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December 2005 • Volume 11, Issue 12 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
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| The December 2005 issue contains the following news, reviews, and columns: | ||
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• Athearn's EMD SD-70M and SD-75M Diesel Locomotives in N Scale + Digitrax's DN163K1B Decoder • Aristo-Craft's Alco RS-3 Diesel Locomotive in G Scale + Digitrax's DG383AR DCC Decoder • Kato USA's Bi-level Commuter Cars in HO Scale • Broadway Limited Imports' GE AC6000CW Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale • Märklin's Pennsy GG-1 Electric Locomotive in HO Scale • Micro-Trains Line Company's North Pole Village Package in N Scale • Intermountain Railway Company's Freight Train Set in N Scale • Bachmann Industries' Whoville Railway Train Set in HO Scale • Bachmann Industries' World's Greatest Hobby Track Pack in HO Scale • Athearn’s Iron Horse Express Set and Warbonnet Express Set in HO Scale • Digitrax's Radio Equipped Super Chief Premium Set - Part I in DCC/Large Scale • Digitrax’s PS2012 20 Amp DC Power Supply • Hundman Publishing's The Locomotive Cyclopedia, Volume II • J-T Publishing's A Beginner's Guide to Creative Effects for your Model Railroad • Lonestar Models' 5031 Allied Systems Auto Carrier Unit • Herpa's Magic Cars in HO Scale |
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Reviews
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Athearn's EMD SD-70M and SD-75M Diesel Locomotives in N Scale + Digitrax's DN163K1B Decoder Review and Photos by Phil Scandura Athearn has introduced its second modern locomotive, the SD70M and SD-75M diesel locomotive in N Scale. Phil says it has captured the prototype’s handsome look, but how well does it perform? Find out in this review, which includes prototype info, along with details about the model's appearance, performance, DCC conversion, and DCC performance. |
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Aristo-Craft's Alco RS-3 Diesel Locomotive in G Scale + Digitrax's DG383AR DCC Decoder Review and Photos by John Sipple Aristo-Craft’s original RS-3 is considered by many to be the first of Aristo’s line to incorporate fine model details. This fourth generation model features improvements in external detail and internal operation. Read all the details about the prototype, and the model's evolution including its DCC capabilities in this review. |
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Kato USA's Bi-level Commuter Cars in HO Scale
Review and Photos by V.S. Roseman Kato USA has made a serious move into commuter service with the introduction of their F40PH and Bi-level Commuter Cars. Whether your passengers are serviced by Chicago & Northwestern or by Amtrak, get the skinny on these Pullman-Standard bi-level gallery cars, with prototype info, and extensive model details included in this review. |
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Broadway Limited Imports’ GE AC6000CW Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale Review and Photos by John Sipple Do you prefer operating in silence? Broadway Limited Imports is now offering the GE AC6000CW diesel locomotive with and without sound. Learn about the Stealth (no sound) version's measurements, appearance, performance, DCC installation and operation, along with details about the prototype in this review. |
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Märklin's Pennsy GG-1 Electric Locomotive in HO Scale Review and Photos by David Otte Märklin has released their Pennsy GG-1. Get extensive prototype info on the Pennsy GG-1, as well as info about the Trix GG-1: an American legend in HO Scale locomotives. Details about the model's appearance, operation, and DCC capabilities are all included in this review. |
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••• A peek into Santa's sack: Model Railroad News' December 2005 Holiday Showcase of products •••
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Micro-Trains Line Company's North Pole Village Package in N Scale Review by Jennifer Lindsay • Photos by Mike Lindsay Micro-Trains has released a complete North Pole Village Package which includes ten buildings, a village-square Christmas tree, a set of six accessory trees, the North Pole Central train, and a table top display and snow base. Get an inside look at Santa’s mysterious base of operations in this review. |
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Intermountain Railway Company's Freight Train Set in N Scale Review and Photos by John Sipple Intermountain is offering up a Santa Fe F3 Freight Set just in time for the holiday season. This set includes a locomotive, six cars, and an oval of track — just about everything you might want in order to get started. Get details on the set, locomotive, and cars in this review. |
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Bachmann Industries' Whoville Railway Train Set in HO Scale Review by Jennifer Lindsay • Photos by Mike Lindsay Bachmann has added one more way to enjoy Dr. Seuss' classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas - with the Whoville Railway. This set includes an EMD FT diesel locomotive, an open 4-bay hopper with removeable load, a plug door boxcar, an off center caboose, a 36 inch circle of Bachmann's EZ track, and a power pack. Details on setting up, and the set's operation are included in this review. |
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Bachmann Industries' World's Greatest Hobby Track Pack in HO Scale Review and Photos by John Sipple Bachmann has released a Track Pack for the World's Greatest Hobby Layout. Find out everything included, and how to hook it all up in this review of this starting point product for lucky future model railroaders. |
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Athearn’s Iron Horse Express Set and Warbonnet Express Set in HO Scale Review and Photos by John Sipple Athearn has released two quality train sets in time for the holidays. Both come with Athearn's power pack, and Bachmann's EZ track. Get more details on their common elements, along with specific info on the rolling stock, the Iron Horse Express, and the Warbonnet Express in this review. |
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Digitrax's Radio Equipped Super Chief Premium Set - Part I in DCC/Large Scale Review and Photos by John Sipple Digitrax's 8-amp Radio Equipped Super Chief Premium System is reviewed in the first installment of a two-part review. Part I describes the system, and gives advice on set-up and initial operation. |
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Digitrax’s PS2012 20 Amp DC Power Supply Sidebar and Photos by John Sipple Digitrax's PS2012 marks Digitrax's debut in high-amp power supplies. Read all about the power supply itself, and the advantages to supplying DC power. |
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Hundman Publishing's The Locomotive Cyclopedia, Volume II Review by John Sipple Hundman Publishing has released Locomotive Cyclopedia Vol. II by the Editors of Mainline Modeler after a seven year wait. This volume covers locomotives from 0-6-0 to 2-8-8-4 and Electrics. Get more details about the book in this review, and see why John says it's indispensable to him. |
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J-T Publishing's A Beginner's Guide to Creative Effects for your Model Railroad Review by Phil Scandura J-T Publishing has released A Beginner's Guide to Creative Effects for your Model Railroad by Paul M. Newitt. See why Phil considers this book the next classic reference book for model railroaders who are interested in creating believable special effects for their railroad empires and more in his review. |
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Lonestar Models' 5031 Allied Systems Auto Carrier Unit in HO Scale Review and Photos by Bill Cawthon Lonestar Models has added a much-needed model of a common modern prototype to their line of specialty trucks and trailers. Get into on the prototype along with details about this colorful 1990s vintage Ford Aeromax model produced by Herpa for Promotex in this review. |
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Herpa's Magic Cars in HO Scale Review and Photos by Bill Cawthon Herpa manufactures Magic cars (packaged two per box in different colors) which are imported and distributed by Promotex. See why Bill thinks they are the smartest product to hit the HO scale vehicle world in years in this review which includes details about the model. |
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Opinions
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Editorial online
Click to read and respond to this month's Editorial e-mail Editor John Sipple at Editorial@modelrailroadnews.com |
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Letters online
Read all the letters that appear in our December 2005 issue. |
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Columns
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At the Grade Crossing A Column by Bill Cawthon Run-up to iHobby This month Bill shares what he was looking forward to at the iHobby Expo in Los Angeles, and lists his favorite products which made their debut last year. e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing@modelrailroadnews.com |
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S-Curves A Column by Roy Hoffman Announcements from the 2005 National Association S Gaugers Convention This month Roy shares some exciting new products which are available today in "S"team. e-mail Roy at Scurves@modelrailroadnews.com |
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Thinking of DCC A Column by John Sipple Christmas with DCC This month John discusses how to use DCC for your holiday displays. e-mail John at dcc@modelrailroadnews.com |
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Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) A Column by Peter Maurath Why I'm Thankful This month Peter shares the importance of being thankful for what you have accomplished and what you have today - and contrasts publishing methods for TAMR today to those used in 1970. e-mail TAMR tamr@modelrailroadnews.com visit TAMR www.tamr.org |
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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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Classified Ads online
Model Railroad News offers free noncommercial classified ads. |
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Archives - Back Issues
Click to see the main contents of Model Railroad News' past issues: Archives and information on how to order back issues. |
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MRN's Retail-Only Dealer Directory
Visit our Dealer Directory to find what you're looking for |
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