Welcome to Model Railroad News - The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders

August 2006 • Volume 12, Issue 8 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
The August 2006 issue contains the following news, reviews, and columns:
	• Project Railroad — Creating your first Model Railroad using commercially available kits. Part VIII • Con-Cor International, Ltd.'s 8731 Burlington Pioneer Zephyr Three-Car Train in N Scale • Bachmann’s USRA 2-6-6-2 Mallet in N Scale • Walthers' E8/E9A Locomotive Units in HO Scale • Athearn’s SD38 Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale • Atlas O’s Alco RSD-4/5 Diesel Locomotive in O Scale • Bachmann’s Large Scale Rolling Stock Kits in Large Scale (1:20.3 – 1:22.5) • Atlas’s Historic Homes from the 1920s in N Scale • Bar Mills Models’ Phineas Clutter’s Sign Shop Kit in HO Scale • Busch’s Flower Kits in HO and N Scale • Athearn’s Ford C Telesqurt Ladder Truck, Gardner Fire Dept. Engine & DC Fire Dept. Engine in 1:50 Scale • Oso Publishing’s Logging Railroads Book Review • Steamscenes’ Steam Book and 2007 Calendars Review • S Curves — A Column by Roy Hoffman • Thinking of DCC — A Column by John Sipple • At the Grade Crossing — A Column by Bill Cawthon • Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) — A Column by Peter Maurath

Special Features

	Project Railroad — Creating your first Model Railroad using commercially available kits. Project Railroad Part VIII by Stephen M. Priest This is the eighth installment of a yearlong project to familiarize you with products and methodologies available to help you build a model railroad. Good scenery will enhance your existing freight car fleet by providing it with a place of residency it deserves. We add the finishing touches to the Rock Island this month with water, drainage, streets, and more!

Reviews

	*Con-Cor International, Ltd.'s 8731 Burlington Pioneer Zephyr* Three-Car Train** in N Scale Review and photos by David Otte Con-Cor International has released its Burlington Pioneer Zephyr three-car train set in N Scale. Perhaps one of the most challenging passenger train prototypes to be tendered in N Scale, Dave Otte covers the revolutionary streamliner’s rich history along with details about this model’s appearance and performance.

	Bachmann’s USRA 2-6-6-2 Mallet in N Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Bachmann Industries has added the USRA 2-6-6-2 Mallet to its Spectrum N-scale list of offerings. Discover details about the Nickel Plate’s 2-6-6-2 Mallets, along with details about Bachman’s 2-6-6-2 Mallet’s appearance and operation in John’s review.

	Walthers' E8/E9A Locomotive Units in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Walthers’ Proto 200 Line is offering their EMD E8A or E9A diesel locomotive either as individual units or in a set with an E8B or E9B unpowered cabless B-unit. Get Illinois Central E-unit prototype information along with details about Proto 2000’s E-units’ colorful paint schemes, operation, and DCC capabilities in this review.

	Athearn’s SD38 Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale Review by Mike Acker • Photos by Mary Acker Athearn’s newest release is their ready-to-roll SD38 in HO Scale. Find history about the prototype, as well as details about the model’s appearance and performance in this review, which may be of special interest to those who model iron ore railroads, or just need a yard switcher.

	Atlas O’s Alco RSD-4/5 Diesel Locomotive in O Scale Review and photos by David Otte Atlas O’s first locomotive release in the Trainman lineup was the Alco RSD-4/5 road switcher. Learn about the prototype’s history, and the construction, appearance, and performance of these locomotives, in a follow up review to David’s May 2006 review on Atlas O’s 1/48-scale Trainman freight cars.

	Bachmann’s Large Scale Rolling Stock Kits in Large Scale (1:20.3 – 1:22.5) Review and photos by John Sipple As with most scales, when garden railroading was first gaining popularity, most of the cars were built from scratch. With the advent of ready-to-run cars, many companies discontinued manufacturing these kits. In a return to those roots, Bachmann is re-introducing its rolling stock kits in large scale (1:20.3 – 1:22.5). Read some background on big hauler kits, along with details about John’s experience assembling and detailing an 8-wheel caboose and a flat car kit.

	Atlas’s Historic Home Kits in N Scale Review and photos by Phil Scandura Atlas Model Railroad Company is offering Barb’s Bungalow as both a plastic kit, and as a pre-assembled structure, in addition to Kate’s Colonial laser-cut, micro-plywood Garage Kit. Read this review for details on these 1920s era kits, which includes a list of the tools you’ll need, painting suggestions, and construction hints.

	Bar Mills Models’ Phineas Clutter’s Sign Shop Kit in HO Scale Review and photos by Denis Dunning Bar Mills has released its Phineas Clutter’s Sign Shop/The Backshop Kit in HO Scale. Denis gives suggestions on how this kit can be built in a variety of configurations and to suit a number of businesses. Read details about the kit, and Denis’ experience assembling and decorating it in his review.

	Busch’s Flower Kits in HO and N Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Busch GmbH & Company has unveiled four new flower kits in HO and N Scale. Everything’s coming up roses, tulips, oxeye daisies, and sunflowers! Find out how to make these flowers bloom on your layout, with assembly and painting tips from Bill’s experience, which he shares in his review.

	Athearn’s Ford C Telesqurt Ladder Truck, Gardner Fire Dept. Engine & DC Fire Dept. Engine in 1:50 Scale Review by Bill Cawthon Athearn continues to expand its line of 1:50-scale diecast trucks with a new Telesqurt fire engine for the Gardner Volunteer Fire Department and the District of Columbia Fire Department. Get details on how to equip your layout’s heroes in this review, which includes prototype information as well how these firefighting models live up to the real thing.

	Oso Publishing’s Logging Railroads Book Review Logging Railroads of Weyerhaeuser’s Vail-McDonald Operation by Frank W. Telewski and Scott B. Barrett Oso Publishing has released Logging Railroads of Weyerhaeuser’s Vail-McDonald Operation by Frank W. Telewski and Scott B. Barrett. Frederick Weyerhauser’s family operated more than two-dozen logging companies spread over six states in the heyday of their work. Frank states in the preface that this book began out of a desire to model the Vail-McDonald operation, making this a true labor of love. For more details, read John’s review.

	Steamscenes’ Steam Book and 2007 Calendars Review Seasons of Steam, Southern Pacific Calendar 2007, and Union Pacific Calendar 2007 Review by John Sipple Steamscenes has released Seasons of Steam by Nils Huxtable, along with a Southern Pacific 2007 Calendar and a Union Pacific 2007 Calendar. Get an inside look at John’s take on these collections of beautiful train photos by top-notch photographers.

Opinions

	Editorial online Click to read and respond to this month's Editorial Editorial by John Sipple e-mail Editor John Sipple at Editorial

	Letters online Read all the letters that appear in our August 2006 issue. We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. We want to hear from you! Click on Letters

Columns

	S-Curves A Column by Roy Hoffman A New Emphasis This month Roy marks a major shift in emphasis from a product-driven approach to a more general discussion of S scale. He also shares about the South Jersey S Gaugers, and a web site for American Flyer fans. e-mail Roy at Scurves

	Thinking of DCC A Column by John Sipple Consisting in DCC, Part II Last month John shared the special consisting tools provided by decoders as part of the common standards set for DCC. This month, he takes a look at the decoder’s role in Decoder-Based Consisting. e-mail John at dcc

	At the Grade Crossing A Column by Bill Cawthon S, HO, or No? The Diecast Dilemma This month Bill tackles one of model railroading’s longest running controversies and attempts to put it to rest… e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing

	Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) A Column by Peter Maurath TAMR National Convention Time This month Peter shares some of his experiences at the TAMR National Convention, along with favorite memories of other conventions from several other TAMR members. e-mail TAMR tamr visit TAMR www.tamr.org

	Events & Activities online 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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