Model Railway News

Review by Jason Quinn/model photos by Tony Cook

With tensions rising and the Cold War firmly in place, the U.S. Army needed to upgrade their tanks to meet potential threats. The result of this upgrade was the Patton series of tanks, starting with the M46 and progressing into the M47, M48, and M60, as well as the short-lived “heavy tank” M103. The first M46 was completed in late 1948 starting the “Patton” series of tanks service lives, which lasted into Desert Storm in 1991 with the M60 variant.

Up until 1953, the U.S. Army relied mostly on the railroads to supply flatcars for their movements. At the time, 50-ton and 70-ton cars were the mainstay of railroad fleets. With the heavier Patton-series tanks, the U.S. Army could no longer haul two tanks on one flatcar as they did with the lighter Sherman tanks of World War II. This caused a logistics issue, effectively doubling the cars needed to move tanks.

In 1953, the Army awarded the contract to produce 650 100-ton capacity six-axle flatcars numbered USAX 38016–38665 to Magor Car Corporation. While not as well known as some larger rail car producers, such as American Car & Foundry or Pullman-Standard, Magor had a long-standing relationship with the U.S. Government. Magor has previously produced cars for the Army and was a large part of military export car production (it was a principal builder of cars for Europe under the Marshall Plan). Magor is perhaps best known for its all-aluminum 100-ton covered hoppers, nicknamed “Big John,” owned by Southern Railway.

The brute-like appearance of these heavy-duty flats with their deep fish belly side sills, along with long six-axle Buckeye truck sideframes, made for a great subject matter for model train companies, as these prototypes were eye-catching and would certainly stick out in a hobby product line. In the early 1960s, this type of flatcar appeared on hobby shop shelves as an HO model sold by AHM. The car was designed and later marketed by Roco of Austria. Until Rapido Trains released this all-new replica, that now very vintage effort was about the only option to model the unique U.S. Army flatcar. That 1960s attempt suffered from the use of Talgo-style trucks and several other shortcomings.

Enter Rapido Trains, the hobby company’s release of this flatcar brings everything the discerning modeler could hope for! From the excellent, and perhaps best representation of a wood deck I’ve ever seen in plastic, down to the beautiful replication of the previously scarce Buckeye six-axle trucks, Rapido has hit a grand slam!

The details are abundant: top, bottom, ends, and sides – no area has been ignored. The bottom is where most of the artistry of detail resides, it’s a shame during normal operations it’s hidden. The non-cushion draft gear and under frame are well represented, along with all the brake rigging. The floor and sill are die-cast metal for optimal weight and performance. A feature I found of interest lies within the car side tooling. The side sills are strategically molded to have a relief area to allow full truck swing. All grab irons, coupler cut levers, stirrup steps, and air hoses are separately applied parts. Rivet detail and stake pockets faithfully represent the prototype in size and location.

Until recently, as I mentioned, the interesting Buckeye truck has been a bit elusive in the HO market. While Athearn, Roco, and Walthers have made this truck over the years, the details and accuracy of these older toolings leave much to be desired. For example, Roco’s truck is dimension-ally too small in every aspect. The brass market has decent versions, but those are mostly Buckeye trucks used under steam engine tenders, with many in that service possessing outside brake shoes… not to mention general scarcity of brass import parts of this type. Recently, Class One Model Works introduced an outside brake shoe version provided under that hobby company’s General Steel Casting depressed-center flatcar. This review’s Magor flatcar used a Buckeye truck with all internal brake shoes, and Rapido Trains has reproduced this truck sideframe well. Plain and simple, this truck sideframe tooling is great! And, in an unprecedented move, all but the late-scheme DODX and Amtrak variants come with both solid bearing and roller bearing variants. Yes, that’s correct! Every car comes with an extra set of sideframes! To be honest, I found it unbelievable that a manufacturer would include two styles of such a sought after truck… but Rapido Trains includes both…

Rapido Trains
HO-scale Magor 53′ heavy-duty flatcar

DODX (early repaint)
38457 199003A, $59.95

Rapido Trains

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Review by Justin Sobeck/model photos by Tony Cook

Atlas rolls out an all new locomotive that further complements its N scale General Electric (GE) four-axle line. The new 1:160 Master Line U33B/U36B release will fill some late 1960s and 1970s era gaps for many hobbyists. Atlas has offered GE’s U23B for two decades in the Master Line, and U25B as a Classic-branded release since the late 1990s. This N scale debut from Atlas provides three U33B road names and two U36B road names. The assembled U-boat reproductions are offered in a $274.95 Gold edition (DCC-sound) and $159.95 Silver edition (DC with EC24 connector and factory-installed speaker).

Let’s learn about the prototype, Penn Central (PC) 2937, and have a look at this new Master Line locomotive model and its enhanced features.

GE’s Universal series, with a “U” designation leading the labeling, U33B and U36B, might represent the biggest leap for the builder in the early second generation diesel era horsepower race, jumping from 2,500-hp of the debut U25B model up to 3,000-hp for the U33B and 3,600-hp for the U36B. Only four roads rostered the 137 U33Bs built between 1967 and 1970, which spawned the familiar winged rear radiator design appearance that continues to this day on GE units. Weighing in at 270,000 pounds and 60’2” long, U33B and U36B locomotives rode on AAR Type-B and traded-in Blomberg trucks (depending on the buyer). The Electro-Motive Blomberg trucks were modified to accept GE’s 752-type traction motors.

ABOVE: Penn Central 2916 in October 1970. General Electric’s four-axle U33B found its stronghold on Penn Central roster. New York Central started the collection with two units delivered ahead of the 1968 Penn Central startup. Penn Central’s more than 80-unit fleet dwarfed rival collections operating for Rock Island and Seaboard Coast Line. —Photographer unknown, Jason Quinn Collection 

Penn Central (and successor Conrail) rostered most of the U33Bs (including two delivered to New York Central before the 1968 Penn Central merger). Those New York Central U33Bs received 2858 and 2859 road numbers, while units arriving after the merger were PC 2890–2970. Rock Island bought 25 (wearing their maroon and yellow scheme with white speed lettering), and Seaboard Coast Line (SCL) purchased 29 units. Three roads rostered GE’s output of 125 externally similarly appearing U36B (built between 1969 and 1975). They were largely sequestered to the East Coast region of the U.S., split between Auto-Train Corporation, Conrail, and Seaboard Coast Line.

The brightest of this U-boat bunch was SCL U36B 1776 in its bold Bicentennial colors, followed by Auto-Train’s distinctively 1970s scheme with white, red, and unique shade of fuchsia (purple trucks were all the rage back then), and some of the Rock Island units made it to the bankruptcy blue and white scheme. Secondhand owners included Conrail, Boston & Maine (later Guilford Transportation), and Reading & Northern, a regional railroad in northeastern Pennsylvania. CSX 7764 is assumed to be the last remaining U36B (built as SCL 1776), and it was fortuitously set aside as a first responder training aid, used as part of the Massachusetts Call Volunteer trainset. It is preserved among a diverse and unique collection of other GE products at the Lake Shore Railway Museum in North East, Pa., not far from the Erie complex where many GE locomotives were built for decades.

Penn Central 2937 was built in December 1968 (serial number 36950 and part of order 1411), delivered in the scheme Atlas portrays on its model. This basic, but sharp look, con-trasted yellow step edges and handrails against a solid dark carbody color with white lettering and PC logo. There is quite a bit of controversy about Penn Central locomotive colors – Brunswick Green, Dark Green Locomotive Enamel (DGLE), or shoe polish black. Having not seen anything but NS 1073 (PC Heritage unit) in person myself, this is a fun topic, and I consider myself to have a good color judgement and film or color corrected digital photos may shift and not provide a true basis…

Atlas Model Railroad Co.
N-scale Master Line Silver
U33B diesel locomotive standard DC

Penn Central 2937
40 005 942, $159.95
Atlas Model Railroad Co. 

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Review by Joe Bohannon/model photos by Tony Cook

Roka Prototype Models released their 16,000-gallon GATC tank cars in an assortment of fascinating paint schemes and services. Roka has been dedicated to producing accurate, well researched products and these tank cars are no different.

What is interesting about this run of cars originally built in 1949 for Santa Fe; Northern Pacific; and Spokane, Portland & Pacific is Roka examples of these cars lasting into more modern times. These cars had a service life that extended into railroad company service, such as providing locomotive shop needs like lubricating oils, solvents, and diesel fuel. Some found service in maintenance-of-way, providing water or herbicides for vegetation and weed spraying. But the truly unique addition to this release is the water fire protection cars with included hose reel and pump detail.

Roka provided an assortment of these various cars with all samples including interesting labeling applied, some with unique color bands for their intended service, and a few included FRA 224 regulation stripes, making these cars suitable for use after 2005.

Burlington Northern 973371 is a former Northern Pacific car that found its way onto BN’s roster through the 1970 merger. A striking feature of this car is the all-white body and red lettering indicating its operating base and use as a Seattle Fire Car. The inclusion of the fire hose, pump, and battery detail further proves its intended use. The model also features roller bearings and FRA stripes.

Montana Rail Link 100011 is an example of a car that was built for Northern Pacific. A neat detail included is the previous NP number of 102011 on the frame, a reporting mark Montana Rail Link missed when they patched the car. There is labeling on the dome indicating this car is in locomotive lube oil service. Lube oil is what most would think of as motor oil, but has higher viscosity and additives to serve it better in heavy duty diesel engines. The model features metal walkway and friction bearing trucks. The faded blue MRL patch and FRA stripes make it a nice car for contemporary models to add.

Santa Fe 98195 is an example of a solvent car. Solvents are strong parts cleaners used in locomotive shops. Santa Fe applied a yellow dome and a yellow band outlined in red for such a service. The model features metal walkways, friction bearing trucks, and a nice addition of “flammable” placards already installed. Santa Fe 189238 represents a car transferred to maintenance-of-way service in the 1980s. The sample is painted silver and features a label for domestic water. Water has many uses in MOW operations, including cleaning, cooking, and drinking by track gangs in remote areas. The model features removed walkways and roller bearing trucks.

Santa Fe 209886 is another silver car found in MOW use. The car’s labeling shows its use as providing vegetation control. Railroads constantly battle mother nature as she attempts to reclaim the railroad right of way and as a result, railroads spray herbicides along the tracks to prevent the growth of weeds. The model also features removed walkways and roller bearing trucks.

Santa Fe 189238 is an exciting addition to the release. It also uses the color band markings Santa Fe adopted. The gray banding indicates the car is used for domestic water, but more importantly, the large white panel on the car side clears up any confusion of what this water is used for. Written in large red font “Water Car Fire Service.” Such a car would have served with rail grinders, which throw sparks and potentially start fires as it works. However, more often, BNSF stages these types of cars in areas prone to forest fires and are deployed to protect the track from such blazes. The model features an all-new detail addition of a fire hose reel, pump, and battery box mounted on one side of the car. It has roller bearing trucks and FRA stripes.

The 16,000-gallon GATC cars were an all-welded body that has stood the test of time and has provided railroads with years of service. These tank cars often helped keep locomotives rolling and tracks open for business. This group of HO-scale Roka Prototype Models arrived intact, with no detail loss, protected in a snug clam shell in a distinctive yellow outer box. These 1:87 models are very well detailed, meticulously researched for accurate appearance, and feature crisp, legible lettering on smooth paint.

Roka’s tank car miniatures feature roller bearing trucks and possess spinning bearing caps, with spare caps included in the packaging. Their weight (near 7 oz.), metal wheels, and Kadee metal couplers make them strong runners on your layout; while their unique paint and lettering make them conversation pieces. Check Roka’s website or a participating hobby dealer for more information.

Roka Prototype Models
HO Scale General American Tank Car

Burlington Northern
Seattle Fire Car with hose
RPM 192, $69.95

Montana Rail Link 100011
Lube Oil Car
RPM 162, $64.95

Santa Fe 98195
LIX 239 Solvent Car
RPM 146, $64.95

Santa Fe 189238
MOW Service Car – silver
RPM 152, $64.95

Santa Fe 209886
Vegetation Control Car
RPM 160, $64.95

Santa Fe 189238
Water Fire Service with hose
RPM 186, $64.95

Roka Prototype Models

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The Marklin factory certainly made an astounding group of new items to promote at the 2026 Dortmund International Model Festival!

Starting with a new Class 66 Diesel Locomotive promoting the 2026 Dortmund Festival, stock # 39071. This was followed by  a Class 101 express locomotive with a special design for the Wacken Open Air (W:O:A®) music festival 2026.   Marklin models, 39476 for HO; 88666 for Z; T25476 for Trix and a Starter Set for LGB-70505! 

Finally, to literally shock the 1 Gauge World, Marklin celebrates with 'The Giants of the Gotthards', Ae 8/14 in all era versions! These will be found under stock # 55814 through 55819! These full metal beasts with incredible detailing to fully operational pantographs range in weight from 27-29 lbs! 

These are all a One-Time Release for the Dortmund International Model Festival, so production will be limited.

April is all about exciting new models that ROCO and FLEISCHMANN will be presenting for the first time at Intermodellbau Dortmund.

A particular highlight of the 2026 ROCO range is the Class 477 steam locomotive, better known as the “Parrot”.

Furthermore, a cohesive range is not a coincidence for ROCO, but a standard we expect from ourselves – which is why we are all the more delighted to welcome the Czech company EL-HO as a strong exclusive partner in the model railway market for the first time. Together, we are bringing the “Rybak” type passenger carriages to life as models. In addition to the direct-sales versions from EL-HO, we will be offering a 4-piece set as the perfect complement to the Class 477.

Fans of modern traction are not left out either: for enthusiasts of modern railways, a new Vectron from the Austrian company Cargoserv is joining the range. As announced in the 2026 novelties, all Interregio enthusiasts can look forward to new items; our last edition sold out in no time.

There’s also something striking from FLEISCHMANN: due to high demand, the ÖBB’s ESC advertising Taurus is now also available in 1:160 scale.

This year, we can proudly celebrate 66 years of ROCO. Udo Jürgens already sang: „Life begins at 66“ – following this motto, we stand for progress, innovation and a wide range of international products. In short, everything to make the miniature version of the world a bit more detailed for our fans around the globe.

Reason enough for us to send our brand out on the "real" rails and make it even mor visible! What could be a better way to do that than with almost 10.000 HP and a record-holding Taurus 3?

In cooperation with ÖBB and our designer Markus Huber, we are dressing a 1216 in a particularly striking livery. One side of the branded locomotive allows a look into its interior: its technology. But wait a second: Are we looking at the real Taurus here or the technology of a ROCO miniature Taurus? It's up to our fans and passengers to solve the riddle.

The legend of Europa riding the bull symbolizes strength, confidence and the courage to set out on a new journey. Zeus approaches Europa in the form of a gentle bull and carries her across the sea to Crete - a journey that symbolizes change, union, and the beginning of a new story. The name of our continent originated from this myth, and its cultural diversity is characterized by it to this day. This timeless symbol lives on in the electric locomotive Taurus, whose name deliberately evokes the mythical bull. With its confident strength, it brings together people, regions and stories throughout Europe - reason enough to dedicate the second side of the themed locomotive to the Taurus and this artistic vision.

 The H0 version of this remarkable locomotive will be part of the ROCO range this year as a one-off edition and will be available in time before the Christmas trade. There is also a N Scale version that is part of the Fleischmann range this year as a one-off edition and will be available in time before the Christmas trade. 
Just like with our last themed locomotive in 2024 on occasion of the European Football Championship, it pays off to be fast! 

Just in time for the Intermodellbau trade show in Dortmund, we are pleased to present additional, previously unannounced H0 novelties in our News Express 2026-04.

 A total of 11 cars will be introduced, all of which are expected to be available from stock within the coming weeks. Highlights include the DR H0 passenger coaches “Städteexpress”, an H0 G10 Persil car as well as a weathered H0 GS UIC car.

 For the first time at the Intermodellbau in Dortmund, we are showcasing a special trade show model from the “BRAWA Signature Edition”: The DB H0 Gmhs35 “Deutz” freight car is a strictly limited-edition model and will initially be available exclusively at our trade show booth, in our factory outlet, and via our online shop.

This first quarter has seen 3 major surprise announcements and the latest is an exciting 1 Gauge Model of the famous KPEV EG 507 Electric Locomotive.

The first electric locomotives of the Royal Prussian Railway Administration (KPEV) were once the pride of Prussia on rails and represented milestones in locomotive engineering at the time. These rugged prototypes were designed with uncompromising efficiency for special duties using proven principles from steam loco engineering. However, they used clean, invisible energy without any steam, soot, or coal.
 
The class EG 507 and 508 freight locos built in 1913 and 1914 epitomize the Prussian virtues of the KPEV. During the pioneering era of electric train haulage, the company left nothing to chance and therefore ordered test locos for very specific purposes from a variety of companies. Most of them resembled curious giants from another world, also due to their unusual sound. However, like many other locomotive types from the early days of electric train haulage, they laid the foundation for the modern railroads of today.

4 Versions are being offered; Era 1 KPEV in Photo Gray; Era 1 KPEV in Prussian Green Livery; Era 2 DRG Brown Livery and finally, a Technological Edition in exposed Brass and metals.

For 1 Gauge Collectors & Enthusiasts, these models have never been offered before. Reserve one or more of these Iconic Locomotives. Deliveries are expected in late April or early May.

Artitec just continues to amaze with 232 new products already announced for this year covering both Civilian and Military ranges. The detailing and weathering of their products are exquisite!

In their civilian program, their range of vehicles from cars to tractors continue to expand. Day to day scenes like a drink vending machine (387.661); fisherman on a boat (387.658) and “What’s for dinner?” (5870160). They have a new mechanic’s garage offered in 4 different country versions with detailed interiors, (10.474;475;476;477). Of course, their figure range offers more typical scenes that we all recognize as needed on our model railways, even kids having a snowball fight, (5870148).

In their military program, several new tank versions are offered in the BRD; USA; German Wehrmacht; DDR and even Canada gets a mention with a Crusader Anti-aircraft tank, (6870766).

Far to much to discuss, so enjoy browsing the line-up and note, most items are available in a wide range of scales.

There are six new paint schemes in the Atlas Master Line production of its ACF 17,360-gallon tank car model. The tank car comes in HO (MSRP: $49.95) and N (MSRP: $39.95) scales. The HO tank car (right) includes metal wheels and body-mounted AccuMate couplers. The N-scale model comes with plastic wheels and couplers mounted to the car’s trucks.—Atlas Model Railroad Co., atlasrr.com

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Accurail’s American Car & Foundry (ACF) 2,970 cubic foot capacity CenterFlow hopper car is arriving in a special America’s 250th Anniversary (2026) release. The two-bay covered hopper will be painted silver and the fantasy decoration includes a representation of the Liberty Bell and Declaration of Independence document. The car will include a 250th Anniversary America 1776–2026 banner. The car’s sill will include standard data information in black, along with ACF’s logo. The easy-to-assemble HO-scale kit retails for $22.98. —Accurail, Inc., accurail.com

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Review by Tony Cook/model photos by the author

PIKO America’s excellent reproduction of German locomotive builder Krauss-Maffei’s ML4000 returns with new versions decorated for Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) and Southern Pacific (SP).

This fully assembled HO scale model is one of those efforts that makes you wish a manufacturer would offer more releases. PIKO America’s North American prototype offerings in 1:87 are limited, compared to the vast collection of European subjects the company catalogs. For this reason, some hobbyists pursuing North American prototypes likely do not have PIKO America on their radar. This six-axle diesel-hydraulic locomotive replica is a standout and I am certain I am not the only collector that remains impressed with this ML4000 and looks to the future for more from this hobby company.

When this HO model project was announced, the company stated later looks for these 1960s era locomotives would be future releases following the debut run’s as-delivered examples. What is on display in this review is a later look for the ML4000, and based on Rio Grande’s group of three units. Troubled by exhaust overtaking the necessary quality air for good operation (not unlike the pursuit of Tunnel Motors to come from Electro-Motive), two openings were added to the lower sides of D&RGW’s ML4000s. This feature and the rooftop tanks are additions to the tooling for this production run. Check your February and September 2025 editions of Model Railroad News to see previous Rio Grande and Southern Pacific models from PIKO America and you’ll quickly spot many differences between as-delivered ML4000s from those runs and this modified edition release.

ABOVE: SP 9022 shows the patched Rio Grande livery look PIKO presents in this new locomotive release. You’ll notice the air intake panels on the lower body side near the center unit and addition of rooftop tanks. When Rio Grande management decided they had experimented enough with the diesel-hydraulic concept, Southern Pacific picked up the trio of Rio Grande units. —Kevin EuDaly collection

In addition to the tooling revisions, PIKO America presents its Southern Pacific 9022 with a faded appearance to the single-stripe Aspen Gold and silver Rio Grande livery. When SP acquired D&RGW’s trio of ML4000s, which differed from the look of the units Southern Pacific took delivery of in 1961 (same time the Rio Grande units arrived from Germany), the new owner initially removed flying Rio Grande lettering and 4000-series numbering and applied black Southern Pacific lettering on the sides, an “SP” on the nose, and 9000-series numbering.

PIKO’s fading is subtle, but well executed. My photos illustrate the lighter/faded hues, but in person they are even more obvious and quite authentic looking. Check out the photo on the facing page of SP 9022 in patched Rio Grande paint, and you will see, with some weathering applied, this new PIKO America modified ML4000 model dressed for SP could be an eye-catching addition to your roster.

ABOVE: The ML4000 tooling includes modifications and additions to the detailed plastic body shells. You’ll spot two added grilles along the lower body sides. These served to improve the quality of air brought into the unit. Tanks on the roof are additions for this modified appearance. PIKO America presents Rio Grande livery on these two releases, but note the faded quality of the Aspen Gold hue on Southern Pacific 9022 (right). 

Like the previous ML4000 releases, buyers will find this finely rendered miniature offered with a standard DC setup or with PIKO’s TrainSounds electronics providing audio features, and digital operation and control of lighting and sound functions.

The model is an Expert series release in PIKO America’s line and comes secured on two posts on a plastic base. The model is not secured by screws, but simply lifts up and off its base. A guide is included for DCC operations and should be examined before you fire up your ML4000 and attempt to head out on your main line, as the usual European mapping of functions is present. These features can be revised to follow the North American locations you may be more familiar with when going to select a throttle function. I’m eager to see PIKO America return with more, and hope to see the company add other exotic prototypes to its line like this wonderful ML4000.

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Review by Ryan Crawford/model photos by Tony Cook

In late 2025, ScaleTrains began shipping its latest HO scale Rivet Counter run of Electro-Motive Division’s (EMD) SD38-2 diesel locomotives. Offering of this uncommon EMD six-axle prototype is not surprising in today’s marketplace, especially with the components on hand from ScaleTrains’ popular Rivet Counter EMD SD40-2. Utilizing the company’s SD40-2 platform, this Dash 2 model would be a natural for the Tennessee-based company. The two prototypes (SD40-2 and SD38-2) share the same 68 foot 10-inch frame. The difference in the two is not size, but applicable horsepower by way of EMD’s popular 16-cylinder, 645E diesel prime mover. The SD40-2 utilizes a turbocharger, netting 3,000 hp, while the SD38-2 uses the same engine block, but is fed via a set of superchargers (what diesel historians label “normally aspirated”) that puts out 2,000 hp.

The easiest way to explain the creation of EMD’s SD38-2 is to place a GP38-2 car body on top of an SD40-2 chassis; in essence, that is what you have with this locomotive. The detail differences between the SD40-2 and SD38-2 are the number of radiator fans (two for the 38 and three for the 40) and size of the radiator intake screens. The SD40-2, being turbocharged, has a single exhaust outlet, whereas the SD38-2 possesses two exhaust outlets. The idea behind this combination of two similar locomotive models yields a unit that can move heavy tonnage (six axles equal improved tractive effort), and the removal of the turbocharged motor that is not needed for heavy drag applications.

The SD38-2 became popular with roads that hauled heavy unit trains, such as central Illinois coal-hauler Chicago & Illinois Midland (C&IM), and iron ore roads such as Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range. EMD marketed its SD38-2 as an excellent locomotive for hump yard applications. This Rivet Counter SD38-2 production includes examples covering those users well. ScaleTrains does exhaustive research of prototypes and always offers good execution with prototype-specific and railroad-specific details for its Rivet Counter HO-scale diesel locomotives. This review will focus on one of the six C&IM SD38-2 prototypes offered by ScaleTrains.

ABOVE: Above: On June 2, 1974, just weeks after delivery, C&IM 74 is coupled to 75 at Springfield, Ill. This is exactly how the units were painted when delivered in May 1974. Notice the railroad has yet to install the all-weather cab window, orange trim on the step edges, and the rear diamond decal (look at unit 75 in background). Within a year, the orange trim would be added, as were the cab windows and the diamond decal on the rear hood. Good attention to detail on the ScaleTrains Rivet Counter replica is the three sets of instructions on the hood door in white. —Richard R. Wallin photo, Ryan Crawford collection 

C&IM Motive Power History
Owned by Commonwealth Edison (CWE) for more than 80 years, Chicago & Illinois Midland had one job: hauling coal to feed the hungry boilers of CWE’s power plants in the Chicago area. The locations included a massive power plant located at Powerton, Ill., just south of Pekin. Since 1926, the modern C&IM, stretched 121 miles across Illinois from Taylorville to Pekin. At a location known as CIMIC (named for the two railroads, C&IM and Illinois Central, that met at this location), C&IM utilized 16 miles of trackage rights on Illinois Central to reach Springfield, Ill. Springfield became the railroad’s headquarters in 1956. Up until the mid-1950s, coal hauling duties were entrusted to an expertly maintained roster of 0-8-0, 2-8-2, and 2-10-2 steamers.

When it was time to dieselize, C&IM manage-ment turned to EMD, which surveyed the railroad and proposed that 11 diesels could do the work of 21 active steam locomotives. In April and May 1955, two EMD SW1200s, 18 and 19, were purchased and went to work. By November 1955, C&IM added four additional SW1200s (20–23) and five rugged SD9s (50–54) to handle the tonnage on C&IM’s route. During the early dieselization phase, coal was picked up from Peabody Mine No. 10, located at a recently constructed coal handling yard known as Ellis, four miles east of Pawnee, Ill. This segment of the railroad ran east and west and was named the Taylorville Division, running from Taylorville to CIMIC. Coal trains were hauled northward through Springfield and on to Havana, the location of a modern coal dumping operation on the Illinois River, known as the Havana Coal Transfer Plant, and it was here that coal trains were emptied by a Wellman rotary car dumper and transloaded into awaiting barges. The barges would handle the coal upriver to the many small CWE plants in the Chicago area. Coal from mine No. 10 and coal received from connecting railroads was also way-billed to CWE’s Powerton Generating Station south of Pekin. By 1960, the little C&IM was bursting at the seams with coal business; and those 11 EMD diesels handled the tonnage.

ABOVE: This photo of C&IM 75 and 73 at Powerton, Ill., on March 29, 1978, matches well with ScaleTrains’ HO scale Rivet Counter SD38-2 models. Footboards are gone from the pilot, a beacon has been installed on the roof, all-weather windows appear on the cab, and upturn extensions are welded to the coupler cut levers. Trailing unit 73 clearly shows it retains the diamond herald on its rear hood. Unit 75 retained part of its original hose holders on the pilot, but those will be removed in a few years, which is exactly how the ScaleTrains replica is detailed. —Robert Farkas photo, Ryan Crawford collection 

As coal volumes remained steady, management decided to purchase additional locomotives. In Septem-ber and October 1960, the railroad received the only two RS1325 road switchers EMD built (30–31). These four-axle, half-breed switcher/road units would be among the rarest diesels ever to come out of EMD’s plant, and their rarity brought flocks of railfans from all over the world. Unfortunately, the RS1325’s small size, and low horsepower, would not fill the bill for heavy-tonnage coal trains. They were simply not suitable for a coal hauling railroad. Realizing this, C&IM management went back to EMD for help. In 1961 and 1962, the railroad took delivery of a pair of six-axle 1,800-hp, SD18s (60–61). This was a great investment for C&IM as coal tonnage began to really blossom through the mid-1960s. Unfortunately, in 1967 the railroad withered for lack of business due to CWE’s decision to build a new power plant at Kincaid, just across the highway from the already active Peabody Mine No. 10. When this operation began, C&IM’s tonnage was drastically cut, and storm clouds loomed on the horizon.

In 1970, a dramatic change of events unfolded which would forever change C&IM. Commonwealth Edison was in the midst of complying with Clean Air Act legislation and began purchasing low-sulfur coal from newly opened Western U.S. mines located in Wyoming and Montana. This changed the routing of coal southward on the C&IM instead of northward. With this massive influx of Western coal, now interchanged with Chicago & North Western and Burlington Northern in East Peoria, C&IM’s diesel fleet was stretched to the absolute max. The railroad was faced with a decision on purchasing new diesels to meet these new tonnage demands. C&IM purchased six 2,000-hp SD38-2s (70–75) from EMD in May 1974. This wise decision would have positive implications for the next 22 years of the railroad’s existence.

C&IM’s EMD SD38-2s
Chicago & Illinois Midland began receiving these newest and most powerful on the roster diesels in May 1974, arriving on property from May 9 through May 29th. ScaleTrains’ review model C&IM 75, was received at Springfield Shops from an Illinois Central Gulf transfer at 1:30 P.M. on May 29, 1974. Surprisingly, the fleet lacked the traditional red band with white pin stripes worn by all other diesels on the roster. The SD38-2s were outfitted with similar features: 3,200-gallon fuel tank, no dynamic brakes, 81-inch low nose with ratchet-style handbrake, flush-mounted exhaust stacks, and dual cab controls.

When delivered, they lacked the rear company diamond decal, radio antenna, and three-pane all-weather windows. These were added by the railroad shortly after arrival. Ironically, the brass bell and unique, top of hood bracket was not installed by EMD; but instead, were placed on the front porch of the locomotives during transit and installed by C&IM shop forces at Springfield. The paint scheme was a basic green dip job with black trucks and black jacking pads. They had 18-inch C&IM hood initials on the car body and 14 1/4 inch road numbers painted on the access doors below the cab, all in white. All six units wore the traditional diamond decal on the cab sides and on the front nose when delivered, with the rear decal added after delivery. The units cost $350,000 each, a modest sum by today’s standards, and the railroad paid an extra $75,000 for a spare HTC truck.

Above: This ScaleTrains Rivet Counter SD38-2 brings several looks and all road numbers for Chicago & Illinois Midland in this production run. This example, C&IM 75, features a look the unit possessed a short time after its delivery in 1974 through much of the rest of the 1970s.

When delivered, the SD38-2s had orange handrails with green stanchions. The orange on the step edges and footboards did not come along for a couple of years. They also displayed orange coupler cut levers on the front and rear pilots. Footboards were present on the pilots, which were eventually outlawed by the FRA in 1978. Around 1977, all C&IM’s road units were fitted with a Commander beacon that was located atop the cab, near the rear cab edge. One interesting detail concerning the placement of the beacon on the SD38-2s was the plate which held the beacon, about eight inches above the cab roof. This raised plate helped establish better sight lines due in part to the modern EMD angular cab design…

The post Chicago & Illinois Midland’s Tough SD38-2 in HO from ScaleTrains appeared first on Model Railroad News.

Special announcement gauge H0

The long-established Göppingen-based company Leonhard Weiss, our partner for the Model Railway Days and the inspiration for many Märklin models, is expanding its rail fleet with the Euro9000, currently the most powerful locomotive on the European market. Naturally, Märklin/Trix are adding the model to their ranges!

The completely redesigned dual-power locomotive class 2019 in Leonhard Weiss colors is available exclusively from Märklin and Trix and impresses with the latest technology and high-quality details.

• Switchable shunting and special signals,
• Buffer storage,
• Four separately digitally controllable pantographs,
• Numerous switchable lights are just a few of the highlights that make this highly detailed metal model a special locomotive.

Just as impressive as the prototype, which has been on the rails since January, the model will be on the move on model railroaders' layouts.

Expand your Märklin and Trix x ‘Leonhard Weiss’ collection with this exclusive model. Simply, Pre-Order yours today!

The unusual. 'Coffin Berkshires'

Welcome to the second half of the 19th century, when the railroad was revolutionizing transportation in the United States of America at breathtaking speed and playing a central role in transforming the country into the land of opportunity. It was also a time of rapid development in steam locomotive construction. Driven by the mantra of creating ever bigger, more powerful, and faster designs, new loco types were often named after the areas in which they were used.
The construction of a machine that had four driving axles as well as one leading and one trailing axle represented a milestone in freight traffic. As well as improving the performance on curves, the design permitted a longer boiler design compared to the locos without leading or trailing axles. A larger firebox also delivered an extra performance boost. Since the driving axles were now in front of the firebox, they could be made larger, which, in turn, enabled higher speeds.

We are now offering this model (Märklin and Trix) as a completely new design with matching freight cars

Marklin/Trix Berkshire Southern Pacific  2-8-4 Steam Locomotive linked below;

Marklin Southern Pacific Freight Car Set and Caboose linked below;

Trix Southern Pacific Freight Car Set linked below;

Note: You can easily extend the Marklin Freight car set by adding the Trix Car Set. Conversely, one can extend teh Trix version by adding the Marklin Freight Car Set as well as the Caboose. One simply needs to change the Marklin Cars to DC wheels when running 2-Rail DC.

 Note: For US Customers, these will ship directly to them from Marklin, USA. 

Roco announced today that the demand for the French SNCF BB 26005 has far exceeded their original production schedule of these locomotives. At present they are oversold, however, they are considering a 2nd production run of this highly-anticipated locomotive.  Based on new orders, they will make their decision March 27th. 

If you have been considering this locomotive, now is the time to place an order. Reserve yours’s now to avoid disappointment!

Roco has just started delivery of the CSD 469.1 Electric Locomotives announced back in 2024. (New tooling always takes a while and generally well worth the wait as in this model.)

• A completely new construction
• Design in delivery state (Skoda factory type 43E)
• Locomotive signs supplied as etched parts
• Finely-detailed design of the bogies as well as the spoked wheels
• Completely newly developed pantograph with innovative fastening 
• In digital mode with switchable cab and engine room lighting, switchable head and tail lights, and undercarriage lighting based on the CSD model
• If you haven’t already reserved yours, order now to be in the initial deliveries before they sell out.

Austria – and the whole world – have been bitten by the Song Contest bug! Before Vienna transforms into the hotspot of the world's largest music competition from 11 to 16 May, the Austrian Federal Railways is sending an eye-catching advertising medium onto the rails.

Of course, ROCO is also on board and is producing a unique model of the elaborately decorated machine. Delivery will take place just in time for the ESC in May.

Please note: The number of items is strictly limited and the edition is unique – so be quick! The ESC inspires people all over the world and appeals to a wide audience far beyond the railway community.