It’s another week at Trainz, another week of new collections rolling in, and another opportunity for me to pick out my favorite trains! It’s an O-Gauge heavy line-up this week with a nice blast from the past sandwiched at the midpoint of my picks. So without any further delays, let’s get some locomotivation going ←— see what I did there? Ok, sorry that was my attempt at being pun-tastic – sorry again. Here’s the showcase, folks!
Micro-Trains 14001 Z Union Pacific F-7 Diesel Locomotive #1455
Well kicking things off this week is a little bit of fun in the Z-Scale department. In a world dominated by G-Scale and O Gauge giants, Z-Scale locomotives may lack the size, but certainly not the bark. And what better front-runner to represent the Z-Scale model locomotives than the famous Union Pacific EMD F7 diesel locomotive. Micro-Trains delivered a powerhouse that oozes tradition with this beautifully designed F7 diesel engine designed with the yellow/white paint scheme with red lettering. This F7 is sporting arguable the most famous road name in the railroad industry (some of you will strongly disagree on that), but the fact of the matter is that Union Pacific has become an iconic road name recognizable to people all over the world – lots of which have probably never even stepped foot into the world of model trains.
With the F7 being so prominent during the late 1940s and early 1950s, it’s actually a surprise that Union Pacific only ever kept 20 F7 diesel engines on hand. And, while the F7 may have never had its blockbuster moment on the big screen, an FP7 model did get to shine alongside the late Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor in the 1976 film ‘Silver Streak’ – there’s a couple of fun scenes that appear to be filmed from both a layout and using stock footage where the train comes crashing throughout several different sections of the station! The scene itself is supposed to be very serious, but given the campy nature of a lot of 1970s action films, one can’t really help but to giggle a little when the F7 comes plowing through the gift shop.
Well that was a ton to say about a little Z-Scale engine, but the Union Pacific F7 certainly has a lot to say. Check out the listing for this F7 here, and tons of other Z-Scale locomotives on our website. Here’s to hoping we see an F7 get a new makeover with today’s heavily improved film CGI.
Product Info:
Manufacturer: Micro-Trains
Model Number: 14001
Road Name: Union Pacific (UP)
Scale/Era: Z Scale
Model Type: Diesel Loco
Lionel 68 Vintage O Executive Inspection Car
You may remember in my introduction that I mentioned O-Gauge and a blast from the past. Well we’re at that point in the showcase. I was going through some of our Post-War items when I came across this fiery little unit. I’ve seen the Lionel Executive Inspection car before, but I’ve never seen one look so mean! The original Executive Inspections cars featured a red/cream design and no variations of the car were ever produced. Well that is until now.
You can check out the original car below, and what it looks like with a little razzle dazzle in the picture above the listing. The car itself was modeled after the 1958 DeSoto Station Wagon automobiles that look every bit of the stereotypical 1950s family station wagons that were all over America during the 50s and 60s before eventually becoming the family hand-me-down to newly licensed teenage drivers in the 70s.
This custom Hot Rod Inspection car is fully functional with operating headlights and taillights for a little bit of fun on your O-Gauge layouts. Check out the Hot Rod inspection car here if you’re looking for a unique Post-War item. Oh and the custom inspection car isn’t the only thing that rolled onto our Post-War shelves, so be sure to check out our frequently updated vintage catalog.
Product Info:
Manufacturer: Lionel
Model Number: 68
Years Manufactured: 1958 - 1961
Road Name: No Road Name
Scale/Era: O Postwar
Model Type: Motorized Units
Lionel 204 Vintage O Uncatalogued 2-4-2 Die Cast Steam Locomotive w/2689W
Continuing with the O-Gauge momentum, I’ve decided to go back even further in time to bring some Pre-War goodies into the mix. And oh boy did I find something special. If you’re buried in Pre-War catalogs, you may have noticed this 2-4-2 from Lionel is hard to find in most vintage catalogs. Well, just like the title says – it never made it to any catalog.
The 204 was produced from 1940 - 1941 and were only marketed through promotional sets primarily found in ads through magazines and hobby shops. With old methods like rubber and heart stamping slowly fading out for newer more commercially viable forms of printing – this pre-war 204 locomotive serves as a brilliant piece of nostalgia that’s become increasingly harder to find as the years go by.
We’ve managed to wrangle this 2-4-2 with its original tender, and to cap off a vintage collector’s dream – this vintage set comes with its original box too! Father Time can typically do some damage to Pre-War collectibles, but this particular vintage piece has held up strong, which is considerably impressive considering it probably pre-dated most of us today. The listing for this Pre-War piece can be found here, and is accompanied by a slew of newly arrived vintage goodies in our Pre-War catalog.
Product Info:
Manufacturer: Lionel
Model Number: 204
Road Name: Lionel Lines
Scale/Era: O Prewar
Model Type: Steam Loco
Lionel 6-37101 O Smiley Water Tower
The accessory pick for the week is my favorite item by far – yes even more than the custom Hot Rod inspection car from earlier. Why is it my favorite? Well it’s just so happy, and yellow! The simple design is known the world over is known for its serotonin producing smile and pleasant disposition.
I’m especially interested to see how a creative O Gauge collector works this water tower onto their layout considering it’s a little more unconventional than your standard water tower. I mean make this smiley giant work in the city, how about the suburbs, or really challenge yourself and make it work in the desert. I know one of you out there just has to see this happy tower on your O Gauge layout. But, if this is too wacky for you, we’ve got you covered with more ‘conventional’ water towers here.
Product Info:
Manufacturer: Lionel
Model Number: 6-37101
Road Name: No Road Name
Scale/Era: O Modern
Model Type: Accessories
USA Trains 16069 G Snapple Reefer Car
Well before we get into the budget pick, I have to admit there’s some bias with this week’s selection. This G-Scale reefer features a guilty pleasure drink of mine being Snapple ( I’ll drink a gallon if you let me), and it’s pink which happens to be my favorite color – no, there’s no shame in my game saying that. The best part about this Snapple Reefer from USA trains is that it’s coming in at under $100!
It’s a great design that breaks from the norm of dull solid tone freight cars, and adds a vibrant aesthetic that compliments any layout! Personally It’d be cool to see someone try to work this Snapple Reefer on a beach-themed G-Scale layout, but that’s a pretty big ask….Still it’d be cool to see. Somebody do it – and send us pictures! No, ok let’s get serious again.
The Snapple car listed above is in great shape ready to hit the tracks and get to work! The listing for it is here – and it’s the only we have so you may want snap this Snapple car up fast ← see I’m doing it again. Well before I lose my mind trying to think of more puns, I’d like to highlight that we’ve been adding tons of G-Scale cars to our inventory with some interesting pieces hitting our catalog within the last couple of months so be sure to check that out.
Product Info:
Manufacturer: USA Trains
Model Number: 16069
Road Name: No Road Name
Scale/Era: G Scale
Model Type: Freight Cars
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