March 2002 • Volume 8, Issue 3 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
• Märklin/Trix Big Boy 4-8-8-4 in HO
• Special: Märklin/Trix Big Boy vs Walthers/Rivarossi Allegheny
• Large Scale freight cars by Aristo-Craft in G (1:29)
• Thomas the Tank Engine from Lionel in Large Scale
• The Atlas O Dash 8-40B Locomotive in O
• American Z Lines Locomotive Works PA in Z
• Athearn's "Ready-To-Roll" Series Special Report
• Aristo-Craft's new steel Boxcars in G (1:29)
• Athearn's Genesis F3 A&B units in HO
• Santa Fe Heritage Volume 1 by Stephen & Cinthia Priest
• Southern Pacific's San Joaquin Valley Line by Tom Dill
• SP Passenger Train Consists and Cars 1955-1958 by Stegmaler
• Grand Valley HO Scale Model Railroad Kit by Woodland Scenics
• 1/87th Scale Cable Shovel in HO
• The American Box & Crate Company in HO
• Teen Association of Model Railroaders column
• Larger View column by John Sipple
• Train-Tech Forum hosted by Danny Rittman
• plus lots of new product news and photos
Review by Jeff Saxton • Photos by MRN Staff
Get all the specifics of the new Märklin/Trix awe inspiring 2 Rail, RTR, Union Pacific “Big Boy” in this front page review. Jeff’s in depth coverage contains 13 full color photos including a full scale, life size “Big Boy” photo that shows off all the detail.
A Special Feature by John Sipple
Who’s the Boss? You decide after reading A Special Feature by John Sipple, Allegheny and Big Boy go pilot-to-pilot. This special article includes a chart of 15 comparisons to help you compare them for yourself.
Review and photos by John Sipple
Polk’s Model Craft Hobbies, Inc.’s 100 ton, 3-bay hopper, and 53 foot, double plug door Evans boxcar are showcased in this front page review. This preproduction review covers the prototype, appearance and operation. A must read for Large Scale modern era railroaders.
Review and photos by John Sipple
Shining Time Station fans will enjoy this review of Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, Driver, Fireman, and Sir Topham Hatt. Prototype!, operation, and appearance information will make you, like Thomas, smile.
Review by David Otte • Photos by Mike Lindsay
See if Atlas O has lived up to their reputation or gone a step further with the release of the Dash 8 in this review of the Santa Fe. Of special interest is the onboard RailSounds system, TMCC, and now a smoke unit.
Review by Michael J. Pratt • Photos by Mike Lindsay
Find out why Michael paints the Southern Pacific from American Z Lines as a “miniature work of art” in this full color review. The large PA, and the packing, details, and operation of this brass locomotive are all highlighted.
A Special Report by John Sipple
New to Model Railroading? Want top-notch cars without having to build them? Athearn’s Genesis Series includes covered hoppers, single and triple dome tanks, Husky-Stacks Stand-Alone cars with containers, and cupola cabooses, all ready-to-roll. Find out what Athearn is up to in this special report.
Review and photos by John Sipple
Find out how Aristo-Craft has modified its steel boxcars in many interesting ways in this review covering the prototype, the model, and its operation. Available in Chesapeake & Ohio/Chessie System, Northern Pacific, Canadian National, Louisville & Nashville, New Haven, and Norfolk & Western. If you need a 40-foot PS-1, this review is for you.
Review and photos by John Sipple
Gladly pay Tuesday for a hamburger today? John Engstrom of Athearn says F-units are like hamburgers: no matter how many get sold, there is always a line of people who want more. Find out what, if anything, this has to do with the new elegant Genesis locomotives attractively presented in this review.
Published by Paired Rail RR Publications, Ltd.
Review by John Sipple
Suffer from “Warbonnet Fever”? Compelled to learn all you can about trains? Then you will enjoy this review which may make you want to read this book yourself!
Published by Four Ways West
Review by John Sipple
Southern Pacific Fan? The 1945-1970 era of the Southern Pacific’s 478 mile run through the heart of California’s “Big Valley” and into the forbidding Tehachapi Mountains is the unique subject of this book with three color photos in the review.
by Harry Stegmaler
Published by TLC Publishing, Inc.
Review by John Sipple
Southern Pacific and Fifties Fan? This dramatic time in the Southern Pacific’s history is the main content of this book, featuring photos, drawings, a system map, and measurements. Find out what “Pullman’s Disease” was, and more from this full review.
Article and photos by James A. Powell
A hands on construction series from start to finish - Chapter 1: Grand Valley, is here for you in full color with 8 color photos. Read the introduction this month, and next month read about how James constructed the portable benchwork.
Review by Larry Smith, MMR
Photos by Mike Lindsay
Larry’s Bucyrus-Erie B-22 Shovel review covers the prototype, appearance, and assembly of this white metal kit from ASB Hobby Company. If you need some good scale construction equipment for your layout, check out this review.
Review and photos by Bob Beaty, MMR
Buy American! Bob’s American Box and Crate Factory Kit from Northeastern Scale Models review includes the instructions, assembly, and kit enhancement suggestions, along with four color photos. Read about the possibilities that this wood kit offers.
Column & photos by Peter Maurath
This month Peter gives you Hotbox News and Convention News from TAMR.
e-mail Peter tamr@modelrailroadnews.com
visit TAMR www.tamr.org
Click to read and respond to this month's Editorial
Hi... by Editor John Sipple
e-mail John at Editorial@modelrailroadnews.com
Converting to Large Scale Kadees - Part 1 of a 3 Part Series
Part 1: Why do it? The State of Large Couplers
e-mail John at Largerview@modelrailroadnews.com
The Acela — Acceleration and Excellence. Get the scope on Amtrak’s new high-speed train for the Northeast Corridor.
e-mail Danny at traintechforum@modelrailroadnews.com
Read and respond to letters that appear in our March 2002 issue.
We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions.
We want to hear from you!
Click on Letters
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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