Product Reviews
Enjoy our in-depth reviews of great new model railroading products in a variety of popular scales, presented by the Model Railroad News staff. Please contact Editor Tony Cook to have your product considered for review.
September 18, 2017
Trix Returns with 4-6-6-4 Challenger in HO Scale
The new Trix HO scale 4-6-6-4 represents Union Pacific’s final group of Challengers built between 1942 and 1944. Smooth performance, an abundance of sound and lighting effects, and optional smoke generators are the hallmarks of this museum-quality model.
September 5, 2017
A Classic with TCS WOW Sound
Train Control Systems product line includes a series of kits for different model locomotives from various manufacturers. TCS designs each motherboard specifically to be a direct replacement for the original board.
August 10, 2017
Atlas O EMD F7 Makes its Debut
Atlas has been meticulously re-engineering the O-scale streamlined F7 diesel to produce all the variants of the prototype along with some road-specific details in it’s newest release.
July 27, 2017
Athearn Illinois Central “Death Star” GP38-2 in HO Scale
This “new image” Illinois Central GP38–2 from Athearn would fit in nicely on any HO-scale railroad set in the mid-1990s hauling a local down the main line or leading hopper cars on one of Illinois Central’s numerous southern Illinois coal lines.
June 8, 2017
RailDig Grassinator Static Grass Applicator
First offered in 2008, the new Grassinator from Raildig includes many improvements over the original model. This static grass applicator is designed to help the modeler apply the fibers with an electric charge that makes each individual fiber stand up straight.
May 10, 2017
Broadway Limited’s Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Light Pacific in HO Scale
Decoration and performance are standout features of Broadway Limited steam locomotives. The application of maroon and red for the model’s cab and select details on the boiler, as well as the red tender are visually striking compared to the average standard black steam locomotive.
May 8, 2017
Dec. 2011: Athearn GE U50 Turbine in HO Scale
December 2011: Athearn’s HO scale ready-to-run model of the General Electric U50 turbine features road-specific details and smooth operation.
March 30, 2017
Westerfield’s Fowler Stock Car Kit in HO
Westerfield’s kits allow for models of some very uncommon cars to be built easily by the modeler. Follow the instructions, and a built-up car kit will be the equal — if not better — than many of today’s ready-to-run plastic models or the best brass cars.
March 20, 2017
LGB’s Freelanced Southern Pacific SD40
Despite its kitbashed history, the LGB “Standard Gauge” diesel locomotive remains a classic among longtime LGB fans while its compact size, operating qualities, and new DCC/sound decoder upgrade also keep it quite relevant for today’s large scale modeler.
March 13, 2017
American Standard and Mogul steam locomotives in N scale from Model Rectifier Corp.
These new N-scale steam locomotives from Model Rectifier Corporation under the Model Power brand fill an empty segment in the N-scale steam roster. The models are nicely done with the latest in technology factory installed.
