| Rivarossi release new HO scale Heisler and log cars date June 2003 | |
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One
of the three major types used principally by logging lines in America,
and also in some industrial situations, the Heisler design was characterised
by cylinders arranged in a vee shape under the boiler driving the shaft
along the centre line of the loco which drove one axle of each truck,
through gears, the truck axles being rod coupled. In common with the
Shay and Climax types which were it’s competitors, this offered
high power, albeit at low speeds, to handle steep grades and a very
flexible mechanism which could cope with sharp curves and a rough lightly
laid track. The cars run on plain bearing
arch bar trucks, and have fine profile blackened metal wheels on plastic
axles. |
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| Wartime DRG rolling stock set in N from Arnold (July 1999) |  |
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| This set of German wartime finish vehicles from Arnold(0327) includes two 6 wheel coaches, one with & one without brake hut, and fitted with a 'steered' plastic centre wheelset in each case; two different vans, again one of which has a brake hut; and a type Om 'Konigsberg' open wagon loaded with moulded 'wooden'props. The camouflage finish on the coaches is subtle, and the drab overall green on the wagons is evenly applied. Markings are neatly printed. Metal railings and end ladders are fitted and the metal wheels are blackened. Standard N guage couplers are installed in swivelling mounts. | ||
| Electrotren wine wagon in HO (DEC 1997) |  |
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| This years limited edition wine wagon in HO scale from Electrotren (ref.0820) bears the name of the Torres Company in Barcelona. Just 2300 examples will be produced The markings are neatly executed and as is customary for this collectors series,. the barrels are real wood carries on a metal wagon frame. the ladder and access platform are also metal. The axle boxes are well detailed plastic mouldings and the wheels are blackened. Brake shoes are in line with the treads,and there are NEM pockets on close coupling mounts. wheel data B.0.9mm, C..08mm, D.2.1mm, E. 14.3mm | ||
| German Epoch 2 locomotives and stock in N from Arnold(Dec1997) | |
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| Arnold have reintroduced some appetising items for those modelling epoch 2 German railways in N. The BR05 4-6-4 is seen in army grey(ref2205) as 05-003. The model boasts a 5 pole motor(which projects into the cab) powereing a brass gear train. All driving and tender wheels collect current, and performance is smooth and capable thanks to traction tyres on the rear drivers. The Bayern S3/6 pacific is noe offered in DRG guise as 18-521 (ref.2557) the locomotive is powered by a tender mounted motor driving the coupled wheels via a shaft through the firebox allowing 'daylight' under the boiler. Details are excellent, notably the fine motion and representation of the Maffei works plate. Suitable coaches are ref.3770,3880,3390 and 3362. These coaches are neatly moulded and finished but are not flush glazed. Standard couplers are bogies mounted, the baggage cars bogie pivots are off centre to cope more easily with sharp curves. | ||
| New 'Great Britain-Continent' livery for ROCO Cargowaggon in N(Dec1997) |  |
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| Ref.25268 The body is very well moulded with smart side ribs and bogies. The livery is similarly well done,with only the slightest break up of lettering where it follows the white band accross the ribs. Fine inscriptions are legible-with a glass! and standard N couplers are fitted in sprung mounts on the bogies. Wheel data A. 6.7mm, B. 0.6mm, C. 0.65mm,D. 1.65mm, E. 7.3mm, F.13.8mm | ||
| Arnold re-release N guage locos in Hobby series.(Dec 1997) | |
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| The familiar 0-4-0 T and 0-6-0T have been reintroduced as part of the Arnold Hobby range of budget items. Whilst they may not match all modern high standards they are excellent entrees for the beginer. The 0-4-0T ref.5502 carries a large Hanomag works plate on its cab side dated 1924 and the instruction sheet refers to the Oldenburg T2 0-4-0T's(DRG BR98). The motor fills the diminutive cab but is not too conspicuous; it drives both axles via brass gears. No coupling rods are fitted, and the connecting rods and modelled motion are plastic. Performance is smooth and the top speed is suitably modest. The 0-6-0Tref5503 has distinctly Prussian lines. These T3 light mixed traffic locos were absorbed into the DRG ranks as BR89 . Again the machine performs smoothly; no coupling rods are fitted so whilst the connecting rod is fixed to the rearmost axle the rest of the motion is arranged for the middle axle to perform the work. Even so, this is another attractive locomotive, neatly painted and lettered. | ||
| FS E646 Bo-Bo-Bo- in push-pull livery in HO by Rivarossi (Jan 1998) |  |
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| Rivarossi have released a new model of the E646, one of the Italian tri-bo electric classes with an articulated body, built between 1958 & 1967. This version (ref.1430) is numbered 646-088 and appears in the FS push-pull livery. The finish is excellent, with very clear markings; note especially the makers plates and the trim around the headlights and windscreens. The glazing is flush. The body shell is sharpley moulded, with well defined grills. A number of detail parts, moulded in black plastic, are supplied for the modeller to install; sandboxes, speedometer drives, multiple unit connections and sockets, dummy scale couplers, brake hoses, windscreen wipers, handrails and shunters grabs, and roof wiring. The pantographs can be used to collect current from the overhead; a screw driver operated selector switch is recessed in the roof. The mechanism uses a central can motor with flywheel driving all wheels of the outer bogies, which also act as pickups. The middle bogie is purely cosmetic. All the side frames are well detailed, with brake shoes approximately in line with the wheel treads. The model is very heavy to ensure adhesion, and there also traction tyres on one wheel of each outer axle. The loco runs smoothly and is sensitive to the controller, with speed ranging from a crawl to a realistic maximum. The white head and tail lights work and are directionally controlled. Sprung buffers are fitted and the model comes with standard couplers. Wheel data B. 0.8mm , C. 0.8mm, D. 2.3mm, E. 14.3mm | ||
| Mikado and Mogul from Mehano (Jan 1998) |  |
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| Under the Trainline 'Premier ' label, which denotes their models with improved mechanisms and detailing, Mehan are offering further livery variations of some U.S. steam locos. The 2-8-2 Mikado can now be obtained as Southern Pacific Lines no.748. The 2-6-0 Mogul appears in coal burning form as Union Pacific no,1586 in black livery. A Southern Pacific version is also offered. These locos have european couplers on the tender rear though U.S. style horn hook replacements are also supplied. In each case the front pilots have a dummy knuckle coupler. Wheel data B. 0.8mm, C. 0.7mm, D. 2.45mm E. 14.7mm | ||
| American style loco in 'O( Jan 1998) | ||
| Czech company ETS have released an American version of their basic 0-4-0 tank locomotive ref. 127 'with simplified motion. Numbered 7 and named Gloria it is smartley finished in maroon and boasts a cow catcher and a brass bell. The body is of all metal construction with brass accessories and opening cab doors, though there is no interior. The cylinders are plactic and the motion is all metal. The model is powered by a vertical can motor in the firebox driving through a sophisticated clutch which works well and allows the loco to freewheel with a realist inertia effect and of course there is no damage if it is pushed along. Cirrent collection is from all wheels, which have quite wide treads but fine flanges. The front (led) headlight works. Like all ETS models, the loco is designed for , O guage track and is powered by the 2 rail system using up to 18 volts DC .Maximum current. is quoted as 0.5 amps. When used with ETS pulse power supply to controle the speed the lighting works at constant intensity. Wheel data B. 1.42mm C. 1.2mm D. 4.8mm E 28.2mm | ||
| CIWL diner in HO (Jan 1998) | ||
| Rivarossi have released a further version of their aclaimed CIWL dining car ref.3631 , in model form almost as luxurious as the real thing! This particular example is no 2871D and carries markings for the Venice Simplon Orient Express. The prototype was one of a batch built by the Birmingham Railway and Carriage works -part of the first of several orders placed by CIWL -and delivered during 1925-26. The coach is finished to the usual Rivarossi high standard, with excellent markings and a full interior. The glazing is semi flush and has veryneatly picked out 'gold 'frames. There are separate brass wire door handrails. the supports for the detailed corridor connections are also metal and the buffers are sprung. The standard set of detail parts supplied for the modelkler to install includes brake hoses, elctrical connections, dummy scale couplers, printed destination boards and car numbers. The bogies are well detailed, with brake shoes in line with the treads of the blackended wheels. The couplers are in NEM pockets on close coupling mounts. Wheel data B. 0.9mm C. 0.8mm D.2.3mm E. 14.3mm. |  |
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| Rivarossi SBB MU type sleeper in new livery(Jan 1998) | |
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| Scale length,.interior, flush glazing.Ref.3602 Detailing parts; underframe water and air tanks, brake gear, electrical conections, dummy scale couplers,shock absorbers, suspension brackets, bogie dynamos, door handrails, printed paper destination boards. Blackened wheels, NEM pockets close coupling mounts. | ||
| Arnold SNCF BB25201 in Beton livery ( Jan 1998) | |
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| Central motor, no flywheel. ref 2471. Traction tyres on one wheel of each bogie. All wheel drive and current collection.Fine pantographs, pickup from track or overhead;selector switch recessed in roof. Directional headlights. Flush glazed, moulded wipers. Smooth performance; top speed a little high, initially noisy at low speed. | ||
| Arnold Mittelthurgaubahn Re 4/4 in green & ivory livery.(Jan 1998) | |
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| Central motor, no flywheelref.2398 Traction tyres on one wheel of each bogie. Spoked wheels, good bogie detail. All wheel drive and current collection. Fine pantographs and good roof detail. Pickup from track or overhead, selector switch recessed in roof. Directional headlights. Side windows opaque to disguise mechanism. | ||
| Arnold KPEV T3 0-6-0 tank in Landerbahn livery ( Jan 1998) | |
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| All wheel drive and pick up ref.2226 Valve gear part metal & part plastic with blackened wheels. Brake shoes between driving wheels crisply moulded and finely detailed, the spectacle plates are flush glazed. The model has excellent finish, clear markings and smooth performance. Standard N couplers. | ||
| Arnold Gt 2x 4/4 0-8-8-0 mallet in Kay.Bay.St.Bahn. livery (Jan 1998) | |
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| All wheel drive and pickup,traction tyres on the third axle of each unit both sides. Green wheels have blackened tyres. Smooth performance, with fine motion, part metal and part plastic. Working lights Excellent finish and markings, standard N couplers. ref 2288 | ||
| Arnold SNCF Corail Corridor 2nd. with latest logo (Jan 1998) | |
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| This is a scale length coach with full interior and flush glazing. Standard N couplers in close coupling mounts. Blackened wheels, even colours and crisp markings. ref 3497 | ||
| Arnold Swiss Ewiv coaches SBB composites and Sensetalbahn open second. | |
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| Scale length, full interior and flush glazing. Interchangable coupling mounts on close couplers, guided by the bogies. Detailed underframe good bogie detail, brake shoes are not in line. Blackened wheels.ref.3255,3256,3257. | ||
| American work train vehicles in HO from Rivarossi (June 2000) | |
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| Rivarossi have produced two typical maintenance of way vehicles. Our samples carry the eyecatching red livery of the Minneapolis & St Louis livery. The derrick car (ref 2256. ) crane has a movable jib but the base does not rotate, a ring on the deck is provided to hold the hook. The boom car(ref 2257) has a separate plastic ladder, otherwise all handrail and grab iron detail is moulded in place. Brake pillars are metal, topped with plastic hand wheels. Both cars run on blacked metal wheel sets with fine flanges. The trucks carry flexibly mounted horn hook couplers, whilst the car frames have pockets for replacement buck eyes. | ||
| Recently released N scale packs from Arnold (June 2000) | |
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| Arnold continue to revitalise their range with new additions of tried and trusted models. The set ref 0356 represents the D264 Mozart train with epoch 4 markings. A blue liveried DB 110 bo-bo electric pulls a pair of OBB Eurofima plug dor seconds with different running numbers, a DB WRmh 132 restaurant car, and a SNCF Corail second (with the older style of doors). All the coaches are nicely painted with even colours having well defined borders and sharply printed markings. They are flush glazed, with interior fittings and are ready for the installation of optional internal lighting. They run on metal wheelsets and have standard couplers on close coupling mounts. The locomotive has a central flywheel fitted motor driving all axles vis cardan shafts and gear towers. Two traction tyes are fitted, one on each of the inner axles. The model has directional lighting, and pickup from th overhead is possible- the selector switch is on the underside. The Audi industrial set ref0366 consists of a Henschel DHG 700C 3 axel deisel and two Habis sliding side wall bogie vans. The loco is neatly moulded and finished- 'Werkeisenbahn Neckarsulm' is legible on the cab, with sturdy handrails in resilient plastic. All the axles are driven and the model is sensibly low geared for shunting. The finish is so good and the printing is so sharp on the 5 pack of 'Weiacher Kies' gravel hopper ref 0322 that the different fleet and UIC numbers are fully legible. Detail parts supplied for the modeller to fit include the end platforms, ladders, footsteps, discharge hopper actuating gear and handrails, all neatly moulded in appropriately coloured plastic. The instruction leaflet has an exploded view to explain the mounting of these components.Simulated loads are fitted and these would be hard to remove without damaging the smartly moulded top raves of the sides. Standard n couplings are mounded on nicely detailed bogies. Henkel Waschmittel Gmh of Dusseldorf are reactivating an old tradition by repainting some insulated chemical tank wagons in bright advertising liveries- Prill, Somat Profi, and Der General- Bergfruhling, which Arnold have smartly reproduced in model form as a pack of three ref. 0354. The wagons are registered with the DBAG . | ||
| NEW RIVAROSSI 'CHALLENGER' HO (March 2001) | |
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| Fans of big American steam locomotives will welcome the latest version of the 4-6-6-4 'Challenger ' from Rivarossi. The model represents no. 3716 with oil tender, one of a batch of 25 built by Schenectady in 1943 and retired between 1959 and 1961 when they were probably only just run in . Mechanically the model is identical to the coal fired version seen in our November 1995 issue, namely diesel style drive with central motor driving all coupled wheels via gear towers. | ||
| Talgo Trenhotel sets new in HO from Electrotren (Febuary 2001) | |
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| Electrotren have recently released two new versions of the Talgo Pendular stock, in the TrenHotel form with sleeping cars, one in the standard RENFE blue & cream livery (3207) and one in the new joint RENFE/SNCF bright blue &white (3209) Each set of six articulated coaches consists of one TG6z generator car, two 'Gran class' TWL6d sleeper with doors to the right, two Gran Clase TWL6d sleepers with door to the left & one TG6 generator car. Extra sleepers are available separately to extend the rakes, as are the TC6 cafeteria and TR6 restaurant cars; the correct leaflet supplied gives the correct twelve car compositions. All cars have interior fittings. The finish is first class, with markings very crisply printed.Naturally the coaches have different running numbers. As with previous versions, the characteristic single axle running gear is very well detailed. All vehicles have blackened wheels and the rakes have NEM pockets on close coupling mounts at each end. Standard couplers are supplied, along with moulded plastic electrical connections. These coaches have gauge convertible wheelsets are are used in international service as Euro City trains between Madrid & Paris and between Barcelona & Paris, Zurich and Milan, so will be of interest not just to those modelling Spanish railways. The enclosed leaflet suggests suitable motive power from the SNCF,FS,SBB,& DB as well as RENFE. | ||
| ATR410 test tilt train in HO by Rivarossi (December 2000) | |
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| This model was first announced in `1999 and appears now in the prestigious 'Galetto' series as a limited edition of just 750 sets. The ATR410 is an experimental high speed two car diesel unit built in the late 1990's by Fiat, incorporating tilt technology. The clean lines of the set have a stylist look, and this is well captured in model form, accentuated the the scale length. The model has tinted flush glazing, and features such as the flush fitting doors and various panels are actually printed , not moulded. The overall finish and clarity of all the markings is excellent. The basic shell is enhanced with a few added details-radiator pods and pipework, ventilators, horns, and brass whistles, plus the light lenses; beware , as the covers to the top headlights are not very securely attatched. The only parts supplied for the modeller to fit are alternative shortened corridor connections for the actual running, the model comes fitted with full length ones for display use only. The bogie frames have good relief detail, but there is no attempt to recreate the tilt effect in model form. The mechanism is housed in one of the cars, which has an inner metal frame for the adhesive weight and all wheels driven from a central fly-wheel fitted motor. One wheel on each bogie has a traction tyres, and all wheels collect current. There are working directional controlled lights-the non powered unit has its own pick-ups and . is not through wired. Although not noted as digital ready, the instructions include a diagram that suggests there is a decoder socket on the lighting printed circuit board, though it is not refered to in print. Interior lighting is optional. The pair are close coupled with a special connector; there is no means of coupling to other vehicles. | ||
| New HO TGV Duplex by Jouef (December 2000) |  |
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| The TGV Duplex was developed by the SNCF to increase the capacity on its saturated routes, especially between Paris & Lyons. The new Jouef model is a fine representation of the real thing, displaying excellent moulded detail and very fine markings. It also runs very well, and track holding is good even at suitably high speeds. All wheels of the powered units are driven, with traction tyres on two wheels and current collection from all wheels. The dummy power car also has pickups for the directional lighting. Current collection from the overhead is possible- there is a selector switch within the body, accessed through a hole in the roof, which is neatly concealed under the fairing. The power cars are the same as the Lima Thalys, and the cab side windows are simply depicted by painting them black, as on the Eurostar and is an effective enough technique. The bogies are very well detailed, though the demanding modeller might want to paint the brake disks silver, as they are outside the wheels in reality. A number of small detail parts are supplied, mostly the roof fairing and the electrical equipment around the pantographs and the instruction sheet includes diagrams to show their positions. The set is supplied with one motorised power car, one dummy power car, one R1 first class coach and one R2 second class coach. These are naturally the end cars of the rake, with the independant outer bogie and articulated at the inner end. In contrast to the single deck stock, these are faired down to match the power car. The vehicles are flush glazed with tinted plastic and the two levels of the interior car can be discerned within the coaches. | ||
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