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May 2006 • Volume 12, Issue 5 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
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| The May 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 V |
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Special Features
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Project Railroad — Creating your first Model Railroad using commercially available kits. Project Railroad Part V by Stephen M. Priest This is the fifth 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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Kato USA's EMD F7A & F7B Diesel Locomotives and Four Car Passenger Sets in N Scale Review by Phil Scandura • Photos by Phil Scandura & David Otte Following the highly celebrated 2005 release of the California Zephyr, Kato has released their Super Chief diesel locomotive F7A and F7B units and four car passenger sets in N Scale. Read this month’s review, which includes prototype info, details about the models’ performance, appearance, and DCC readiness to see if you may want to add the Super Chief – “The Trains of the Stars” to your western railroad layout. |
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Micro-Trains Line Co.'s Reefer in HOn3 Review and photos by David Otte Micro-Trains Line has released the first mass produced, affordable, ready-to-run HOn3 composite frame reefer modeled after a Colorado & Southern prototype. Get more details about the future of Narrow Gauge railroading, the prototype, as well as the model’s appearance and performance in this month’s issue. |
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Kadee's 50-ton, 2-bay Offset Side, Open Hopper in HO Scale
Review and photos by John Sipple Kadee has rolled out its brand new 50-ton, 2-bay open hoppers in HO Scale. Learn more about Reading Railroad’s coal hoppers, in addition to details about Kadee’s model, coal loads, and car weights in John’s review. |
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USA Trains' SD70MAC Diesel Locomotive in Large (1:29) Scale Review and photos by John Sipple USA Trains has released its eagerly awaited SD70MAC diesel locomotive in Large (1:29) scale. See if you would like this model to add a splash of color to your garden after reading this review, which includes details about the EMD’s SD70 Series, and USA Trains’ SD70MAC’s appearance and performance. |
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Atlas O's Trainman Line Freight Cars in O Scale Review and photos by David Otte Atlas O has released its Trainman Line of Freight Cars in O Scale, including a sliding-door boxcar, plug-door boxcar, stock car, gondola, and caboose. Discover why David says these cars are a fantastic bargain in his review, which includes details about each car’s appearance and performance. |
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Bachmann's Outside Frame Consolidation with Soundtraxx's Tsunami in On30 Review and photos by Pete Birdsong Bachmann’s updated Baldwin Outside Frame 2-8-0 Consolidation with Tsunami Light Steam Decoder from Soundtraxx has arrived in plenty of time for summer garden railroading. Find out more about this loco/sound combination and how it can affect your evening sessions in this review, which includes details about installation, operation, and analog operation. |
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Fos Scale's Forley & Co. Lithographers Kit in HO Scale Review and photos by Dennis Dunning Fos Scale Limited has released a limited run of their Forley & Co. Lithographers kit in HO. See why Dennis says “If you have never built a craftsman kit, this would be an excellent introduction to this phase of the hobby” in his review which includes his experiences constructing and decorating this unique kit. |
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Bar Mills Scale Model Works' Mooney's Plumbing Emporium Kit in HO Scale Review by Larry E. Smith • Photos by Bob Beaty Bar Mills has selected a plumbing supply company as the subject of its latest release in HO kits. Get all the details you need including skill level, tools required, and hints on painting and assembling this wood construction laser cut kit. |
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Tonkin Replicas & Classic Mint Collectibles' Peterbilt Studio Tractor with XL Specialized Trailer in O & HO Review and Photos by Bill Cawthon Bill reviews two Peterbilts at the same time: one from Tonkin Replicas and the other from Classic Mint Collectibles. Read about the prototypes, and details of both models in this bi-scale review of a classic tractor and trailer set. |
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GHQ's Ford Model BN Tractor in HO Scale Review and photos by Rich Cobb GHQ has released their pewter Ford Model BN Tractor with 2 bottom plow and scraper blade kit in HO Scale. Dig into this month’s issue for more details and suggestions about assembling a tractor every farmer will notice. |
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Mu-Cla Inc.'s Modeling and Sculping Clay Review and photos by John Sipple Mu-Cla has modeling and sculpting clay available in a quart container, a 1/2 gallon tub, and a gallon tub. John wants clay that can be sawed, drilled, sanded, carved, stained, painted, and more. How does Mu-Cla measure up? Find out in his review. |
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Kadee Quality Products Co.'s Couplers package in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Kadee has released its “Whisker Coupler” package with 2 pair plus draft gear boxes. Find out “Why the Whisker?” and more in John’s review, which includes details about converting the heavy train, and slack management. |
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DPA-LTA Enterprises Inc.'s Locomotive Rosters and News, 2006 Vol. I & II Book review by John Sipple DPA-LTA Enterprises has released two books, Locomotive Roster and News, 2006 Volumes I and Volume II. Discover what each volume includes and why in this month’s book review. |
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TM Books and Video's The Great Train Story DVD DVD review by John Sipple TM Books and Video has released The Great Train Story DVD, which is a virtual visit to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry’s super HO layout. Find out details about the DVD including its target audience, quality of photography, and the railroads it showcases in John’ 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 May 2006 issue. |
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Columns
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At the Grade Crossing A Column by Bill Cawthon Early Police Vehicles This month Bill gives you the actual story behind Ricko's new HO Scale Lincoln Model K. e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing |
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Thinking of DCC A Column by John Sipple Tsunami Washes in a New Era in Locomotive Souund This month John discusses the challenge for sound decoders, and how SoundTraxx's Tsunami responds. e-mail John at dcc |
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TrainTech Forum A technical discussion for the not-so-technically minded Hosted by Dr. Danny Rittman The World's Smallest Subway System Danny shares his recent experiences in Haifa, Israel with the Carmelit underground train system. e-mail Danny at traintechforum@modelrailroadnews.com |
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Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) A Column by Peter Maurath Storage Tips for Rolling Stock and Factory Shipping Boxes by Guest Columnist Steven Goehring This month Guest Columnist Steven suggests new and inventive ways of organizing the stuff lying around your layouts. 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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