Scale Model Railroading

This video is hilarious. Just don’t let your kids watch it. They’ll never look at Thomas the same again!

Steel is Back and Better than Ever!
 
Like something from another planet, the black giants blaze against the night sky. A steady thunder of unbearable sound hammers every inch of your body. Suddenly, from deep within the menacing structure, a fierce glow of orange light rips the darkness with blazing fire. Even from here, the shimmering heat makes you turn away.
 
Welcome to the world of steel. From towering blast furnaces to mile-long rolling mills, these amazing facilities are some of the most fascinating – and dangerous – places on earth.
 
And no other industry relies as heavily on rail transportation. Whether moving raw materials, in-plant production or shipping finished products, railroads are essential to every part of the operation.
 
Together, this powerful combination makes steel one of the most attractive industries.
 
And Walthers makes it easy to model!
 
New Versions of Old Favorites!
 
Introducing Ashland Iron & Steel, featuring upgraded versions of some of our most popular HO Scale steel series kits, amazing all-new models, and reissues of some hard-to-find items!
 
With everything you need to get started, it’s easy to build a steel-theme layout for the first time!
 
And, Ashland Iron & Steel complements the earlier releases from The Works series perfectly, and also fills some important gaps, so it’s perfect for expanding your steel-theme layout too. 
 
The most amazing machines ever conceived, these huge devices made quick work of offloading tons of iron ore (and later taconite pellets) from the holds of ore boats into waiting rail cars. Never before available, this is a model that’s perfect alongside a steel works, or as a stand-alone operation on a busy waterfront. Incredibly detailed, this is THE structure kit that many of you have been waiting for!

* Working Diaphragms
* See-Through Steps
* Visible Interior Bracing
* Side Frames With Floating Journal Covers
* Cab Interior w/Crew
* 12-Wheel Electrical Pickup
* Correct “Bulldog” Nose
* Dual Machined Brass Flywheels
When EMD was given the green light to build new passenger diesels in early 1945, it unveiled an improved version of the successful E6, designated the E7. A pair of 567A prime movers, rated at 2000 total horsepower, now supplied power. Most of the notable changes were seen on the body and included a new and much smaller bulldog nose, as well as a large, vertical louver or screen panels directly behind the cab doors. Introduced just as American railroads began upgrading and rebuilding passenger service, the E7 was the most successful passenger diesel ever built, with 428 A units and 82 cabless B units produced through April of 1949 when the E8 was unveiled.

HO scale, $299.98

Twin Cities Hiawatha EMD E7 Locomotives, Standard DC:
A-A Set MILW #18A & 18B
A-A Set MILW #19A & 19B
A Unit Only MILW #20A
A Unit Only MILW #20B

EMD introduced the GP15-1 in 1975 as a replacement for aging GP7s and GP9s still serving in switching, transfer and wayfreight service. Offering 1500 horsepower, the new design was better suited to the bigger and heavier cars then entering service, while the low nose improved forward visibility for added safety. As an added incentive, EMD required customers to provide a trade-in unit, which supplied traction motors, trucks and main generators, reducing the purchase price. Outwardly, GP15-1s looked like 35 Series engines, with a road-style cab and short nose. The most distinguishing feature was the single 48″ fan and tunnel motor air intake for the radiators. Later versions included the GP15-1AC, equipped with an alternator instead of a generator and the GP15T, which added a turbocharger to the AC model. Nearly 370 of the three styles were built for US railroads between 1976 and 1983, and many are still going strong today.

HO scale, $109.98

EMD GP15-1s:
UP #716 (Yard Scheme)
UP #693 (Yard Scheme)
NS #1452 (Horsehead Logo, black)
NS #1446 (Horsehead Logo, black)
CSX #1545 (Dark Future Scheme)
CSX #1551 (Dark Future Scheme)
CR #1650 (Quality Scheme)
CR #1685 (Quality Scheme)
BNSF #1478 (orange, green)
BNSF #1496 (Patched ex-BN)
BN #1385 (White Cab Front Scheme)
BN #1386 (White Cab Front Scheme)
CNW #4404 (Traditional Yellow, green)
CNW #4409 (Traditional Yellow, green)
California Northern #108 (Forest Green, white)
California Northern #112 (Forest Green, white)
Undecorated (Farr Air Filters)
Undecorated (Internal Air Filters)

 The following brands are on sale up to 30% off at InternetTrains.com:

Athearn
Athearn Genesis
Atlas
Bachmann
BLMA Models **(most items)
Grand Central Gems
Kalmbach Publishing
Kato
MLR Manufacturing
Roundhouse
Timberline Scenery Products  (Save Almost 35%)
Woodland Scenics

PROTO 2000 AAR 53 Ft 6 In Flat Car w/Load – Ready to Run

Detailed Cars with Realistic Loads

* New Roadnames & Roadnumbers
 
* Realistic Load Included
 
* 2 Different Numbers for Each Scheme
 
* Scale Size Handrails & Grab Irons
 
* Correct Weight for Optimum Operation
 
* Correct Trucks
 
* Metal RP-25 Wheels
 
* PROTO-Max Die Cast Knuckle Couplers
 
Based on the AAR standard design first submitted in 1941, cars of this type remained in revenue service into the 1980s and can still be found in maintenance service today. A fast and easy way to make your freight trains more realistic, each features authentic paint and lettering, a realistic deck, and an authentic load with appropriate blocking, strapping and tiedowns. Kits can be assembled in about an hour; all models include appropriate weights, detailed PROTO 2000 trucks with metal RP-25 wheels, separate grab irons and PROTO-Max die cast knuckle couplers.

PROTO 2000 52′6″ Drop End Mill Gondola w/Load – Assembled

Perfect for Manifest or Mill Service

* New Roadnames & Roadnumbers
 
* Realistic Load Included
 
* 2 Different Numbers for Each Scheme
 
* Scale Size Handrails & Grab Irons
 
* Correct Weight for Optimum Operation
 
* Correct Trucks
 
* Metal RP-25 Wheels
 
* PROTO-Max Die Cast Knuckle Couplers
 
Introduced in 1940, these 70-ton capacity cars were designed to haul structural steel, and had drop ends to accommodate loads exceeding the interior length. In service, the cars were put to work handling steel, machinery, pipe, lumber, auto frames, coal, stone and similar loads. Gons led hard lives, but some remained in service until the 1980s. A great addition to your freight car fleet, the models include a realistic load, formed and painted wire grab irons, preassembled underbody detail and screw-mount coupler pocket covers. Like the prototype, the ends can be positioned up or down.

Internet Model Trains is having a sale on their clearance stuff (25-50% off).  The sale ends Monday.

Internet Model Trains is offering 40% off on Athearn’s pre-built Santa Fe Station.   They claim to have the only remaining stock, so when they’re gone, they won’t be available again.