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Following are selected product releases published in 2024 Cowcatcher editions.
Athearn Trains released new HO GE 9-40CW, Dash 9-44CW and GP7 diesel locomotives in late November.
The 9-40CW features illuminated ground lights, front and rear walkway lights and number boards plus etched, see-through walkway steps. The DCC-equipped models come with dual cube speakers.
Roads in the Dash 9-44CW model include popular Class Is Union Pacific, BNSF Heritage I, BNSF “Wedge” and Canadian National in road-specific details. Short lines Arizona & California and North Shore & Labrador are also available.
The Dash 9-40CW Norfolk Southern with similar equipment was also released.
DC models list for $220.99; DCC/Sound is $305.99.
The GP7 features new roof access hatches on non-dynamic units, per the prototype. Other features include Blomberg B trucks with appropriate bearing caps.
Roads include Chicago & North Western, Amtrak, Burlington Northern, Precision National and Erie Lackawanna. An undecorated version is available as well.
DC models are listed at $186.99, DCC/Sound at $271.99.
Rapido Trains released its HO-scale NSC 73-foot centerbeam car in multiple roads.
One of the most overlooked, and yet common loads carried by North American railroads is finished wood products. Over 20,000 examples of this car were produced by National Steel Car, between 1987 through the mid 2000s, with some car variations along the way.
Centerbeams are unique in that they are owned by large class I railroads, leasing companies and smaller short lines.
Rapido’s model is loaded with details and options, including multiple side sill variations with different winch and ratchet configurations, multiple top truss configurations (early Z pattern and standard closed pattern with and without tie-down brackets), two deck configurations (early with risers and mid without risers) and two underbody configurations.
The car also comes in multiple end cage variants, multiple brake stand options and multiple trucks.
ScaleTrains announced new Rivet Counter HO Scale EMD SD45 road names and paint schemes, including Rio Grande and Burlington Northern, at the Rocky Mountain Train Show in April.
The company’s HO run features operating LED-illuminated ground lights (per the prototype), plus front, rear and side walkway lights when using an ESU decoder in DCC mode.
Other LED-illuminated lighting includes class lights, number boards, directional headlights and Gyra/Mars Lights (per the prototype).
The models are equipped with the ESU-designed PowerPack with two supercapacitors to keep the locomotive running over dirty track or troublesome switches.
Additional roads include Chicago & North Western, Clinchfield, Norfolk & Western, Santa Fe and Seaboard System.
