Model Railroader September 2021

Meet the Modeler In our new Trains.com article series, Meet the Modeler, we speak to some of the hobby’s best, asking them questions ranging from their favorite philosophies to their biggest modeling mistakes! Check out the first interview of many conducted by our production editor Rene Schweitzer, as she dives into the life of Model Railroader contributing editor Pelle Søeborg and hears about his time working in the hobby. Modeling from Postcards Books, magazines, and maps are just a few examples of resources model railroaders turn to when researching a prototype. But have you ever considered using postcards as modeling references? In the first installment of his threepart series Modeling from Postcards, Group Technical Editor Cody Grivno presents two aerial views of his hometown, Crookston, Minn., and shares the types of information that…

A freelanced layout is a very tricky thing to get right. The railroad is a figment of the modeler’s imagination but it still needs to look as though it plausibly could exist. That’s why many successful freelanced layouts are set in a real place at a specific point in history. Like any good work of fiction, it’s the element of truth that makes it come to life. Childhood memories of days spent watching trains in the Cincinnati area with his dad inspired George Campbell’s freelanced HO scale Campbell Road, which is this month’s cover feature. Inspiration is the key word. That strong feeling of connection for a place or time will help keep you happily working on the railroad. Based on the real-life railroads of Cincinnati in the 1950s, especially the Norfolk & Western…

The Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Southeastern Division of the National Model Railroad Association announced via its Facebook page that Trainfest 2021 is cancelled. “We really wanted to have Trainfest this year, however we think the risks are too great to hold the show,” the Facebook announcement said. The posting added the organization is facing cost and volunteer challenges with the event, and having the function this year could put future events at risk. “We are at a point where we should start spending money to put on the 2021 show. Money we cannot recover if the show has to be cancelled. Such a loss would place the 2022 show at risk. “It is too early to tell where the direction of the show will be 12 months from now.” This is the second…

Electro-Motive Division GP40 diesel locomotive. New paint schemes on this Atlas four-axle road locomotive include Montana Rail Link (one road number); Detroit, Toledo & Ironton (orange and black); Baltimore & Ohio (blue and yellow); Helm Leasing (red, white, and black, one number); and Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac (blue, gray, and white). The N scale Master Line model is offered in two numbers per scheme unless noted; undecorated models (with and without dynamic brakes) are also available. The GP40 has light-emitting-diode headlights and Accumate couplers. Direct-current models are priced at $129.95 (undecorated, $114.95). Versions with an ESU LokSound Digital Command Control decoder sell for $239.95 (undecorated, $224.95). Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, atlasrr.com…

• Electro-Motive Division GP40-2 and GP40-2L diesel locomotives. GP40-2: Chessie System (with Chesapeake & Ohio reporting marks and Baltimore & Ohio marks with a CSX number in one number each, with B&O marks and CSX patchout in two numbers each), Chihuahua Pacific RR (gray and blue, one number), Ferromex (gray and red, two numbers), and Seaboard System (gray and yellow). GP40-2L: Canadian National (zebra stripes); Indiana Harbor Belt (black and orange); and Toledo, Peoria & Western (RailAmerica scheme). Three numbers per scheme unless noted. Railroad-specific details and light-emitting-diode lighting. Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $219.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami 2 sound decoder, $309.99. May 2022. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com • Electro-Motive Division GP7 diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: Burlington Northern (green and black), Chicago & Eastern Illinois (black…

International Car Co. cupola cabooses. Walthers offers these Mainline series models decorated for Great Northern (Vermillion Red), Norfolk & Western (dark blue), Boston & Maine (blue and black), Maine Central (yellow and green), Norfolk Southern (red), and Northern Pacific (brown) in two road numbers per scheme. The HO scale models ($39.98) are offered in two cupola window styles and feature a Stanray overhanging diagonal-panel roof, see-through running boards, an underbody toolbox as appropriate, Barber Swingmaster roller-bearing trucks with 33" turned metal wheelsets, Proto-Max metal couplers, and molded drill starter points for grab irons. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com…