Arriving on a siding today from M.B. Klein is the new Atlas N-Scale S-2 with DCC and ESU LokSound. The one I ordered is lettered for the Boston & Maine, but will soon get a new paint job and lettering for the DC&S. This locomotive is quite impressive with great detail and crisp lettering. The metal body shell gives a little heft and helps with tracking a pulling power. It had no problem pulling the short trains (6-10 cars) up a maximum 2% grade on my layout. Now for the most exciting part for me. This is the first N-scale sound equipped locomotive that I have owned and it just blew me away. Bells, horns, prime mover, break squeal, radio chatter, couplers, etc. All of these sounds, plus several others, are easily trigger from the DCC controller. You even have the option of changing the horn to one of the user selectable options. Overall, this is a great little diesel switcher at a respectable price for what you get. Keep more things like this coming Atlas.
Pennsylvania H30 Hoppers
I recently acquired a triplet of the new Pennsylvania Railroad H30 covered hoppers produced by Fox Valley Models in N-scale. The PRR began producing these unique cars in 1935 in response to a demand for a 70-ton capacity covered hopper (AAR Type LO) for transporting such commodities as pulverized coal, soda ash, lime, cement, sand, sodium nitrate, feldspar, and dolomite. Over the next 11 years (until 1946), over 1300 of these units were produced. These cars lasted well into the 1970's and were used under the Penn Central and Conrail flags. Latter, some of these cars were expanded in length (the original being approximately 40') and capacity to become the H32 class. Fox Valley has done an excellent job of reproducing this prototype in N-scale. The detail is quite impressive, having fine end ladders, separate hatch covers, roof walks and brake details. The models roll well on FVM metal wheels and has body mounted knuckle couplers. Models are available in two different PRR paint schemes (early and late) as well as Penn Central, N&W, and Conrail; each available in several road numbers. I have chosen to use the early Tuscan Red on my layout because it fits best with my 1952 era. These models have been missing for a long time from N-scale, but the wait has been well worth the final results. Already owning a few B&O wagon top boxcars and waiting on my wagon top caboose; I can't wait to see what else Fox Valley produces that fits in with the era and locale of my model railroad. I am sure that these models will not last long on hobby shop shelves or in online inventories.
