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February 2007 • Volume 13, Issue 2 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
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| The February 2007 issue contains the following special feature, reviews, and columns: | |
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• The Real Story Behind Resistor Values and LEDs |
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Special Feature
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The Real Story Behind Resistor Values and LEDs Article by Jim Hinds and Phil Scandura • Illustrations by Phil Scandura As the use of LEDs increases, more and more modelers are asking the question, “What is the right resistor value to use for my particular application?” For an authoritive answer, read Jim Hinds of Richmond Controls’ article in this month’s issue. |
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Reviews
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Precision Craft Models' Alco Diesel Locomotive Sets in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Flat-nosed FA units have long been prized by model railroaders, in part because they don’t have to put up with the 244 engines. Banking on that love, Precision Craft Models is offering its new Alco Freight Cowls in a choice of either straight DC or powered with an ESU LokSound DC/DCC Sound decoder system installed. Read prototype info as well as details about these locomotive sets’ appearance and performance in the February edition of Model Railroad News. |
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Walthers' Empire Builder Passenger Cars in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Walthers has launched the much-anticipated release of their Great Northern Empire Builder train, including ten different passenger cars. This month John’s review of the 60 Seat Coach, and ACF Baggage-Mail cars includes history of the Empire Builder’s Golden Period. Stay tuned for more in this series, in which John plans to review two new cars, every other month. |
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M.T.H. Electric Trains' EMD GP9 in O Scale Review and photos by David Otte M.T.H. Electric Trains’s EMD GP9 represents a prototype with a lot of railroad history, which actually started with the GP7. Part of the company’s economically priced RailKing line, reviewer Dave Otte shares there is nothing cheap about this locomotive. Read all about the EMD GP9’s history, and the model's appearance, performance, and Proto-Sound 2.0 Digital Command System features in this month’s edition. |
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Intermountain Railway Co.'s EMD F3A and F3B Diesel Locomotives in N Scale Review and photos by Phil Scandura Intermountain Railway Company Digitrax has chosen to model Phase II units of the famous F3s in several roadnames in N Scale. Read about the prototypes, and these models’ appearance, performance, DCC conversion, and DCC performance in Phil’s review, which also includes details about the Digitrax decoder and hints on how to install it. |
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Athearn's SD45-2 Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale Review by Mike Acker • Photos by Mary Acker Athearn’s new HO Scale SD45-2 is the latest in their premium Genesis line of diesel locomotives. A sturdy workhorse, this diesel has won Mike Ackers heart. Find out why, in the February edition of MRN, which includes prototype history on the Santa Fe 5648, Erie Lackawanna 3678, CSX 8952, DCC performance, and sound capabilities. |
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Rapido Trains' Streamlined Passenger Cars in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Rapido Trains has come to market with a very high quality line of HO-scale passenger cars, starting with a streamlined coach and a 4-8-4 sleeper in 29 of your favorite paint schemes, plus an undecorated version. See what makes them special in John’s review. |
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Atlas Model Railroad Company's 70 Ton Hart Ballast Car in N Scale Review and photos by Phil Scandura Last fall Atlas Model Railroad Company introduced a new freight car to their already extensive selection of N-scale rolling stock: the 70 ton Hart ballast car. Read about the prototype sources for this car, as well as details on the model’s appearance and performance to see how it will work in your Transition Era or modern day roster. |
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Athearn's "55 Ford Trucks in HO Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Following more than a year in development, Athearn is getting ready to ship their newest vehicle models: the 1955 Ford F-100 pickup and panel delivery trucks. Learn about the prototypes, and all the fun details of these sure to be popular models of one of the best-selling vehicles of all time. |
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ADP-Modelle's Transition Era American Trucks in HO Scale Review and photos by V.S. Roseman More trucks! ADP-Modelle has issued vehicles in short runs of hand-finished HO-scale models including a German Ford truck of about 1938 vintage, the Chevrolet 3104 pickup truck, a Dodge bottling truck, and military vehicles. Find out what Victor has to say about these World War II era models in this month’s issue. (Vehicles available in the U.S. from The Red Caboose Hobbies.) |
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Fos Scale Limited's Varick Freight Company Kit in N Scale |
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Walthers' 933-2924 Mission-Style Depot with Freight House in HO Scale Review and photos by Denis Dunning Walthers has released an HO-scale model of the California mission-style train stations seen throughout the Southwest. Read about the prototype, the Santa Fe depot in Portales, New Mexico, as well as details on assembling and decorating this unique kit. |
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Micro-Trains Line Co.'s Left and Right Hand Manual Switches in Z Scale Review and photos by John Sipple The future is here, right now, in Micro-Trains Line Company’s line of Z scale manual switches. Get all “Z” details in John’s review to see how this track could add more variety and fun to your Z scale layout. |
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Opinions
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Editorial online
Click to read and respond to this month's e-mail Editor John Sipple at Editorial |
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Letters online
Read all the letters that appear in our February 2007 issue. |
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Columns
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TrainTech Forum A technical discussion for the not-so-technically minded Hosted by Dr. Danny Rittman Railway Security or How I Tried to Hijack an Israeli Train and Got Busted! This month Danny shares his experience of trying to hijack an Israeli Train, and discusses the challenge of railway security in today's world. e-mail Danny at traintechforum@modelrailroadnews.com |
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At the Grade Crossing A Column by Bill Cawthon Big News About Small Cars This time, Bill tells you about a couple more Fords, which may be in your future, and where to find them. e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing |
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Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) A Column by Steven Goehring Future Trends of the Hobby, as Seen from a Hobby Shop How do the people working in the hobby shops view future trends for your hobby? Find out in Steven's column. e-mail TAMR tamr visit TAMR www.tamr.org |
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Thinking of DCC A Column by John Sipple Is DCC Right For You? John poses some questions to help you decide if DCC is appropriate for your power needs. e-mail John at dcc |
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S-Curves A Column by Roy Hoffman Modeling S in Two Eras Too many freight cars and not enough room to run them all? Roy suggests operating two distinct eras. Read more in his column in this month's issue. e-mail Roy at Scurves |
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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, and paid commercial 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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Links
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