April 2002 • Volume 8, Issue 4 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
• Kato’s USRA Heavy Mikado steam locomotive in N Scale
• Athearn’s Locomotive #135 & #164 sets in HO Scale
• USA Trains’ 70-ton, 3-bay coal hopper in G (1:29)
• Atlas O’s Fishbelly 2-bay hopper, and 2-rail PS-1 boxcar
• Bachmann’s Steam Loco 0-6-0T saddle tank switcher in HO
• Atlas Model Railroad Co.’s Electro-Motive Division GP38 in HO
• Grand Valley HO scale Model Railroad Kit by Woodland Scenics
• Saco River Structures’ new Idaho Hotel in N, HO, and O Scales
• Pentrex’s three new offerings in VHS or DVD
• DPA-LTA Enterprises’s Locomotive Roster & News, 2002 Edition
• Pentrex’s Virginian & Ohio Afton Division Finale in VHS or DVD
• Lionel’s Triple Action Magnet Crane & Coaling Station in O Scale
• Polk’s Crest Elite, and ProTech 16V-21 Power Pack for all scales
• Larger View column by John Sipple
• S-Curves column by Roy Hoffman
• Train-Tech Forum hosted by Danny Rittman
• plus lots of new product news and photos
Review by Michael J. Pratt • Photos by Mike Lindsay
Kato’s second batch of N scale Mikes are evaluated in this front page review, covering the improvements added, and all the good stuff remaining.
Review and photos by John Sipple
This is an unusual front page review of a group of locomotives, which work together to model a fascinating era on the Burlington Route, also known as the “Q”.
Review by John Sipple
Need a 3-bay coal hopper for your coal mining empire? John’s review covers the prototype, model, and operation of this hopper from USA Trains’ “Ultimate Series.”
Review by David Otte
Unique, powerful and interesting 2 and 3-rail rolling stock tell their own stories in this review of Atlas O’s Fishbelly 2-bay hopper, and 2 and 3-rail PS-1 boxcars. See if these offerings will enhance your layout.
Review by John Sipple
Interested in a cute little lokie for your pre-WWI period layout? Read all about one in this review covering the prototype, model details, and operation of this small tank engine.
Review by Michael J. Pratt • Photos by John Sipple
Outstanding detail and prototype info are here in this review of the Atlas early GP38 including appearance, detail parts, paint, and operation. See if this Geep should join your fleet.
A hands on construction series from start to finish
Article and photos by James A. Powell
Chapter 2a: Building the Benchwork. Chapter Two, in order to be thorough about the important basics of benchwork, is actually a two-parter — this month and next month. Keep both handy! This how-to article includes a parts list, tools needed, and detailed figures to help you discover the advantage of proper benchwork construction.
Review by James A. Powell
Find out what makes this unique craftsman kit special. The Hotel kit is based on the Idaho Hotel originally built in Silver City, Idaho in 1862.
Review by John Sipple
Want to chase Big Boys, the Baltimore & Ohio, or gallop through Texas from the comfort of your own home? Read about the advantages of DVD railroad movies, and about all the train action captured on each of these new offerings available from Pentrex.
by Author James W. Kerr
Review by John Sipple
A pocket-sized book of locomotive rosters. Find out why John calls this book “plain fun” and why he loves it. After reading his review you may want one too.
Review by William McKeen II
The last run of the V&O, and the story of this fabled, groundbreaking, trendsetting model railroad is detailed in this review for all you model railroaders worth your spike pliers.
Review by David Otte • Photos by Jeff Saxton
Want to add some action and hands-on fun to you layout? Find out if this magnet crane and coaling station are just the ticket. Dave’s review covers the installation, operation, and details to make your layout complete.
Review by John Sipple
Find out how you can tell if you have a switching power supply, and what a switching power supply is. John’s in-depth review covers features, operation, and performance of Polk Hobbies’ new switching power supplies.
Click to read and respond to this month's Editorial
Build a World by Editor John Sipple
On Allen McClelland's V&O Railroad, Afton Division (see the Pentrex review, this issue), faceless "brass" watches from an air conditioned office in this small corner of the world.
e-mail John at Editorial@modelrailroadnews.com
Converting to Large Scale Kadees — Part 2 of a 3 Part Series
Part 2: Changing couplers on cars — How is it done?
e-mail John at Largerview@modelrailroadnews.com
by Roy Hoffman
This month, Roy provides some examples of items that can be used for contemporary modeling, plus reports on conventions and get-togethers of interest to S-Gaugers.
e-mail Roy at Scurves@modelrailroadnews.com
Model Trains Maintenance in the Hi-Tech era
e-mail Danny at traintechforum@modelrailroadnews.com
Read and respond to letters that appear in our April 2002 issue.
We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions.
We want to hear from you!
Click on Letters
This monthly department is packed with plenty of model railroading events and activities. Make plans to attend one in your area. You’ll be glad you did. Read this month's Events, or send us your Event info.
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