Model Railroader October 2022

MORE REVIEWS & VIDEOS • Videos • News & Reviews • Community • Shop & more. It’s My Railroad Need to stay on track with “regular-guy” techniques? Trains.com members get exclusive access to host Steve Brown’s video series, “It’s My Railroad.” Steve has more than 30 episodes showing off his enthusiastic approach to building an N scale (1:160) layout. In episode 31, this regular-guy modeler finishes his construction of Star Industries – a rail-served business. Watch as he adds scenery and details to the structure and right-of-way, including a proper perimeter fence. So check it out, and as Steve says, “Get started right now!” State Line Route Another project is coming to an end. The State Line Route is just about finished. This N scale stand-alone model railroad inspired by the legendary HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy…

We’ve been making changes at Model Railroader, including adding to our staff. The newest addition is associate editor Bryson Sleppy. Bryson moved to the Waukesha area last year to take a position at Wm. K. Walthers Inc. after graduating from Anderson University in Indiana. He joined us here at Model Railroader in July. In addition to the product experience Bryson gained at Walthers, he brings experience with Digital Command Control (we have him working on a WiFi-based DCC installation right now), and he’s building a compact N scale layout in his apartment. Bryson is a railfan and aircraft enthusiast, taking advantage of living in Wisconsin to visit the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture in Oshkosh recently. We’re looking forward to getting Bryson involved in some more projects here at Model Railroader, and readers will get…

ScaleTrains acquired the HO and N scale locomotive and freight car lines from Fox Valley Models. Fox Valley Models owner Matt Gaudynski joined ScaleTrains.com as a full-time senior product developer around a year ago. “In his short time with ScaleTrains, Matt has played a key role in helping bring the ex-MTH HO and S scale tooling back to market as well as expanding the ScaleTrains N scale offerings with several all-new locomotives and freight cars,” the press release stated. “We’re thankful to have Matt on the ScaleTrains Product Development team,” said Shane Wilson, president of Scale Trains. “Matt brings several decades of experience with a wide range of skills from retail to distribution to manufacturing. He’s also a passionate N and S scale modeler which is important because we really see tremendous…

British manufacturer Peco (Pritchard Patent Product Co. Ltd) recently announced a new line of track and accessories for TT scale (1:120 proportion). A press release from the manufacturer stated, “Peco’s launch of this onceloved scale has come through a surge in demand from collectors as well as a personal passion of its Managing Director, Ben Arnold, who comments, ‘I’ve always wanted us to offer a true 1:120/2.54mm scale 12mm gauge track and accessories, to fill this gap in the market and bring back the true-to-scale format. As we have our own U.K.-based manufacturing operation, we are able to do this to the highest standards that we require and within a relatively short space of time.’” Initial offerings in Peco’s TT scale line include a signal box kit, flextrack, medium-radius turnouts, Great…

Electro-Motive Division SD50 diesel locomotive. This WalthersMainline HO scale model is decorated for Chessie System (yellow, vermillion, and blue with Chesapeake & Ohio reporting marks). Other schemes include Chicago & North Western (yellow and green); Conrail (blue with “can opener” herald); CSX (yellow, blue, and gray); Denver & Rio Grande Western (black and orange with “Flying Grande” lettering); Kansas City Southern (gray and yellow); Norfolk Southern (black and white); and Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern (green, gray, and yellow). The road unit is offered in four road numbers per paint scheme (two in direct current and two in Digital Command Control) and features upgraded power trucks with HT-C sideframes and see-through steps. Direct-current models are priced at $149.98. Versions with a dual-mode ESU Digital Command Control sound decoder are $209.98.…

Rapido Trains Inc. will be hosting public and dealer open houses Oct. 2-3, 2022, at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Ill. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The public open house will be held Sunday, Oct. 2. There will be a meet and greet with the Rapido staff, new samples on display, and operating train rides. The museum will be open as usual. The dealer open house is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 3. In addition to meeting the Rapido team and seeing samples, there will be new product announcements; operating trolley rides; and a hot, kosher lunch. Rapido will have exclusive use of the museum for the day. The Illinois Railway Museum is located at 7000 Olson Rd., Union, IL 60180. For more information on the…