Leadville Designs
5 Stapledon Cr.
Ottawa ON, K2H 9L1
Canada
www.leadvilledesigns.com

Leadville Designs offers two new freight cars in HOn3, Sn3 and On3. In the November/December issue, I reviewed the Type 1 RGS/C&S Stock Car, and in this issue, I review their new D&RGW MOW Bunk Car 04965, available at $44.95. This car was a rebuild from an early 4000 series boxcar and used most often as part of the Rotary OM outfit train.

The kit is composed primarily of laser-cut wood and MDF, styrene and 3D printed details, acetate, wire, custom decals, and full instructions. Trucks and couplers are not provided. As with the stock car kit, the detail is very complete and assembly, delicate. Again, you have a choice to assemble this as a super detailed model or as layout quality by omitting some brake detail or grab iron NBW detail. Leadville Designs is to be commended for offering a choice. My sample was built to the latter level, and I encountered no problems. I was able to add Kadee 714 couplers and Grandt Line trucks without problem. However, if you use the Kadee coupler box, the provided end beam will not fit. So, if you are building the kit as a super detailed version, you will have to modify the Kadee box. The trucks are at the correct height with the etched brass bolster washer provided. I substituted a similar thickness Kadee fiber version for insulation purposes.

I added weight to the car to meet NMRA recommendations and used commercial grab irons which fit the pre-marked holes perfectly. I appreciated the custom decals for the car which I applied over a gloss finish, then dulled. Note they only require dipping in water and easily slide off the backing and are very thin so be careful. I messed up one of the decals for the “Section Men Bunk Car” sign and used the provided alternative larger sized lettering. Oh well! Also note a few detail items do not have extras so be careful. I had to dip into my scrap box for an extra queen post after one launched into space, never to be seen again. Despite these small problems, assembly was enjoyable over a week of evenings and all parts fit well.

I am glad Leadville Designs continues to produce interesting prototypes. An AC&F 30-foot truss rod boxcar, as used by the C&S/RGS and NCNG should be available in HOn3 by the time this review is printed.
-Charlie Getz.

Outland Models
www.outlandmodels.com

Outland Models, located in Guangzhou, China, is a 3D printer and fabricator of parts in primarily S, HO and N scales. They are representative of obscure specialty manufacturers out there, but I was interested because Outland also represents the emerging model railroad hobby in China. I was also interested because their offerings are well done overall and incredibly affordable. For example, a 3D printed collection of 16 HO Old West figures is $3.99 U.S. I ordered a few sets from the on-line catalog, and they were delivered within a few weeks. Overall, the quality is not super-fine but quite acceptable. The figures take paint well. A few of the printed vehicles are generic 1940s style automobiles and most are useable. Only one of the three I tried was a bit small for HO. Sets are offered in a wide range of American types from farm workers to service station attendants as well as wagons, animals, and interior details. Even entire buildings are listed though I did not try those. Many new items are added regularly. As with most 3D printed details, they come attached to sprues which must be removed, and they need painting. Individual layer lines can be seen on the larger parts, but they can be sanded to lessen their visibility. For background and general detail usage, this line is hard to beat at the price. And I found Outland a safe source from which to order. Check them out and see if you do not agree that this line deserves a look.
-Charlie Getz.

Berkshire Valley Models
438 Morgan Woods Dr.
Fenton, MO 63026
www.berkshirevalleymodels.com

Berkshire Valley Models has released two more HO wagon kits, versions of earlier released O scale wagons. The Buggy (Kit #2108, $11.95) and Photographer’s wagon (Kit #2110, $12.95) are similar in quality to earlier releases and assemble into lovely models. The Photographers wagon uses the same construction as earlier kits with laser-cut wood parts, cast metal axles and wheels, instructions, color signs/decals and acetate. Assembly is straightforward and easily accomplished in one session. I especially appreciated the decals for “William Jackson,” photographer, an homage to William H. Jackson of Colorado pioneer fame, who extensively photographed the early narrow gauge lines. Available separately and shown is an HO photographer figure with old-time camera, #2184, for $2.50, so you could stage your own William H. Jackson moment with these items.

The Buggy is a delicate and tiny model with all laser-cut components, pre-cut tissue for the roof, and instructions. While a challenge, the kit is impressive when built and is within your capabilities. It is important you review and understand the instructions completely. Take your time, use powerful magnification, and appreciate the extra parts included should you mess up. Two tissue roof coverings are included and extra hubcaps. Fortunately, I did not need the extras. Note the wide part of the roof covering goes toward the front. I loved the result, adding thread reins to both wagons and using a horse for each from set #2161, the Standing Team at $6.00. Drivers are also available, though the buggy really needs Doc from Gunsmoke! I enjoyed building these wagons and look forward to new releases in the series.
-Charlie Getz.

San Juan Model Company
8141 N.I-70 Frontage Road
Aurora, CO
https://sanjuanmodelco.com/

San Juan Model Company has their long-awaited Tall Dome CONOCO tank cars available — and they were worth the wait. The cars come in On3/On30 or HOn3 lettered and painted for four eras, with nine car numbers in each era. So, you can really go crazy and have a real big fleet of new tank cars on your layout. The cars come neatly packed in a double plastic sleeve with tissue paper in a nice box. They are ready to run and cost $109.95 each in On3/On30 and $89.95 each in HOn3. The On3/On30 cars come with On3 wheel sets in the trucks and a set of On30 wheels to replace the On3 wheels if you need to. The cars are cast plastic and are appealing with their tall dome and heavy girder frames. They are available lettered in two different fonts for Continental Oil Co. for the 1927-1930s era. You can also get a car with a silver tank and large green CONOCO lettering perfect for the 1930s, or lastly a black tank with large white CONOCO letters for the 1940s. The cars ran for several years and crossed into each-others era, but the era designations will help you make sure your railroad has tank cars based accurately for your period.

The tank cars are accurately detailed with separate handrails and brackets, wood grained walkways, full rivet detail, automatic knuckle couplers, and detailed tall domes with hand grabs, valves, and a hatch. The detailed unsprung trucks have plastic wheels complete with cooling ribs and metal tires. The underframe has a brake cylinder, brake rods, pipes and levers, along with brake beams and brake shoes on each truck. The brake system does not actually connect to the trucks, so they are free to swivel, making the cars free rolling and forgiving on the track. The lettering is crisp and cleanly applied and there are even four tiny hazard warning plackards.

These tank cars are beautiful. They are accurate, detailed, stunningly lettered and free rolling. Well done, San Juan Model Company.
-Bob Brown.

Miniprints
114 Grenadier Road
Toronto, ON M6R 1R4
Canada
https://www.miniprints.com/

Miniprints sells 3D printed birds, other animals, people, and oddities. These figures were created by a model railroader for model railroads and list some 27 birds such as chickens and flamingos. The 60 animals available include elephants and rattle snakes. There are some 36 people including many train crew members, and a forensic team. The oddities include some neat skeletons, a plague doctor, and a flying pig. New figures are being added all the time and you can subscribe to a newsletter to keep up to date.

I understand Miniprints will print to your scale and you can order custom 3D figures. You will need to contact them about this. I decided to try some figures and ordered a pair of bird watchers with binoculars, and a set of Canada geese, both in O scale. The pair of bird watchers was $15.60 and the geese $23.40. Shipping was $8.15 for a total of $47.16. The service was quick, the figures came packed in bubble wrap in a nice plastic box. There is a guarantee of satisfaction, replacement of broken parts, or replacement if you break something (you pay postage). A quick look at Miniprint’s web site will show you the many unique people and animals available. Now where can I use those skeletons?
-Bob Brown.