Welcome to Model Railroad News - The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders

December 2006 • Volume 12, Issue 12 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
The December 2006 issue contains the following news, reviews, and columns:
	• Project Railroad — Creating your first Model Railroad using commercially available kits. Part XII • Noch's Winterzauber Advent Layout in Z Scale • Micro-Trains Line's Liberty Village Package in N Scale • Märklin’s Starter Train Set in Z Scale • Playmobil's 1.2.3 Preschool Train Set • Bachmann's Deluxe Thomas with Annie & Clarabel Electric Train Set in HO Scale • Märklin’s Fire Department Digital Starter Set in HO Scale • MTH Electric Trains' AT&SF Ready-To-Run Train Set w/Proto-Sound in O Scale • Atlas O's Trainman Starter Set in 2-Rail and 3-Rail in O Gauge • South Platte Press' The Big Legacy of the Union Pacific Big Boy • Green Frog Production's Building the RGS Video, VHS or DVD • Busch's Mini Scenes in N Scale • Bachmann's E-Z Track in HO Scale • Classic Metal Works' Transition Era Tractor-Trailers in N Scale • Olfa's Cutting Tools • S-Curves A Column by Roy Hoffman • At the Grade Crossing — A Column by Bill Cawthon • Thinking of DCC — A Column by John Sipple

Special Features

	Project Railroad — Creating your first Model Railroad using commercially available kits. Project Railroad Part XII by Stephen M. Priest This is the twelfth and final installment of a yearlong project to familiarize you with products and methodologies available to help you build a model railroad. This month Stephen finishes up last minute details and takes us on a photographic tour of the complete Rock Island Central.

• • • A peek into Santa's sack: Model Railroad News' Holiday Showcase of products • • •

	Model Railroad News' Annual Holiday Train Set Reviews — Part II See Train Sets and Stocking Stuffers reviewed in our December 06 issue listed individually below.

	Noch's Winterzauber Advent Layout in Z Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Noch has created an exquisite holiday scene that needs only the addition of a small Z-Scale train and a power pack to be a complete, functioning layout for your holiday décor. Read more about Noch’s Winter Magic layout, which includes four tree-shaped advent candles to mark the weeks of advent in this month’s issue. Imported by Z Scale Hobo.

	Micro-Trains Line's Liberty Village Package in N Scale Review by Jennifer Lindsay • Photos by Mike Lindsay Micro-Trains Line Company’s Liberty Village depicts a patriotic small town built in the late 1800s available with tabletop display or tabletop with legs, and accessory trees. Learn more details about this presentation of Americana in this review, which includes appearance and operation details, as well as suggestions for year round use.

	Märklin’s Starter Train Set in Z Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Marklin has designed a Z-Scale starter train set for anyone over the age of eight. Discover more details about this set, which includes a Prussian Railway-era locomotive, gondola, and beer reefer, as well as a 21 x 16-inch loop of track all packaged in a cube box complete with printed ribbon and gift tag in this review.

	Playmobil's 1.2.3 Preschool Train Set Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Playmobil’s 1.2.3 Preschool Train Set is an easy-to-operate toy train designed for ages three and up. This set may be a wonderful way to introduce a small child or grandchild to the world of model railroading. Find out more in our holiday showcase.

	Bachmann's Deluxe Thomas with Annie & Clarabel Electric Train Set in HO Scale Review by Nola, Noah, and David Otte • Photos by David Otte Bachmann’s HO-Scale Deluxe Set has everything youngsters need to start their own version of the Island of Sodor: track, transformer, Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, Bertie, Harold, and Sir Topham Hat. Find out more about the quality, appearance, and performance of this set and all its available accessories in this detailed review.

	Märklin’s Fire Department Digital Starter Set in HO Scale Review and photos by David Otte Marklin has created the ultimate Fire Department Starter Set complete with their digital command technology combining the popular fascination of fire fighting equipment with railroading. Get details on this set, track, power pack, digital controller, set up, and operation in this review.

	MTH Electric Trains' AT&SF Ready-To-Run Train Set w/Proto-Sound in O Scale Review and photos by David Otte MTH has released its Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe 1880s 4-6-0 steam locomotive starter set in O Scale just in time for setting up beneath a Christmas tree. If Western charm is the theme for you, you may find this set just the ticket for yourself or someone you know. Get more details in David’s review.

	Atlas O's Trainman Starter Set in 2-Rail and 3-Rail in O Scale Review and photos by David Otte Atlas O has released a Trainman Starter Set uniquely fulfilling the requirements of the modern day railfan to a tee, right down to the 2-rail track according to David. Find out if you agree after reading his review on this starter set in O Gauge.

• • • Stocking Stuffers • • •

	South Platte Press's The Big Legacy of the Union Pacific Big Boy By James J. Reisdorff and Michael M. Bartels Book Review by John Sipple What happened to the Big Boys? The authors do a good job of writing the salient information and wrapping it all in an appropriate mantle of pathos according to John. Find out some interesting tidbits from the time they were built till they were lead off to be scrapped or preserved in his review of this book.

	Green Frog Production's Building the RGS Video, VHS or DVD Review by John Sipple Green Frog has released nine different videos in their “Building the Rio Grande Southern” series. Each one, by itself, is a master class in modeling techniques that John describes as a “Roll up your sleeves and just do it approach” that can teach valuable lessons to anyone in any scale, regardless of what railroad they’re modeling. Find out more in his review.

	Busch's Mini Scenes in N Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Just in time for the holidays are six new stocking-sized Busch mini-scenes in N Scale, including the Pumpkin Harvest. They come complete with figures and scenery items and are ready to use as-is or the pieces can be removed for use on your layout. Imported and distributed by Walthers.

	Bachmann's E-Z Track Review and photo by Bill Cawthon Good track is the foundation of any model railroad and Bachmann E-Z Track is one of the best ways to ensure that first train set is a positive experience. Find out more in Bill’s review.

	Classic Metal Works's Transition Era Tractor-Trailers in N Scale Review and photo by Bill Cawthon Classic Metal Works has added a White Super Power with 32-foot covered wagon trailer, US Steel, a White WC22 with 32-foot covered wagon trailer decorated for Ralston Purina, and a White WC22 with 32-foot Aero Van trailer for Kroger all in packages of two. Get more details in Bill’s review.

	Olfa's Cutting Tools Review and photo by Bill Cawthon Check out Olfa’s precision art knife, compass cutter, and 3 rotary circle cutter in Bill’s review to see if they have an edge in their bright yellow award winning cutting tools.

Opinions

	Editorial online Click to read and respond to this month's Editorial How do manufacturers choose projects to model? by John Sipple e-mail Editor John Sipple at Editorial

	Letters online Read all the letters that appear in our December 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 • Photos by Roy Hoffman and Carl Tuveson The American Flyer Heritage Roy dedicates this entire column to the American Flyer holiday tradition. e-mail Roy at Scurves

	At the Grade Crossing A Column by Bill Cawthon Is There a Ford in Your Future? Bill discusses that while the real Ford Motor Company is struggling, the brand is flourishing in HO Scale, and also mentions Santa’ sleigh from Preister, which can be drawn by reindeer or horses. e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing

	Thinking of DCC A Column by John Sipple Two Burning Issues - More on the QSI Upgrade Chips John shares an extensive list where you can find the QSI Upgrade Chips, and shares how to switch from DC to DCC with a Switch. e-mail John at dcc

	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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