There are many new and exciting engine releases coming from the manufacturers lately, and the nature of the business is that there is often 6 – 8 months or longer between the order deadline and arrival at the shop.

So, to ensure that those ordering are committed to their purchase, from April 1st, 2012, we will be asking for a non-refundable deposit of $25 (Non-Sound) or $50 (Sound) on all new engine pre-orders valued at $150.00 or more. A receipt will be issued showing the deposit paid at the time of your order.

We will notify the customer when the engine arrives, and arrangements for payment must be made within 30 days, or the deposit will be forfeited and the engine put out for sale.

We do this reluctantly, our good relations with our customers are very important to us, but we must pay our suppliers in 30 days even if a customer changes their mind about their purchase.

These days you can pre-order just about anything. Pre-ordering is great because it ensures you get something that you really want as soon as it is available. As soon as we are notified that an item is available for pre-order we’ll let you know here. So, either check back here often or subscribe for automatic notification using our RSS Feed.  Click on any Photo to Enlarge it.

Just send us an email to pre-order any item.

• 30 March 2012 : New Pre-Order Policy
• 4 February 2012 : HO “Executive Line” MLW C-630M Locomotives
• 4 February 2012 : Athearn Genesis GP38-2W
• 5 October 2011 : HO General American 37′ Meat Reefer from Rapido
• 10 August 2009 : Get it First!

DC Version $199.95. With Soundtraxx Tsunami Sound $299.95

Contact Don’s HO Service to order yours NOW!

Pre orders Due March 30, 2012
Estimated Delivery Late 2012

Features:

* 8 Pin NMRA Plug (DCC Ready)
* Soundtraxx Tsunami Sound with DCC
* Accurate Brass Horns
* Correct Plows/ Pilots where appropriate
* Accurate Brass Antennas
* WORKING Ditch Lights CP-Late, BCR, WNYP, A&M
* New Dofasco Trucks w/ ALL wheel pick-up
* Correct Rear-end
* Photo Etched Radiator walkway
* Accurate Bell Location
* Accurate Fuel Tank
* Brass MU Hoses and Air Lines
* Photo Etched Windshield Wipers
* Accurate Paint Schemes
* Accurate Brake Wheel Style Hand Brake
* New HEAVY Frame
* Modernized Air Intakes (some locos)

Advance reservations are due by Feb 15/2012 for the all-new Genesis GP38-2W in the Canadian National scheme. If you do not reserve by the due date, you will miss out!

In January 1972, EMD unveiled its “Dash-2” line, which heralded improvements in reliability and control systems. Previous model numbers were carried over, but with a “-2” suffix added to denote the improved model; the GP38 would become the GP38-2. In the original GP38, the diesel engine drove a generator to supply power to the traction motors, although an alternator was later offered as an option (the “GP38AC”). In the GP38-2, the 16-645E engine would drive an AR-10 alternator, with the AC electrical current from the alternator rectified to DC current to power four D77 traction motors on the trucks. Another major change was the “Dash-2” modular electrical cabinet, which sought to improve reliability and ease of maintenance. By the early 1970s, many of the locomotives from Baldwin, Fairbanks-Morse and Alco were considered obsolete and in need of replacement. Even the venerable EMD GP7s and GP9s were reaching the end of their service lives. The most common engine to replace them was the GP38-2.

Without Sound – 179.98 / With Sound – 279.98

Contact DON’s HO Service to order yours NOW!

Key Features

All-new tooling
Soundtraxx Tsunami factory installed (in units with sound)
All-new Canadian safety cab with interior
Operating Canadian “Lampshade” style ditch lights
Inertial filter intake snow shields
Long hood with correct louvers and recessed brakewheel
Dual vertical headlight and multi-class lights on long hood end
Canadian-style “ribbed” front anticlimber
Canadian ladder-style stepwells
“Horizontal” style ECAFB
GP38-2(W) short blower housing
Close-spaced 48” radiator fans
Cab mounted bell
Sinclair “ice skate” radio antenna
Relocated Nathan K-3 horn with separate, wireform air supply conduit
Square PAF box on non-dynamic housing
Front and rear snow plows with white “v” stripe
Dual “Salem” air filters w/ piping
3200 gallon fuel tank
Dual-end sanding lines
Single-panel “chicken wire” style radiator intake grills
McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers
Separately applied wire grab irons
Window glazing
Operating headlights utilizing microbulbs

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Deadline for reserving these is October 28th, 2011.

Don’s HO Price: $39.95 Singles, $159.80 4-Packs
Click here to reserve your favorites now!

The new Rapido USA HO scale wood reefer is based on a design built between 1937 and 1941 by General American Transportation (GARX). This important car has never been available in an HO plastic or ready-to-run model.

Rapido USA 37’ Meat Reefers Feature:

• US prototype
• Complete underbody with all piping
• Super-detailed Barber S-1 trucks
• Insulated metal wheelsets
• Accurate roof hatches and hardware
• See-through brake platforms
• Separate grabs and ladders
• Accurate paint schemes
• Multiple car numbers per scheme
• Metal Knuckle Couplers

The Rapido model has been developed with the help of several noted freight car experts. We would like to thank Richard Hendrickson, Ed Hawkins, Pat Wider and Frank Peacock for their help by providing information on these cars. We especially want to thank Jerry Stewart for his hours of help and design review to make sure that no detail was overlooked when creating this important model.

The first releases of these cars will offer four individual car numbers per paint scheme. These will be available as a four pack (four individual cars shrink wrapped together and easily broken up for individual sale) as well as individual cars. Note that individual cars will be one of the four available road numbers. Future releases will include new car numbers. Click here to view the initial paint schemes…