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February 2008 • Volume 14, Issue 2 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
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| The February 2008 issue contains the following reviews, and columns: | |
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N-Scale Reviews • Con-Cor Ltd.'s Galloping Goose • Athearn releases PS-1 Boxcar and Mill Gondolas • CMW offer '50s-era Ford F-350 Pickup • Woodland Scenics' new Figure Sets provide whimsey • BLMA announces their First Fully-assembled Structures HO-Scale Reviews • Athearn re-introduces the SD40-2 locomotive • Walthers' new Proto 2000 Gons and Tank Cars • CMW offers '50s-era Ford F-350 Pickup • Athearn builds heavy-duty Construction Models • BLMA announces their First Fully-assembled Structures On30-Gauge Review • San Juan Car Co. develops R-T-R Rolling Stock O-Scale Reviews • Atlas O's new Founder Series USRA 0-6-0 steamer • Athearn mints '30s and '50s era Ford Vehicles • Suncoast Models releases Coaling Station Craftsman Kit G- and Large (1:20.3)-Scale Reviews • Bachmann builds new Spectrum Rolling Stock (1:20.3) • Aristo-Craft's Stainless Steel "Wye" Switches (G) Multi-Scale and Misc Reviews • Scenery: Woodland Scenics grows some trees • DVD: Scott Mason's Volume 3 (Building Craftsman Structure Kits) • Book: Del Grosso's BN caboose book fills a void Columns • Thinking of DCC — When it comes to decoders, what's the definition of "Standard"? • Larger View — Getting an "F" in Garden Railroading • TAMR Teen Association of Model Railroaders — Layout Planning • At the Grade Crossing — More Musing on O... • S-Curves — In Praise of Hi-Rail... |
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Reviews
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Con-Cor Ltd.'s Galloping Goose with Dual-Model DCC Decoder in N Scale Review and photos by Phil Scandura The Galloping Goose is one of the most curious-looking pieces of equipment ever to run on the steel rails. Yet, for its limited geographical use, it has captured the hearts of many rail fans. Now the goose is available for dual-mode operation, making it available for all N scalers! Find out more in Phil’s review of Con-Cor’s Goose, which includes prototype information on this unique piece of railroading history, as well as details on the model’s appearance and performance. |
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Athearn's SD40-2 Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Athearn has re-released their SD40-2 Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale. Read all about the improvements in this ready-to-roll version, its operation under DC and DCC, and some pleasant surprises John discovered. |
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San Juan Car Co.'s D&RGW Freight Cars in On30 Review and photos by David Otte See why David says entering the ready-to-run end of the model railroad market was a smart move on San Juan Car Company’s part, and what he thinks of their Denver and Rio Grande Western rolling stock now available — an On30 boxcar, short caboose, and high-side gondola — in this month’s issue. |
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Athearn's PS-1 Boxcars, and Mill Gondola Cars in N Scale Review and photos by Phil Scandura Athearn continues to add to its growing line of N-scale rolling stock with the latest release of their 50-foot 6-inch Pullman-Standard PS-1 single-door boxcar. Learn about the Pullman-Standard prototypes, as well as details about these models’ appearance and performance before putting them to work on your layout. |
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Walthers' Tank Cars and Covered Hoppers in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Proto 2000 is stepping up this limited run of Pullman-Standard Covered Hoppers and ACF Type 21 Tank Cars from Walthers. Discover historical details about the designs of each prototype, as well as details about the models’ common features, and detailing in the February edition of Model Railroad News. |
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Bachmann's Narrow Gauge Flat Car in Large (1:20.3) Scale Review and photos by John Sipple This month John reviews Bachmann’s Narrow Gauge Flat Car, the first car in a series of Bachmann Spectrum freight cars in true 1:20.3 for the garden. See the interesting features he found studying this model, and don’t miss next month’s issue continuing with the 2-bay hopper as the second car in his series of up-coming reviews. |
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Atlas O's USRA 0-6-0, 3-Rail Locomotive in O Gauge Review and photos by David Otte O-gauge enthusiasts will be interested in this initial Founders Series offering from Atlas O Take a closer look at this highly detailed and decorated locomotive in David’s center-spread review, which covers the model’s prototype, appearance, and performance including sounds, smoke, and lighting effects. |
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CMW Holdings, Ltd.'s 1954 Ford F-350 Pickups in HO and N Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Classic Metal Works’ Ford F-350s are a welcome addition to the ranks of N-scale vehicles, according to Bill. Read his thorough review of this pair of trucks so see if you would like to add some medium-duty pickups to your 1950s layout. |
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Athearn's 1931 and 1955 Fords in O Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Athearn’s new models include 1/50 versions of the popular 1931 Model A and the 1955 F100 pickup and panel delivery Fords previously released in HO-scale. These particular vehicles are suitable for use on late-1920s through 1960s-era layouts. How well do they measure up? Find out in Bill’s review. |
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Athearn's John Deere Wheel Loader and Motor Grader in HO Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Athearn is branching out with an expansion to their line of licensed John Deere models with their wheel loader and motor grader in HO-Scale. If you’re looking for high-quality construction models with a moderate price, you may want to get a preview of these models before you head out to your hobby stop. |
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Scott Mason's Building Craftsman Structure Kits Volume 3 DVD Review by Larry E. Smith, MMR Scott Mason presents scenery techniques for Craftsman Structure Kits with special guest Bob Van Gelder in his Building Craftsman Structure Kits with Scott Mason, Vol. 3 DVD. Find out from Larry what you can expect to learn from this How-To DVD, which covers more than just the usual fare. |
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Great Northern Pacific Publications' Burlington Northern Railroad Cabooses 1970-1995 by Robert Del Grosso Book Review by John Sipple If you are among the legions of fans of cabooses and/or Burlington Northern, you may find this review of Robert Del Grosso’s detailed book of special interest. His book includes dimensions, paint schemes, numbering information, pictures, data, and much more. Available now from Great Northern Pacific. |
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Woodland Scenics' Sweetgum Premium and Birch Trees in Multi-Scales Review and photos by V.S. Roseman Woodland Scenics makes life a little bit easier for modelers with their line of fully assembled deciduous and evergreen trees. Learn about Sweetgum and Birch trees, and get all the details on these models in Victor’s review. |
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JV Models' FM Coaling Station in O Scale and HO Scale Review and photos by Denis Dunning Denis gives step-by-step advice on constructing this old-school Suncoast Models craftsman Coaling Station kit now upgraded and available from JV Models, including how-to assemble, paint, and weather the kit. |
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Woodland Scenics' New Figure Sets in N Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Woodland Scenics has added four new sets to their growing line of N-scale figures, including Picket Line, Playtime, Campers, and Canoers. Get suggestions on bringing your layout to life with these fun figures in Bill’s review. |
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BLMA Models' Yard Office and Portable Toilets in HO Scale and N Scale Review by Todd Gillette • Photos by Stephen Priest BLMA Models, known for a large selection of scenery accessories as well as locomotive and rolling stock details, is now producing their first fully assembled modern buildings. Both the modern yard office and portable toilets are available in HO- and N-scale. |
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Aristo-Craft's #6 Brass and Stainless Steel Wye Switches in G Scale Review and photos by John Sipple The secret of Aristo-Craft’s Number Six Wye is the Number Three frog and the nicely winged guardrails on the stock rails that will help reduce the chance of derailments. Read John’s review for more details on wye switches, which are very important bits of track work. |
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Opinions
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Editorial online Click to read and respond to this month's editorial The Absorbing Business of Scales by John Sipple e-mail John at Editorial |
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Letters online
Read all the letters that appear in our February 2008 issue. |
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Columns
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Thinking of DCC — A Column by John Sipple When it comes to decoders, what's the definition of "Standard"? This month John attempts to answer the question, and also discusses Consist Addressing. e-mail John at dcc |
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Larger View — A Column by John Sipple Getting an "F" in Garden Railroading Larger View is back with John's explanation of F scale, and more for the garden. e-mail John at Largerview |
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Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) — A Column by Steven Goehring Layout Planning Steven shares suggestions on using Atlas Right Track Planning Software, and some elements to try while planning your next layout. e-mail TAMR tamr visit TAMR www.tamr.org |
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At the Grade Crossing — A Column by Bill Cawthon More Musings on O... Bill shares some new releases in O scale, and his plans to attend the Nuremberg International Toy Fair in Germany. e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing |
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S-Curves For and About S-Gauge Model Railroading — A Column by Roy Hoffman In Praise of Hi-Rail... Just how do you define "Hi-Rail?" Roy helps out in his column, and also shares sources for couplers, Sn3, fences, signals, trackside structures, and more. 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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