Welcome to Model Railroad News - The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders

August 2007 • Volume 13, Issue 8 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
The August 2007 issue contains the following special news coverage, reviews, and columns:
	• Part 3 of a 3-Part Series: A Final Look at "By-The-Numbers" by John Sipple • Blackstone Models' K-27 Locomotive in HOn3 Scale • Atlas O's Composite Gondolas and 11,000 Gallon Tank Cars in O Scale • Micro-Trains' EMD GP9 Locomotive in Z Scale • Aristo-Craft's E8A Diesel Locomotive in Large Scale • Märklin's Central Station Digital Command Control and HO-Scale Test Locomotive • Jordan Products' 303 Erie B-2 Steam Shovel Kit in HO Scale • PraireWorks' Missabe Retrospective DVD+CD • Northeastern Scale Models' Old-Fashioned General Store Kit in HO Scale • Thinking of DCC — A Column by John Sipple • Larger View — A Column by John Sipple • At the Grade Crossing — A Column by Bill Cawthon • TAMR Teen Association of Model Railroaders — A Column by Steven Goehring

Special Features

	*Another Look Behind MRN's "By-The-Numbers" Testing* Part 3 of a 3-Part Series by John Sipple You see it at the beginning of nearly every locomotive review that appears in MRN, but what exactly is the big gray box really telling you about the model? John explains the basis for MRN's “By-The-Numbers” testing regarding the do-it-yourself BTNs in the third and final part of a discussion about our testing methods and how it better equips you to make that all-important purchasing decision.

Reviews

	Blackstone Models' K-27 Locomotive in HOn3 Scale Review and photos by Dave Otte If you are among the railfan brethren who consider three feet between the rails to be the ideal gauge for railroad operations then you won’t want to miss our cover feature of newcomer Blackstone Models’ K-27 Mikado locomotive review. Dave Otte offers a full comparison of the model to the prototype, takes a hard look at the details on the model’s appearance, performance, and Tsunami-Sound, and shares why he thinks this could very well be considered 2007’s model of the year.

	Atlas O's Composite Gondolas and 11,000 Gallon Tank Cars in O Scale Review and photos by Dave Otte Atlas O’s Steam Era Classics series continues grow. For this installment of our O-gauge freight car roundup, Dave does a walk-around of the new USRA forty-foot composite drop bottom gondola, the final release of the former Intermountain freight car line, and revisits an old favorite: the American Car & Foundry’s 11,000 gallon propane tank car. Discover prototype history, along with appearance and performance details on these models in the August edition of Model Railroad News.

	Micro-Trains' EMD GP9 Locomotive in Z Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Find out why Bill says Micro-Trains’ new GP9 is the complete package and should be a real winner with fans of American Z-scale motive power in his review, which covers the GP9’s drive system, tooling, paint-and-print work, the prototype, the model’s pulling power, and its lighting system.

	Aristo-Craft's E8A Diesel Locomotive in Large Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Aristo-Craft is delivering its E8A diesel locomotive in several roadnames, including the Union Pacific reviewed by John in this month’s issue. Get prototype history, as well as his take on this locomotive’s paint quality, roof details, windows, handrails, operation, and more in this review.

	Märklin's Central Station Digital Command Control and HO Scale Test Locomotive Review and photos by David Otte See why David says the Central Station really revolutionizes the Märklin experience, combining multi-train control with track operations. The Central Station’s design should be of interest to any modelers and manufacturers using the NMRA’s DCC standards, as the Central Station represents the future for all digital control systems. Find out more in this month’s edition of MRN.

	Jordan Products' 303 Erie B-2 Steam Shovel Kit in HO Scale Review and photos by Rich Cobb Jordan Products has expanded their line by acquiring the steam shovel molds from Vintage Vehicles for their Steam Shovel Kit. Take advantage of Rich’s experience assembling and detailing this model before you start the 26-ton Erie B-2 tracked steam shovel that’s perfect for the big jobs on your layout.

	PraireWorks' Missabe Restrospective DVD+CD Review by John Sipple PrairieWorks is offering Missabe Retrospective, a DVD and CD package, which takes a look back at the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range before 1980. If you are a historian or railfan attracted to this special railroad, you won’t want to miss John’s review to see what details this DVD and CD include.

	Northeastern Scale Models' Old-Fashioned General Store Kit in HO Scale Review by Larry E. Smith, MMR • Photos by Philip Griffith Northeastern Scale Model’s Old-Fashioned General Store kit portrays their store as one that has been restored and is used today as either an antiques dealer or as a retail business in a restored historical district of town. Acquire suggestions on assembling and detailing this kit from Larry to add this structure to your 1800s to the present layout.

Opinions

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

	Letters online Read all the letters that appear in our August 2007 issue. We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. We want to hear from you! Click on Letters

Columns

	Thinking of DCC — A Column by John Sipple *DCC Specialties Offers Four DCC Solutions* John discusses the PSX-AR Series, the PSX-1, 2, 3, or 4 Series, the Blockwatcher, and the Wabbit from DCC Specialties as solutions for a plethora of DCC problems in this month's column. e-mail John at dcc

	Larger View — A Column by John Sipple *Handling Locomotives* This month Larger View is back with suggestions on using the noble Wye track to prevent over-handling of locomotives on your garden layout. e-mail John at Largerview

	At the Grade Crossing — A Column by Bill Cawthon *The Austrian Porsches* Most model companies have a range of prototype years in their product lines, but few come out of the gate with a spread of ninety-nine years between their newest and oldest models. Read about some classic car models now available from Masterpiece Industrial Ltd. e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing

	Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) — A Column by Steven Goehring *The Train Room at Moravian Hall Square* Take a tour of the train room at the Moravian Hall Square, and be encouraged to look for service opportunities in your community after reading Steven's column. 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.

	Classified Ads online Model Railroad News offers free noncommercial classified ads, and paid commercial ads. This is a great way to let modelers know what you need or have for sale. Pick up a copy of Model Railroad News and send in your free classified ad today. Click on Classified Ads to read this month's ads, and for more details.

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