction City indicator Check Rocky Run indicator Jump to crossing routine end

Select Junction City indicator Clear Junction City indicator Relinquish locomotive 252 for other cabs to use

side to clear the local block clears, the Mini-Panel program jumps to the end, shutting off the relay indicator. Use caution if a skip command is the first instruction for an input. Even if that instruction isn’t yet being executed via the program flow, the condition the skip instruction is checking is always being tested. If the skip condition is met at any time, it will execute and possibly divert your program where you may not expect. An NCE ProCab is required to program the Mini-Panel. The cab is plugged into the programming jack, and the NCE cab bus is plugged into one of the other jacks. A series of on-screen guides brings you through the programming process. It’s best to use a chart like the one shown in fig. 2 to plan the program before entering. Blank forms can be found on the NCE website, www.ncedcc.com. That wraps up my three-part series on building a layout entry gate. The project turned into something far more than I expected, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The results were well worth the effort, and the built-in safety features will save me the embarrassment of sending another train crashing to the floor. JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

61

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PRODUCTREVIEWS

Kato HO scale P42

Assembled speaker baffle Speaker baffle kit

20 5 mm speakers

TSU KT1000 decoder

Decoder leads

SoundTraxx delivers DCC and realistic sound for Kato USA HO scale P42 Smooth Digital Command Control

(DCC) performance and a long list of features make the TSU-KT1000 from SoundTraxx the perfect complement to Kato USA’s outstanding HO scale General Electric P42. I installed the decoder into one of the direct-current (DC) models used in my September 2013 review of the P42. The model is also available factoryequipped with either the TSU-KT1000 or an ESU LokSound decoder. For more information, visit www.katousa.com. The Kato P42 features a unique design where each truck is equipped with a coreless motor. All the wheels on Rear speaker

Decoder

each truck pick up track power. Contacts on the truck sideframes touch contact strips under the metal frame. Two metal screws hold the factory light board in place and also act as power pickups for the board’s light-emitting diodes (LEDs) The motor leads are connected to thin metal strips that pick up track power from the wheels. Installation. The decoder includes a printed-circuit board, front and rear motor leads, and a speaker lead. Sold separately, two 20.5mm speakers (no. 810053, $9.95 each) and baffles Speaker socket

Motor sockets

Two screws attach the decoder to the metal frame. 64

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

Front speaker

(no. 810109, $4.00) are required. Proficiency at soldering, especially splicing wires, is an absolute necessity. Although printed instructions are included with the decoder, a much more helpful installation guide with color photos is available for free at www.soundtraxx.com. The SoundTraxx decoder replaces the Kato P42 factory light board. Surface mounted LEDs are included on the decoder. The locomotive shell and trucks are press-fit and easy to remove. I appreciated that the only modification I had to make to the metal frame was to drill two 1 ⁄8" holes for the decoder leads to run through to the trucks. Kato conveniently included starter holes in the P42 frame. For me the trickiest part of the installation involved connecting the decoder leads to the motor leads on each truck. The thin motor leads are less than 1 ⁄2" long. I usually like to twist wires together to make a mechanical connection before soldering, but not in this case. It’s easy to inadvertently pull the leads out of the motor, making it inoperable. Instead, I suggest relying on only the solder to make the connection. First,

▸▸ More reviews & videos At www.ModelRailroader.com subscribers can read more than 750 previously published reviews and watch more than 150 exclusive product demo videos.

I tinned the ends of both leads with solder. Then using locking tweezers I held the leads side by side as still as possible and quickly applied the soldering iron to make the joint. I finished the joint by covering it with heat-shrink tubing. Following the included diagram, I wired the speakers in series and placed them in plastic speaker baffles. The baffles are easy to assemble with plastic cement. Be sure to thread the speaker wires through the holes in the baffles before soldering the wires to the speakers. The enclosed speakers fit easily into the recesses of the locomotive frame. I used the two screws from the original light board to mount the decoder to the frame. The board’s speaker socket should be toward the front. Finally I snapped the motor and speaker leads into their appropriate sockets. After confirming that everything worked with a quick trip down our test track, I slid the shell back onto the frame. DCC operation. On our DCC test

track the P42 ran smoothly at 3.4 scale mph in speed step 1 to a top speed of 87 scale mph in speed step 28. When set to 128 speed steps the model started moving in speed step 1 at 1 scale mph. The decoder also features 14 preset speed tables as well as a custom speed table option for further fine-tuning the locomotive’s speed performance. The model’s two motors ran smoothly in synch. The P42 hauled a full 10-car Empire Builder consist of Superliner cars. I easily programmed the decoder address to the locomotive number. The decoder supports advanced consisting, Die cast frame

Motor leads from decoder Heat shrink tubing Truck mounted motor

Dana soldered the decoder motor leads to the short leads on each truck.

Dana Kawala

including the ability to trigger sound and lighting effects using the consist address. An extensive user manual with programming instructions is available at www.soundtraxx.com. DCC sound. From the factory, the decoder isn’t set to full volume. I increased the overall volume using CV128. Even at full volume, the wellenclosed speakers didn’t rattle or buzz. I especially appreciated that the SoundTraxx decoder allows independent volume control of each sound effect. For example, a modeler could lower the exhaust rpm volume and increase the air horn volume. The rumble of the GE 7FDL16 diesel engine sounded like the locomotives I hear almost every day passing my home in Milwaukee. A modeler can set the decoder’s engine notching to increase according to a certain number of speed steps. The decoder also supports manual notching where the modeler can increase or decrease the engine rpm independently of the locomotive speed. I used the latter setting for our video of the P42 at www.ModelRailroader.com. The decoder’s other user-controlled functions include a long and short horn blast, bell, dynamic brake fans, and coupler clank. Functions can also be remapped, which is especially useful for those with throttles that support less than 12 function keys. The decoder features 15 different prototypical airhorns. I set our sample’s airhorn to a five-chime Nathan M5 by changing CV 115 to a value of 10. DC operation. Like most DCC decoders available today, the SoundTraxx Tsunami will operate on a direct-current (DC) layout. However, our review sample required almost 11V of track power before it started moving. To optimize DC performance requires that a modeler has access to a DCC system or a DC sound programmer such as the Model Rectifier Corp. Tech 6. After I programmed the decoder’s analog starting voltage (CV63) to a value of 5, the decoder performed much better on our DC test track. Lights and sounds started at 7 volts and the model started moving at 8 volts. As you can see in the chart, it accelerated smoothly to a top speed of 87 mph. Sound operation is limited to the diesel rpm, which increase as the

▸▸ DCC decoder for Kato P42 Price: $119 Manufacturer SoundTraxx 210 Rock Point Dr. Durango, CO 81301 www.soundtraxx.com Features ▪ 14, 28, or 128 speed steps ▪ 16-bit sound processor ▪ Board-mounted light-emitting diodes (LEDs) ▪ Built-in multi-band equalizer ▪ Designed specifically for Kato HO scale GE P42 ▪ More than 14 sound effects ▪ Motor stall current: 1A ▪ Multiple airhorn selections ▪ Operates on Digital Command Control (DCC) and direct-current (DC) layouts ▪ Preset and user-loadable speed tables ▪ Supports advance consisting ▪ Supports service mode programming and programming on the main

SoundTraxx TSU KT-1000 decoder Scale speed (DC) Volts Scale mph 8 (start) 3 9 32 10 47 12 87

Scale speed (DCC) Speed step Scale mph 1 3 7 28 14 53 28 87

locomotive accelerates. There are some automatic effects, such as the bell and a grade-crossing horn signal, that can be triggered by a DC power pack. However, activating these features requires programming CVs using a DCC system or DC sound controller. Especially for DCC modelers, the SoundTraxx TSU-1000 sound decoder makes the Kato USA HO scale GE P42 sound as good as it looks. – Dana Kawala, senior editor

Now on ModelRailroader.com Subscribers can watch a video of a SoundTraxx DCC decoder equipped Kato P42 as it hauls a passenger train around our club layout, the Mil waukee, Racine & Troy. Click on the Videos tab on the MR home page.

JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

65

PRODUCTREVIEWS

WalthersProto HO scale USRA 0-8-0 upgraded with SoundTraxx DCC decoder

Inside and out. The locomotive’s

tender, yard crews complained that it obstructed their view during backing maneuvers. Many switchers were retrofitted with narrower coal bunkers to improve rear visibility. The tender on Walthers’ model represents one of these. The boiler bristles with accurate details. Grab irons and uncoupling levers are wire, and the abundant pipes, sand lines, and other fittings are flexible engineering plastic. The pilot and tender are fitted with metal knuckle couplers, mounted at the correct height. The cab is detailed with wire grab irons at the corners and an optional removable cab curtain. The cab windows slide open. A cab apron extends backward to the tender’s deck. Crew figures aren’t included. The engine’s plastic body is smoothly painted black, with a graphite smokebox. The white printing on the cab and tender was sharp, straight, and opaque, and matched the New York Central’s post1936 lettering. The smallest print in the builder’s plates on the smokebox were legible under magnification. Under the engine’s plastic shell, a can motor with dual brass flywheels is housed within a hefty cast-metal frame. A worm gear transmits power to the rear drivers, which are equipped with a set of traction tires. The side rods transfer motion to the other three axles.

major dimensions and the size and placement of details match prototype photos and plans printed in Kalmbach’s Model Railroader Cyclopedia, Vol. 1: Steam Locomotives (1960). Though the diagram shows a standard short USRA

Sound check. Since the WalthersProto USRA 0-8-0 is equipped with a dualmode Digital Command Control decoder, I tested it under both direct current and DCC. I used a Model

An HO scale model of one of the most successful steam engines ever built, the United States Railroad Administration (USRA)-designed 0-8-0 switcher, is now being offered equipped with a Soundtraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. The locomotive is an upgraded WalthersProto reissue of a Life-Like Proto 2000 model that was first reviewed in the September 2000 issue of Model Railroader. Prior to World War I, steam locomotives were built in small lots by numerous builders working to individual roads’ specifications. There was no such thing as a standard design. But when America entered World War I in 1917, the railroads weren’t up to the task of moving all the men and materiel needed for the war. In response, President Woodrow Wilson formed the United States Railroad Administration (USRA) and nationalized the railroads. One of the railroads’ biggest problems was a shortage of locomotives. The USRA proposed to have a large number of new steam engines built to a set of standard designs. These designs were huge successes. Railroads continued to buy USRA engines long after the war ended and the railroads returned to private control.

66

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

Rectifier Corp. Tech 7 Ampac 760 power pack to do the DC testing first. As is typical for sound-decoderequipped locomotives, it takes a lot of voltage to get things going. Ambient sounds, such as the air pumps, started at 6V. As I advanced the throttle, the locomotive started moving smoothly at 10V. The engine is geared for low-speed operations, perfect for a switcher. It started out at 4.2 scale mph at 10V, and reached a top speed of almost 25 scale mph at 12V. (If you have access to a DCC system, lowering the value programmed into Configuration Variable (CV) 63 – Analog Starting Voltage – will start the engine at a lower voltage under DC.) When it starts moving under DC, the locomotive whistle toots twice as the

Walthers’ model represents an 0-8-0 retrofitted with a narrow coal bunker.

engine starts forward and three times as it moves backward. To be prototypical, whistle signals should happen before the locomotive starts moving. The exhaust is correctly timed to four chuffs per driver revolution. The Johnson bar clanks when the direction is reversed. Under DC, the user can trigger an grade-crossing whistle sequence by rapidly turning up the throttle and a brake squeal by quickly turning it down. The light-emitting-diode headlight and backup light are directional. The user has more control over the sound effects in DCC mode. For example, function 4 plays a steam release sound, and F11 triggers a brake squeal. You can hear the dynamo whine when the lights are turned on. I tested the locomotive with an NCE Power Cab. The engine responded smoothly to speed step 1, rolling at 3 scale mph. At speed step 28, it topped out at 52 mph. Changing the decoder’s address was a simple task. I also tested all possible values of configuration variable (CV) 115, which selects the steam whistle sound. Sixteen whistles are available. Drawbar testing. A six-pin plug under the locomotive cab apron fits into a socket on the front of the tender. In addition to connecting the electronics, this part also functions as a drawbar between the locomotive and tender. During our drawbar testing with a stationary force meter, the engine would pull loose from the tender. However, this wasn’t an issue during real-world testing. On our club layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, I tested the locomotive’s pulling power with an extreme hill climb. The 0-8-0 hauled 20 cars up a 3 percent grade without slipping, stalling, or unfastening from the tender. Needless to say this yard goat has plenty of power for its normal flat switching duties. A ubiquitous switcher. The 0-8-0

switcher was the most numerous USRAdesigned locomotive. North American railroads rostered 1,375 USRA 0-8-0s and copies. These doughty yard goats stayed on duty switching and making transfer runs for Class 1 railroads until the last days of steam. The new model from WalthersProto would look right at home working any HO scale classification yard set in the last decades of steam. – Steven Otte, associate editor

▸▸ HO scale USRA 0-8-0 Price: $299.98 (direct-current), $399.98 (with Digital Command Control and sound) Manufacturer Wm. K. Walthers Inc. P.O. Box 3039 Milwaukee, Wi 53201 www.walthers.com Era: September 1918 to early 1960s (1936 to early 1950s as detailed and decorated) Road names: New York Central; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Erie; Nickel Plate; Northern Pacific; and Southern (two road numbers each). Features ▪ Blackened metal National Model Railroad Association RP-25 contour wheelsets, in gauge ▪ Dimmable, reversing lightemitting-diode (LED) lights ▪ Electrical pickup on four drivers and all tender wheels ▪ Proto MAX metal knuckle couplers at correct height ▪ Plastic body and tender shell ▪ Sliding cab windows ▪ SoundTraxx Tsunami DCC sound decoder (optional) ▪ Three-axle electrical pickup ▪ Traction tires on rear drivers ▪ Weight: 9.5 ounces (engine alone), 13.5 ounces (engine and tender) ▪ Wire grab irons and uncoupling levers

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PRODUCTREVIEWS

Kato’s modern bi-level auto rack features prototype-specific detail A contemporary bi-level auto rack is the latest N scale offering from Kato USA. The ready-to-run plastic model is based on a Johnstown America (now FreightCar America) prototype. The accurately detailed model features sharply molded grab irons and prototype-specific detail. Johnstown America dubbed its bi-level auto racks Aluminum Vehicle Carriers, or AVCs. The full-size cars are 17 percent lighter than similar cars of steel construction and they have a 50year interchange life (40 is typical for free interchange without rebuilding or receiving extended service status). The bi-level cars are versatile, able to handle cars, pickups, vans, and sport utility vehicles. Canadian National purchased a 200-car lot of AVCs that were built between June and September 2004; Canadian Pacific ordered 375 cars between September and December of the same year; and Amtrak had 80 cars constructed for its Auto Train in 2005. The Kato model has a one-piece

injection-molded plastic rack system

with a separate underbody. Grab irons, door hinges, defect card holders, and Automatic Equipment Identification tags, among other molded details on the rack, are well defined. There are differences in the rivet pattern on each side of the rack, which Kato accurately re-created. The CN and CP cars use the same rack, but have finely printed dots to replicate the perforations on the panels. This is clever and convincing way of capturing that detail. Well done, Kato! The underbody features a basic level of detail. The center sills, crossties, crossbearers, air reservoir, brake cylinder, hand brake lever, and cylinder lever are all molded. A light gray plastic “floor” snaps over tabs on the underbody to hold a metal weight in place. The car weighs 1.1 ounces, which is 0.4 ounce too light based on National Model Railroad Association recommended practice 20.1. The pin-mounted injection-molded plastic trucks have correctly gauged metal wheelsets mounted on plastic axles. Brass contacts on the inside of the each sideframe allow users to add an illuminated flashing rear end device or other end-of-train lights. The truckmounted couplers have coil centering springs and are at the proper height. Our sample is decorated for

The CN model (left) has printed perforations. The Amtrak car doesn’t. 68

Amtrak’s Auto Train in the phase 4b paint scheme. The paint is smooth and evenly applied, though the vertical posts should be a lighter shade of aluminum to accurately capture the contrast between the aluminum panels and the painted steel posts. In addition, the grab irons should be yellow, but this could be easily fixed with a paintbrush.

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

▸▸ N scale auto rack Price: Four-pack, $90 Manufacturer Kato USA Inc. 100 Remington Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60173 www.katousa.com Era: 2004 to present Road names: Amtrak (two four packs), Canadian National, and Canadian Pacific Features ▪ All-wheel electrical pickup for adding Flashing Rear End Device or other end-of-train lights ▪ Couplers with modelerinstalled trip pins, mounted at correct height ▪ Metal wheelsets on plastic axles, correctly gauged ▪ Weight: 1.1 ounces, 0.4 ounce too light based on National Model Railroad Association recommended practice 20.1

All of the lettering on the sides and ends is legible under magnification. The placement of the herald, reporting marks, and car data matches prototype photos of car no. 9237 that I found online. The model’s dimensions match dimensional data on the FreightCar America website. Careful attention to detail and accu-

rate painting and printing make Kato USA’s N scale Johnstown American bi-level auto rack, er, Aluminum Vehicle Carrier, a stand-out model. – Cody Grivno, associate editor

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PRODUCTREVIEWS QUICKLOOK Atlas O Trinity 25,500 gallon tank car Price: $99.95 Manufacturer Atlas O LLC 378 Florence Ave. Hillside, NJ 07205 www.atlaso.com Era: 1986 to present Comments: If you’re into modern railroading in O scale, this TrinityRail 25,500-gallon general-service tank car from Atlas O might be what you need. The design was introduced in 1986 and continues in production today with at least 13,000 of the cars on the rails. The reviewed model is decorated for Cargill vegetable oil service, carrying the appropriate reporting marks and number according to the Official Railway Equipment Register. This finely detailed modern freight car is a mix of plastic and metal parts. The bottom of the tank and the end

frames are die-cast metal while the remainder of the tank and many of the detail parts, such as the platform handrails, manway, brakewheel, and gearbox, are molded in various types of plastic. Grab irons, end railings, and safety railings along the bottom of the tank are formed wire. The metal wheels are in gauge. The sprung die-cast metal trucks have separate brake shoes and the bearing end caps of the roll with the axles. The die-cast metal couplers are at the correct height, but unlike the prototype aren’t shelf-type couplers. The 15½"-long car weighs 1 pound, 7.6 ounces, nearly 3 ounces more than NMRA recommendations. Overall dimensions, such as the length over strikers and the coupler centers, match

information from Trinity’s sales literature. The overall width is about 2 scale inches too wide, and the overall height is about 7 scale inches more than the diagrams. The paint is neatly applied with clearly printed lettering, although the light gray area around the access hatch at the top of the car is slightly fuzzy around the edges. In addition to the Cargill scheme reviewed here, the model is offered in Archer Daniels Midland , GATX (Rexene Corporation or BASF), PLM International Ltd., and Trinity Industries Leasing Co. with four road numbers apiece, and undecorated. These tank cars would make a useful addition to any modern O-scale fleet. – Eric White, associate editor

uncoupling levers, grab irons, brake rods, and lever hangers; a metal center sill; and double-door Wine locks. The model is based on a late prototype that lacked top chord reinforcements. Our sample is decorated in Denver & Rio Grande Western’s as-delivered scheme. Car no. 12283 was part of a 500 car order (12000-12499) the railroad placed with Bethlehem Steel. The cars were built by the freight car manufacturer in July and August 1979. The model’s dimensions closely follow drawings published in the 1970 Simmons-Boardman Car & Locomotive Cyclopedia. A few discrepancies were the distance over the coupler pulling faces (a scale foot too long) and inside length (a scale five inches too

short). These are both common dimensional issues as model couplers are slightly oversized and plastic models are made of thicker materials. The car features plastic American Steel Foundries 100-ton Ride Control trucks, properly gauged 36" metal wheelsets, and Kadee no. 58 couplers mounted at the correct height. The hopper weighs 2.4 ounces empty and 2.8 ounces with a load. This is 1.9 and 1.5 ounces too light, respectively, based on National Model Railroad Association Recommended Practice 20.1. Even though their unit coal train days may be over, these cars can still be found hauling rock and sand and in maintenance-of-way service. – C.G.

QUICKLOOK ExactRail HO scale Bethlehem 3,483-cubic-foot-capacity hopper Price: $38.95 (includes choice of heap- or flood-style coal load) Manufacturer ExactRail 5132 N. 300 W., Ste. 100 Provo, UT 84604 www.exactrail.com Road names: Burlington Northern; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (1969 scheme with Helvetica lettering in 15 road numbers or 1967 scheme with Burlington Route herald); Denver & Rio Grande Western (“Mainline thru the Rockies” herald in four numbers, 1996 repaint in 15 numbers, or as-delivered scheme in 46 numbers); and Great Northern (1964 as-delivered scheme). Twenty-four road numbers each unless noted. Era: 1964 to present Comments: An accurate model of a unit coal train hopper used by Western railroads is now available from ExactRail. The Bethlehem 3,483-cubicfoot-capacity hopper features an injection-molded plastic body; wire 70

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Tony Koester

TRAINSOFTHOUGHT

Modeling the 1960s

These out-of-the-box Proto 2000 (Walthers) GP30s need detail revisions to match their Nickel Plate Road prototypes, but they are sufficiently accurate to allow Tony to re-create his railfan experiences of the 1960s. Tony Koester photo I suspect the inscription on my tombstone will read, “He changed eras – a lot!” Those of you who followed the saga of the Allegheny Midland were probably somewhat puzzled by the fact that the railroad drifted ahead and then back in time, sort of emulating the rising and falling Doppler-effect sounds of a passing train. The era shifts resulted from both practical and professional concerns. Planned as a steam railroad from the get-go, I quickly discovered that the needed steam power wasn’t available and/or affordable in the early 1970s. So the railroad drifted ahead into the late 1960s, which allowed me to make use of then state-of-the-art hood units from Atlas and Athearn. It also led to the Appalachian Lines merger with Allen McClelland’s Virginian & Ohio and Steve King’s Virginia Midland, as they too had discovered the benefits of modeling the second-generation diesel era. In the 1970s and early 1980s, the era kept pace with prototype railroading, which I, as a model railroad magazine editor, thought was a good idea. When I left the hobby industry to join Bell Labs in 1981, that imperative vanished, and the availability of desired high-quality brass steam locomotives and disposable income allowed me to begin a slow drift back toward the steam era. It had bottomed out in 1957 when the AM was dismantled near the turn of the realworld millennium. I’m not a train collector, but I do have a number of Nickel Plate Road models

that may never see service on my HO railroad. Some are older models that don’t measure up to today’s quality standards, but others would be anachronistic on my recent layout set in 1954. Among the latter are a few Alco RS-11s (1956) and a Century 420 (1964); a few Electro-Motive Division GP18s (1960), three GP30s (1962), and a GP35 (1964). The NKP version of Atlas’ Alco RS-36 is now available, and it’s one of my favorite second-generation hood units; I now own eight of them. I could readily explain away one of each as collectable. But two? Eight? That takes a little explaining, even to me. So I sat down and asked myself what was going on here. To my surprise, I had a pretty good answer: “You’re most comfortable modeling what you know well.”

During my Purdue years, I typically spent one weekend day at the NKP’s major hub in nearby Frankfort, Ind. There, I met engineer Don Daily, who not only became a lifelong friend, but to this day is my chief advisor on what the NKP did for a living and how it did it. Yellow boxes of Ektachrome and Kodachrome slides and quite a few PlusX black-and-white negatives attest to the due diligence I did in those days. I had already developed a fondness for the NKP’s Alco RS-3s, but I soon became enamored with the NKP’s fleet of Alco RS-36s (the first delivered by Alco) and GP30s. These units elevated the NKP into the second-generation era of dieseldom; it once again looked the part of the first-class railroad it had been during the Berkshire Era.

I was lucky enough to move to

So now what? I love the sights and sounds of steam and have a huge investment in equipment for the 1950s. If I move time past 1959, I lose steam and the two passenger trains, the latter having important roles to play in the timetable-and-train-order environment that was the raison-d’être for a new layout. But with sound-equipped digital command control decoders allowing me to again hear a brace of turbochargerequipped GP30s or chugging RS-36s, it’s tempting to give the “modern NKP” a fair try. And if not now, when? The key question: Is the goal to “finish” the railroad or to enjoy as many aspects of its prototype as possible? I’ll let you know how this turns out.

west-central Indiana in time to catch the last years of steam on the Nickel Plate’s St. Louis Division. It was hard not to be impressed with the NKP’s Super Power Berkshires and USRA light Mikados. But then school and girls and cars intervened, and it was the 1960s before I got really serious about scale model railroading and heading outdoors with a good single-lens reflex camera to record the NKP. This task assumed emergency status when the railroad was to be merged into the Norfolk & Western in October 1964. To get a little help preserving the Nickel Plate’s heritage, Glenn Pizer and I founded the NKP Historical & Technical Society in 1966.

JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

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TRACKSIDEPHOTOS After much back-room negotiation – reportedly involving an all-night card game against Gorre & Daphetid president M.H. Vanderlip – the narrow-gauge Devil’s Gulch & Helengon has secured trackage rights over the recently dualgauged G-D Line Taylor Creek branch. As a result, DG&H trains now tread the rails into oil and cattle territory formerly served by the G-D Line. Ron Foreman of Glendale, Calif., photographed this scene on the newest section of his HOn3 layout, which pays tribute to John Allen and his famed Gorre & Daphetid RR.

Want to see your work in Trackside Photos? Trackside Photos is a showcase for the work of Model Railroader readers. We encourage contributions. Send your digital photos (5 megapixels or better) to: Model Railroader, Trackside Photos, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 531871612; or upload them to http:// fileupload.kalmbach.com/Submission/contribute/. Include caption information, such as what’s going on in the picture; the layout’s scale, era, and locale; and information about the rolling stock or structures shown. For a copy of our photo submission guidelines, contact editorial associate Eric Stelpflug at 262-796-8776, ext. 583, or [email protected].

Now on ModelRailroader.com The image at right, of Ron Foreman’s HO scale Devil’s Gulch & Helengon layout, is our free downloadable computer wallpaper for June. Get it at www.ModelRailroader.com.

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JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

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TRACKSIDEPHOTOS

A brawny set of modern Norfolk Southern power operating under trackage rights on the Inlet Valley & Western RR leads a manifest freight over a steel arch bridge in central New York. John Heitmann photographed the action on the N scale layout built by Ken Reeves of Ithaca, N.Y. Ken’s IV&W is a modernday freelanced N scale railroad set in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Ken scratchbuilt the bridge from structural styrene shapes to span a duckunder. They’re still using steam engines and heavyweight cars on the passenger locals on the Chester Valley RR in May 1954, while new Electro-Motive Division diesel power goes to the crack time freights. The action takes place on Ron Fricker’s HO scale layout, a freelanced railroad set in southeastern Pennsylvania. The locomotives were made by Broadway Limited Imports and WalthersProto. Ron shot the photo.

76

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

In Galilee Harbor, R.I., the Albion, Pawtuxet & Galilee RR operates a joint rail-marine passenger operation with the White Star Transportation Co. Here, an afternoon train arrives to drop off passengers for the steam excursion flatboat waiting below. George Landow of Providence, R.I., photographed the scene on his freelanced HO scale AP&G layout. The pier is a modified Campbell kit, as is the White Star building and the tiny train station. George scratchbuilt many of the other structures, as well as the flatboat. The crew of Caribou & Ohio General Electric U33C no. 743 switches an auto rack at the South End Terminal. The action takes place on the HO scale C&O layout belonging to Jerry Walterreit of Fishersville, Va. Number 743 is an Atlas model; the auto rack is from Walthers. Jerry shot the photo.

JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

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Classified Advertising Schedule of Events Rate: $35 per issue (45 word maximum). Ads will contain the following information about the event: state, city, sponsoring organization and name of event, meet, auction or show, dates, location, times, admission fee, name and/or telephone number and/or email of person to contact for information. Name, daytime telephone number and street address of the person providing the information is also required but need not be included in the ad. Unless otherwise requested, ads will be published in the issue month that the event occurs in. Additional months are available at the $35 per issue fee. Please specify issue date(s). Word Ad Rates; per issue: 1 insertion — $2.03 per word, 6 insertions — $1.89 per word, 12 insertions — $1.77 per word. $30.00 MINIMUM per ad. To receive the discount you must order and prepay for all ads at one time. Count all initials, single numbers, groups of numbers (i.e. 4-6-0 or K-27), names, address number, street number, street name, city, state, zip, phone numbers each as one word. Example: John A. Jones, 2102 South Post St., Waukesha, WI 53187 would count as 10 words. For MR’s private records, please furnish: a telephone number and, when using a P.O. Box in your ad, a street address. Model Railroader reserves the right to refuse listing. All Copy: Set in standard 6 point type. First several words only set in bold face. If possible, ads should be sent typewritten and categorized to ensure accuracy. Send your submissions to: Model Railroader — Classifieds 21027 Crossroads Circle, P.O. Box 1612 Waukesha, WI 53187-1612 Toll-free (888) 558-1544 Ext. 815 Fax: 1-262-796-0126 E-mail: [email protected] All ads must be prepaid and pertain to the subject of model railroading. CLOSING DATES: April 2014 closes Jan. 20, May closes Feb. 17, June closes Mar. 24, July closes Apr. 21, Aug. closes May 16, Sept. closes June 20, Oct. closes July 21, Nov. closes Aug. 21, Dec. closes Sept. 22. Note to Readers: Show dates, times and locations sometimes change. Confirm the details before driving any distance. Please go to ModelRailroader.com and click on the Schedule of Events section to get more complete information on these and other coming events.

Schedule of Events

IL, GREENVILLE: American Heritage Railroad Train Show: @ American Farm Heritage Museum I-70 @ IL Rt. 127 (Exit #45). Saturday, June 14, 2014, 10:00am-4:00pm. Admission: $4.00, under 12 FREE. Train ride with paid admission. Operating layouts. Dealers welcome $15.00 per table. Contact Jim @ 217-825-6230. IL, ST. CHARLES: 38th Annual Kane County Railroadiana and Model Train Show. Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 South Randall Rd. Sunday, June 8, 2014, 10:00am-3:00pm. Admission: $5.50 + tax. Tables $55.00. For information: 847-358-1185, [email protected] or www.RRShows.com

KS, OVERLAND PARK: Turkey Creek Division Train Show, Shawnee Mission North High School, 7102 Johnson Dr., Zip: 66202. July 26, 2014, 8:00am-3:00pm. $4.00 advance; $6.00 at door; under 12 free. 80+ vendors, clinics, displays, door prizes, layout tours. Info for vendor/registration www.tc-nmra.org or Louis Seibel [email protected] NC, CHARLOTTE: 11th Annual North Carolina Railfair & Model Train Show. Metrolina Expo Center (Bldg. 1). Saturday, June 21, 2014. 9:00am to 4:00pm. $7.00 (under 12 free). Operating layouts. 250+ tables. Miller, 3106 N. Rochester St., Arlington, VA 22213, 703-536-2954, [email protected] or www.gserr.com NC, SPENCER: Model Train and Railroadiana Show at the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Saturday August 23, 2014, 9:00am-4:00pm and Sunday, August 24, 2014, 10:00am-5:00pm. Speakers, train rides, largest preserved roundhouse! Details: nctrans.org or (704) 636-2889, ext. 238.

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Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Classifieds Wanted-N Scale #1 ESTATE BUYER OF N SCALE COLLECTIONS! We buy all makes and types - including Brass & European! Even Nn3! Call us TOLL FREE: 1-866-462-7277. Don Black 119 Bernhurst Road, New Bern, NC 28560. E-mail: [email protected]

A FAMILY-OWNED COMPANY, Irek’s Toys and Trains, purchases trains of all types. From small collections to 6-figure estates, we have the cash to handle it. We specialize in Brass and high-end plastic, and everything in between. In most cases, We Pay More! Fast, Easy, Professional and Friendly service guaranteed. Willing to travel anywhere. Call, write or e-mail. Ask for Chris, 972-675-TOYS(8697). Fax: 972767-4785. E-mail: [email protected] or write to 120 E. FM 544 STE 72 #328, Murphy, TX 75094. ALWAYS BUYING N Scale Collections- Kato, Atlas, Micro-Trains, Custom Painted, Brass or Plastic. Quality Items Wanted- Over $500,000 Available. Please call Dan TollFree at: 1-877-227-5557 or 352-680-1650- Mail your list to: Dan Glasure, PO Box 755, Ocklawaha, FL 32183 or E-Mail: [email protected] BUYING N scale train collections, large or small. Call Tom 630-443-9137. CANADIAN TRAIN COLLECTIONS AND ESTATES:

OH, COLUMBUS: The 6th Ohio N Scale Weekend, “For N-Scalers by N-Scalers” Franklin County Fairgrounds, Hilliard, Ohio. Presented by Central Ohio N-Trak. May 17-18, 2014, Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday 9:00am3:00pm. Set-up Friday May 16th, 1:00pm-8:00pm. Event registration $10.00. Event info www.centralohiontrak.org or e-mail [email protected]

For Sale-HO Scale

Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Ave. Saturday, July 26, 2014, 9:00am-1:00pm. Adults $5.00. All gauges, books, tapes, train memorabilia, accessories. Handicap accessible. Tables $25.00. Information: David Jerry, P.O. Box 56305, Phoenix, AZ 85079, 602-336-0973 or 602-361-0356.

PA, ROCKHILL FURNACE: NMRA Susquehanna Division Day at East Broad Top Railroad and Rockhill Trolley Museum, 421 Meadow St. June 28, 2014, 10:30am-4:00pm. Admission and trolley ride $18.00, free parking, reservation required. Trolley rides, shop tours, large operating HO/HOn3 layout. Contact Lee Rainey, 814-867-7878 or [email protected]

CA, SIMI VALLEY: Swap Meet, Santa Susana Railroad

TX, HOUSTON Gulf Coast Chapter NRHS Big Texas Train

Historical Society, Santa Susana Park, 6503 Katherine Rd., May 31, 2014, 7:00am-10:00am. $2.00 donation, kids under 12 free. All scales, equipment, scenery, books and photos. For vendor table availability contact Dave, 661-753-6006 or e-mail [email protected]

Show. George R. Brown Convention Center. September 6-7, 2014. Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm. Admission: Under 16, scouts in uniform free; adults $9. 100,000 sq. ft. of trains of all sizes! Visit www.bigtexastrainshow.com or email [email protected]

FL, PORT RICHEY: Regal Railways Presents Model Train Show & Swap Meet. Knights of Columbus Hall, 5850 K of C Drive. Saturday, June 21, 2014. 10:00am-3:00pm. Admission: $5.00 adults. Early Bird 9:00am-9:45am $6.00. Vendors, operating layout, Lunch items for sale. Contact Joe, 727244-1341, visit: www.regalrailways.com for more information.

WA, BREMERTON: Bremerton Northern Model Railroad

FL, TALLAHASSEE: Big Bend Model Railroad Association’s Tallahassee Model Railroad Show and Sale. North Florida Fairgrounds, 441 Paul Russell Road, Buildings 2 and 4. Saturday, June 28, 2014, 9:00am-4:00pm; Adults $6.00, 12 and under, scouts in uniform free. Information: 850544-1870, E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.bbmra.org

WA, TACOMA: Tacoma Northwestern Model Railroad

FL, TAMPA: 11th Tampa Model Train Show, Florida

WI, WAUPACA: WAMR 25th Strawberry Fest Model

State Fairgrounds (Special Events Center). June 7-8, 2014, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm and Sunday, 10:00am-4:00pm. Adults: $8.00, good both days (under 12 free). Large awardwinning operating layouts. Miller, 3106 N. Rochester St., Arlington, VA 22213, 703-536-2954, [email protected] or www.gserr.com

A LLEGHENY SCALE MODELS

NE, OMAHA: Nebraska-Iowa Railroaders 42nd Annual Train and Toy Show. Ramada Inn, 3321 South 72nd St., Zip: 68124. June 7-8, 2014, Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm, Sunday 9:00am-3:00pm. Admission: $5.00, 12 and under free. Information: Bob Schaffer 13606 South 131st St., Springfield NE 68059 402-253-8885, Ron Bond, 402-2923392, [email protected]

AZ, PHOENIX: “In the Heat” Swap Meet. North Phoenix

80

Highway Miniatures

Club’s Annual Swap Meet. West Side Improvement Club, 4109 West “E” Street. Saturday, June 14, 2014, 9:00am3:00pm. Adults $5.00, under 12 free. The area’s only all scale, all gauge, collectible swap meet. Vendor tables available [email protected] or 360-286-5088. Club Show & Swap Meet. Freighthouse Square, 2501 East D Street. May 31 - June 1, 2014, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm; Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm. Admission $7.00, $3.00 under 12 (under 3 free). A portion of proceeds to local charity. Contact: [email protected] www.tnwmrr.org Railroad Show & Model Contest. Waupaca Recreation Center, School/State/Badger Sts. June 21-22, 2014, Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 10:00am-3:00pm. FREE. Many layouts/vendors/swap tables. Dennis Cook, 10506 Berberg Rd., Amherst, WI 54406, [email protected] 715824-2045 Additional information www.wamrltd.com

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

Buying entire collections anywhere in Canada or the USA. Brass, plastic, engines, cars, buildings, memorabilia - everything! Call Don toll-free 1-877-955-7245. E-mail: [email protected]

1860’S TO 1950’S CIVILIANS, MINERS, lumberjacks, cowboys, wagons, farm animals, wild animals, details, Civil War soldiers. Also N scale. Catalog $3.00. Rustic Rails, DRR, Box 1976, Broomfield, CO 80038. www.musketminiatures.com ATHEARN PARTS- Closing out. All engine shells $4.00 each. All freight shells $1.00 - $2.00 each. Many other parts 50-60% off retail. Also have Atlas, Kadee, Peco, Woodland Scenics and O scale Woodland figures. Call RJ Rennie, 440234-7186. 197 Best St., Berea, OH 44017.

CIRCUS TRAINS and framed posters. Huge collection. Five circus name trains plus extras. Call Roger at 616-5708152. HAG, MÄRKLIN, TRIX, FLEISCHMANN and other European brands at very competitive prices. World class repair facility. E-Shopping fast, convenient, secure, reliable! Please visit us on the web at www.helmutshobbies.com Helmuts Hobby Specialties, 83 Brookshire Dr., Warrenton, VA 20186. 540-349–4910.

MARKLIN Ontario Northlander, HAG, Liliput, Athearn, Kato, Proto. MILITARY DIECAST (larger scales), Solido, Corgy, Dinky, Britains. 817-656-3394. MODEL TRAIN COLLECTION. Over one dozen manufacturers. Call for list. Leave message if no answer. Mark. 414-731-9987.

PREOWNEDTRAINS.COM for a large selection of used and preowned trains. We buy collections.

For Sale-HO & N Scale GOT DIRTY TRACK? HO & N scale track cleaners. Made in USA. Dealer inquiries welcome. www.StealthTrackCleaner.com 616-784-4104

Wanted-HO Scale #1 A+ ESTATE BUYER OF ALL TRAIN ESTATES-

Brass Pieces & Collections wants your material. Including all types of Brass, old trains, kits, plastic, diecast, buildings, etc.- we buy it all. Buildings and estates included. We seek better items for personal collections. Call us before you sell for our offer as we pay the highest prices. Call Don Black toll free 1-866-462-7277. Don Black, 119 Bernhurst Road, New Bern, NC 28560. E-mail [email protected]

$1,000,000 CASH AVAILABLE- For your collection! Brass, Plastic, Memorabilia, we buy it all. Call us 352-2924116 or mail your list to: BRASSTRAINS.COM, 344 Cypress Rd., Ocala, FL 34472. E-mail: [email protected] A FAMILY-OWNED COMPANY, Irek’s Toys and Trains,

purchases trains of all types. From small collections to 6-figure estates, we have the cash to handle it. We specialize in Brass and high-end plastic, and everything in between. In most cases, We Pay More! Fast, Easy, Professional and Friendly service guaranteed. Willing to travel anywhere. Call write or e-mail. Ask for Chris. 972-675-TOYS(8697). Fax: 972767-4785. E-Mail: [email protected], or write to 120 E FM 544 STE 72 #328, Murphy, TX 75094.

A FATHER & SON TEAM are looking for large high-

quality Brass & Plastic Collections. We buy your entire collection, not just the cream. Over $1,000,000 Available. Many items bought are used for personal layout. Call Dan Toll-free at: 1-877-227-5557 or 352-292-4116 or Mail a List to: Dan Glasure, 344 Cypress Rd., Ocala, FL 34472 or E-Mail: [email protected]

BRASS PASSENGER CARS; Craftsman’s kits; LIRR brass and plastic. Challenger Broadway Limited and Liberty Liner Cars. Please call Bob 212-874-6569 or e-mail [email protected] BUYING HO train collections, large or small. Also brass. Call Tom 630-443-9137.

CANADIAN TRAIN COLLECTIONS AND ESTATES: Buying entire collections anywhere in Canada

or the USA. Brass, plastic, engines, cars, buildings, memorabilia - everything! Call Don toll-free 1-877-955-7245. E-mail: [email protected]

PROSPECTOR TRAIN SET WANTED: Division Point brass DP1120, black/yellow, state price and condition, 10% finder’s fee paid! Savio, Box 411682, Los Angeles, CA 90041, 626-799-3925, [email protected]

Wanted-O Scale ATLAS/TRAINMAN 60’ FULL BAG GG 10/6 strmld pull

C&O, B&O, NP, N&W and NYC. Joe Fischer hywts. Midwest pass decals cars and diesels. Others. SSAE for Want List. No calls. Jim Seacrest, PO Box 6397, Lincoln, NE 68506-0397.

LIONEL SCALE BAGGAGE, MTH smoothside baggage. CN steam era frt cars, Exacta pass cars. Quality O Scale frt & pass 1950’s era. Joe Fischer pass and headend. New England pass equipment. No calls. Mail only to: Jim Seacrest, PO Box 6397, Lincoln, NE 68506-0397. STILL MORE! PSC NYC 60’ full bag #15629 (DD/SD). Walthers 15’ shorty kits #3322 bag, #3340 combine. Great Trains/Am. Std. Car Co. #4179 Fir series, #4036 Clove series, #4090 Tower series. Do you have any pass/headend for sale? SSAE for Want List. NO CALLS. Looking for quality O scale frt. & pass. 1950’s prototype. Jim Seacrest, PO Box 6397, Lincoln, NE 68506-0397.

Wanted-O Tinplate BUYING O and Standard gauge collections. Lionel, Flyer and all others. Call Tom 630-443-9137

For Sale - Miscellaneous 1877 SEMAPHORE LIGHT New York Central & H.R.R.R., very rare light. Measures 12”x12”x24”. $4,800. 530-926-3278.

EMBROIDERED RAILROAD PATCHES, 950 designs. Catalog $5.00. The Patch King, PO Box 145, York Harbor, ME 03911.

RAILROAD PATCHES, Largest selection in the world! Heralds, locomotives. Catalog $5.00 ck/mo. The Patch King, PO Box 145, York Harbor, ME 03911.

ALL TRAIN COLLECTORS & MODELERS- We need more trains to supply our ever expanding group of interested buyers. We buy HO & N Scale Trains - Brass, Marklin, Rivarossi, Atlas, Kato, MicroTrains, etc. as well as better trains in all scales. We also purchase store inventories. We also can auction your trains with rates starting as low as 15%. We travel extensively all over the US and Canada. Send us your list today or for more information see www.trainz.com/sell Trainz, 2740 Faith Industrial Dr., Buford, GA 30518. 866-285-5840, [email protected] Fax: 866-935-9504

IREK’S TOYS AND TRAINS buys vintage slot cars and diecast vehicles including Matchbox, Dinky, Schuco and others. Call 972-675-TOYS(8697) or email: [email protected] MODEL AUTOMOBILE AND TRUCK KITS WANTED- unbuilt or built, any size collection. Fred Sterns, 48 Standish, Buffalo, NY 14216. 716-838-6797. email: [email protected]

CALIFORNIA • Hollister

MODEL CITY MODELS

2750 Pelham Rd. South #9

256-435-0095

ALABAMA • Birmingham/Pelham Full service hobby shop. N, HO, O, On30 & G scale trains. Authorized Lionel & MTH dealer. Digitrax & Soundtraxx dealer. Open Mon - Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5

OAK MOUNTAIN HOBBIES

2641 Pelham Parkway

205-685-8980

ARIZONA • Apache Junction New Store! Arizona’s premier hobby shop. Full scale, all service hobby shop. Trains, planes, cars, boats and R/C. Special orders. Open Mon - Sat

OBIE’S TRAINS

2114 Apache Trail #11

480-203-1796

ARIZONA • Avondale

DCC Systems, Decoders, Layout Supplies Professional Installations G to Z scales Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00, Sat 8:00-Noon Online Store Too! www.mr-dcc.com E-mail: [email protected] 623-298-7355

ARIZONA • Glendale

JACK’S TRAINS

623-930-5596

ARIZONA • Phoenix

All scales G to Z. Special orders welcome. Midway LA & SF. US 101-US 41, easy access. Open Tuesday - Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-5 E-mail Anita at: [email protected] Web site: www.centralcoasttrains.com

CENTRAL COAST TRAINS

7600 El Camino Real # 3

805-466-1391

CALIFORNIA • Bellflower

Friendly Hobby Store Now Open! We carry N, HO, HOn3, S, Sn3. RailMaster, Athearn, Tangent & more. DCC: Digitrax, Soundtraxx, dealer. Special Orders Welcomed! www.railmasterhobbies.com

RAILMASTER HOBBIES

9812 Belmont St.

562-867-5627

CALIFORNIA • Burbank

All scales G through N, collectibles old & new. Authorized LGB, Lionel, MTH & Märklin dealer. One of the most complete train stores in So. Calif. UPS worldwide shipper. Visit our website at www.trainshack.com

THE TRAIN SHACK

1030 N. Hollywood Way

800-572-9929

Largest selection in the East Bay. 93 foot HO layout. Buy - sell - trade - consign - repairs detail parts in all scales. Lionel. Discount prices & friendly service. Website: www.just-trains.com

JUST TRAINS

5650-H Imhoff Dr.

925-685-6566

CALIFORNIA • Costa Mesa

Come and see our NEW store! Tues - Fri 10-5:30, Sat 9-5, Sun 1-4 Shop online at www.aawtrains.com

AN AFFAIR WITH TRAINS

301 W. Deer Valley Road

CALIFORNIA • Atascadero

CALIFORNIA • Concord

Full line of HO scale trains. New and used and repair. Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 5:00 www.jackstrainsofaz.com 7021 North 57th Dr.

602-254-9656

623-434-6778

Lionel, AF, LGB, HO, N, & Z Gauge. New, used, & collectibles. Buy, sell, trade & repair. Tue-Fri 12-7, Sat 9-5, Sun 11-3.

THE TRAIN CROSSING

1089-C Baker Street

714-549-1596

Plastic & Wood Kits. Building, Weathering, Detailing, Kit-Bashing, Decal Services. Call Today: 802-768-8427 or modelrailroadsbyjohn.com

CUSTOM PAINTING Steam, Electric, & Diesel. Plastic or Brass. All scales. Your equipment or ours. Worldwide fast service. All work done in our shop by professionals. We also do shortlines, regionals and any railroad you may dream up. Detailing available. Trains Emporium, 1473 Greg St., Sparks, NV 89431, 800-228-7163. E-mail [email protected] www.trainsemporium.com KINGSTON CUSTOM TURNOUTS AND TRACK

hand builds switches, crossings, crossovers and complex track works to meet customer requirements. Call 613-5457842 or e-mail [email protected] for a free estimate. See examples on line at www.kingstoncustomturnouts.com

LAYOUT DESIGN & BUILDING by NKP. Track plans, construction, we can help! SoCal. 714-615-0123, www.nkp.com

SAVE TAXES! Do you or your organization have a large

investment in your collection or layout? Do you want to use this investment to create a legacy or be an educational activity? We can assist you in creating a non-profit tax-exempt entity. Formation, operations and compliance services. We are train enthusiasts. Use the same techniques the “big boys” use. Call for no cost consultation. Boca Accounting CPAs, 561-226-4646, www.bocaaccounting.net

Books and Magazines BACK ISSUES- Over 300 rail magazine titles and 1000’s of used/out of print rail books. Large, stamped SAE for list: Railpub, 161 Gilmore Rd., Wrentham, MA 02093. Or on-line at: www.railpub.com.

Real Estate COLORADO MOUNTAIN double-Aframe next to Georgetown Loop narrow gauge railroad. 45 minutes west of Denver. One bedroom, bath, loft and garage. Much more! $389K. 303-775-2942 for info/pics. CALIFORNIA • San Francisco Large collection Lionel & Am. Flyer. Auth. service. Buy, sell & trade. N, HO, Märklin & LGB Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5. Located south of Ghirardelli Sq., heart of S.F.

ALLIED MODEL TRAINS

310-313-9353

Model planes, car, ships & figures. Model train scales: Z, N, HO, O & G. Paints, tools. R/C & parts, incl. service. Craft & educational kits, supplies, products. ESU Lok Sound Dealer clinics available. Tue-Sat 11-6; Sun 12-4.

B.C.T. HOBBY & CRAFTS

201-C McCray St.

831-635-0537

CALIFORNIA • La Mirada

R HOBBIES

562-777-9492

209-334-5623

CALIFORNIA • Pasadena

Model rail specialists since 1951. LGB, Lionel, O, S, On3, HO, HOn3, N, Z. Complete stock of brass imports, new & used. Books, tools, structures, detail parts. Open 7 days. www.thewhistlestop.com

THE ORIGINAL WHISTLE STOP INC

626-796-7791

CALIFORNIA • Roseville (Sacramento)

408-296-1050

POGGIES TRAINS

707-545-7643

100 Foley Street

CALIFORNIA • Tehachapi Visit us and the Tehachapi Loop N thru G - Also Trains with History Mon - Sat 9:30-5 (closed Tue) and Sun 11-4 www.trainsetc.biz or [email protected]

TRAINS, ETC.

114 W. Tehachapi Blvd.

661-822-7777

Massive inventory. All gauges. Full service hobby shop. Very competitive discount prices. If you can't find it, call us. All credit cards accepted. Open M-Th 10-8, Fri til 9, Sat til 6, Sun til 5. www.martyshobbies.com

RAILROAD HOBBIES

916-782-6067

CALIFORNIA • San Diego (La Mesa)

MARTY’S HOBBIES

1728 N Moorpark Rd.

805-497-3664/0346

CALIFORNIA • Westminster (Orange Co.)

Exclusively trains. Craft kits, detail parts, scratch supplies, books. Ride the trolley to Reed's. Open Mon through Sat 10:00-6:00; Sun 12-4. www.reeds-hobbies.com

REED’S HOBBY SHOP

THE TRAIN SHOP

1829 Pruneridge Ave.

CALIFORNIA • Thousand Oaks

Exclusively model trains since 1989. Athearn, Kato, MDC, Lionel, Atlas, LGB, Mårklin, Brass Imports, books, detail parts. Everyday low prices. Open 7 days. www.rrhobbies.com

8039 La Mesa Blvd.

650-931-8110

HO and N Scale is our specialty. Blackstone and SoundTraxx factory-trained dealer. Model trains is all we do. Mon-Thur 9-5, Fri 9-6, Sat 10-4 www.poggiestrains.com

ROGER’S RAILROAD JUNCTION

119 Vernon St.

TALBOT’S HOBBIES

445 South “B” Street

CALIFORNIA • Santa Rosa

Z - N - HO - HOn3 - O27 - On30 Locos - Rolling Stock - Digital Structures Landscaping Material & more. www.Rogersrailroadjunction.com e-mail: [email protected]

2490 E. Colorado Blvd.

Lionel, Märklin, HO scale. Domestic and imported trains. Mon-Sat 9:30-6, Sun 11-5. www.talbotstoyland.com

100% trains. Discount prices. Super selection. Monday 9:30am-3:30pm Tuesday - Saturday 9:30am-6:00pm Closed Sunday Dennis Cole E-mail: [email protected]

CALIFORNIA • Lodi

105 S. Sacramento St.

415-885-2899

CALIFORNIA • San Mateo

CALIFORNIA • Santa Clara

We now carry Z, N, HO, S, O and G. Lionel, LGB, S-Helper and MTH. Mon-Sat 10-6. Closed Sunday. 14269 Imperial Hwy.

CHAN’S TRAINS AND KITS

2450 Van Ness @ Union St.

Huge selection of N, HO & O. Discount Prices. Open 7 Days a Week! Authorized MTH, Lionel & Soundtraxx Dealer. www.arniestrains.com

619-464-1672

ARNIE’S MODEL TRAINS

6452 Industry Way

714-893-1015

JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

81

RETAIL DIRECTORY

LITCHFIELD STATION

1412 N. Central Ave., Ste. D

CORONADO SCALE MODELS

1544 E. Cypress St.

CUSTOM MODEL BUILDING SERVICES:

ALABAMA - CALIFORNIA

ALABAMA • Anniston

Narrow gauge almost exclusively. On3 - Sn3 - HOn3 - On30. Kits, parts, brass & books. Mon-Fri 8-12, 1-5, Sat 8-12.

CUSTOM LAYOUT BUILDING. Fine scale custom layout building. Specializing in prototype modeling. Layout Design. The Shelf Layouts Company, Inc. www.shelflayouts.com 301-404-8164.

A friendly model railroad store since 1946. 3 miles north of L.A.X. All scale, all sizes including Märklin, Fleischmann and Digitrax too. [email protected]

4371 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Northeast Alabama’s Largest! All Scales - All Major Brands Tues-Fri 10-6; Sat 9-3 E-mail: [email protected] www.modelcitymodels.com

bashing & scratchbuilding. Locomotives, rolling stock, structures & more. 12 Penny Lane, Newark, DE 19702, 302-3667506, www.tmbcustommodels.com

CALIFORNIA • Culver City

to established accounts for one year minimum); also for six months at $353 (payable in advance). Ads will be set in standard listing typography. All insertions must be consecutive and may be invoiced if you have credit established with us. No mention of mail order business permitted. CLOSING DATES are listed in the “Schedule of Events” section. For more information call 1-888-558-1544, ext. 815.

ARIZONA • Phoenix

CUSTOM BUILDING & PAINTING, kit building, kit-

Services

Wanted - Miscellaneous

LEADING MODEL RETAILERS Retail Directory spaces are sold on a year’s basis at $654 per year (payable in advance) or at $60 per month (billed

Custom Painting & Building

CALIFORNIA - MICHIGAN

CALIFORNIA • Yuba City

A full service model train store. Large inventory, HO, N, O & O27 Tinplate. Books, videos, collector & gift items. Repair service. We buy old toy trains. www.westerndepot.com

THE WESTERN DEPOT

530-673-6776

1650 Sierra Ave. #203

COLORADO • Colorado Springs

New and used brass, Southern Colorado's oldest, largest, and most complete train store. All gauges. Authorized Lionel and MTH sales and service. www.CustomRailwaySupply.com

CUSTOM RAILWAY SUPPLY

719-634-4616

1015 Garden of the Gods Rd., #150

COLORADO • Colorado Springs

Full service store for all skill levels. 100% trains. Z, N, HO, O, G scales. Lionel, Märklin, MTH: Authorized Dealer. Repair all gauges. www.sunbirdtrainmart.com Open Mon-Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5:30, Sun 12-5.

DISCOUNT TRAINS

719-574-2080

3311 N. Academy Blvd.

COLORADO • Denver

CABOOSE HOBBIES, INC.

303-777-6766

500 S. Broadway

CONNECTICUT • Branford

Trains, planes, boats, cars. Closed Sun & Mon. Open Tue, Wed, Thu 10-5:30. Fri 10-9, Sat 10-5. (West Main)

BRANFORD HOBBIES

203-488-9865

609 W. Main St. (rear)

CONNECTICUT • Canaan

READY TO ROLL

831 N.W. 143rd Street

305-688-8868

FLORIDA • Ocala HO, N trains & accessories Visa, MC, AX, Discover Open Mon - Fri 10-5:30, Sat 9-4 Call for Sunday hours.

ROB'S HOBBY WORLD

8585 SW Hwy. 200

352-854-2799

FLORIDA • Orlando

One of Florida's largest model train & hobby shops. All scales. Authorized Lionel & MTH service station. MonThu 9-7:30, Fri 9-9, Sat 9-6. 20 min. from Disney.

COLONIAL PHOTO & HOBBY, INC.

634 North Mills

407-841-1485

BERKSHIRE HILLS HOBBY SUPPLY

93 Main St. (Rt. 44)

860-824-0527

CONNECTICUT • Cos Cob

ANN’S HOBBY CENTER

203-869-0969

CONNECTICUT • Manchester

All scales Z, N, HO, O, O-27, G, #1, MTH, Lionel, Märklin, LGB, Walthers, Aristo, Trix, etc. Digital Sales-Install. Large operating layouts. www.nehobby.com Mon - Sat 10-8, Sun 10-6. Time Machine Hobby - New England Hobby Supply 860-646-0610/Fax-645-0504 71 Hilliard St.

CONNECTICUT • Winsted

A hobby shop for modelers by modelers. From hard to find to latest & greatest. Free classes & clinics / multi scales. Large store of quality products @ fair prices. Friendly service: www.rrhobbysupply.com

RR MODEL & HOBBY SUPPLY

860-379-3383

100 Whiting Street

CONNECTICUT • Wolcott

Exclusively brass models. One of the largest selections in the country. All scales. Buy, consign, trade - entire collections bought. Mon - Fri 8 -5 www.thecaboose.com

THE CABOOSE

203-879-9797

5 Mohawk Drive

TRAINS BY JOHNSON

850-478-8584

FLORIDA • Port Orange (Daytona Beach)

Your Southern Connection for Quality Products! Featuring O, HO, Woodland Scenics. MTH MegaStation & National Service Center. Breyer Horses. Mon-Fri 10-5; Sat 10-4. www.roundhousesouth.com

ROUNDHOUSE SOUTH

4611 Ridgewood Ave.

386-304-7003

Trains, trains, trains. Model railroading at its best. Visit us in the store or on the Web at www.gcmrr.com Open Mon-Fri 10-6. Sat 10-5.

GULF COAST MODEL RAILROAD, INC.

3222 Clark Rd.

941-923-9303

FLORIDA • Tavares (Orlando/Mt. Dora area)

HO, N, Lionel. Lionel authorized dealer & repair. Plastic, wood kits, rockets, tools, structural & diorama supplies. Special orders welcome. 405 E. Putnam Avenue

Competitive prices, friendly service. All makes & models, trains & accessories Z - G. Lionel, Micro-Train, MTH Dealer www.trainsbyjohnson.com Old Palafox St. at 10 Mile Rd.

10412 N. Palafox Hwy.

DELAWARE • Ocean View

No sales tax at the Delaware seashore. Lionel new & used . . . . also Atlas, Bachmann, MTH. We buy used trains. Auth. Lionel repairs. Large inventory of used HO trains. Open Tues-Sat 11-4:30, Closed Sun & Mon

SEASIDE HOBBIES

302-539-1601

Specializing in HO, DCC & installations on HO & G . Operating DCC/DC layout. DIGITRAX DEALER. We build custom layouts. Across street from Tavares, Eustis & Gulf RR station. Tues - Sat 10-4 www.allaboardsouth.com ALL ABOARD - SOUTH MODEL TRAINS 352-250-1252 305 E. Main St.

GEORGIA • Atlanta

Lionel Train Top 10 Dealer MTH Train Mega Dealer 400 s.f. layout, HUGE selection, service, repair www.legacystation.com 800-964-8724 LEGACY STATION TRAINS TOYS HOBBIES 4153 Lawrenceville Hwy., #12 770-339-7780

GEORGIA • Atlanta (Riverdale)

Atlanta's Finest Shop for serious modelers! Quality items in all scales at fair prices. Service - Repairs. Over 32 years of quality service. Close to all Interstate Hwys. 8-min. from Atlanta Airport. Tue-Sat 10-5:30

RIVERDALE STATION

6632 Hwy. 85, Riverdale Plaza

770-991-6085

GEORGIA • Blue Ridge

FREE TIME HOBBIES

706-946-1120

GEORGIA • Braselton

Bargains Galore! Located 1/2 mile off I-85 exit 129. Featuring HO, O, toys and die cast items from Trainz.com Hours: Mon - Sat 10-6, Sun 1-5

ANTIQUE MALL TRAINS

5134 Georgia 53

706-654-3693

FLORIDA • Cape Canaveral

GEORGIA • Buford (Atlanta)

Lionel, American Flyer, MTH Trains bought and sold www.traincity.com www.choochooauctions.com TRAIN CITY, INC. - CHARLES SIEGEL 387 Imperial Blvd., Ste. 2 321-799-4005

601 East Main St.

FLORIDA • Fort Myers

GEORGIA • Helen

Authorized Lionel Value Added Dealer Complete Model Railroad Shop Z to G Repairs, Digital Installations, Custom Painting Mon - Sat 10-6 [email protected]

AWESOME TRAINS AND HOBBY

11478 Charlies Terrace

239-931-3241

FLORIDA • Ft. Lauderdale (Plantation)

Brass, plastics, railroad items of all types. G, Z, N, HO, HOn3, On2, On3, On3O, Lionel, MTH. kits & supplies. 33,000 sq. ft. Since 1972. Mon - Sat 10-8, Sun 10-6 www.HobbySuperstore.com

HOBBY SUPERSTORE

7676 Peters Road

954-42-HOBBY

FLORIDA • Lantana (West Palm area) Full line Hobby Shop specializing in Trains. Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4 www.depothobbyshop.com 1/2 mile east of I-95 exit #61.

THE DEPOT HOBBY SHOP

518 W. Lantana Rd.

82

561-585-1982

Quality, Selection & Service. Discount pricing in all scales. Mon - Sat 11-6, Sun 1-6 Across from NS Mainline in Downtown Buford Web store at: www.trainmastermodels.com

TRAINMASTER MODELS

678-546-3600

Model railroader’s delight. Experience a trip through Germany “from the North Sea to the Alps” in HO scale. Educational & fun. Thomas and Friends & Elec. Trains. Auth. Lionel Dealer. www.georgiamodelrailroad.com

CHARLEMAGNE'S KINGDOM

8808 North Main Street

706-878-2200

ILLINOIS • Antioch

Exclusively model trains & slot cars. Lionel value-added dealer. Trains & accessories from Z - G discounted. HO ordered at a discount. Kato, Atlas, Micro-Trains, MTH & Lionel. Call for hours. www.antiochmodeltrains.com

ANTIOCH MODEL TRAINS & HOBBY

924 Main St.

847-395-5025

ILLINOIS • Burbank

Specializing in HO. One of the most complete exclusive model railroad shops in the midwest. Daily 11-6, Saturday 10-5. Closed Wednesday.

THE GOLDEN SPIKE TRAIN SHOP

6357 W. 79th Street

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

N, HO, S, O, G Std. & Narrow gauge too. Lots of scratchbuilding parts and stuff too. Brass, books & DVDs. Close to O'Hare. M, T, W, F 10-6; Th 10-8; Sat 9:30-5; Sun 11-5 Web Store: www.desplaineshobbies.com

DES PLAINES HOBBIES

1524 Lee St. (Mannheim Rd.)

847-297-2118

HO and N Scale Model Trains and Accessories Two Blocks South of Metra Station at Maple Ave. www.timberlinetrainshop.com

TIMBERLINE TRAIN SHOP, LTD.

630-324-6136

5228 Main St

N, HO, O, Circus models. Scratchbuilding supplies, paints, tools. Repair service. We will special order. Digitrax dealer.

B & G TRAIN WORLD

829 Walnut Ave.

847-888-2646

ILLINOIS • Elmhurst

For over 60 years largest hobby shop in the Chicago area at 6,800 sq. ft. Specialist in HO, N, Lionel; detailing parts; decals; paint; books. We ship world-wide. Minutes south of O’Hare. Email: [email protected]

AL'S HOBBY SHOP

630-832-4908

121 N. Addison Ave.

ILLINOIS • Itasca

Huge selection of Lionel, MTH, Athearn, Atlas, Bachmann, KATO, MDC, LGB, Kadee, MicroTrains, Over 1,000 engines on display. New & used, buy, trade, sell, repair. Also G, HO, N, Z, & Thomas toys. www.americasbesttrain.com

AMERICA'S BEST TRAIN & HOBBY

630-467-1102

865 Maplewood Dr

ILLINOIS • Marion

708-598-3114

CHUCK’S DEPOT

P/F 618-993-9179

ILLINOIS • Maryville

Large 60’ x 70’ customer operated DCC HO layout. Located 17 miles from St. Louis near I-70/I-55 exit 15B. For shop hours/maps pictures, layout construction times, train running see www.k-10smodeltrains.com

K-10'S MODEL TRAINS

19 Schiber Court

618-288-9720

ILLINOIS • Mundelein

Specializing in trains, HO, N, O, G, Lionel. Books and videos. Northern IL railfan headquarters. Closed Monday. Please call for other hours. Fax 847-949-8687. [email protected]

RON'S MUNDELEIN HOBBIES

431 N. Lake St. (Rt. 45)

847-949-8680

ILLINOIS • Oswego

Authorized dealer: Lionel, MTH, LGB, Williams, Marx, Aristocraft. All prewar trains, standard/O gauge. Authorized MTH repair center. I'll buy your trains. [email protected] Visa/MC/Disc/AmEx

DENNY'S TRAINS & THINGS

116 S. Main St.

630-554-6964

319-362-1291

N, HO, & O Lionel, MTH, Atlas Exit #129 I-80/I-35, 2 miles south Iowa’s premier Model Railroad store Open 7 days a week.

HOBBY HAVEN

515-276-8785

2575 86th Street

O, S. HO, N, Z & G Scale Lionel, MTH, A/F, Marklin, LGB & more! New, Used & Vintage. Extensive scenery line. Repair, custom work & layouts. www.fredstrainshop.com

FRED’S TRAIN SHOP

913-383-3500

7327 West 80th St.

MAINE • Falmouth

HO scale model trains. Custom paint, structure building, scenery, parts, tools, DCC, N. E. RRs our specialty. Located on Rt. 1 between Portland & Freeport. Mon - Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4 www.mainemodelworks.com

MAINE MODELWORKS

207-781-8300

417 US Route 1

MAINE • York Model trains & slot cars. Most scales available. Accessories & services. New, pre-owned & vintage. Working layout! Open 7 days 10-5 www.yorkvillagemarketplace.com

YORK VILLAGE MARKETPLACE

207-363-4830

891 U.S. Route 1

CASTLE TRAINS & TREASURES

4782 Old Jacksonville Rd.

217-793-0407

INDIANA • Bremen

BREMEN HOBBIES

574-546-3807

INDIANA • Dyer

N, HO & O, DCC & Digitax Dealer. Atlas, Athearn, BLI & Walthers. Plastics, modeling supplies & detail parts. Special orders. Competitive prices. Mon-Fri 10-7; Sat 10-5; Sun 11-3. www.parklanehobbiesonline.com

PARK LANE HOBBIES

1080 Joliet St. (US 30)

219-322-1123

INDIANA • Indianapolis

Trains are our only business! HO, N, O27. Brass, books, magazines, detail parts, paints & accessories. 1 block West of Shadeland Ave. on Washington St. Mon-Sat 10:30-6. www.waynestrains.biz

TRAIN CENTRAL

6742 E. Washington (U.S. 40)

STAR HOBBY

1564 Whitehall Rd.

410-349-4290/4291

MARYLAND • Baltimore/Cockeysville Model RR headquarters since 1913. Excellent selection HO & N equipment & accessories; Lionel. All at disc. prices. Mon - Fri 10-5; Sat 9-5. www.modeltrainstuff.com

M.B. KLEIN

243 Cockeysville Rd., Ste. A

410-229-9995

MARYLAND • Mt. Airy

For all your model railroad needs. Sales & service since 1910. Authorized Lionel value added dealer, service station #20. American Flyer, MTH sales and serivce. www.traindepotatmtairy.com

1 S. Main St.

TRAIN DEPOT

301-607-8155

MARYLAND • Sykesville

Central Maryland’s best kept secret - a family friendly model train shop that specializes in HO & N Scale at very generous discounts. Please call for hours or visit us at www.themoosecaboose.com

THE MOOSE CABOOSE

1341 W. Liberty Rd.

410-795-4610

100% trains, N, HO, HOn3, O, kits, tools, books, videos. New/used, buy, sell, trade. Appraisals. Railroading spoken here. M, W, F 7pm-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm.

ACTON MODEL RAILROAD CENTER

562 Mass Ave. (Rt. 111)

978-264-4020

MASSACHUSETTS • Ashburnham

Small town, Large shop, all scales. Discounts. Three operating layouts. Large selection- since 1961. Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri 10-6; Sat 10-4. 308 N. Indiana 331

If we don't have it, we'll get it! LGB, Woodland Scenics, Walthers Dealer, Aristo, Delton, Pola, Lionel, Bachmann, Spectrum, Proto 2000. Mon-Sat 10-6. Full line Kalmbach! [email protected]

MASSACHUSETTS • Acton (West)

HO / G / N. Special orders / discount prices. Display layouts / clinics / assistance. Sat 9-6; Sun 12-5; Tues & Thurs 10-9.

317-375-0832

INDIANA • Indianapolis (Plainfield) Trains. N, HO, O, detail parts, accessories, magazines, books. 6 miles west of Indy Airport on US 40. Monday-Friday 10-8, Saturday 10-5.

BIG FOUR HOBBIES

317-837-1024

INDIANA • Lafayette

New location. You have to see it to believe it. Color photos, rolling stock, structures, detail parts; HO, HOn3, O, N scales. Monday - Friday 12-5; Sat 10-5. Evenings by appointment.

HAWKINS RAIL SERVICES

3501 Union St., Suite 6

BOX KAR HOBBIES

3655-A 1st Ave. S.E.

MARYLAND • Annapolis

Full-Line Hobby Shop. HO & N scale locomotives, scenery, plastic models, R/C, tools, paints, and more. Open Tue - Fri 2 - 8pm, Sat 10 - 5pm

1005 E. Main St.

Trains HO & N Athearn, Atlas, Walthers, Kato, Con-Cor, Kadee. Mon & Sat 10-5; T, W, Th 10-7; Fri 10-8, Sun 12-5. In the Town & Country Shopping Center. Hobbies for everyone. www.boxkarhobbies.com

KANSAS • Overland Park (KC Area)

ILLINOIS • Elgin

1913 W. Rendelman St.

IOWA • Cedar Rapids

IOWA • Urbandale

ILLINOIS • Springfield

North Georgia’s train store in Blue Ridge Specializing in N & HO scale Mon-Fri 10:00-6:00; Sat 10:00-2:00 www.freetimetrains.com Valley Village Center 4167 East First St.

ILLINOIS • Des Plaines

ILLINOIS • Downers Grove

FLORIDA • Sarasota

Mainly model railroading. All scales. e-mail: [email protected] Tues-Fri 11-6, Sat & Sun 10-5.

RETAIL DIRECTORY

Shop "Warehouse Style" for Z to G. MTH, Lionel, Kato, LGB, Broadway Ltd., Atlas, Peco, Walthers at discount prices. Open Mon 11-5, Tue-Fri 10-6, Sat 9-6, Sun closed Feb-Oct, Nov-Jan 10-3.

FLORIDA • Pensacola

Since1938! All scales & gauges. Open daily. See all this & more in our on-line catalog. http://www.caboosehobbies.com

15 Daisey Ave.

FLORIDA • Miami

765-742-5577

Specializing in New England road names, HO/N Scale. Micro-Trains, Walthers, Horizon. Special orders discounted. Tu & Th 10-4, Wed & Fri 11-6, Sat 10-6 www.halfpricehobby com [email protected]

SHEPAUG RAILROAD COMPANY

23 Westminster St.

978-537-2277

MASSACHUSETTS • Chelmsford

HO & N Model railroading Scale kits, parts & supplies How-to books and magazines Tues-Fri 11AM-5:30PM, Sat 10AM-4:00PM www.mainetrains.com

MAINE TRAINS

210 Boston Road Rt. 4

978-250-1442

MASSACHUSETTS • Duxbury G - 1 - O - S - HO - N - Z Buy - Sell - Trade - New - Used - Repairs Märklin Dealer Wednesday - Sunday 11-6

DUXBURY GREEN, INC.

382 Kingstown Way (Rt. 53)

781-585-2164

MICHIGAN • Bridgeport

Scales Z to G. All at discount prices. Am. Models, Aristo, Athearn, Atlas, Bachmann, Con-Cor, IHC, USA, Kadee, Kato, K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Walthers, LGB, HLW. www.jvrailroad.com

JUNCTION VALLEY RR HOBBY SHOP

7065 Dixie Hwy.

989-777-3480

MICHIGAN • Ferndale/Detroit

O, HO, N & Z scale trains & accessories. Walthers, NCE, TCS, MTH, Digitrax, SoundTraxx, Lionel. Personalized service, special orders. Repair/ Buy/ Sell used trains. www.rainydayhobbies.com

RAINY DAY HOBBIES

22939 Woodward Ave

248-545-5667

G (LGB & 1:20,3), O (Lionel & MTH), On30, HO, N, & Z. Locos,cars, figures, buildings, track, kits, scenery supplies, details, books & videos. Digitrax Dealer. Repair service. VISA/MC. Mon-Fri 10-8, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5

RIDERS HOBBY SHOP

810-720-2500

2061 S Linden Rd

MICHIGAN • Fraser

P & D HOBBY SHOP

586-296-6116

31280 Groesbeck Hwy.

MICHIGAN • Grand Rapids

LGB, O (Lionel, MTH & Scale), HO, N & Z Locos, cars, figures, buildings, track, tools, kits, scenery supplies, details, books, videos. Digitrax Dealer. Repair service VISA/MC Open Mon-Fri 10-8 & Sat 10-7

RIDER’S HOBBY SHOP

616-247-9933

2055 28th Street SE

MICHIGAN • Leslie

Michigan’s Largest N Scale Dealer. Tue-Thur 1-9. Fri & Sat* 1-5. *Closed Saturdays Memorial Day to Labor Day. We also carry Z, HO & G Scales. www.ggtrains.com

G&G TRAINS

1800 Baseline Road

517-589-5977

MICHIGAN • Mount Pleasant

We carry N through O scale, structures, tools, scenery, scratch building supplies. Special orders welcome. Authorized Lionel & MTH Dealer. Open Mon - Fri 9-6, Sat 10-3, Closed Sun.

MOUNTAIN TOWN HOBBY'S

989-779-7245

307 S. Mission St.

MICHIGAN • Saginaw

Personalized Customer Service! Trains & Accessories N to G Authorized Lionel/K-Line, MTH, DIGITRAX Sales & Service - over 12,000 parts www.traindoctor.com

BRASSEUR ELECTRIC TRAINS

989-793-4753

410 Court St.

MICHIGAN • Traverse City

Let your imagination run wild! Z to G, Lionel, scenery, tools, structures, scratchbuilding supplies, special orders, ships, armor, cars, dollhouse miniatures, more...

TRAINS & THINGS HOBBIES

231-947-1353

MICHIGAN • Troy

FORMERLY MERRI-SEVEN • NEW LOCATION All scales Z thru G, new and used Complete selection of RR equipment/supplies BUY • SELL • REPAIR • PARTS Tues - Fri 11-7, Sat. 11-6

EMPIRE TRAINS & HOBBIES

3278 Rochester Rd.

248-680-6500

HO, N and Marx bought and sold. American Flyer and Lionel also. Tuesday thru Friday 12-6, Saturday 10-5. Other hours available by appt. Please call.

HOBBY RECYCLING

616-257-7155

MISSOURI • Branson/Hollister

The Ozarks' full-line hobby center N-G scale trains & building accessories Mon - Sat 9am-5pm, Closed Sun E-mail: [email protected] www.bransonhobbycenter.com

BRANSON HOBBY CENTER

251 Saint James St.

417-335-6624

Full line electric train store - N, HO, O & G All major lines including Lionel, Kato, Walthers & Bachmann. We provide service and repair. Open 7 days a week.

HOBBYTOWN USA

636-394-0177

MONTANA • Billings

Model railroading headquarters for the Northern Rockies. HO, HOn3 & N scale. Kits, parts, tools, books. Tues-Fri 10-5:30; Sat 10-4. Closed Sun & Mon. [email protected] www.jimsjunction.com

JIM'S JUNCTION

811-B 16th St. West

406-259-5354

NEBRASKA • Deshler

Largest HO/N scale inventory from Denver to Chicago. Stop in and say WOW! All major brands plus books, videos, tools & scenery. Mon-Fri 10-6, Weekend hours vary- call ahead! www.springcreekmodeltrains.com 402-365-7628

We carry supplies and trains for all scales Z-G and we are DCC ready. Service work, repair, technical support. Open 8:00-5:30 Mon-Fri and 10:00-5:00 Sat.

HOUSE OF TRAINS

402-934-RAIL (7245)

NEW HAMPSHIRE • Hampton Falls HO - N - O & accessories. Carrying Atlas, Athearn, MTH-RailKing, Lionel, Williams Open 7 days a week 10-5.

BRENTWOOD ANTIQUES

603-929-1441

NEW JERSEY • Aberdeen

N, HO & O, standard gauge! New Jersey’s largest MTH retailer & service center. A full line hobby and toy shop. Authorized MTH Service. Open 7 days. www.hobbyshopnj.com

THE HOBBY SHOP

1077-C State Hwy. 34

732-583-0505

NEW JERSEY • Cedar Grove

Celebrating our 33rd Anniversary 1979-2013. Authorized Märklin Digital Dealer. Lionel Station & V.A.D. LGB Train Stop. O, O-27, HO, N & Z scale. We sell the best & service the rest.

TONY'S TRAIN TOWN

575 Pompton Ave.

973-857-2337

NEW JERSEY • Kenvil Full service hobbies, a full line of HO, N, 3-Rail, military, cars, boats, planes, dollhouses, scratchbuilding supplies, plus details-details-details! 590 Rt. 46

KENVIL HOBBIES

973-584-1188

NEW JERSEY • Mountain Lakes One of northern NJ's largest train stores. Auth. Lionel sales, service, and parts. Old Lionel trains bought and sold. LGB, Atlas, LifeLike, MDK. Auth. Walther's dealer.

THE TRAIN STATION

Romaine Road

973-263-1979

NEW JERSEY • Piscataway

Serving hobbyists since 1933. Large selection of HO, N, S & O scale Railroad books - complete repair service Mon., Tues. & Thurs. 10am-6pm, Sat. 10am-5pm, Wed. & Fri. 10am-9pm.

THE MODEL RAILROAD SHOP, INC.

Vail Ave. & New Market Rd.

732-968-5696

A Complete Model Railroad Store • Over 600 Engines in Stock N• HO • O DCC/DCS/TMCC Authorized MTH & LIONEL Dealer. Walthers • Atlas • Atlas O. Sun-Thur 10-6, Fri-Sat 10-8 www.thetrainroomnj.com

THE TRAIN ROOM

715 Arnold Ave.

732-892-5145

NEW JERSEY • Somerville

Full line all scales N thru G. Specializing in service. Tues to Fri 11 am - 7 pm; Sat 11 am - 5 pm; Sun 12 pm - 4 pm www.biglittle.com Fax # 908-685-8894

THE BIG LITTLE RAILROAD SHOP

63 W. Main St.

908-685-8892

Athearn, Atlas, Bowser, Walthers. Structures, books. Exclusively trains since 1955. HO and N.

SATTLER’S HOBBY SHOP

14 Haddon Ave.

856-854-7136

NEW MEXICO • Clovis

HO & N model railroad supplies; railroad books; videos and memorabilia; Walthers dealer. Located in old ATSF passenger depot. Wed-Sun: Noon - 5pm. clovisdepot.com

CLOVIS DEPOT MODEL TRAIN MUSEUM

221 West 1st St.

575-762-0066

NEW YORK • Buffalo

Trains exclusively N, HO, O, All major brands, accessories. NMRA discount. Lionel Authorized Service Station. Repair all gauges. Tues, Wed, Thur 10-5; Fri 11-9; Sat 11-4 www.KVAL-HOBBIES.COM

K-VAL HOBBIES

277 Hinman Ave.

716-875-2837

While in Las Vegas, check out our train selection. Close to the Las Vegas strip. Hours: Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-6, Sun Noon-5.

HOBBYTOWN USA

702-889-9554

LANTZ HOBBY SHOP

607-215-0019

Trains- Z, N, HO, S, O, G scale, models, rockets, hobby supplies. Lionel & MTH authorized dealer. 4 working layouts. Repairs, buy/sell. Open 7 days. An old fashioned general store. www.hurleycountrystore.biz

JP'S TRAINS

277 Troy Schenectady Rd.

518-782-0981

516-746-3944

NEW YORK • Smithtown

Complete full line service hobby shop. Z, N, HO, O, Lionel, and LGB. Open Mon-Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5.

3 GUY'S HOBBIES

631-265-8303

NEW YORK • Syracuse (East)

100% scale model railroading. HO, S, O, N. Northeastern, New England, Canadian specialists. Exclusive; Northeast Modeler, West Shore Line kits. Closed Mon. Call for free map & hours. www.centralhobby.com

CENTRAL HOBBY SUPPLY

315-437-6630

585-593-0005

NORTH CAROLINA • Arden

845-338-4843

Complete HO & N for beginners, experts. O-27 and G too. We carry all major brands. Scratchbuilding supplies, books, tools. Big RC selection, planes, boats, cars. Open Mon - Sat 9-6, Friday to 7.

EUGENE TOY & HOBBY

32 East 11th Ave.

541-344-2117

MAINLINE TRAINS

2003 19th Ave.

503-992-8181

OREGON • Portland

HO, N, Model Trains and accessories. Broadway Limited, Kato, Walthers, Digitrax, Atlas, Athearn, and more. Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm Order by phone 24 hours. www.factorydirecttrains.com

HO, N, Z, Lionel, DCC, brass Reservation discounts, new, used, Consignments, 16 minutes from Airport www.hobbysmith.com

FACTORY DIRECT TRAINS

800-990-3381

NORTH CAROLINA • Marion

THE HOBBY SMITH

1809 NE Cesar Chavez Blvd.

503-284-1912

OREGON • Portland

Your complete model railroad store. Gauges Z through G. Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5, Closed Sunday www.wsor.com

Full-service model railroad shop. Located Exit 81, 2.8 miles off I-40 in downtown Marion. Corner of Henderson & Main. Mon - Sat 10-5 (Formerly Old Fort Model Trains)

THE TRAIN SHOP

828-668-9434

NORTH CAROLINA • Raleigh/Wake Forest Authorized Digitrax, Soundtraxx, Walthers, Bowser dealer. DCC experts. Installation & Service. Computerized customer order tracking. “Sharing the joy of model railroading” www.trainbuddy.com

TRAIN BUDDY™ PRODUCTS

1200 Jenkins Rd.

503-644-4535

OREGON • Eugene

New location! Mainline Trains on Main St. Trains and only trains. Good selection of DCC and low prices. Special orders, no problem. 25 miles west of Portland. Tues-Sat 11-6 Closed Sun & Mon. [email protected]

EAST DYKE DEPOT

93 S. Main St.

TAMMIE’S HOBBIES

12024 SW Canyon Rd.

OREGON • Forest Grove

O, HO & N. Weaver, Atlas, Athearn, MDC & Walthers. Start-to-finish railroad supplies. Magazines, Craftsman kits & Kadee. Old local lines like W.A.G., Erie & E.L. Tues. - Fri. 12-5, Sat. 10-3.

7 Glenn Bridge Rd., Ste. B

JOHN’S HOBBY SHOP

15 N. Main St. (on the Square) 419-526-4426

OREGON • Beaverton

O, HO, & N gauges. All major lines carried. We are model railroaders.

332 E. Dyke St.(Rt. 417E)

614-262-9056

Full line hobby shop since 1977. Z through G scales. Authorized Lionel service station. Thomas the Tank and Brio. Open Mon-Sat 10-5, Fri 'til 6:30.

WILLIS HOBBIES INC

102 Walter Dr.

THE TRAIN STATION

4430 Indianola Ave.

OHIO • Mansfield

Since 1949. Long Island’s largest full-line hobby superstore. 10,000 sq. ft. Featuring MTH, Lionel, Marklin HO and Z, HO and N scales. Books, detail parts and much more. www.willishobbies.com

10 Lawrence Ave.

614-265-7288 / 888-803-7864

Exclusively trains. LGB, Lionel, O, HO, N scales. Books, brass, videos. Mon-Thur 10-6, Fri 10-8, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5. www.trainstationohio.com

NEW YORK • Mineola L.I.

300 Willis Ave.

ROBBIES HOBBIES

4578 N High St.

OHIO • Columbus

G - O - HO - N scales! Full line of scenery, tools and structures. If you need it, we'll try to get it! Open Wed-Sat 12-7, Sun 12-5 (except June, July, August, Sept.).

919-562-4378

NORTH CAROLINA • Spencer

Across from NC Trans Museum. Big selection of trains in all scales, Digitrax Dealer, RR videos/books & children’s toys Tue-Sat: 10 -5:30. www.littlechoochooshop.com or [email protected]

LITTLE CHOO CHOO SHOP, INC.

WHISTLE STOP TRAINS

11724 SE Division St.

503-761-1822

PENNSYLVANIA • Blue Ridge Summit The Exclusive model railroad store. From N to G, we stock it all. OPEN 7 days a week. Only minutes from Frederick, MD. www.mainlinehobby.net

MAINLINE HOBBY SUPPLY

15066 Buchanan Trail E.

717-794-2860

PENNSYLVANIA • Broomall

Lionel, American Flyer, LGB-Aristo. HO, N, ON30, RMT. Standard O & S gauges bought, sold & traded. Auth. service center. Mon, Wed, Fri 10-9, Tue & Thu 10-7, Sat 10-5 www.nstrains.com

NICHOLAS SMITH TRAINS

500 S. Salisbury Av. 704-637-8717/800-334-2466

2343 West Chester Pike

NORTH CAROLINA • Wilson

PENNSYLVANIA • Gettysburg

Complete stock HO, N, O, G. Discounts. HO layout display. I-95 Exit 119, east on US 264, 4 miles to exit 42, right on Downing Street and go to first light. Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. -6 p.m.

THE ANTIQUE BARN TRAIN SHOP

2810 Forest Hills Rd. SW

252-237-6778

NORTH DAKOTA • Minot

Full line hobby shop. N, HO, Lionel, Atlas, Bachmann, Athearn, Kato, Mantua, Micro Trains, tools, paints, plastic model kits, books, rockets, RC cars, RC airplanes, model building supplies. Daily 10-6, closed Sunday.

AEROPORT HOBBY SHOPPE

2112 N. Broadway

701-838-1658

ROB'S TRAINS

330-823-7222

717-337-1992

PENNSYLVANIA • Jeannette

Trains exclusively. Lionel, MTH, HO & N. Supplies and accessories at discount prices. Open daily 9:30-5, Mon & Fri 9:30-7, Sat 9-4. Closed Tue. Expanded hours Nov.and Dec. www.needztrains.com

NIEDZALKOSKI’S TRAIN SHOP

214 South 4th Street

724-523-8035

COOLTRAINS HOBBIES

106 W. Main Street

717-898-7119

Exclusively Trains Specializing in DCC NCE • Digitrax • Tsunami www.linsjunction.com [email protected]

DEPOT TRAIN & HOBBY

216-252-8880

OHIO • Columbus

LIN'S JUNCTION

128 S. Line St.

215-412-7711

PENNSYLVANIA • Montoursville Mon - Fri 9-5:30, Sat 9-5 Extended weekday & Sun hours in Nov. & Dec. E-mail: [email protected] www.englishsmodelrailroad.com

All scales: N, HO, LGB www.hobbylandstores.com

HOBBYLAND 206 Graceland Blvd.

TOMMY GILBERT’S

346 E. Water Street

PENNSYLVANIA • Lansdale

Full line “old time” Hobby Shop located in a 1914 Victorian farm house, since 1983. www.depotland.com 4342 W. 130th Street

Everything for the model railroader. Huge selection of brass locos. Complete stock N & HO gauge. Daily 10-5, Sun 12-5. E-mail [email protected] www.gilbertshobbies.com

Model Trains New & Used Supplies, Paint, Tools Rockets, Slot Cars, Lionel/MTH Trains Tue - Thur 10-6, Fri 10-7, Sat 10-4 We buy train collections large & small

New and used trains of all scales. Custom painting, full service repair department. Tue, Thu, Fri 12-8pm, Sat 10-3pm. www.alliancelink.com/robstrains 333 E. Main St.

610-353-8585

PENNSYLVANIA • Landisville (Lancaster)

OHIO • Alliance

HURLEY COUNTRY STORE INC

2 Wamsley Pl. (Old Hurley)

845-338-7174

OHIO • Cleveland (West Park)

N, HO, O, & G scales. Authorized Lionel dealer. www.wholesaletrains.com 3312 S. Main St.

J&J'S HOBBIES INC

37 N. Front St.

NEW YORK • Wellsville

NEW YORK • Hurley

NEVADA • Las Vegas

4590 W. Sahara Ave., #103

702-254-9475

NEW YORK • Horseheads

NEBRASKA • Omaha

8106 Maple St.

WESTSIDE TRAINS

106 Lafayette Rd. (Rt. 1)

Specializing in Z, N, HO, O, G. Authorized Lionel, MTH, Marklin Dealer and Lionel Service Center. We buy and sell used toys & trains. www.robbies-hobbies.com

NEW YORK • Latham

Big selection of HO, N and Lionel O Gauge trains. Only 7 miles west of the Las Vegas strip. www.westsidetrainslv.com 2960 S. Durango #117

OHIO • Columbus

Full service hobby shop. Walthers dealer. Athearn, Atlas, Model Power. HO, N & O gauge. Lionel dealer. Call for hours. [email protected] www.jnjhobbies.com

ENGLISH'S MODEL RAILROAD SUPPLY

614-888-7500

201 Streibeigh Lane

570-368-2516

JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

83

RETAIL DIRECTORY

SPRING CREEK MODEL TRAINS,

304 E. Bryson Ave.

702-456-8766

NEW JERSEY • Westmont

MISSOURI • St. Louis

15037 Manchester Rd.

TRAIN EXCHANGE

6008 Boulder Hwy.

NEW JERSEY • Point Pleasant Beach

MICHIGAN • Wyoming

2313 Lee St. SW

Electric trains & accessories N, HO, S, O Lionel/American Flyer Dealer

NEVADA • Las Vegas

Full line hobby shop. Open Mon-Fri 10 -8, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5 www.pdhobbyshop.com

210 East Front St.

NEW YORK • Kingston

NEVADA • Las Vegas

MICHIGAN - PENNSYLVANIA

MICHIGAN • Flint

PENNSYLVANIA - UK-ENGLAND

PENNSYLVANIA • Philadelphia (Feasterville) Lionel, American Flyer, LGB, MTH, Marklin, Bachmann, Williams. HO, N & Z. We buy, sell & repair. Mon-Fri 12-8; Sat 10-5 (Closed Sat. July & Aug.) Sun. in Dec.10-5 www.JoesTrainStation.com

JOE’S TRAIN STATION

21 East Street Rd.

215-322-5182

PENNSYLVANIA • Strasburg

From trains to diecast to scenery, everything for the layout builder. Open 7 days a week. N, HO, O, Lionel, LGB. Buy, sell, trade used trains. Located adjacent to the Choo Choo Barn.

STRASBURG TRAIN SHOP

Route 741 East

717-687-0464

RHODE ISLAND • Warwick

HO trains & acces., detail parts, plastic & craftsperson kits. Hobby supplies, tools. Tu-Fri 12-8, Sat 10-6 (Sun Nov-Jan 12-5) Closed Mon. 1/2mi.W. of airport. E-mail: [email protected]

A. A. HOBBIES, INC.

655 Jefferson Blvd.

401-737-7111

SOUTH CAROLINA • Greenville

Model Trains Only - ALL AT DISCOUNT PRICES! 130,000+ Items in all scales available online 24/7 at: www.BlueRidgeHobbies.com Retail Store features HO, N and O. Open Tue, Wed & Fri 9:00am-1:00pm

BLUE RIDGE HOBBIES 2327 N. Pleasantburg Dr., Ste. H

800-988-2125

SOUTH CAROLINA • West Columbia All scales, all major brands of model railroad equipment. We buy & sell used Lionel trains. Open daily 10-6. Closed Sun.

NEW BROOKLAND RR & HOBBY SHOP

405 State Street

803-791-3958

TENNESSEE • Chattanooga (E. Ridge) Specializing in HO & N scale model railroading. Convenient to I-24 & I-75. On US 41 near Germantown Rd. Open Tue-Sat 10-6. www.chattanoogadepot.com

CHATTANOOGA DEPOT

3701 Ringgold Road

423-622-0630

TENNESSEE • Knoxville

Located in Knoxville’s premier shopping destination. We are the area’s most diverse hobby store. HO, N and O; always with a large selection.Open 7 days a week. Turkey Creek Area.

HOBBYTOWN USA

11364 Parkside Dr.

865-675-1975

TENNESSEE • Wartrace

Located next to CSX Nashville-Chattanooga mainline 10 min. off I-24 exit #97. Model railroad supplies, operating HO, O & N scale trains, railroadiana & collectibles. Th-Sat 10-5; Sun 1-5. www.dixieflyertrains.com

98 Main St.

THE DIXIE FLYER

615-428-7366

TEXAS • Athens

Great Prices • Walthers • Blackstone • MTH Coach Yard • Iron Horse • HO & HOn3 DCC decoder installs free w/purchase of select locos & decoders. [email protected] www.harrishobbies.com

HARRIS HOBBIES

9323 CR 1127

903-489-2646

TEXAS • Corpus Christi/Portland

HO, N, O and G scale. New and used trains. Radio control planes, boats and cars. Plastic kits, rockets - all at discount prices. Thur & Fri 3pm-6pm, Sat noon-6pm, Sun 2-5pm and also by appointment.

JIM’S HOBBIES

207 7th St. (Portland)

361-229-0229

TEXAS • Dallas

Official Lionel Layout Builder Since 2001 Traingineer shop/showroom includes; Custom Layouts, Modulars, Model Stations, Bridge Kits...come see...there’s always something new!!! www.TrainWorxStore.com

TW TRAINWORX

2808 McGowan St.

DISCOUNT MODEL TRAINS

972-931-8135

TEXAS • Denton

RETAIL DIRECTORY

SILVER SPIKE HOBBIES

940-383-3914

TEXAS • Fort Worth

HO, N, Z scale trains. Craftsman kits, scenery, paints, tools, accessories. Plastic models & books. All at discount prices. Special orders welcome. Hours: Tues, Wed & Fri 3-6,Thu 3-7, Sat 9-4:30, & by appt.

HOBBY WORLD

817-263-5750

TEXAS • Ft. Worth (N. Richland Hills)

Craftsman kits, Details/Tools. DCC sales and installation. Tues - Fri 11:30-6:00; Sat 10:00-6:00; Closed Sun & Mon www.angelohobbies.com

ANGELO HOBBIES

5600 Rufe Snow, Suite 106

84

713-529-7752

TEXAS • Houston

All trains, all scales. Magazines, Books, Videos, Repairs, Brass, Consignments. Discount program, will ship. [email protected] M,Tu,Th & F 10-6; W 10-7; Sat 10-5; Sun 12-5 Major Credit Cards. www.papabens.com

PAPA BEN'S TRAIN PLACE

4007-E Bellaire Blvd.

713-523-5600

TEXAS • Irving (Dallas Area)

U/C and R/C planes. HO, N trains. RR & aviation magazines and books. Scale plastic kits, balsa wood. Mon 1-6, Tue-Wed 12-6, Thur-Fri 10:30-7, Sat 10:30-6. www.malhobby.com

M-A-L HOBBY SHOP

108 S. Lee Street

972-438-9233

TEXAS • San Antonio

Model railroading our specialty. Märklin, G, HO, N, O, Z. Superdetailing parts galore. Books, structures, figures and tools. Tuesday - Saturday 10-6pm

DIBBLE'S HOBBIES

1029 Donaldson Ave.

210-735-7721

Where it's always cheaper than therapy. Trains all scales. LGB, Broadway Limited, Atlas, Lionel, Micro Trains, Athearn. Behind Arby's across from the University Mall.

HOBBY STOP, LLC

327 East 1200 South

801-226-7947

Exclusively Model Railroading. Most major lines. Brass, custom painted models. Competitive prices. Personal service. Open by appt. Eves 6-10, Sat 10-10.

THE STEAM SHACK

802-775-2736

VIRGINIA • Chantilly

MTH/Lionel, Piko, LGB, Marklin, Bachmann, Aristo-Craft, USA. Digitrax & repairs done on site. All scales, sales and service. G, O, S, HO, On30, N, Z. S www.traindepot.biz

TRAIN DEPOT

13944 Willard Rd., Suite I

703-953-3767

VIRGINIA • Portsmouth

DAVIS HOBBY SUPPLIES

757-397-1983

VIRGINIA • Roanoke

Lionel, LGB, G, AF, HO, N & MTH Buy, sell, trade, repair. Lionel SS # 383 Mon-Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5 Two minutes off Exit 146 on I-81.

RAIL YARD HOBBY SHOP

7547 Williamson Rd.

540-362-1714

VIRGINIA • Staunton

817-428-0190

888-838-2379

WASHINGTON • Tacoma

Lionel, LGB, HO, N, G Athearn, Bachmann, Walthers, Micro-Trains Books, paints, supplies, Thomas See our website! www.tacoma-trains.com Mon-Sat 10-6 (Sun 11-4 Nov-Jan).

TACOMA TRAINS

253-756-7517

3813 North 26th St.

WISCONSIN • Bay View (Milwaukee) Specializing in HO, N, Books, DVD’s, DCC. Special Orders Welcome. Discount Prices. Tue-Wed 11-5, Thur 11-6, Fri 11-5, Sat 9:30-3 www.southsidetrains.com

SOUTH SIDE TRAINS

3979 S. Howell Ave.

414-482-1566

WISCONSIN • Butler

Atlas, Life-Like, Intermountain, Broadway, Walthers, Micro Trains, Fox Valley, Kato, Woodland Scenics, Athearn. New and used. We UPS anywhere in USA. Repair, buy, sell, trade. www.sommerfelds.com

SOMMERFELD’S TRAINS & HOBBIES, INC.

262-783-7797

12620 W. Hampton Ave.

STAUNTON TRAINS & HOBBIES

540-885-6750

When traveling, bring MR, look up a shop and stop in.

Exclusively trains, specializing in DCC, N, G, & HO. DCC installation and award winning custom painting and building available. WWW.ENGINEHOUSESERVICES.COM

ENGINEHOUSE SERVICES, LLC

2737 N. Packerland Dr. 2H

920-490-4839

N, HO and O scale trains & accessories. DCC, metals - scenery styrene - plastic models. Paints, airbrushes, tools, books/magazines. Auth. Lionel Dealer. Mon - Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5. www.madisonhobbystop.com

MADISON HOBBY STOP

608-829-3820

6622 Mineral Point Rd.

WISCONSIN • Milwaukee

THE ELECTRIC TRAIN SHOP

625 SW 152nd St.

206-244-7077

HO and N trains. NCE & Soundtraxx authorized dealer. Hours: Wed - Fri 11:30-5:30; Sat 10-4. www.parkadehobbies.com

PARKADE HOBBIES

23 N. Cascade Street

509-585-2510

WASHINGTON • Kirkland

Lionel, American Flyer, LGB, HO, N. Buy, sell, and repair. Supplying all your railroading needs. Open Mon-Sat. www.eastsidetrains.com

EASTSIDE TRAINS, INC.

217 Central Way

425-828-4098

WALTHERS SHOWROOM

414-461-1050

5619 W. Florist Avenue

WASHINGTON • Seattle

Trains covering all scales Z - G, with a special interest in N scale. Website: www.seattlestraincenter.com E-mail: [email protected] Mon.-Fri. 10-7, Sat. 9-6, Sun 11-5

SEATTLE’S TRAIN CENTER

7001 24th Ave. NW

Model Railroader • www.ModelRailroader.com

206-283-7886

THE HOBBY DEPOT

835 17th St.

608-325-5107

WISCONSIN • Waukesha (Pewaukee)

Märklin • Lionel • MTH • AF • LGB • Z to G • buildings • scenery • detail parts • books • scratchbuilding supplies • special orders • NMRA discounts • Mon-Fri 11-8 • Sat 10-5. Sun 12-5. www.hiawathahobbies.com

JETCO’S HIAWATHA HOBBIES

262-544-4131

2026 Silvernail Rd.

Model Trains for Beginners to the Experts. Buy, Sell, Trade, Repair. HO, N, O/O27, S, G. Come See Our Trains. www.2bintrains.on.ca

6168 Road 29

2B IN TRAINS

519-787-3280

CANADA–ON • London

Complete Canadian trains & more N, HO, G, Athearn, Hornby, Peco, Walthers. Special orders, plastics, parts, supplies, books, DVD’s. Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 9-5. [email protected] www.rrhobby.ca

BROUGHDALE HOBBY

519-434-0600

1444 Glenora Drive

CANADA–ON • Mississauga

New Larger Location! All rail, all scales! Premier Selection & Service! In store clinics and layouts! Railfan Headquarters! Quick special orders! www.cvrco.com

CREDIT VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY, LTD

1-800-464-1730

2900 Argentia Rd. Unit #24

45 Min North of Guelph. Fax# 519-323-3809. Authorized Lionel value added dealer. One of Canada’s largest lionel retailers MTH, K-Line & more. Full line HO dealer. www.tctrainscanada.com Closed Monday.

THE TRAIN CELLAR

519-323-3935

130 Main Street North

CANADA–ON • Ottawa (Vanier) One of Canada's leading model shops. Complete selection of HO & N gauge. Friendly knowledgeable staff. Free Parking. On parle Francais.

HOBBY HOUSE, LTD.

80 Montreal Road

613-749-5245

Full line hobby shop. Large stock N, HO. Special orders weekly, all scales. All accessories, scenery and supplies. www.parisjunctionhobbies.com

PARIS JUNCTION HOBBIES

300 Grand River St. N.

519-442-5800

We buy, sell and trade. 6,000 sq. ft. of hobby supplies. Daily 9:30-5:30, Fri til 9. Closed Sun. Fax 905-684-1700. Visit us at www.niagaracentralhobbies.com

NIAGARA CENTRAL HOBBIES

395 St. Paul Street

905-684-7355

CANADA–ON • Toronto (Markham) North American Train Specialists since 1962 HO, N, O, G and DCC Railfanning beside CNR Mainline Closed Mondays www.georgestrains.com

GEORGE’S TRAINS LTD.

550 Alden Rd., Unit 101

905-470-6200

CANADA–ON • Windsor

All Scales, New & Used, Brass, Lionel, Collectibles, Books and more! www.trainsandsuch.com

TRAINS AND SUCH

403-277-7226

6043 Centre Street SW

CANADA–AB • Edmonton

ROUNDHOUSE SALES

780-430-9072

CANADA–BC • Kamloops

Model trains in G, O, S, HO, N, Z Old toy trains, railway antiques, art, books, DVDs, souvenirs and Thomas too. Canadian road names a specialty. www.kellyskaboose.ca KELLY’S KABOOSE, THE RAILWAY STORE 250-377-8510 634 Victoria Street

CANADA–BC • Langley (VAN)

Specializing in European Model Trains, Mårklin, Roco, LGB, Carrera, Brawa, Fleischmann & more. Huge selection of trains, kits, & access. HO-N-Z-1-G Scales. Mon-Fri 9-4:30 Sat 10-2. www.EuroRailHobbies.com

EURO RAIL HOBBIES & MORE INC

1526 232nd St.

Model Railroading since 1970. Operational in-store layout. HO & N trains, bits & pieces. "Simplified Wiring & Trackwork" by Fred Stainer.

WINDSOR HOBBIES LTD.

519-945-5471

3895 Tecumseh Rd. East

CANADA–QC • Montreal

Everything for model railroading. Most quality lines in completeness. Hobby tools. Special orders. Fax: 780-430-9073.

866-799-6098

CANADA–BC • Vancouver

Large selection of model RR supplies including Min. by Eric, Athearn/MDC, Atlas, Peco, Shinohara, Rapido, SoundTraxx, brass, etc. Special orders. www.central-hobbies.com Open 11-6, Fri til 9. Closed Sundays.

CENTRAL HOBBIES

604-431-0771

CANADA–ON • Aylmer

New store, same location! Your Mainline to Model Railway Supplies Open 7 days a week (check website for hours) www.ovrtrains.com [email protected] Special Orders & Custom Orders Place

OTTER VALLEY RAILROAD

53546 James Line

905-628-9156

CANADA–ON • Fergus

CANADA–ON • St. Catharines

N, HO and Z scale trains & accessories, plastic kits. Books, videos & tools. Summer hours: Tues - Sat 10-5 Winters: Add Sun 12-4

2825 Grandview Hwy.

DUNDAS VALLEY HOBBY

15 Cootes Dr.

CANADA–ON • Paris

Exclusively Model Railroading since 1932. One-stop shopping from Z to G. 800-487-2467 walthers.com

9518 - 87th Street NW New location - downtown Burien. Close to SEA-TAC airport - short drive from downtown Seattle. New & vintage electric trains in all scales. Tue-Sat 11-6 www.electrictrainshop.com

Your full line hobby shop. Open 7 days a week. N, HO, AF, Lionel, LGB. Scenery and scratchbuilding supplies. Walthers dealer,
Kato products. Special orders welcome! E-mail us at: [email protected]

CANADA–ON • Mount Forest

CANADA–AB • Calgary

Lionel Service Center #2507, 3rd Rail, HO, O, N. Plastic models & supplies, rockets. Garrett Metal Detectors. Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4. 331 N. Central Ave.

SUNSET JUNCTION MODEL TRAINS

419 E. Sprague Ave

WISCONSIN • Monroe

MTH, Lionel, Athearn, Digitrax, More davishobby.com The World of Model Railroading 3594 Griffin Street

100% trains. Open Monday-Friday 10am - 6pm. Always open Saturday 10 - 5. Closed Sunday & holidays.

WISCONSIN • Madison

VERMONT • Rutland

10 Engrem Avenue

CANADA–ON • Dundas

WASHINGTON • Spokane

WISCONSIN • Green Bay

UTAH • Orem

WASHINGTON • Kennewick (Tri Cities)

HO & N scale at discount prices. DCC decoder installations. Home of Silver Spike Shop's custom cars. Tuesday-Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-4.

5658 Westcreek Dr., Ste. 500

G & G MODEL SHOP

2522 Times Blvd.

WASHINGTON • Burien (Seattle)

Great discounts on thousands of G to Z scale items. NCE & Digitrax dealer. Monday - Saturday 10-6.

525 N. Elm St.

HO & N, Lionel trains. Complete line of plastic kits, military and architecture supplies. Open Mon - Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm www.gandgmodelshop.com

877-881-4997

TEXAS • Dallas (Addison)

4641 Ratliff Lane

TEXAS • Houston

1-877-885-7245

Canada’s largest full service hobby and train supply. We carry N-HO-O-G scales. See our HO and Garden layouts. 80,000 items in 60,000 sq. ft. E-mail: [email protected] www.udisco.com

HOBBIE UNIVERSEL

514-481-8107

4662 Decarie Blvd.

GERMANY • Kaarst

Europe’s best known address for US Railroads. We carry N, HO & G scale for all road names, Atlas to Walthers. Mon-Fri 10-6:30, Sat 10-2. Overseas orders with VS & MC

ALL AMERICAN TRAINS

www.aat-net.de

e-mail: [email protected]

ITALY • Melazzo

Professional North American RR Shop est. 1992, from Z to G, Accurail to Genesis, MTH to Walthers; S to XXXL t-shirt & any apparel ! Model collector’s & real trains fan’s supply. www.bkit.it info@bkit

BRADICICH KORPS

via Annunziata 25 D

39-0144-596007

SWITZERLAND • Kilchberg, Zurich Specializing in American models since 1977. No. 1 Overland Dealer in Switzerland. Open Sat 13.00-17.00. Fax: 044-715-3660. Web: www.trainmaster.ch

TRAINMASTER BY WERNER MEER

3 Hochweidstrasse

011-41-44-715-3666

UK-ENGLAND • Slough / Berkshire

Specialists in American HO. Plus scenery, tools, DCC, track, etc. Established 1996. Exclusive Pelle Soeborg weathered models. www.modeljunction.info

MODEL JUNCTION

916 Yeovil Road

+00441753528360

NEXT ISSUE DISPLAYADINDEX We believe that our readers are as important as our advertisers. If you do not receive your merchandise or a reply from an advertiser within a reasonable period, please contact us. Provide details about what you ordered and the amount you paid. If no action is obtained after we forward your complaint to the advertiser, we will not accept further advertising from them. Model Railroader magazine, 21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187 Athearn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Kadee Quality Products. . . . . . . . . . 21

Scale Art Model Services. . . . . . . . 71

Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc. . . . . . .5

Kam Konnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Scale Models Arts & Tech Inc. . . . 23

Axian Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Kato USA, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Showcase Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

B.T.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Litchfield Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Sievers Benchwork. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Bachmann Industries, Inc. . . . . . . . . .3

Mainline Hobby Supply . . . . . . . . . . 15

Signature Press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Blair Line, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Micro Engineering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

SoundTraxx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Bowser Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . 21

Micro Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Sprog DCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Broadway Limited Imports. . . . . . . 88

Model Railroader Books . . . . . . . . . 69

Steve’s Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 59

Caboose Hobbies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Model Railroader magazine . . . . . . 72

Streamlined Backshop Services . 15

Cadrail / Sandia Software. . . . . . . . 25

Model Railroader Video Plus . . 15, 62

Tony’s Train Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Circuitron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Modeler’s Marketplace . . . . . . 78 80

Train Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . 63

CMW Holdings Ltd/Classic Metal..23

M.T.H. Electric Trains . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Train Expo 2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Custom Model Railroads. . . . . . . . . . .7

N Scale Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Train World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

CVP Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

National Train Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Traintek LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Digitrax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 29

NCE Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Ulrich Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Thinking small with big action Multiple compact track plans, including a Western-inspired HO scale layout that packs a lot of action into a 11'-6" x 13'-10" space. A climbing main line, hills, and tunnels make it seem much larger than it actually is.

Modified modular lightweight benchwork In the process of constructing his new layout, author and photographer Lou Sassi used and modified commercially available module kits to make his benchwork portable.

Do more in less space: How to construct a new grade crossing; building a small fuel dealer; a Virginian layout on a clever oval in the UK, an Eastern logging layout and much more!

Great Midwest Train Show. . . . . . . 29

Nicholas Smith Trains . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Wm. K. Walthers, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Greenberg Train Shows. . . . . . . . . . 29

PECO Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Woodland Scenics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Halfpricehobby.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Plastruct, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Xuron Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Hawkins Rail Services . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Rainy Day Hobbies, LLC . . . . . . . . . . 59

Z Stuff For Trains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Subscribe today!

Iboxusa.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

RCS America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Zycon Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

1-800-533-6644 www.ModelRailroader.com

The Display Advertiser Index is provided as a service to Model Railroader magazine readers. The magazine is not responsible for omissions or for typographical errors in names or page numbers.

JUNE 2014 • Model Railroader

85

THEOPERATORS

Andy Sperandeo

Why I like operating with train orders

Tony Koester uses actual Nickel Plate Road train order forms on his NKP St. Louis Division HO layout. The forms function as “paperwork scenery” that add to the authenticity of the railroad’s operation. Tony Koester photo If you wonder how otherwise sensible

Thinking man’s railroading. Here’s a

model railroaders can possibly enjoy operating with the kind of paperwork I described in my January 2014 Model Railroader article, “The mechanics of train dispatching,” I’d like to explain it to you. If you believe in this magazine’s longtime slogan, “Model railroading is fun,” I can help you see the fun in “highballing with flimsies” (from the thin paper used for train order forms). And if you’re wondering if this kind of operation is for you, I can let you see some of why it appeals to me. Maybe that will encourage you to give it a try.

true story from Trains magazine in the early 1960s. A veteran conductor was reminiscing about the old days, saying that he used to have to consult his rulebook, timetable, bulletin instructions, and train orders to figure out how to safely get his train from terminal to terminal. “Now we have CTC,” he wrote, “and I just get on and ride to Toledo.” In the timetable and train-order regime, the train crew does have to put some thought into getting over the road. A scheduled departure time, a clearance card OK’d by the dispatcher, and even a green signal light are no assurances that it’s safe to get out on the main track. I wrote about this thought process in “Decisions, decisions,” The Operators, October 2008. Having to make decisions about which train is superior to which and how much time you’ll need to clear up in the next passing siding gets you into the game. Waiting for a signal to change doesn’t have the same level of play value.

Prototype authenticity. If you’re modeling a prototype railroad, it makes sense to operate under the same form of authority that the big line used in the period you model. (See “Authority to use the main track,” The Operators, in the December 2009 and January 2010 MRs.) If that was timetable and train-order authority, that operating scheme can be just as much a part of modeling the prototype as the color scheme of stations and the details of locomotives. Of course, if your prototype uses Track-Warrant Control (TWC) or Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), it makes just as much sense for you to follow that form of authority. The method of dispatching may well influence your choice of a prototype to model. 86

Dispatching with written words.

The dispatcher has to think about getting not just one, but all his trains across the railroad safely. It’s not a job for everybody, perhaps, but I enjoy dispatching model railroads, not least because it’s a great way to get an overall view of a railroad’s operations.

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Timetable and train-order dispatching includes the special challenge of directing train movements with the written word. And not just any words, mind you. For clarity, brevity, and consistency, dispatchers are supposed to state their instructions as much as possible in terms and phrases specified in the rules, the “forms of train orders.” Well, I happen to be a word guy. I studied to be a professor of English, and spent my working career as a magazine editor. For me, having to know at least the most common forms of train orders and to understand how to use them only makes dispatching more enjoyable. If you have any predilection toward word games and word play, you can probably understand how dispatching with train orders could be fun. Doing it like the big roads. In my

teen years I collected back issues of Railroad magazine, which published “pulp” fiction with plots based on the finer points of highballing with flimsies. I found those stories fascinating, and obviously I’ve never forgotten them. My later railfanning included hanging out in a train order office on a Class 1 railroad that still used train orders in the 1970s. There I could listen in on the “train wire,” the party-line telephone linking the dispatcher to stations along the line. I heard OS reports, train orders dictated and repeated, and clearances OK’d just like in the fictional worlds created by Harry Bedwell, E.S. Dellinger, and other Railroad authors. When orders and clearances were addressed at our station, the operator tied them in loops of string that he then stretched around Y-shaped order forks. Then he went outside and hung them on a portable aluminum post that fit into a socket in the platform next to the main track, and stood back to inspect the train and watch the engine and caboose crews catch their orders on the fly. Everything I’ve written about here is a matter of personal preference, and I realize that what I’m describing is an experience you can’t really understand until you’ve done it. So I hope you’ll take my word that timetable and train-order operation gives the feeling of “real” railroading on a model layout in a way nothing else can, and give it a try.

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