Atlas O salutes the Steam Era Classics series of woodside refrigerator cars with a special four-car set that includes the nos. 2566 Decker Meats, 2902 Eagle Beer, 877 Krey’s, and 313 Selecto cars. The four-car set costs $239.80.

I’m not much of a steam locomotive junkie, but the Atlas O refrigerator cars look great. They really put a lot of detail and care into these cars.

The model railraod is buildt in HO scale , which is 1:87 scale; or in other words, if you took 87 model boxcars and hooked them together, the total length would be the same length as a real boxcar.

The model railraod is 174 feet long and 33 feet at its widest point. It has over 3000 feet of track with up to eight trains running constantly on separate loops. It has over 500 buildings, 300 automobiles and trucks, and at least 2000 figures modeled. To make the layout come alive, there are thousands of lights and dozens of animated features. To keep the trains running, the club has to maintain over 150 locomotives and over 1000 freight and passenger cars. This layout is billed as one of the largest and most complete model railroad displays in the world.

It is one heck of a layout, and I was able to get some nice pictures. I will try to put of few up here and also get a few up on Flickr. If you travel to the area I highly recommend stopping by to take a look, you won’t be disappointed.

Athearn Trains also has released a Elctro-Motive Division F7 A and B diesel locomotives. Road names available are: Denver & Rio Grande Western and Pen Central (ex-D&RGW). it comes with Direct current or Digital Command Control with sound (includes remote for sound in DC mode). Five-pole, skew-wound motor with flywheels, road-specific details, and working headlights and Mars lights. Prices are A unit (D&RGW only): $209.98 with sound, and $139.98 without. A and B units (two sets per road name): $419.98 with sound, $279.98 without.

Wm. K. Walthers, Inc has an Alco RSC-2 diesel locomotive available. The new road names are Seaboard Coast Line, Milwaukee Road, Soo Line, and Union Pacific. It has five-pole skew-wound motor, die-cast metal chassis, and magnetic knuckle couplers. Direct-current model goes for $94.98.

All warehousing, sales, and administrative functions for products of Marklin and its subsidiary label, Trix, are now being handled by Walthers , according to a joint announcement form the two companies. Marklin will transfer its inventory from its New Berlin, Wisconson warehouse to Walthers’ Milwaukee, Wisconson, warehouse this spring. Marklin will continue to handle warranty work until the inventory transfer is complete.

The new paint schemes for the PS-4427 low side hopper include Agway, Beacon Feeds, and Cargill. The Lehigh Valley and Rio Grande models come with new road numbers. The cars cost $62.95 each. The steam-era 40-foot USRA composite gondola is offered undecorated and in new road numbers for New York Central, Pennsylvania RR, and Southern Pacific; new paint schemes are Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis. The gondolas cost $57.95 each.

Passenger cars return to the Atlas O lineupwith Comet II commuter and Horizon passenger car sets. Horizon coaches and dinettes come undecorated and in Amtrak Phase IV or V; and the Comet II coaches and cab cars come undecorated and in Connecticut DOT, Metro-North, or NJ Transit road names.

Also, Atlas O’sfirst scale steam locomotive is now available. The firm’s USRA 0-6-0 features O-36 operation, die-cast metal construction, railroad specific details such as light, bell, whistle placement and tender style, a can-style motor, Lionel trainMaster and RailSounds system, coil coupler, and smoke unit. the model is available painted but unlettered and in Burlington, Central Railroad of New Jersey, Pennsylvania RR, and Union Pacific road names for approx. $649.

Happy Railroading!

This post is for any railfans or hobbyist in the Southern California area. The Fullerton Railway Plaza Association is having their Fullerton Railroad Days this weekend at the Fullerton train station on the corner of Pamona Ave. and Santa Fe St., in Fullerton. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary and sounds like it’s going to be a blast.

The San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society’s SantaFe Steam Engine #3751 will be there too along with a BNSF diesel locomotive, Santa Fe Caboose, Santa Fe Lounge Car (1941) #1389, Southern Pacific Caboose and more. There will also be over 12 model railroad exhibits hosted by several model railroad clubs in the area.

Should be a great chance to see some trains, model railroads and to get some great pictures. I’m planning on getting down their either later today or tomorrow. I will post some pictures of the day when I get back.

See you there!

*A 52-year-old married man with children.  He enjoys toy trains in his childhood and became involved with them again about 20 years ago.  He shares his interest with at least one relative or friend.

*He is enthusiastic about the hobby.  He reads related books and magazines and may even use his computer to help him enjoy it.  His interest has not diminished in the past year; in fact, it may have grown.

*His major focus is on the Lionel O gauge trains manufactured between 1945 and the present.  He considers himself to be both a collector and an operator of those trains.

*His home layout contains approximately 213 square feet and is either of traditional design or combines traditional and hi-rail elements.

*His anual income is approximately $73,500, and he spends about $1,500 on toy trains and realted merchandise.

Now, I realize this survey is about dated, and I’m willing to guess that the average age has come down a bit, that more women are into the hobby now, and that maybe the income might be a little lower; however, I am sure the interest in the Lionel O gauge trains is still the same!

The Pioneer Zephyr at Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

Originally uploaded by nystateofmind

Here is a picture of The Pioneer Zephyr also known as the “Silver Streak.” The exhibit is interactive, you get to go inside and tour the
baggage, smoking , passenger and the observation compartments.
You can also view the engineer’s cab, supplemented by a computer interactive that allows you to “drive” the Pioneer Zephyr.

The exhibit also features newsreel footage that will take you back to May, 26 1934. I have yet to tour this exhibit, I left Chicago before it arrived, however and a train fanatic it looks like a lot of fun!