May 2000 • Volume 6, Issue 5 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
The May 2000 issue of Model Railroad News features new product coverage of 49 manufacturers and publishers, many with multiple items. New product sections this month include: Locomotives & Rolling Stock; Tools, Finishing & Detail Products; Track, Accessories & Electronics; Structures & Scenery; Books, Video & Software; S Curves; and News Briefs.
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Special Feature
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S Curves is a special feature of the May issue of Model Railroad News. This article is devoted to new products specifically for S scale! S Curves is the direct result of requests from S scale modelers and manufacturers for new product news. This article has been written by John Craft. Mr. Craft has written articles for the S/Sn3 Modelers Guide and the Dispatch, which is the publication of the National Association of S Gaugers (NASG). We are very excited about this new feature article, and trust that it will be of assistance to S scale enthusiasts and manufacturers alike. Depending on response and available information, S Curves may become a regular part of Model Railroad News. We hope it does!
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Reviews
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	Atlas ACF 23,500 gallon tank car in HO Once again, Atlas has stepped up to give HO scale modelers greatly sought after contemporary tank cars. In this case, the American Car & Foundry, 23,500 gallon Insulated Straight Barrel tank car. Stuart R. Thayer covers the latest ready-to-run offering from Atlas in our leading, front page review.
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	Bachmann’s Lil’ Porter in On30 In the fall of 1998, Bachmann Industries surprised many hobbyists with the release of their On30 Narrow Gauge Express Train Set. Since then, many model railroaders have anxiously awaited any new items to be released in the intriguing scale, especially locomotives. In our May, 2000 issue, Michael J. Pratt examines the second locomotive in Bachmann’s On30 product line — the little 0-4-0 Porter switcher engine.
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	InterMountain HO F7-B Stuart R. Thayer graces our pages once again with an in-depth review of InterMountain’s HO scale Phase 1, F7-B shell kit. The F7-B kit is a natural follow up to the A-unit kit. In this review, Stuart examines the new B-unit to see if it shares all the details that have made InterMountain’s A-unit kit one of the best HO scale diesel models ever to be produced (InterMountain’s F7 A — June, 1999 issue of MRN). Stuart also examines some of the new F unit paint work being done by InterMountain in the form of Santa Fe passenger Warbonnets.
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	Kadee’s 50' PS-1 Boxcar in HO Jeff Saxton takes a look at Kadee’s newest offering in HO scale Freight cars — the 50' PS-1 Boxcar. The company’s first HO offering blends extreme prototype accuracy and excellent operational characteristics into a reasonably priced ready-to-run car. Is Kadee’s 50' variant an equal to its 40 foot version?
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	K-Line’s Super Steam Train Set in O Gauge In our November and December 1999 issues, we presented a wide selection of train sets available for the Christmas season. While we tried to include as many manufacturers as possible, K-Line’s newest train set offering did not make it to our reviewers in time. Since, to us here at MRN, it is train season all year round, reviewer Dave Otte takes a look at K-Line’s Super Steam Set.
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	MRC Command 2000: More options to choose from The MRC Command 2000 has been expanded to offer more options to the hobbyist. Reviewers John Lee and David Lotz take an in-depth look at the Command 2000 locomotive control system from Model Rectifier Corporation. This is the first of a series of reviews of various DCC (Digital Command Control) systems. We are starting with a system that is targeted toward the beginner in DCC and we will progress up through those designed for the advanced DCC user.
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	Sunlit Vistas’ Trees and Scenery Materials In the May, 2000 issue, Sunlit Vistas’ Trees and Scenery Materials have been reviewed by Larry Smith, MMR. Sunlit Vistas offers two varieties of trees: Deciduous and Conifers. Larry covers assembly techniques and personal observations. Step by step photos, as well as a complete list of available products are included in this full color review.
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	American Model Builders HO Northern Pacific, Class A Depot Northern Pacific Train Order Signal Larry Smith, MMR continues his Structure and Scenery coverage with a review of American Model Builders’ Northern Pacific, Class A Depot. Larry covers the various depot paint schemes employed by the NP, as well as actual construction of the depot kit. As a side bar, Larry takes a look at JL Innovative Designs’ Train Order Signal.
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Two Espee Books Attempting to redeem himself from a misspent youth, Michael J. Pratt takes a look at two books covering the now extinct Espee — Southern Pacific’s Historic Overland Route - Color Pictorial, and Southern Pacific in Transition. Both books are being offered by Four Ways West Publications. Michael gives a detailed accounting of the type of information contained in both books. The review also features photos scanned from the books.
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	F Units - The Diesels That Did It John Lee reviews the latest title in Kalmbach Publishing’s The Golden Years of Railroading series — F Units - The Diesels That Did It. With unlimited access to the Kalmbach photo archives, author Jeff Wilson has assembled into book form a collection of black & white images of the F Units of North America. Loaded with EMD builder’s photos (including several within the hallowed walls of La Grange) and railroad publicity shots, this book chronicles the ubiquitous F Units at their prime.
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	Union Pacific Across Sherman Hill Another Kalmbach title is featured in a review by Jeff Saxton — Union Pacific Across Sherman Hill — Big Boys, Challengers, and Streamliners. The new book features every major class of UP steam, diesel, and turbine, as well as freight and passenger operations over Sherman Hill. As always, actual photos from the book are included in the review to give our readers a brief look inside.
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Club News
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	Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) This month, Jim Spavins turns over the throttle of our TAMR column to Great Plains Division Director, Lewis Ableidinger. Lewis shares a report on one of the newest divisions in the TAMR. Formed in the early part of 1999, the Great Plains Division is off to a great start. e-mail Jim at jimspav@aol.com visit TAMR at www.tamr.org
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Departments
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	Editorial Click to read this month's Editorial, A Ride to Remember
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	Now online! Letters Visit here to read and respond to letters that appear in our May 2000 edition. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Write us a letter! Click on letters.
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	Events & Activities 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. Send us your Event info at least 90 days in advance.
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	Classified Ads 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 MRN and send in your free classified ad today.
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