Current Releases
New Roadnames & Roadnumbers for HO Unit Trains
Thousands of these cars entered service in the 1970s to handle the flood of coal moving out of western mines to customers all over the US. As some of the most common three-bay hoppers on the rails, these 100-ton cars will be welcome additions to your unit coal trains. Decorated cars come in six-packs with six different roadnumbers; an undecorated single car is also available.
These Gold Line(TM) models are complete with metal wheels, knuckle couplers and modeler-installed wire grab irons.
Bethlehem 4000 Cubic Foot 3-Bay Hoppers
MILW
SOO
WC (Patched Ex-BN Cars)
BN #4
BNSF Railway (Oxide w/Wedge Logo)
BN (C&S Reporting Marks)
Indiana Railroad Co.
Sidney & Lowe (SLGG Reporting Marks)
Color Calendars from Weekend Chief
Perfect for dressing up any room or as a gift for your favorite railroader, these calendars bring you great railroad photos every month of the year. Each features one large photo per month that makes a great modeling reference long after the current year is over.
All-Color 2009 Railroad Calendars
MILW
Amtrak
EL
NYC
PC
NH
Executive Line Diesel Alco Century C628
Walthers Part # 691-23319, p. 89 Walthers 2009 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $169.95, not currently in stock at Walthers, Expected: Unknown
This ready-to-run diesel comes equipped with brass MU Hoses, brass air hoses, brass windshield wipers, steel grab irons, steel coupler lift bars, operating headlight, window glass, Buehler can motor, brass flywheels, nickel silver wheels with RP25 flanges and magnetic knuckle couplers. The locomotive is DCC ready for easy decoder installation (decoder sold separately).Alco C-628 Locomotives
D&H #616
D&H #618
LV #628
LV #631
PC #6304
PC #6313
SP #3114
SP #3116
Upcoming Releases
PROTO 2000 Diesel EMD F3A-B Set Powered w/Sound & DCC
Walthers Part # 920-41241, p. 47 Walthers 2009 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $429.98, not currently in stock at Walthers, Expected: 28-Dec-2008 (Limited Run)
* All-New Model
* 14:1 Gear Ratio for Easy Multiple-Unit Operations
* Helical Gears for Ultra-Quiet & Smooth Running * Five-Pole, Skew-Wound, High Torque, High Efficiency Can Motor * Heavily Weighted for Maximum Traction
* Both A&B Units Powered
* Painted Metal Grab Irons, Ladder Stand-Offs, Handrails & Lift Rings
* Correct Coupling Distance Between A & B Units
* Authentic Bulldog Nose
* Correct Windshield Slope
* Complete Scale Fuel Tank w/Hangers, Battery Box, Air Tank & Underframe Detail
* Working Headlight w/Bezel & Recessed Lens
* Working Mars Light as Appropriate - Works on DC or DCC
* With or Without Dynamic Brakes to Match Prototypes
* Correct Style Lighted Numberboards
* Bright Sunny White LED Lighting
* Separate, Clear Class Lights
* Full Cab Interior w/Crew Figures
* PROTO-Max(TM) Diecast Magnetic Knuckle Couplers
* Correct Grab Iron Style & Placement for Each Roadname
* Sideframes w/Road Specific Journals & With or Without Speed Recorder
* Operating Diaphragms as Appropriate
* Etched Metal Screens or Grilles As Appropriate
* Visible Details Behind Grilles & Under Fan Covers
* Available with Sound & DCC Sound and DCC-equipped models can be operated on DC or DCC layouts, and feature authentic model 567 prime mover recordings that include exhaust, improved throttle notching and transition sounds for change in traction motor electrical connection during acceleration, road-specific horn tone to match prototype, bell, squealing brakes, doppler effect, air let off and much more.
By 1945, EMD had six years of hands-on experience with its increasingly popular FT diesels. As the only cab freight units built during WWII, EMD already had a corner on the market, and an upgraded model was in the works. The first F3 demonstrator rolled out of LaGrange that June to give customers a taste of things to come. But by 1946 critical materials were still in short supply for the civilian market. The larger generator planned for the F3 could not be built, so an interim model, the F2, was introduced. While the F2 was only rated at 1350 horsepower (the same as the FT), railroads anxious to modernize were ready to buy, and just over 100 were built for service in the US and Mexico through the summer of 1946, when the F3 entered production.
For railroads with aging fleets of worn-out steam power, and those facing financial struggles, the new F3 was the right engine at the right time. EMD offered numerous options, and the 1500 horsepower units could be set up to handle freight or passenger service, where they performed equally well. During the next fours years, just over 1800 A and B units were delivered. During the production run, EMD made changes to various parts. Early examples had four high fans, screened sides and three portholes, while late production units had low fans, air grilles and louvered air intakes in place of the center porthole - and as units were shopped in later years by their owners, parts were often replaced or swapped, further obscuring these identifying features. Replaced by the more powerful F7 in February 1949, F3s remained in service into the 1980s, when their advancing age made them prime candidates for trade-ins on newer, more powerful hood units.
PROTO 1000 R17 Subway Cars 4-Pack (1 Powered, 3 Unpowered)
New York City Transit (Tuscan)
Walthers Part # 920-31017
HO scale, $219.98, not currently in stock at Walthers, Expected: 31-Mar-2009 (Limited Run) The R17 class of cars was one of three fleets purchased in the mid-1950s to replace many of the pre-WWII Interboro Rapid Transit cars. There were 4000 cars in this class, all built by St. Louis Car Company. Among them were cars 6800-6809 which had air conditioning when delivered. The Air Conditioning experiment was considered a failure and the cars were refitted with the standard axiflow fans. As was the practice, the electrical components were split between General Electric (6500-6699) and Westinghouse Electric (6700-6899). The cars came equipped with low running lights at the ends. In 1957 headlights were added to the cars.
During the course of their careers, two cars (6673 & 6786) were wrecked in 1957 and three cars were destroyed by fire (6595, 6597, & 6601) in 1964. The last car was removed from service February 29, 1988.
* Factory-Applied Pantograph Gates
* 5-Pole Skew-Wound Motor with Dual Flywheels
* Close Coupled
* Directional Lighting
* Interior Lighting
* PROTO-Max(TM) All-Metal Knuckle Couplers
Gold Line(TM) 81′ 4-Truck Depressed Center Flat Car - Assembled
Walthers Part # 932-40901, p. 181 Walthers 2009 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $34.98, not currently in stock at Walthers, Expected: 21-Apr-2009
When large and heavy loads need to be moved long distances railroads are often the best choice for the job. These loads are often tall enough that they wouldn’t pass safely under bridges or other obstacles if carried on conventional flat cars. To provide extra clearance, railroads use heavy-duty, depressed center flat cars. The lower center deck provides several inches of extra clearance, and since the cargo does not have to be lifted as high, loading and unloading is easier. Weight is also a factor, so load limits (combined weight of the car and cargo) approach 200 tons. The car itself is made of high-strength, low-alloy steels to conserve weight, which is spread over numerous support members. The most visible are the two high-capacity, four-axle trucks at the ends of the car. Each pair is connected by a span bolster, which pivots on the bolster located on the car body. This spreads the weight over eight axles to help prevent overloading. With almost no room below the car, separate air and handbrakes for each pair of trucks are carried on platforms at the ends.
Fully assembled and ready for service, this HO model features a diecast metal body for outstanding performance. One of the most common loads for cars of this type are large electrical transformers, which can be modeled using the Cornerstone Series(R) Transformer kit (#933-3126), sold separately.
These pre-assembled, hand-painted and fully-detailed HO scale Built-&-Ready Structures are great for building cities, towns and villages and ready to set right on your layout. Each is individually molded with high architectural detail. The added detail really makes a difference. It’s the little things that count.
