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N, HO, O & S Scale Trains | Trainz Quick Hits #5

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It’s another week of fun, another week of adventure, and most importantly, another of my weekly picks. From HO scale to Camaros on billboards, these items are sure to get you thinking about a weekend shopping trip. And why not, right? So sit back and treat yourself to the weekly quick hits! Don't forget to start browsing to find the perfect train for your layout!

Big Power in N-Scale Form

Atlas 49114 N Scale Norfolk Southern SD-60 Diesel Locomotive 

Big things come in small packages, and what better way to kick things off this week than with some N-Scale love. The SD-60 sporting the Norfolk Southern road name pictured above was a no-brainer of a selection as I rifled through shelves of N-Scale engines at our warehouse in Buford. I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for Norfolk Southern since their headquarters are based in Atlanta, Georgia – only about half an hour drive south from Trainz.com. With that being said, that’s me giving the home side some love. When the SD-60 diesel engines hit the market, Norfolk Southern was quick to pounce with an order of 151 total locomotives – 1,144 total SD-60 models were produced for various railroads in North America and Brazil. Clearly, Norfolk Southern wasn’t the only company that had to have a few of these in their rail yards. So that was my little history lesson, and now let’s get back to the N-Scale replica. Sporting the Norfolk Southern ‘Black’ paint scheme, which by my guess is just regular black but with Norfolk Southern attached to it, so we’ll go with it. The golden-white LED lights that come equipped with this N-Scale engine are also a neat touch, and actually give a nice aesthetic boost when shining off the muted black paint scheme. In addition to being great out-of-the-box engines, these Atlas SD-60 models are a modder's dream – I’ve seen several on Trainz.com that have been customized with DCC capabilities. Be sure to check out our website for more great N-Scale locomotives! 

Classic S-Gauge Charm That Still Shines

American Flyer 960 Vintage S Columbus Orange Stripe Combine Car

Here’s a blast from the past, rounding off the S-Gauge selection of the week! This Post-War Columbus Combine car from American Flyer went toe to toe with Father Time, and couldn’t have come out looking better after an epic 12-round showdown. We’ve gotten some great looking cars and locomotives from American Flyer, and it only made sense I share the spoils with everybody else. Like most post-war aluminum cars there’s plenty of vintage flair to fuel a nostalgia rush for long-time collectors, while simultaneously offering new enthusiasts a look at what dominated the shelves during the mid 20th century. I love the orange stripe adding just a little bit of flair, and giving this combined car its own distinguishable look. You can find many other great S-Gauge Post-War pieces on our website at Trainz.com. 

A Diesel Powerhouse That Lives Up to the Name

Lionel 6-28307 O Gauge Wabash FM TrainMaster Diesel Locomotive #550

Coming in with a bang as we roar through the selections this week, is a diesel powerhouse from Lionel. This TrainMaster (model type: H24-66) diesel locomotive is an exceptional testament to the real-life #550 TrainMaster engine that dominated the American Midwest during its run in the mid-late 20th century. Built and introduced in 1953 by Fairbanks-Morse, the TrainMaster wasn’t short of suitors, with major railroad companies across the continent putting in orders for TrainMasters left and right. It’s a shame that pretty much 99% of these real-life models were scrapped, because it's an engineering marvel that deserved some legacy runs on modern railways. Fortunately one is preserved in Canada, but it’s literally the only one in existence. Go Figure! Not to worry, though, Lionel hasn’t forgotten about the TrainMaster and decided to bring this masterclass O-Gauge replica to the market. Packed with Legacy Control System and LEGACY railsounds and coupled with a true-to-original design, it’s a must-have for collectors and operators. We’ve got a ton of other TrainMaster diesel engines on our website. Don’t forget to check in on our O-Gauge selections every week because we’re always adding plenty of great inventory every week!

A New Wave of Dwarvin Accessories

Dwarvin DVBB102-FA HO Assembled Fiber-Lit Camaro Billboard

Scenery is everything when you’re putting together a layout, and that’s why I dedicate a pick every week to spruce up those layouts. We’ve been expanding and cranking out new Dwarvin lighting products, and I’m eager to share some of what we’ve added. This Camaro billboard, pictured above, is a great example of some of what’s coming to the shelves. We understand that everyone wants their layout to feel unique, and Dwarvin does just that. I love American Muscle cars, so I was quick to jump on the Camaro, but we’ve got plenty of billboards  featuring various designs and brands like Chevrolet and Texaco. We've got assembled and unassembled billboards for you adventurous builders out there, with simple step-by-step instructions to help you get started. Billboards aren’t the only accessories coming in from Dwarvin, so please be sure to check out the full catalog.

Classic Santa Fe Looks at a Great Value

Proto 2000 21508 HO ATSF GP30 AT&SF Diesel Locomotive #3200

The budget pick of the week rounds all the way back to the HO enthusiasts, and comes in at under $100! It’s an opportunity to add a quality locomotive from Proto 2000 sporting the well-known Santa Fe road name, and comes featured in the traditional ‘Warbonnet’ yellow/blue Santa Fe scheme. This GP-30 Santa Fe comes ready to run and packs a ton of fun to your HO layouts without breaking the bank. For budget shopping, you can't go wrong with this diesel engine. There is tons of history throughout the Santa Fe Railway, so why not bring some to your own HO layouts? For a hundred bucks, you can’t beat it! Find more budget-friendly picks just like this one at Trainz.com. 


Got an item you'd like to see make the showcase? Give us a shout on our Instagram and Facebook, and you might just see your favorite make the list!

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