Model Railroad News

Review by Justin Sobeck/photo by Pamela Varney

Bachmann’s revised N-scale models come decorated in the passenger carrier’s current Phase VI scheme, and feature car-specific details (café or coach), with a great stainless-steel finish and precision graphics, lit interiors (which are also correct by type), and see-through tinted windows (the cars glow nicely, an improvement versus the overly radiant illumination of their predecessor models from the 1990s). The lighting is flicker-free on both DCC and DC operation, and the non-directionally lit Marker Lights on both ends of the cars are a positive aspect of these reproductions, and their red glow is aimed so as not to be apparent unless one is looking only at the end of the train. Underbody detail is great, all the modern passenger car boxes and appliances are captured in good relief under both sides of the car — dual HVAC units, battery boxes and chargers, air tanks, 26C rack and transformers are all there. The 1:160 models come ensconced in Bachmann’s oversized jewel cases with clear plastic nests inside, along with warranty paperwork and some additional details for use.

ABOVE: Bachmann’s N-scale Budd Amfleet I passenger car models come assembled, are scale-length, include illuminated interior, smooth-rolling wheels, and knuckle couplers. These three examples wear Amtrak’s Phase VI livery.

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As I unboxed the recently produced Bachmann N-scale Amfleet passenger car models (reviewed by Justin Sobeck in the March 2025 edition of Model Railroad News), I kept thinking how much better the tooling for these Budd prototypes is versus my memory of Bachmann’s model. I finally pulled vintage samples from my collection to confirm this was the same tooling or an enhanced edition of this design introduced in the 1970s by Bachmann. My findings are shared in the pictures on this page, showing Bachmann’s older Amfleet in Phase III livery and the newer model later phase paint with the contemporary wave herald.

I am not certain how I missed this change, but as the pictures confirm today’s N-scale Amfleet passenger car models from Bachmann have little or no relation to the earlier tooling. Look at the detail around the car’s ends, the fidelity of the fluting, the wheels, and coupler design (including the change from Rapido to knuckle couplers).
This is a popular prototype and Bachmann’s reinvestment in the car series pays off with a much improved 1:160 replica for hobbyists to enjoy and appreciate.
So much changes in the hobby as the years roll by, and it is fun to discover upgrades like Bachmann’s effort on these Amtrak models.

The post From the Archive: N’s first Amfleets appeared first on Model Railroad News.

By Tony Cook
Rebuilt by Electro-Motive Diesel/Progress Rail from GP9 donors (though few parts beyond the recycled units’ rebuilt DOFASO trucks saw use from those first-generation Geeps), sporting a  ,000-hp 710G3A prime mover, with new hoods, cab, and frame, the GP20C-ECO delivered to Canadian Pacific (CP) in 2013. The goals of this project included CP’s desire for meeting U.S. Government
EPA emission standards and enhanced crashworthiness levels for cab, frame, and tanks (the first “C” in the unit’s designation refers to these features). The railroad received a relaxed emission standard (Tier 0+), similar to the road’s 63 SD30C-ECO units (offered recently by Bowser as a limited-production HO release) built around the same time. The first 30 (2200–2229) were followed by two more CP orders for 40 (2230–2269) and 60 (2270–2329) additional units. The 130 GP20C-ECOs are exclusive to the CPKC roster. CP 2213, shown below on New Year’s Day 2024 at the west end of Knoche Yard, is from the initial GP20C-ECO production.  — Tony Cook photo

The post Prototype Profile: Canadian Pacific’s GP20C-ECO appeared first on Model Railroad News.

Prairie Shadows plans a fourth quarter arrival for the company’s first locomotive in its growing line of HO products. Featuring an injection-molded plastic body, an HO-scale GP20C-ECO diesel locomotive reproduction is coming from Prairie Shadows in non-sound, standard DC (with 21-pin socket for conversion to digital operation) and DCC-sound models will come with ESU’s LokSound V5 decoder. The ready-to-run release will be offered in six Canadian Pacific road numbers: 2237, 2241, 2247, 2253, 2263, and 2269 (featuring the red body with black from the sill down scheme with white lettering, as shown on the prototype below). The model’s highlights will include metal railings with plastic stanchions; accurate DOFASO trucks with rotating bearing caps; separately applied grab irons, hoses, wipers, and more; and operating ground lights, step lights, and interior lighting, as well as headlight and ditch lights. The non-sound GP20C-ECO lists for $209.99, while DCC-sound offerings carry a $309.99 suggested retail price.

Prairie Shadows Model Railway Co.
prairieshadows.com

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