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June 2006 • Volume 12, Issue 6 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
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| The June 2006 issue contains the following news, reviews, and columns: | |
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• Project Railroad — Creating your first Model Railroad using commercially available kits. Part VI |
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Special Features
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Project Railroad — Creating your first Model Railroad using commercially available kits. Project Railroad Part VI by Stephen M. Priest This is the sixth installment of a year long project to familiarize you with products and methodologies available to help you build a model railroad. Unlike many of the books and articles that have been written in the past of this subject, we will be featuring a kit-form benchwork system and ready-built structures, cars, locomotives, and scenery materials where available. This month’s installment takes a step-by-step look at creating scenery for your railroad. Read more in this month's issue. |
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Reviews
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American Z Line / Ztrack Magazine's F59PHI Locomotives and Passenger Cars in Z Scale |
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Walther’s Proto 1000 F3A-B set powered locomotives in HO Scale
Review and photos by John Sipple Walthers has released their new version of the former Life-Like Proto 1000 in HO Scale. Get all the details about the Proto 1000’s F3A and F3B, its Kadee couplers, DCC operations, and more in this review. |
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Weaver Models’ Wartime Gondola in O Scale Review and photos by David Otte Weaver Models’ mill gondola, one of their newer releases in their impressive line of O-scale freights cars is, perhaps, one of the most utilitarian pieces of equipment on a railroad's equipment roster. Find out more about the colorful history of these gondolas, along with details about the model’s appearance and performance in this review. |
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Aristo-Craft’s 2-4-2 "Columbia" Rogers steam locomotive with bobber caboose in Large (1:29) Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Aristo-Craft has given their Rogers an operational upgrade and packed it together with a bobber caboose. Discover details about the prototype, a comparison of the earlier Aristo Rogers to today’s Rogers, suggestions for extending the Rogers, and more in this review. |
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Atlas Model Railroad Co.’s MP-15DC Diesel locomotive with decoder in N Scale Review and photos by Pete Birdsong If you have a place for a road switcher on your layout, this review of Atlas Model Railroad Company’s MD-15 DC diesel locomotive with decoder may be of special interest to you. Learn more about the prototype, along with the operation, appearance, and performance of the model in this month’s issue of Model Railroad News. |
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Walthers’ Proto 2000 EMD SW8/SW900 diesel locomotive in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Walthers has just given the HO world the services of a General Motors EMD SW8 diesel switcher locomotive. Read about Rock Island’s SW8s, along with details about the Proto 2000’s SW8/SW900, its operation, appearance, and DCC capabilities in this review. |
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Bachmann’s USRA 2-10-2 Steam Locomotive in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Bachmann’s Spectrum series’ newest release, the USRA Light 2-10-2 steam locomotive, comes with a DCC decoder installed from the factory. Read about the interesting life of the Seaboard Air Line's locomotive, operating the 2-10-2, DCC and electronics, and more in this center-spread review. |
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Kingmill Enterprise's Green Cove Station Kit in HO Scale Review by Larry E. Smith • Photos by Mark Beaty This is the first kit offered by Kingmill; the Norfolk & Western Green Cove Station. Read about the prototype, along with details about Larry's experience constructing and decorating this kit in his review. |
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North Eastern Scale Models’ Slate Shingles Sheets in HO Scale Review and Photos by Rich Cobb North Eastern Scale Models has produced a line of pre-assembled shingles in a variety of colors and styles. If you are in search of a better shingle, read this review for details about the quality, appearance, and installation of this useful product. |
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Model Rectifier Corporation’s Prodigy Express System for DCC Review and photos by John Sipple Model Rectifier Corporation has presented model railroaders with a feature-rich version of the Prodigy Advance, called the Prodigy Express, for almost half the price. For a comparison of the Advance and Express handhelds, how to hook up, and how it compares to more advanced systems, read John’s review. |
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NJ International’s Flashing Crossbucks in N Scale Review and photos by Phil Scandura NJ International produces a full line of track signals, including their crossbucks in N Scale. Find prototype reference material for railroad crossing signals, along with details about this model, its installation, warranty and repair, and a reminder to stop, look, and listen in Phil’s comprehensive review. |
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TDP & Associates’ Trainspeed Speedometers for all scales Review and photos by John Sipple TDP & Associates provide a trainspeed model railroad speedometer and a trainspeed 4-location speedometer for all scales. Find out several good reasons for being able to determine a model’s speed, along with how to install and use their speedometers in John’s extensive review. |
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Motorart’s Volvo Construction Equipment Sets in O and HO Scale Book review by Bill Cawthon Motorart, Volvo’s designated scale model supplier, has introduced two new sets of Volvo heavy equipment replicas. The first is an HO scale L90E wheel loader with interchangeable attachments, the second set is a package of two 1:50 replicas: a L150C wheel loader and an A25C articulated hauler. Read details about the prototypes and the models in Bill’s review. |
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Pat Harriman’s Early Wood Frame and Stone Structures Book Review Book Review by Larry E. Smith Pat Harriman’s unique book, Early Wood Frame and Stone Structures, consists of 45 plans for different structures spread over 163 pages. If you are seeking a quick reference on structures and a guide on how to build them, then find out if this may be the book for you in Larry’s review. |
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TrainPlayer Software’s TrackLayer and TrainPlayer Review |
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Opinions
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Editorial online
Click to read and respond to this month's Editorial e-mail Editor John Sipple at Editorial |
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Letters online
Read all the letters that appear in our June 2006 issue. |
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Columns
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S-Curves A Column by Roy Hoffman Happy Anniversary! This month Roy celebrates the sixth anniversary of S-Curves, announces the upcoming Southeast Michigan S Gaugers Convention, and shares new cars and track assembly fixtures for S-scalers. e-mail Roy at Scurves |
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At the Grade Crossing A Column by Bill Cawthon The trouble with roads — just how wide should they be anyway? This month Bill wrestles with the question of how wide a city street, highway, or rural road should be. e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing |
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Thinking of DCC A Column by John Sipple What is Back EMF? This month John explains what Back EMF is, and gives you a basis for making a decision concerning it in DCC. e-mail John at dcc |
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Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) A Column by Peter Maurath Amtrak Feedback Part 2 This month Peter continues his Amtrak feedback from his February column. e-mail TAMR tamr visit TAMR www.tamr.org |
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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. |
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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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