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November 2007 • Volume 13, Issue 11 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
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| The November 2007 issue contains the following reviews, and columns: | |
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• Tower 55's General Electric ES44DC Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale • Bachmann's Baldwin 2-4-4T Forney in On30 Scale • Bachmann's Spectrum Steam Porter 0-4-0 Side Tank Locomotive in Large Scale • American Models' 4-8-4 Northern in S-Gauge • Micro-Trains' 60-foot Bulkhead Flat Car in Z Scale • Fox Valley Models' FMC Single and Double Door Boxcars in N Scale • Athearn's GP40X Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale • ESU's ECoS Digital Command Station • Athearn's Ford F-850 Diecast Fire Truck in O Scale • Ricko Limited's Chrysler PT Cruiser in HO Scale • Kalmbach’s Basic Wiring for Model Railroaders: The Complete Photo Guide • ModelersNotebook.com's Model Design & Blueprinting Handbook, Volume 1 • Ragg's...To Riches?'s Dolores Section Foreman's House Kit in HO and S Scale • The N Scale Architect's Photo-Etched Fencing in N Scale • B.T.S.'s New River Freight House Kit in O Scale • At the Grade Crossing — A Column by Bill Cawthon • TAMR Teen Association of Model Railroaders — A Column by Steven Goehring • Thinking of DCC — A Column by John Sipple • N-Depth — A Column by Phil Scandura |
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Reviews
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Tower 55's General Electric ES44DC Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale Review by Mike Acker • Photos by Mary Acker Tower 55’s inaugural release of their GEVO has set the bar high for future releases from the company. Find out how in Mike’s review, which includes prototype information as well as details about the model’s appearance, DC performance, DCC operation, lighting effects, and more. |
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Bachmann Trains' Baldwin 2-4-4T Forney in On30 Scale Review and photos by Pete Birdsong Bachmann’s 2-4-4T Forney comes with either a Bachmann E-Z Command standard DC/DCC decoder (no sound) or a Soundtraxx Tsunami sound DC/DCC decoder already installed. Take your pick after reading Pete’s review of the appearance, performance, motor functions, and sound options available on this loco for your logging, mining, or industrial empire. |
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Bachmann's Spectrum Steam Porter 0-4-0 Side Tank Locomotive in Large Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Bachmann’s 1:20.3 Porter Steam Locomotive returns, only this time as a side-tank shifter instead of the previously released saddle-tank version. See if you would like to have this popular and historic Dinky in your garden after getting John’s opinion of this model’s appearance and performance on his Pine Belt Railroad. |
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American Models' 4-8-4 Northern in S-Gauge Review and photos by David Otte American Models’ newest American Flyer compatible steamer continues the American Flyer tradition, construction wise, according to David. Learn more from his review, which includes prototype background, as well as the model’s performance on the test track, sound effects, and appearance. |
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Micro-Trains' 60-foot Bulkhead Flat Car in Z Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Micro-Trains Line’s newest member of Z-scale rolling stock roster is a 60-foot bulkhead flat car. If you need to move steel pipe, finished steel, general merchandise, saw logs, pulpwood logs, or milled lumber on your Z-scale empire, check out Bill’s review — these cars might be just the ticket. |
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Fox Valley Models' FMC Single and Double Door Boxcars in N Scale Review and photos by Phil Scandura Fox Valley Models has entered the N-scale rolling stock market with their FMC single-door and double-door boxcars. For those modeling the semi-modern to modern period, see how these 1970s era cars look and run in Phil’s review. |
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Athearn's GP40X Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale Review by R. Dave Carr • Photos by John Sipple Athearn has brought us a third run of GP40X’s in new roadnames, this time with new features. Discover the “elephant-ear” shrouds, and other neat features in Dave’s feature review, which also includes a brief prototype history. |
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ESU's ECoS Digital Command Station Review and photos by Phil Scandura Electronic Solutions Ulm ESU has introduced their state-of-the-art DCC control system. The ECoS Digital Command Station incorporates a large touch-screen LCD display, extensive use of graphics and built-in contextual help, resulting in a very user-friendly system that is easy to learn, requires very little memorization, and is fun to operate, according to Phil. Read more in his review. |
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Athearn's Ford F-850 Die-cast Fire Truck in O Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Athearn is now shipping their 1/50 version of their Ford F-850 diecast fire trucks, available in several paint schemes. Check out all the separately applied details and the dial faces on the front-mounted pumps. These trucks are ready to serve as a first responder to local calls for help on your O-scale layout. |
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Ricko Limited's Chrysler PT Cruiser in HO Scale Review and photos by Wayne Calder Ricko Limited has released their PT Cruiser, long requested by HO fans. Learn all about the Personal Transport prototype by Chrysler, and Ricko Limited’s version in Wayne’s review, which will be sure to please PT fans.
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Kalmbach Books' Basic Wiring for Model Railroaders: The Complete Photo Guide (Second Edition) by Rick Selby Book Review by Phil Scandura Kalmbach Books has published a Second Edition of Basic Wiring for Model Railroaders: The Complete Photo Guide by Rick Shelby. It promises to be a photo essay approach to learn how to wire your first layout. Does it deliver? Find out in Phil’s review. |
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ModelersNotebook.com's Model Design & Blueprinting Handbook, Volume 1 by Charles Adams Book Review by Phil Scandura ModelersNotebook.com’s Model Design & Blueprinting Handbook is not an “idiot’s guide” to drafting, rather it is a rich, detailed treatment of the drafting and plan-making process that could easily serve as the basis of a college class on drafting, according to Phil. If that piques your interest, be sure to read this review in this month’s issue. |
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Ragg's...To Riches?'s Dolores Section Foreman's House Kit in HO and S Scale Review by Larry E. Smith, MMR • Photos by Philip Griffith Ragg's...To Riches? has released a laser kit based on a private residence in Dolores, Colorado, which was later purchased by the Rio Grande Southern Railroad sometime in the 1940s to serve as their Section House. Benefit from Larry’s experience building and detailing this slot and tab construction kit if you desire a similar building on your layout. |
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The N Scale Architect's Photo-Etched Fencing in N Scale Review and photos by Phil Scandura • Modeling Contributions by Art Lake The N Scale Architect has recently introduced their Model Builder’s Supply Line of photo-etched fencing in N scale. Read Phil and Art’s comments on this product line before attempting to fence the important places on your layout for the safety of both animals and people. |
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B.T.S.'s New River Freight House Kit in O Scale Review and photos by Pete Birdsong B.T.S. has released their New River Freight House, based on a CB&Q prototype. Get step-by-step advice on assembling and detailing this freight house from Pete, who says no layout should be without one, and why you can’t go wrong with this one. |
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Opinions
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Editorial online Click to read and respond to this month's editorial Getting the lead out by Bill Cawthon e-mail Managing Editor Bill Cawthon at Editorial |
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Letters online
Read all the letters that appear in our November 2007 issue. |
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Columns
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At the Grade Crossing — A Column by Bill Cawthon Great News for O-gauge Modelers and a bit of Background on our Cover Bill introduces you to Wayne Calder, whose byline appears on the Ricko PT Cruiser review this month; he also shares new developments for O-gauge and inside notes on our November cover. e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing |
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Teen Association of Model Railroaders (TAMR) — A Column by Steven Goehring Model Railroad Skills at Work for School Steven believes model railroading can help kids learn a wide range of skills, which will help them during their school years, and shares examples from his personal experiences. e-mail TAMR tamr visit TAMR www.tamr.org |
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Thinking of DCC — A Column by John Sipple DCC: The problem lies in standards. Is there hope? This month John gives a look at DCC through the eyes of some of our readers about how it can get worse when you step away from DCC and try to use other control processes. e-mail John at dcc |
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N-Depth — A Column by Phil Scandura Knowing Where to Look Phil shares several resources to help you in the building or planning of a layout, and hopes you enjoy the winter months until this column returns in January 2008. e-mail Phil |
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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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