Page 19 - November December 2001

UP 3207 at Cheyenne, Wyoming 20-4-01, one of two SD40-2R’s working wets end of yard - can run with either hood as ‘forward’.
Note additional ditch lights on
what would normally be a rear end!
different logo schemes and 12 different running numbers in the 58xxxx series. Unpainted black and red cars are also available.
Prices range from $14.50 for ready to run through to $7.75 for the kits, remember you also need weights and trucks which they can supply. Multiple packs are available which save a few pennies.
As far as I’m aware there are no stockists in the UK but they are available direct from Trainworx at 615 Veinte Drive, Delta CO 81416, Tel 970 874 9747 or through their website www.wic.net/trainworx Caboose Hobbies also stock them.
Notes: Pictures of the prototypes are on their website there is strangely no picture of the model on the site and I don’t have a digital camera.
HO TIE STRIP
from John Wright
At the Warley exhibition the people at Marcway mentioned that when they processed John Wright’s order for HO sleeper strip they cut 2000ft rather than the 1000ft ordered.
It has not been added to their list but the balance remains (at £4.75 per 20ft pack) should anyone want more.
PRODUCT REVIEW by Andy Gibbs
Bethlehem Steel 4 bay (quad) hopper. Kit and RTR.
Scale: N
Manufacturer: Trainworx inc
You may not of heard of Trainworx before, but if you run coal trains in N scale you soon will have!
This is their first N scale kit in fact their first kit at any scale. The prototype they have chosen to model is the Bethlehem Steel Co 100 ton coal hopper. This has not been produced by anyone before. The prototype was built in its thousands from the 1960’s to the 1970’s most are still in service today. The kit follows typical American practice with the body being molded as one piece. All you need to add are the brake reservoir, handbrake wheel, centre sill and molded coal load. Assembly is very straightforward, the plastic will accept the usual solvents. Weights and trucks are not included but
can be supplied separately. The RTR versions are weighted and fitted with Microtrain barber trucks.
Body detail is excellent. The side ribs are crisp with fine rivet detail. Handrails and ladders are also commendably thin but strong enough for the usual handling. Detail on the hopper doors is well represented and they look as if they could open but do not.
The first release was for the DRGW 16xxx series of hoppers. Livery is black with 8 different numbers and two different logos. A decorated but unnumbered version is also available. Printing is first class with all data legible, even the capacity and load limits are different between running numbers as appropriate. The second release is the GN 704xx series another black livery with 12 different running numbers available. The third release is from another DRGW batch this time in the 19xxx number series, again 12 different running numbers will be made. Finally the fourth issue will be in Missouri Pacific red with 2
From the Editor...
Something to do with the last issue’s brass-fixing item was nagging me. It was the 12” steel rule see-saw I used to check loco balance. Wandering around my local tool emporium, I realised it wasn’t a conventional steel rule at all - they are much thinner and probably not rigid enough for this job. I suddenly re- membered that years ago I’d inherited two “squares” from my dad. These have a triangular metal casting, incor- porating a small spirit level, plus a slid- ing 12” steel ruler locked into a groove by a knurled, spring-loaded knob. It was this part that I have used for years as an ordinary steel rule, but it is about 3mm thick. Sorry if this led to confusion (what doesn’t!?)
RAILROAD TRADING
...stocking a variety of North American Books/Models/Videos
With compliments of the Season and best wishes for 2002!
We look forward to meeting fellow Members at the following exhibitions:
8 December : Guildford ‘O’ Gauge Group, Reading Trade Show - Books/Videos 26/27 January : Erith MRC - Books/Models/Videos
...or regularly at Seabord Southern Division : www.seabord-southern.org.uk
PO Box 194, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 5GS
Tel/Fax: 01403 263026 E-mail: jb.railroadtrad@btinternet.com
DECEMBER 2001 19
Tom Watson