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July 2007 • Volume 13, Issue 7 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
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| The July 2007 issue contains the following special news coverage, reviews, and columns: | |
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• Chasin' Daylight by John Sipple • Part 2 of a 3-Part Series: Another Look at "By-The-Numbers" by John Sipple • Atlas Model Railroad Company’s EMD GP38-2 Road Switcher Diesel Locomotive in N Scale • Walthers’ Empire Builder Passenger Cars in HO Scale • Broadway Limited’s Blueline SD40-2 Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale • Kato's SD40-2 Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale • Bachmann Industries’ Class C Shay Steam Locomotive in Large (1:20.3) Scale • Lenz Agency of North America’s Gold and Silver Series Decoders in HO Scale • Busch’s Mercedes–Benzes in HO Scale • Charles Smiley Presents’ Scarlet and Gray Memories DVD • Immedium’s Book: Timmy and Tammy’s Train of Thought • Monroe Models’ Jurgens Junk Yard Kits in HO Scale • Thinking of DCC — A Column by Guest Columnist, Phil Scandura • TAMR Teen Association of Model Railroaders — A Column by Steven Goehring • Modeling ‘N Scale — A New Bi-Monthly Column by Phil Scandura • At the Grade Crossing — A Column by Bill Cawthon |
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Special Features
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Chasin’ Daylight — Notes from the field by John Sipple Photos & Feature by John Sipple |
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Another Look Behind MRN's "By-The-Numbers" Testing |
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Reviews
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Atlas Model Railroad Company’s EMD GP38-2 Road Switcher Diesel Locomotive in N Scale Review and photos by Pete Birdsong Atlas , Aztec, and MRC have teamed up to bring a breakthrough in N-scale sound. Pete has chosen the Atlas GP38-2 Road Switcher for the project to put the pieces together. Obtain more details it in his review, which explains how the Atlas model, the Aztec frame, and the MRC Decoder work and perform together to bring a model to life. |
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Walthers’ Empire Builder Passenger Cars in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple • Assembly by R. Dave Carr Walthers has released cars five, six, and seven in their much-anticipated Great Northern Empire Builder train. This month John reviews AC&F 36-seat Diner, the P-S 7-4-3-1 Sleeper, and the P-S 6-4-1 Lounge Observation car. Stay tuned for more in this series, in which John plans to review two new cars, every other month. |
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Broadway Limited’s Blueline SD40-2 Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale Kato's SD40-2 Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple In addition to the common model designation, Broadway Limited’s Blueline SD40-2 and Kato’s SD40-2 have other common features, as well as some interesting differences. Discover operational and modeling similarities, special operational considerations for both versions, and converting to DCC operation details in John’s July review. |
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Bachmann Industries’ Class C Shay Steam Locomotive in Large (1:20.3) Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Bachmann is now offering a three-truck version of its classic Shay with the option of having a Soundtraxx Tsunami sound decoder installed. John gives advice on DCC operation, and DC operation, as well as details on how they run, perform, and sound in this colorful center-spread review. |
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Lenz Agency of North America’s Gold and Silver Series Decoders in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Lenz is offering a suite of technologies in their decoders to work with devices from their labs and from other makers to produce automated signaling and operation. Silver or Gold? Find out in John’s review, which decoder is right for your layout. |
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Busch’s Mercedes–Benzes in HO Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Three of the hottest new Mercedes vehicles have two things in common: none of them are cars, and all of them are built in the United States. See if the GL-Class collection, R-Class collection, or M-Class Collection would be at home on your modern American layout, after reading Bill’s review. Manufactured by Busch; imported by Walthers. |
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Charles Smiley Presents’ Scarlet and Gray Memories DVD Review by John Sipple Charles Smiley Productions’ latest DVD, Scarlet and Gray Memories is devoted to Southern Pacific Railroad operations in Southern California from 1971 to 1999, highlighting the southern end of the Coast Line and the local traffic that served that area. It then expands up to Tehachapi and even takes a look at operations over El Cajon Pass. Get more details in John’s review. |
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Immedium’s Book: Timmy and Tammy’s Train of Thought Written by: Oliver Chine • Illustrated by Heath McPherson Review by Jennifer Lindsay Timmy and Tammy are two youngsters whose ultimate railroad fantasy comes to life in this exciting new picture book from Immedium. Check out this month’s review to find out more about Timmy and Tammy’s Train of Thought, a brand-new book geared for young readers ages four to eight. |
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Monroe Models’ Jurgens Junk Yard Kits in HO Scale Review and photos by Dick Foster Dick shares his first introduction to the Monroe Models series of laser-cut building kits with his construction of the Jurgens Junk Yard in HO-scale. For more details on this junkyard building, pick up a copy of this month’s issue to get his advice on constructing and detailing this unique kit. |
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Opinions
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Editorial online Click to read and respond to this month's A Change is Coming by John Sipple e-mail Editor John Sipple at Editorial |
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Letters online
Read all the letters that appear in our July 2007 issue. |
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Columns
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Thinking of DCC A Column by Guest Columnist, Phil Scandura Comparing DCC Systems This month Phil Compares DCC Systems with a look at basic features, as well as comparing more advanced features. e-mail John or Phil at dcc |
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Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) — A Column by Steven Goehring Railroading for Food: Turning Trains, Legos, and Other Stuff into a Fun Train Display Read about the diverse displays at Railroading for Food by Steven and friends, which included operating crossing gates, model trains within a layout, Star Wars Legos, Lego towns, and even some dinosaurs! e-mail TAMR tamr visit TAMR www.tamr.org |
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Modeling 'N Scale — A New Bi-monthly Column by Phil Scandura Opportunities in 1:160 This is the first installment of our new N-scale column. On a bi-monthly basis, we plan to be covering a variety of N-scale topics, including new trends and developments, modeling how-tos, mini reviews, and whatever other tidbits Phil uncovers and thinks fellow N scalers would enjoy hearing. Suggestions? e-mail Phil |
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At the Grade Crossing — A Column by Bill Cawthon The Roaring Thirties Discover a gold mine of 1930s model vehicles from Ricko Ltd. and Athearn in Bill's column this month. e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing |
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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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