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September 2006 • Volume 12, Issue 9 • The NewsMonthly for Model Railroaders
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| The September 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 IX |
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Special Features
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 Project Railroad — Creating your first Model Railroad using commercially available kits. Project Railroad Part IX by Stephen M. Priest This is the ninth installment of a yearlong project to familiarize you with products and methodologies available to help you build a model railroad. This month we add Digital Command Control. Anyone with a little “stick-to-it-ness” can build a highly prototypical model railroad complete with power turnouts, multi-train operation, and advanced signaling. |
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Reviews
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Bachmann’s Amtrak Acela Express in N Scale |
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Evergreen Hill Designs’ Saw Car in On3 and On30 Scale |
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Athearn’s Alco RS-3 Diesel Locomotive in HO Scale
Review and photos by John Sipple Athearn has released former Roundhouse/MDC Alco RS-3 Diesel locomotives in HO Scale. John takes a look at five of them this month. Discover background info on all five prototypes, along with details on their operation, appearance, and DCC readiness in John’s review. Which one will be your favorite? |
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Weaver Model’s EMD GP38-2 2Rail Locomotives in O Scale Review and photos by David Otte Weaver Models' new products include a rendering of one of the hardest-working locomotives in the railroad business: Electro-Motive Division’s GP38-2. Find out about the prototype, along with details about the model’s appearance and operation in David’s review. |
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Walther’s Proto 1000 Alco RSC-2 Locomotive in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Walthers’ Proto 1000 line has blossomed with the RSC-2 diesel locomotive in HO Scale. Learn about the prototype as well as the model’s operation and appearance. This loco could be the perfect solution for a small town or rural setting layout. |
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Kato’s SD40-2 Locomotive in N Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Kato has just upgraded an old favorite — the SD40-2. Find out all of the changes and how they compare to the prototype and original model in John’s review. |
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Broadway Limited Imports’ 2-10-2 Steam Locomotive in HO Scale Review and photos by John Sipple Broadway Limited Imports is offering its ATSF Class 3800 2-10-2 Steam Locomotive in HO Scale. Read about the Santa Fe’s history and BLI’s interpretation of it in John’s centerpiece review, which includes operation and appearance details, along with Quantum sound/DC/DCC decoder info. |
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Code 55 Flex Track in N Scale Review and photos by Phil Scandura Special Report: N Scale Track. N Scale Modelers — Are You Ready For Code 55? Find out in Phil’s report which compares track from Atlas, Micro Engineering, and Peco. |
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Ring Engineering’s End of Train (EOT) Device in HO Scale Review by Mike Acker • Photos by Mary Acker Ring Engineering’s new EOT device kit is comprised of a 100-ton truck with 36-inch wheels and an EOT (End of Train) device mounted on a Kadee #5 coupler. Find out how it works in this review. |
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Digitrax’s Combo Decoder for DCC Review and photos by John Sipple • Assembly by R. Dave Carr Digitrax is now in the sound decoder business and has two loco partners. Read about their Demonstrator, a KatoAC4400CW with the Digitrax sound built in, in John’s review. |
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Woodland Scenics’ “Suds and Shine” AutoScene in HO Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Woodland Scenics introduces their “Suds and Shine” AutoScene, which includes figures, buckets, and a shiny 1939 Ford coupe to add extra life and fun to Transition Era layouts. See how it washes with Bill in his review. |
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High Speed Metal & Plastic Products Manufacturing Co.’s / Model Power’s Vehicles in HO Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Model Power’s mini line is growing again with the addition of a classic pickup, Detroit muscle and sports cars, and the last American full-size sedans in HO Scale. Read the review to discover how you can add another dimention to your minitature world. |
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Herpa Miniaturmodelle’s Cessna 172R Skyhawk in HO Scale Review and photos by Bill Cawthon Herpa takes to the skies with its new Cessna 172R Skyhawk in HO Scale. American collectors are among the largest consumers of Herpa Wings models. Find out how to add another dimension to your layout in Bill's review. |
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Merscom’s Trainz Railroad Simulator Review by Phil and David Scandura Merscom’s Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006 brings the world of trains to the computer desktop and puts players in the engineer’s seat. If you’d like to be a Virtual Conductor on your computer, read Phil and his son David’s experience on installation requirements, performance issues, and a quick tour of the TRS2006. |
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Walthers’ Valley Citrus Packers Structure Kit in HO Scale Review by Alan Houtz • Photos by Mike Sosalla Walthers has added the Valley Citrus Packers HO Structure Kit to its Cornerstone Series. Follow Alan’s experience assembling, painting, and weathering this kit to see what it would take to add a citrus industry to your layout. |
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Atlas Model Railroad Co.’s Maywood Station Kit in HO Scale Review and photos by Denis Dunning Atlas Model Railroad Company is offering its Maywood Station Kit in HO Scale. Learn about the real Maywood Station, along with details of Denis’s experience assembling and decorating this kit, which also comes in built-up form in various colors. |
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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 September 2006 issue. |
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Columns
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At the Grade Crossing A Column by Bill Cawthon Where are all the Big-Box stores and Franchises for our layouts? This month Bill discusses the need for modern structures and railroad-scale replicas. e-mail Bill at Gradecrossing |
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TrainTech Forum A technical discussion for the not-so-technically minded Hosted by Dr. Danny Rittman All aboard on the Trains of the Holy Land This month Danny provides you with a glimpse of the era, the difficulties, the inspiration, and the great success of the Israeli railway system. e-mail Danny at traintechforum@modelrailroadnews.com |
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Thinking of DCC A Column by John Sipple Consisting in DCC, Part III Last month John took a look at the decoder’s role in Decoder-Based Consisting. This month he explains consisting with Digitrax and Lenz. e-mail John at dcc |
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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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