December 2001 • Volume 7, Issue 12 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
Color Happy Holidays from Model Railroad News
• Special Holiday Review of Model Train Sets Part II
• Design Preservation Models' Popa Wheelie's Saloon in HO
• Lionel's Harriman Style 2-8-0 Consolidation Locomotive in O
• Atlas' Electro-Motive Division GP38 in N
• Kato U.S.A.'s EMD SD40 Diesel Locmotive in HO
• USA Trains' 2001 Christmas Boxcar in Large Scale (1:29)
• Atlas O's Articulated Auto Carrier in O
• Banta Modelworks' Detail Kits in S
• Aristo-Craft's book Aristo-Craft Train Engineer
• Withers Publishing's book Union Pacific's Turbine Era
• The Railroad Press' book Altoona Action
• Golden Rail Video's video Power Tour: The Mount Emily Shay
• Soundtraxx's Sierra 4-4-0 Sound System
• Aristo-Craft Trains' Rail-Bender
• Larger View column by John Sipple
• Train-Tech Forum hosted by Danny Rittman
• The TAMR column by Nicholas Wilson
• S Curves column by Roy Hoffman
• plus lots of new product news and photos
Review and photos by James A. Powell
This detailed front page review covers James’ experience of constructing a rural bar and cafe from Design Preservation Models’ Popa Weelie’s Saloon and Dew Duck Inn in HO scale.
The December 2001 issue of Model Railroad News highlights Special Holiday Reviews of Model Train Sets in full color. See included sets further below and read this month's issue for all the details in time for your holiday shopping.
Review by David Otte • Photos by Mike Lindsay
Steam fans: this front page review covers the prototype, appearance, details, and operations of the 2-8-0 Lionel Consolidation locomotive in O scale, highlighting the Southern Pacific version. Don’t miss out on the smoke, lights, and sounds effects.
Review by Michael J. Pratt • Photos by Mike Lindsay
Take your pick: DCC ready, or decoder equipped. The Elecro-Motive Division GP38 in Baltimore & Ohio, and New England Central colors are spotlighted in this review. Prototype info, appearance, and all the details of this new N scale diesel locomotive are covered.
Review by Mike Acker • Photos by Mary Acker
Get a close look at this Union Pacific version of Kato’s new HO Scale EMD SD40 locomotive. See if Kato has improved on an already fine locomotive, and if so, how, in this review.
Review and Photos by John Sipple
John Sipple wishes you a happy holiday, a prosperous New Year, and a festive layout while reviewing the 2001 steel Christmas Boxcar from USA Trains. Martha Stewart fans, read his suggestions for including train cars in your holiday centerpieces!
Review by David Otte • Photos by Jeff Saxton
Ready to run billboard reefers and the Articulated Autoracks from Atlas O are covered in this review for all you O gaugers. For details on appearance and operation of these two new cars, read this month’s issue.
Review by Roy Hoffman • Photos by Mike Lindsay
Parts Bins, Glass Cases, and a Depot Baggage Wagon from Building & Structure Company — Banta Modelworks are reviewed by Roy Hoffman in S gauge. See why he recommends these kits to finish off the interiors of your S scale structures.
Review by John Sipple
Planning a layout, considering Crest radio control, or wanting more from your equipment? See if this book will help you in this review of Aristo-Craft Train Engineer.
Review by Michael J. Pratt
UP fans, and those of unusual locomotives, may find this book worth having. To help you decide, read this detailed book review of A. J. Wolf’s Union Pacific’s Turbine Era.
Review by Stuart R. Thayer
A new hard cover book from The Railroad Press was written by Jaime F.M. Serensits, and features photos by Thomas A. Biery. Read the review and discover what’s covered in Altoona Action.
Review by John Sipple
Gain a greater interest in geared steam locomotives from this engaging review of the VHS video, Power Tour: The Mount Emily Shay, Volume One from Golden Rail Video.
Review and Photos by John Sipple
Read the story of a quality sound system that chased the right locomotive around the country until it finally got installed in the wrong locomotive, according to John Sipple, in his review of Soundtraxx’s Sierra Sound System for Large Scale.
Review and Photos by John Sipple
Waffle, dewaffle, or “remanufacture” your track after reading this how-to review of Artisto-Craft Trains’ Code 332 Rail-Bender. See if you agree with John, who calls this the Cadillac of rail benders.
Review by John Sipple • Photos by Mike Lindsay
Silver Star,
& North Pole Express Train Sets in HO
Review by John Sipple • Photos by Mike Lindsay
Review by Michael J. Pratt • Photos by Mike Lindsay
Review by John Sipple • Photos by Mike Lindsay
An Introduction by Peter Maurath
e-mail Peter tamr@modelrailroadnews.com
visit TAMR www.tamr.org
Click to read and respond to this month's Guest Editorial
Freedom's Mortar by John Sipple, Contributing Editor
Radius and Rolling Resistance
John explains why trains sometimes lay down in the curves.
e-mail John at Largerview@modelrailroadnews.com
A Salute to the NYC Subway
e-mail Danny at traintechforum@modelrailroadnews.com
This month Roy announces catalogs and new products of special interest to S-Gaugers.
e-mail Roy at scurves@modelrailroadnews.com
Read and respond to letters that appear in our December 2001 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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