We’re back with round two of the Quick Hits for 2024, and as always, I’ve got a great slate of goodies ready for the showcase. This week’s selections feature some Post-War gems you won’t want to miss, and a steam locomotive in contention for the best G-Scale engine of the new year (a contest I just made up in my own head). So set down that last bit of track, and make sure your crossing gate is operational because the Quick Hits are rolling through!
Built for Battle: 2-6-2 Prairie Steam Power Charges Ahead
LGB 2080D G Scale 2-6-2T Steam Locomotive
Kicking things off is an engine I call the “Little Beast” – though it’s anything but little. This 2080D G-Scale 2-6-2T steam locomotive is a battle-tested (no, seriously, it was in WWI) workhorse that made its way through the trenches of the First World War, helping the Allies secure victory in the early 20th century. American and British soldiers needed a ‘ready for anything’ engine, and Baldwin answered the call with a giant order of these durable steam engines – producing nearly 200 models during the second half of the war.
This G-Scale steam locomotive boasts the traditional black scheme throughout the shell, which is less muted thanks to the addition of very bright red on the chassis. If your layout is a little more peaceful than the trenches of WWI battlegrounds, then rejoice in the fact that the 2-6-2 was a versatile engine capable of way more than just hauling ammunition and wartime resources. When they weren’t being commissioned for the battlefield, the 2-6-2 saw success hauling both freight and passengers on various railroad networks throughout the world.
Dubbed the “Prairie” in the United States, the 2-6-2 has seen iterations produced for just about every scale from Z to the G-Scale giant you see pictured above. It’s a durable model, capable of handling the burdens that come with running on backyard layouts rather than inside the house. Packed with smoke, lights, and a great motor, this is certainly a solid frontrunner for anybody looking to dabble in the fun of G-Scale trains.
- Manufacturer: LGB
- Model Number: 2080D
- Road Name: Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR)
- Scale/Era: G Scale
Modern Muscle in S Scale: B&M GP7 Delivers the Power
American Flyer 6-44115 S B&M GP7 Diesel Locomotive #1567
Following up G-Scale locomotives is never an easy task, but I think I have an engine that just might be up to it. With S-Scale locomotives back on the rise in popularity, I’ve decided to bring another great piece revived by new millennium American Flyer production. This B&M GP7 certainly isn’t a slouch, boasting a slew of neat operational features that make it a worthy follow-up to any engine.
My favorite feature we’ll go over first is the addition of FlyChief control systems packed with Bluetooth. This diesel engine has dual capabilities, being able to function on conventional AC and DC, thanks to the help of the wireless remote included. The added features of the remote give you complete dynamic control and ensure your locomotive has zero issues handling even the tightest curves. Go ahead and challenge it yourself, I think you’ll be more than impressed.
Additional features like RailSounds RC, steam chuffing, and user-activated announcements are just a few more added functions that make this operating experience one like you’ve never seen on S-Scale layouts. I had tons of S-Scale trains to choose from, but the allure of red/yellow paint finish coupled with tons of bells and whistles was just too great to pass up on.
- Manufacturer: American Flyer
- Model Number: 6-44115
- Road Name: Boston & Maine (BM)
- Scale/Era: S Modern
Hard-to-Find Classic: B&O Sentinel Boxcar Shines Bright
Lionel 6464-325 Vintage O B&O Sentinel Boxcar- Type IIB -Multiple Tack
I had to include this gem from one of the most famous eras in model train history. While scouring the many Post-War shelves we have here at home base, I jumped out of my socks when I saw this vintage boxcar stowed away in a spot our shipping manager reserves for delicate and super-rare items. Do you recognize it? It’s Lionel’s 6464-325 B&O Sentinel boxcar!
This very rare boxcar is especially hard to find considering they were only in production for just one year all the way back in 1956 - of all of the vintage 6464 boxcars, the B&O Sentinel is hands down the hardest car to find from the 6464 series. It’s also the sleekest car in the lot, too, showing off a clean silver finish with just a touch of cool blue to make it that much easier on the eyes.
Being a Post-War boxcar is a tough life, with most of the cars from the era seeing plenty of run time in their heyday – this one is a survivor! With the numbers dwindling as the years go on, I couldn’t help myself and had to showcase this near 70-year-old icon. A boxcar, an icon? Yeah, such a title is usually reserved for engines like the 763E steam engine, but this boxcar fights its way right to the top amongst some of the big boys in the model train world. If you need more 6464 boxcars, I’ve got you covered on our website, Trainz.com. The fun doesn’t stop there. Trainz.com is the biggest supplier of vintage Lionel boxcars out there, so be sure to look at the complete inventory when you get the chance.
- Manufacturer: Lionel
- Model Number: 6464-325
- Years Manufactured: 1956 - 1956
- Road Name: Baltimore & Ohio (B&O)
- Scale/Era: O Postwar
Dwarvin N Scale Railroad Crossing Kit Review – No Wiring Required
Dwarvin DVIRRXK201 N Railroad Crossing Kit using Lamplighter DFL w/ Power Supply
The accessory pick is here, and cue the drumroll because I’ve got a heck of a deal coming your way. The Dwarvin DV1RRXK201 crossing kit is here, and it’s ready to show you why Dwarvin is the future of model train layout design. This simple-to-set-up kit is everything you need to effortlessly turn your layout from a simple display into a dynamic, lifelike experience you’ve never seen before.
This kit includes:
- Lamplighter DFL
- 2 - Railroad Crossings
- 2-Side-On Detectors
- Crossing Bell
- Power Supply
The best part? There’s no wiring necessary at all. That’s right, no more intricate soldering, no more nails running throughout your layout, and best of all it’s easy to disassemble if you’re ever wanting to make changes to your layout design. It’s perfect for a model train enthusiast like me, who has no steady hand whatsoever. Just take a look at the full list of benefits listed below.
- No wiring needed!
- Add light to structures in a matter of seconds.
- Cost effective when compared with other commercial systems.
- No heat is dissipated in or near the buildings being illuminated.
- Lighting effects are limited only by your imagination
It’s no wonder that the fiber optics industry has taken the world by storm, and it makes sense that it has found its way into our hobby as well. I’ve got a listing for the kit here, and a full breakdown of it and various other Dwarvin lighting products to go along with that as well.
Big Power, Small Price: Western Maryland GP40 Delivers
Bachmann 60337 HO Western Maryland EMD GP40 Diesel Locomotive w/DCC #3798
Well, if you managed to stick around, you know we’ve gotten to my favorite part of the Quick Hits line-up – the heralded budget pick! That’s right, we’re giving as much bang for your buck as possible, and I think you HO lovers are going to like this one. HO Bachmann trains are a great choice, but they’re even better when you can get them for under a hundred bucks. This HO Western Maryland EMD GP40 diesel locomotive was way too enticing to pass up on, so I decided it’d round off our features for the week.
The color is the first thing I loved, blending a red base with a wonderful touch of white, black, and yellow throughout the shell. This ready-to-run DCC locomotive comes with a 28-speed step decoder and is even compatible with DC layouts. Packed with the ever-reliable E-Z Command Digital Control System, making the operating experience a breeze with this HO-Scale train. The 5-pole skew wound motor also comes in handy if you’re needing to haul more than just a couple of freight cars too - no joke, the pulling power is out of this world! The best part is that you can add this HO diesel locomotive to your collection without breaking the bank.
- Manufacturer: Bachmann
- Model Number: 60337
- Road Name: Western Maryland (WM)
- Scale/Era: HO Scale