Making Waves -EMO's S060 Series- 2/�� Now available, the fourth book in Diesel Era's series of in-depth cover­ age of diesel locomotive models. This 8.5- x 11-inch, soft-cover book will feature many previously unpublished black-and-white and color photos of 5060, 5060M, 5060F, 50601, and 5060MAC models at work moving freight across North America. Powered by an all-new 710-series power plant, the 5060 series helped EMO regain the momentum needed to compete in today's locomotive tech­ nology race. From the first 5060 built in 1984 to the final unit assembled in 1995, see many of the 1,146 5060s in action, roster, and detailed views in this highly illustrated volume. right, Oakway SD60s 9021 and 9051 move coal Train130KK089 through Emerald, Neb., on September 23, 1992. Jim Gilley EMD's 5060 Series, by Diesel Era, 136 pages, 250+ color and black­ Also in stock: and-white photos, 8.5" x 11" vertical format on 80# heavyweight The Revolutionary FT - EMC's Assault on Mainline stock, four-color cover, perfect bound, retail $29.95 plus $3.50 p&h, Freight Operations $24.95 + $3.50 p&h PA residents add 6% sales tax GE's Dash 8 - C Series: The Diesel Era's Third Generation $24.95 + $3.50 p&h 'CD. Coming soon: elc:k ® J2.� EMD's GP30 - Classic Style: The Original Operators 528 Dunkle School Road· Halifax, PA 17032 (717) 896-3173 PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD Diesel Locomotive Pictorial Withers Publishing and John D. Hahn, Jr., are proud to present a series of soft cover books covering the diesel fleet of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Each book pictorially covers a specific group of locomotives and includes a complete roster and specifications to match the models covered. Each book contains 60 to 80 pages with more than 125 high-quality black-and-white photographs. The four-color laminated cover features an original painting, specially commissioned for this series . Volume One - ALeo RS series PRR's ALCo RS models - the RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-11, RSD-5, RSD-7, RSD-12, and RSD-15 - are covered in this first volume. 60 pages plus cover, 130+ b&w photographs, 8 y, x 11 vertical format, four-color cover, softbound, retail 514.95 Volume Two - Baldwin Switchers & Road Switchers PRR's large Baldwin fleet of VOs; OS4-4-660s, 750s, and 1000s; S-8s and S-12s; DRS4-4-1000s; RS-12s; and AS-616s are covered in this second volume. 80 pages plus cover, 150+ b&w photographs, 8Y, x 11 vertical format, four-color cover, softbound, retail 516.95 Volume Three - Second-Generation EMD Road Switchers PRR entered dieselization's second generation with the purchase of four-ax/e EMD GP30s in 1963. After acquiring GP35s the following year, the carrier made the switch to six-axle locomotives in 1965, buying SD35s, SD40s, and finally SD45s before merging with New York Central. 80 pages plus cover, 150+ b&w photographs, 8Y, x 11 vertical format, four-color cover, softbound, retail S16.95. Available soon. Available from Withers Publishing • 528 Dunkle School Road • Halifax, Pa., 17032 • 717.896.3173 Add S2.50 p&h [or each book ordered' PA residents add 6% sales tax · I I; MODEL RAILROADING July 1996 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 7 FEATURES 10 T DCC UPDATE 48 T Making Waves by David Trussell Model Railroading's Continuing Look At Digital Command Control: Part VI - 51 T Sunrise at West Clarksfield: Building a Decoder from a Kit for $19 A Modelable Prototype And Your Own On-Board Sound System by Jim Six by Larry Puckett 54 T DIESEL DETAIL CLOSE-UP 22 T MODELING MODERN INTERMODAL Union Pacific (UP) GE C30-7 N-Scale 89' Trailer Flats by Rich Picariello by Doug Geigel; MMR 58 T FREIGHTCAROLOGY Used Cars (and a Note on the 28 T Burlington Northern's "Denver" SW12s: 1996 Intermodal EXPO) A Prototype Review Modeler's Notebook & by David G. Casdorph by David A. Bontrager 61 T ON TRACK T The Big Boats - Part Two 34 Constructing Curved Fascias: General Electric U33C1U34CH/U36C Part Two - Control Panels by George Melvin by Jim Mansfield T Gary Petersen's Salt Lake Southern - 40 62 T BEHIND THE SCENES A Look at SLS Operations Front Stn��tTow �r: Th� Packagil1g of � M�!1y-S��!1� Dava 01'1 (H \ Pete rsen Mansfie ld by ilh Gmy by Margaret DEPARTMENTS 5 T Editorial 8 T Letters to the Editor 14 T New Products 17 T Book Beat 18 T Product Reviews 20 T Computer Applications 21 T Video Review <:( T Dealer Directory f1l 64 ]Cl 68 T Society Page .2 T Your Trek Plan Bo 73 � L:::�����____ � ______ __________________________��" � 78 T Advertiser Index ABOUT THE COVER Mitchell Yard's locomotive servicing tracks are framed by impressive cliffs on Gary Petersen's Salt Lake Southern.Turn to page 40 for a look at operations on this club-sized home layout. Photo by Randy Lee. INSET: A body of water can do much to add or detract from a modeled scene. David Trussell shares how he makes waves like those on his Stockton Bay modules starting on page 48. Photo by Bruce Nail. Hot Products for Summer Modeling HO PFE R-30-12 and R-30-12-9 Refrigerator cars: SP/up Overland Herald and WP/PFE available now. $14.95 decorated, $12.95 undecorated. 1937 A.A.R. 40' boxcars: Santa Fe "EI Capitan," "Scout," "Super Chief' and "Grand Canyon" all with maps. Also UP "Serves all the West," "OWR&N" and "Oregon Short Line"; Cllicago & North Western "The Overland Route," "C&NW Herald" and "Route of The 400 Fleet." Decorated kits $13.95, undecorated "Square" corner or "w" corner, $10.95. Double-door version of 1his car out soon. $14.95, $12.95 undecorated. HO tank cars new paint schemes: Warren, US Army, Koppers Coal Tar and Black or Silver Data Only cars. $13.95 decorated, $12.95 undecorated. Watch for a new car in the next few months from Red Caboosel Send SASE for more info on all cars, futureprojects and ordering information. RED CABOOSE, (970) 535-4601 P.O. BOX 2490, LONGMONT, CO 80502 MCCLEOD SUPER SERVICEIN HO N SCALES & Introducing a most unique and complete gas station kit, McLeod Super Service. Kit features over 20 cast metal gas station details(which includes 2 of JL's own custom barrels), along withour new free standing mini-ground signs. Plus, an all new Fence Base Billboard with over 60 new full color signscreated especially for this kit Pre-cut basswood siding, Grandt Line windows/doors and illustrated instructions with multi-view detaileddrawings. #311 HO scale $32.95, #310 N Scale $21.95. Please include $3.00 for shipping & handling. Send $3.50 for our new color catalog #5 featuring all our kits and period sign products. VISa/MasterCard accepted, please include expiration date. REALROAD11II JL INNOVAnVE SCALE MODELS Rated #1 Again. The REALROADTM Computer AidedThrottle System out­ PO BOX 322, SAUK RAPIDS, MN 56379 performs absolutely every throttle on themarket today! Guaranteed! And it's (302) 252-7095 now at a price you can afford! Just call us for information or to try the REALROADTM System risk free for 30 days! And wait until you hear REALROADTM in action, now with CD quality sound. PREFERRED PRODUCIS OF MINNESOTA l!l· 18283 MINNEI'ONKA futidffl1M BLVD., SURE C DEEPHAVEN, MN 55381 1-800-962-4127 (612) 473-2680 FAX SPlECUY. EDmON RAILROAD MODELS MODEL EDITORIAL RAILROADING PUBLISHER Cynthia Evans EXECUTIVE EDITOR Randall B. Lee A Dream CONTRIBUTING EDITORS David A. Bontrager David G. Casdorph Fulfilled Doug Geiger, MMR Patrick Lawson Jim and Margaret Mansfield George Melvin y editorial last month, "Of Dreamers and Doers," was Rich Picariello partially written to help set the stage for my column Larry J. Puckett this month. For you see, a dream I have had fo r many years has Jim Six M Larry E. Smith, MMR fi nally come to pass. At lOAM on June 28, the necessary documents were signed and ART DIRECTOR payments made to transfer ownership of Model Railroading magazine from Wiesner, Donna Pacheco Inc., to Highlands Station, inc., a company I incorporated this past February. Highlands ADVERTISING/SALES Station, Inc., was organized for the purposes of acquiring Model Railroading and pub­ Chris Lane - 1-800-945-0973 lishing model railroad related books. The Board of Directors of Highlands Station, Inc., is composed of myself as President; Doug Geiger, Secretary; and David Bontrager, Board Member. More than 40 model railroaders who also believed in my dream pro­ n-l WIESNER vided the necessary capital to make this dream possible. Without their faith and confi­ dence, fulfillment of the dream would have been impossible. 4-1CEO PUBLISHINGE. Patrick Wiesner This, the July issue, will be the last issue of Model Railroading published by Wies­ PRESIDENT Dan Wiesner ner. The August issue will be Highlands Station's fi rst. As of July I, Model Railroading EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT can be contacted at: Eliza Metzger Highlands Station, Inc. VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS 2600 S. Parker Rd, Suite 1-211 John A. Bennett Aurora, CO 80014 CONTROLLER Jon Rich (303) 338-1700 • FAX (303) 338-1949 MIS MANAGER John Wiesner email m.·[email protected] PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Karen M. Calderone Chris Lane will continue with Model Railroading as its National Sales Manager, and DATATRAX COORDINATOR Donna Pacheco, our Art Director, will continue to serve in that capacity on a freelance Margaret Lanctot basis even though she is remaining with Wiesner. Don Strait is joining the Highlands SPECIAL PROJECTS ARTIST Dayna Wells Station staff as Office/Circulation Manager.