Category: Model Railroading

Atlas acquires M.T.H. Electric Trains Premier O-scale tooling, buys River Point Station N vehicles

May 7th, 2021

Atlas Model Railroad Co. announced this spring that it has acquired two product lines, including M.T.H. Electric Trains’ Premier O-Scale Locomotive and Rolling Stock lines. The company also bought N-scale vehicle tooling from River Point Station Fine Scale Models. Molds and tooling sold to Atlas include Premier diesel locomotives, freight cars and passenger cars. A number of O-scale RailKing accessories are part of the deal. Atlas also acquired a license for the MTH Proto-Sound 3 Sound & Control Electronics Boards, which enable control via DCS (Digital Command System). Part of the license will give Atlas the option to sell DCS components. Atlas will begin production with a run of the Madison 70-foot passenger cars. Road names will match those on the USRA 4-6-2 Pacifics. Coaches, RPO cars, baggage, dining, combine and observation cars will be produced (depending on road name). “M.T.H. has long been an outstanding manufacturer of model trains,…

Want to ignite your enthusiasm for the hobby? Convention layout tours will do it every time

Apr 27th, 2016

By STEVE WILLIS/Cowcatcher Magazine Many model railroad and rail enthusiasts have plans to attend an upcoming regional NMRA convention. Whether it’s the Mid-Continent Region Convention in Omaha, the Lone Star Region meet in Arlington, TX, or the Rocky Mountain Region Convention in Colorado Springs, there’s plenty to get excited about. These conventions offer a world of attractions. Well-known modelers who can help you do anything from painting locomotives to scratch building turnouts are ready to teach. Contests spotlight exquisite models that have taken months to build, all vying for Best in Show. Friendships are made and renewed. Conventions also act as a great tool for businesses to consolidate their positions within certain communities. When attending conventions, businesses could also consider ordering custom clothing from the likes of Imprint to either wear at the convention or to give out to attendants so that they may wear them in public and spread…

Model railroad industry hall of famer Lee Riley wanted to be remembered as innovator

Mar 8th, 2016

H. Lee Riley, whose innovations in model railroading spanned simple to complex in 29 years with Bachmann Trains, died Friday, March 4, in Philadelphia just weeks after announcing his retirement. Riley, Bachmann’s vice president of product development, was well known in model railroading circles and achieved some of the industry’s top honors. In 2004 he was inducted into the Model Railroad Industry Association Hall of Fame. An active member of the NMRA, he also received its Pioneer Award. Riley led development of Bachmann’s top-of-the-line Spectrum brand of cars and locomotives and created the E-Z Track system. His name is on a number of patents for track and controllers. He was instrumental in popularizing On30 narrow-gauge railroading and was a member of the Narrow Gauge Hall of Fame. Richard Janyszek, Hobby Manufacturers Association president and Bachmann senior vice president sales and marketing, said Riley’s knowledge of the model railroading industry was…

J.E.T.T.S. Longview Train Show taking a break after nearly 20 years, may get back on track in 2016

Jan 9th, 2015

A long-running model railroad show in East Texas is taking a station stop. Bill Pyle, chairman of the 2015 Longview Model Train Show, announced today that the show won’t go on as planned in March because of “circumstances beyond my control.” He said notifications are being sent to vendors and clubs who were scheduled to participate at the annual show hosted by Junction & East Texas Train Society (J.E.T.T.S.). The event was set for March 7-8 at the Fairgrounds Exhibit Building. Pyle, one of about a half-dozen of the original organizers, decided Tuesday to cancel the event, which has annually attracted vendors and model railroad layouts from Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. While he didn’t elaborate on specific reasons, he said that declining attendance in recent years has been an issue. For years, the show was well attended and a source for locals to buy and sell trains. At its peak…

New detail-rich, road-specific GP60 locomotive series in HO announced at National Train Show

Jul 20th, 2014

Fox Valley Models took a turn from its usual focus on N scale products and announced Friday at the National Train Show in Cleveland a new GP60 locomotive series in HO. FVM will run GP60Ms and GP60B diesels in Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; BNSF Heritage and Maersk. GP60s will be released in early and late versions of Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Norfolk Southern; Southern Pacific and St. Louis Southwestern.. N scale models will also be offered. All are expected to begin arriving in the fall. FVM released GP60M and GP60B locomotives in N scale last year. After their releases, the model maker received numerous inquiries to produce the model in HO scale, says President Matt Gaudynski. The models feature numerous separately applied parts and details that include metal grab irons and lift rings, see-through  fans, MU hoses and cables, brass bells and horns and  detailed trucks and underbodies. Models will be available in DC (DCC…