Welcome to Model Railroad News - The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders

July 2006 • Volume 12, Issue 7 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
The July 2006 issue contains the following news, reviews, and columns:
	• Project Railroad — Creating your first Model Railroad using commercially available kits. Part VII • Micro-Trains’ PS-2 Two-Bay Covered Hopper in Z Scale • Model Powers’ 4-4-0 American Steam Locomotive in N Scale • USA Trains’ Streamlined Passenger Cars in Large (1:29) Scale • Bachmann’s Rail Truck in On30 & Precision Craft Models’ Galloping Goose in On3 and On30 • Walthers’ Wood GACX Express Reefer and Wood Milk Tank Car in HO Scale • Precision Craft Models’ 2-8-8-2 Y6b Steam Locomotive in HO Scale • Innovative Train Technology Co.’s HQ Series Sound Modules, and Infrared Detector/Timer • NCE Corporation’s Power Cab DCC System • Model Power’s Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van, Fed Ex Vans, & All County Ambulance in HO and O Scale • Model Railroading University’s Constructing DPM Building Kits DVD • Stevens Creek Models’ Randolph Depot Kit in HO Scale • Blair Line’s Backdrop Warehouse Kit in HO Scale • Thinking of DCC — A Column by John Sipple • Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) — A Column by Peter Maurath • At the Grade Crossing — A Column by Bill Cawthon

Special Features

	Project Railroad — Creating your first Model Railroad using commercially available kits. Project Railroad Part VII by Stephen M. Priest This is the seventh installment of a year long project to familiarize you with products and methodologies available to help you build a model railroad. Last month we concentrated on the structures we are using on the Rock Island Central. In this issue we will be detailing the scenery base created with the plaster cloth detailed a couple of issues past.

Reviews

	Micro-Trains’ PS-2 Two-Bay Covered Hopper in Z Scale Review and photos by David Otte Micro-Trains has released a ready-to-run PS-2 two-bay covered hopper in Z Scale. David gives you a “walk-around” tour of the model to give you a better sense of the construction of Pullman-Standard’s novel design while he delves deeper into Micro-Trains’ rendering in his review, which also includes information about appearance and operation details.

	Model Power's 4-4-0 American Steam Locomotive in N Scale Review and photos by Phil Scandura Model Power's latest N-scale steam release is the 4-4-0 American, one of the most popular locomotives of the early 1900s. Get details about the prototype, along with specifics about the model’s rough start and how Model Power corrected it, its performance, DCC conversion, and appearance in this review.

	USA Trains’ Streamlined Passenger Cars in Large (1:29) Scale Review and photos by John Sipple USA Trains is expanding their line of streamlined passenger cars by adding Railway Post Office (RPO), Baggage, and Combine cars. If you’ve been wishing for cars to liven up your garden railroad, read this review, which includes prototype info, and details about the models’ appearance and performance.

	Bachmann’s Rail Truck in On30 & Precision Craft Models’ Galloping Goose in On3 and On30 Review and photos by David Otte These two rail trucks, recently introduced in On30 by Bachmann Trains and Precision Craft Models, complement each other as they represent Motors number 1 and number 4 of the Rio Grande Southern Railway – better known as the Galloping Geese. Discover details about the prototypes and the models in this review.

	Walthers’ Wood GACX Express Reefer and Wood Milk Tank Car in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Walthers is adding more visual interest to steam-era passenger trains with their release of Express Reefers and Milk Tank cars. If you need to move strawberries or milk on your mid-20th century layout, you may want to read this review for more details about the prototypes, and these models’ appearance and performance.

	Precision Craft Models’ 2-8-8-2 Y6b Steam Locomotive in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Precision Craft Models has released the Y6b locomotive with Model 221 tender in your choice of Loksound AC/DC/DCC automatic operation with sound or DC operation (and DCC ready). See John’s extensive center-spread review for prototype history and details about the model’s appearance and performance.

	Innovative Train Technology Co.’s HQ Series Sound Modules, and Infrared Detector/Timer Review and photos by Phil Scandura Innovative Train Technology Company has released its HQ Series Sound Modules with nearly 100 different sounds to choose from, and the DT-1 Infrared Detector/Timer to provide trackside detection of trains. If you are interested in adding life to your layout through sound, read Phil’s review on how these products install and perform.

	NCE Corporation’s Power Cab DCC System Review and photos by John Sipple NCE Corporation has released its Power Cab DCC System as an under-$200-starter set. Learn about its features, including the hand-held throttle, Power Cab power panel and power supply, and John’s experience putting the Power Cab starter set to work in his review.

	Model Power’s Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van, Fed Ex Vans, & All County Ambulance in HO- and O-Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Model Power has produced a selection of modern-era full-sized vans manufactured by High Speed Metal & Plastic Products Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Read about the prototypes and the models for more details on these delivery and ambulance vans available in HO- and O-scale.

	Model Railroading University’s Constructing DPM Building Kits DVD Review and photos by Dick Foster Model Railroading University is releasing this DVD as the first in a planned series to help the beginning model railroader with some of the more advanced elements of the hobby by Master Model Railroader Miles Hale. Learn details about this DVD on Constructing DPM Building Kits in this review.

	Stevens Creek Models’ Randolph Depot Kit in HO Scale Review and photos by Dick Foster Stevens Creek Models has released a laser-cut model kit based on a prototype station from the late 1800s, located on the Kennebec Central Railroad in Maine. Follow Dick’s experience in assembling and decorating this kit in his review.

	Blair Line’s Backdrop Warehouse Kit in HO Scale Review and photos by Dick Foster Blair Line’s newest offering, the Backdrop Warehouse Kit, is designed to add depth to areas that are either up against a wall or spaces that are too small for a full-sized industrial building. Get suggestions from Dick’s experience painting, assembling, and decorating this laser-cut wood kit.

Opinions

	Editorial online Click to read and respond to this month's Editorial Digital Photo Progress by John Sipple e-mail Editor John Sipple at Editorial

	Letters online Read all the letters that appear in our July 2006 issue. We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. We want to hear from you! Click on Letters

Columns

	Thinking of DCC A Column by John Sipple Consisting in DCC, Part I This month John shares the special consisting tools provided by decoders as part of the common standards set for DCC. Next month, he’ll take a look at the decoder’s role in Decoder-Based Consisting. e-mail John at dcc

	Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) A Column by Peter Maurath Getting in Touch With a Fallen Shortline by Guest Columnist Steven Goehring This month Steven shares his experiences in the extreme makeover of his Kato F7 and addition of scenery to his WAG railroad inspired by an up-coming visit to the Galeton, PA area where he both shared pictures of his layout and learned more about the history of this fallen shortline. e-mail TAMR tamr visit TAMR www.tamr.org

	At the Grade Crossing A Column by Bill Cawthon Japanese Eggs Hatch HO Scale Cars This month Bill addresses the lack of Japanese vehicles for modern-era layouts and offers some non-traditional ways to find them. e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing

	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. 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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