Quick Review: Woodland Scenics Chain Link Fence

These "ready to install" fences come in N, HO, & O scale. Model Railroad Tips recently added these to our shop inventory so we felt it was needed to review the product and the installation of it.

These fences come ready to install in a variety of styles and scales. We picked up the chain link, as the kits available on the market aren't too easy to assemble. I opted to install these as a test on my programming track which doubles as a shelf layout and product test space.

Quick Review: Class One Model Works TWF10

Class One burst into the model railroad scene with one of the most rare prototype intermodal cars possible! The TTX TWF10 was conceived by TTX designers and used unique Waggon-Union bolsterless trucks. Class One successfully models the uniqueness of the prototype in HO scale, with a car capable of being run empty.

These models retail for $65.99 and are ready to run out of the box.

Quick Review: Value Trains USA ACF 50'6" Boxcar

Value Trains USA started out with a mission in mind, make their models 100% in the USA. As far as I can tell only this ACF 50'6" Boxcar was ever produced. Schemes included multiple numbers of this Railbox scheme, and some various fantasy schemes for their company  and the What's Neat podcast.

Beginning in 2017 Value Trains USA began popping up at train meets promoting their Made in the USA models. The brand was/is owned by an RC shop evidenced by a sticker on the back of the box.

Our review sample was decorated in the attractive yellow Railbox scheme, one that is a prototype to this ACF boxcar. The TTX XAF11 series covers a large series of boxcars, all built by ACF, ranging from the 12000's to 13999. Oddly I cannot find evidence that the XAF11 would have ever been numbered 14322 per our model.

Quick Review: Evemodel HO Scale 40' Container

Evemodel recently showed up on the internet, as a factory brand offering several of the models they produce in their factory under their own brand.

I recently purchased their 3 packs of 40' containers, in MSC, TEX, & CAI. These models are available on ebay from the sellers Evemodel_fr and Evemodel_es, adding with others possibly. Having multiple eBay pages allows a factory like Evemodel to list more than eBay will allow.

Quick Review: North American Railcar Corporation 5077cf Boxcar

North American Railcar Corporation has released some of the more desirable models on the market, but kept their distribution in house. Available through PWRS only (elsewhere 2nd hand) their cars are highly desirable. But why?

I picked up this MRL decorated version on ebay at a discount. While the model was used it still retained factory options.

Quick Review: MLR Products Ballast Spreader

This classic HO scale tool was designed to help speed the process of spreading ballast on your layout. This exact model is showing discounted, but they are often still in stock at hobby shops, or found at swap meets. Micromark makes a similar model as well.

I picked this one up cheaply on the secondhand market, however it was new, unused.

Book Review: Guide to Narrow Gauge Modeling - Kalmbach Books

A Model Railroader book written by Tony Koester

I picked up this book some time ago, and have casually read it over the last year or so. Unknown to most, I have a casual interest in Narrow Gauge railroading, and have always wanted to model something.

My primary interest lies in the Quincy & Torch Lake, a short haul mining railroad that was located in Michigan's Upper Penninsula. The equipment was unique so its a true modelers railroad.

Quick Review: Atlas Gunderson 7550 Double Door Boxcar

This car came to Model Railroad Tips as payment for a custom weathering job. This is the long awaited, and previously mentioned in MRRT posts on WPM meets,  Atlas TBOX.

Back in 2018, we reported Atlas was working on this model. Factory changes and the pandemic delayed the models, I think we're just shy or 5 years! But man are they nice.

Quick Review: Scaletrains HO Scale Modern 40' Container

This new release Scaletrains Container continues in their line of great containers at a great value, and a price lower than most other manufacturers.

I missed the preorder period on these containers, but noticed the three single packs of the MSC were still available for preorder about 2 weeks prior to their arrival, so I quickly placed an order.

Fast forward to a month later and I finally paid, receiving my containers in 2 days time from the date I paid.

Quick Review: Bachmann HO Scale ACL-42 Amtrak Day 1 Scheme

Released in late 2021, this attractive model of an ultra-contemporary Diesel Locomotive represents the current day orders for Amtrak's new generation of long distance passenger units.  Models come equipped with DCC WowSound, or non-sound.

My model here is decorated in Amtrak's "Day 1" 50th anniversary scheme, however Bachmann also released road #300 & #305 in their 5 unit "Phase VII" scheme.  I'm still waiting to see what units #306+ will look like in the next standard Phase VIII scheme proposed.