It’s time for the Quick Hits, folks! Last week was a little busy for us at Trainz with tons of new inventory rolling in from all over the country, so I had to step aside for a little bit to help bring it all in! But fear not, I’m back with a pretty sweet haul of modern O Gauge and some extra special HOn3 pieces. Crank your transformers all the way up to eleven for this one, because these quick hits are rolling strong!
Lionel 6-28334 Norfolk Southern Heritage SD70ACe Diesel Locomotive #1982
I’m kicking things off with a bang in the O Modern category with this beautiful Norfolk Southern SD70 from Lionel! Part of the highly acclaimed ‘Heritage’ Series, this diesel engine first hit Lionel's catalog in 2009 and has been catching eyes ever since. Packed with Legacy audio, this Norfolk Southern SD70 boasts one of the most realistic sound systems I’ve ever heard. I’m not saying this engine is built better than the rest, but the quality of the Legacy system is so incredibly crisp and clear – take a look at this demonstration on Youtube posted from a fellow collector that goes by the username RavenHawk6910.
In addition to great operating features, this SD70 got its own custom design courtesy of Lionel. I really don't know where to start with this beautiful design. For starters the glossy blue finish on the center of the shell, trucks, and corner steps delivers a wonderfully cool blue luster that’s with functioning ground lights. The white base made way for a ton of fun ideas ranging from the blue striping on the cab and upper end of the shell to the darker blue finish on the hood and red accents on the cab’s windows. I wasn’t the only one crazy about this look – model train and O Gauge forums all over the internet included threads and showcases of fellow collectors who either owned or were on the hunt for this particular SD70.
You may also notice the E.H. Harriman award stamped just behind the cab. The E.H. Harriman award is given out every year to a railroad company that exceeds both safety and labor practice standards. The award itself has become a controversial topic within the railroad industry that I won’t touch too much on here, but will mention it has become associated with both shady safety practices and industry corruption. The award went defunct in 2012 with Norfolk Southern winning its 23rd consecutive E.H. Harriman award. Maybe the critics are onto something with that one.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t stop us from having a blast with this thing on our own O Gauge layouts. This SD70ACe is a top of the line model that was only featured in the 2009 Lionel catalog, and hasn’t seen a re-release despite its massive popularity. Somehow, I happened to get two that fell into my lap this week. Check out the listing for this diesel engine here. I’ve also got a ton of more Heritage series and SD70 locomotives that came in along with this beauty. Oh, and if you’re tired of Norfolk Southern winning everything, I’ve got plenty of O Modern Diesel engines with a variety of road names from Santa Fe to New York Central that are ready to rumble!
Product Info:
Manufacturer: Lionel
Model Number: 6-28334
Road Name: Norfolk Southern (NS)
Scale/Era: O Modern
Model Type: Diesel Loco
Marklin 88490 Z Pennsylvania Class GG-1 Electric Locomotive #4935
Rounding the corner just behind our O Gauge pick is this Z-Scale Pennsylvania Railroad GG-1 electric locomotive made by German giant Marklin. I love the GG-1, from its design to its reliability (boasting 50 years of service). They may not have been as big as the Union Pacific Big Boy, but these electric locomotives definitely carry Big Boy energy.
Marklin captures all of the great features of this vintage icon in microscopic Z Scale size without missing a beat. It’s a vintage look paired with modern engineering all coming from one of the most reliable manufacturers in the game. If you’re running a Z Scale layout, then it’s an engine I’d recommend you always have handy and ready to go. They blend in beautifully with any layout, and I’ve personally witnessed this little Z Scale engine handle curves like a champ!
Don’t lie, I know you’re a little tempted looking at this Z Scale beast. I’ve got the listing here, and the condition of this one is phenomenal. It’s one that’s worth even just the window shopping experience. But don’t worry, if it's diesel or steam powered locomotives you’re after instead – we’ve got plenty more in our Z-Scale catalog.
Product Info:
Manufacturer: Marklin
Model Number: 88490
Road Name: Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR)
Scale/Era: Z Scale
Model Type: Electric Loco
Blackstone Models B310126W-S HOn3 D&RGW K-27 Class 2-8-2 Steam Engine #456 w/DCC
Taking the third spot on this list is one of our less common scales – HOn3. I don’t get a ton of this scale in, and was pretty excited to see several model trains come in from BlackStone Models due to the limited availability of these trains. Once you unbox one of these models, you’ll see why I had to include this K-27 steam engine.
BlackStone Models started making trains in 2016, and haven't released much since 2020. Their locomotives come DC and DCC ready, and are some of the most intricately designed models to have hit the market recently. It’s a bummer that production issues from the Covid-19 pandemic have slowed BlackStone Models down because all of their products are top notch. Their hauling power and ability to handle tight curves is second to none. OverNight Scale models even has a fantastic video on their Youtube channel of a K-27 hauling a 10 car fleet through a gorgeous mountain layout.
Another great thing I’ve come to learn from both researching and observing HOn3 is how incredibly realistic the experience really is. The narrow gauge tracks are just spread apart enough at the rails so that each locomotive and freight car align perfectly. It really makes for a nice aesthetic, and looks especially dynamic when you see the locomotive around a particularly sharp curve. Each model also comes packed with a Tsunami Digital Sound Decoder by SoundTraxx, and the speakers in these locomotives sound incredible.
Now that production is halted, the availability of these models is dwindling more and more. And, without any recent news as far as future models go, you may just be on the verge of having a one of a kind piece as far as this Mikado goes. I’ve got a listing for this 2-8-2 here, and a slew of other BlackStone Models trains on our website! Oh, and you’re going to need some narrow gauge track to go along with that – no worries we have plenty of options for that too!
Product Info:
Manufacturer: Blackstone Models
Model Number: B310126W-S
Road Name: Denver & Rio Grande Western (DRGW)
Scale/Era: Other Scales
Model Type: HOn3
Lionel 6-22993 Route 66 Sinclair Dino Café
Oh man, this one hit me with a whirlwind of childhood memories and nostalgia. I’m going back to O Modern for the accessory pick, but can you blame me? This Route 66 Sinclair Dino Cafe from Lionel has everything you love, from a great 50s Americana aesthetic to dinosaurs! The Dino Cafe (model # 6-22993) was first released in 1999, and jumped on the Dino-craze of the 90s that saw blockbuster franchises like Jurassic Park take the world by storm, and childhood favorites like the Flinstones finally get their live action debut on the silver screen.
Oh yeah, it was a good year to be a million year old extinct lizard. Plus, I don’t know what kid didn’t grow up with a love for dinosaurs, even if your primary focus was on model trains. The Dino Cafe is a neat little model that comes with interior illumination, and features an American staple, Route 66, and tons of signage for a great overall design. Next to the Smiley Face water tower, I think this is Lionel’s greatest accessory, and one worthy of being on your layouts!
And if you're not after the Dino Cafe at this particular time -- I've got plenty ore O-Modern layout accessories for you to decorate your layouts with!
Product Info:
Manufacturer: Lionel
Model Number: 6-22993
Years Manufactured: 1999 - 2000
Road Name: Route 66
Scale/Era: O Modern
Model Type: Buildings - Assembled
Proto 2000 23014 HO Scale Western Pacific GP7 Phase II Diesel Locomotive #713
Oh baby, it’s time for my favorite pick of the week! And this one is all about delivering quality for even the tightest budget – that’s right folks it’s time for the budget pick of the week! We’re not going with dinky little freight cars for five dollars, no we’re going to find something great under a Benjamin, and I managed to stumble upon something nice for all of you HO runners out there. This Western Pacific GP7 diesel engine sporting the #713 road number is what’s being served up today, and this beauty is a main course coming at the price of an appetizer.
The original EMD GP7 cost right around $171,00 to make in the 1950s which translates to just over $2.1 million today. The budget pick HO Western Pacific GP7 you see listed above is sporting the famous yellow/silver paint scheme that became the main design for locomotives following the appointment of executive Al Pearlman in the 1970s.
The 50s and 60s versions of these locomotives actually featured a beautifully silver/green scheme that I actually preferred more to the yellow/silver – it’s worth mentioning because Pearlman is credited with being the voice that did away with the silver/green scheme. Personally, I think it was less of a color preference, and more of Pearlman coming in to revitalize the Western Pacific Railroad by starting with a fresh new look for its fleet of locomotives. Alfred E. Pearlman was notorious for helping railroad companies scale their business, and in 1970 Western Pacific made him the head honcho.
Packed with a 5-pole motor, and backed with Proto’s reliable reputation, you can’t go wrong with this HO GP7 for under a hundred bucks! We’ve also got tons more HO rolling stock and a variety of locomotives for under $100 to choose from on our website.
Product Info:
Manufacturer: Proto 2000
Model Number: 23014
Road Name: Western Pacific (WP)
Scale/Era: HO Scale
Model Type: Diesel Loco
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