Factory Direct Hobbies ReviewsSee store reviews

This is a reissue of Broadway Limited's 2-8-0, this time with Paragon 4 Rolling Thunder sound technology. I chose the undecorated version as I plan to make a few modifications to the tender body and add a couple of details to the engine so it will better represent a Norfolk Southern class E-3. The model runs very smoothly especially at low speeds necessary for switching. As a test, I hooked 30 freight cars plus a caboose and it pulled the train without any sign of strain or slipping. The engine ...

I have always loved BIG STEAM engines. This model is wonderfully detailed and runs really well even on 11 inch curves, though it looks much better on wider curves. It handles #6 switches and will take #4 switches at slower speeds. With a rerailer (e.g. Kato) it is really easy to get on the tracks. I've had it pull 30 cars on flat ground. The sounds are mesmerizing. The smoke is a steady stream rather than a chug and it takes some practice to get the reservoir full but it is worth the effort. Th...

Walther terminal rail joiners are tinned on the wire end. When soldering the wires to anything else the tinning saves time. Also, due to the necessity of providing multiple feeds of DCC, electricity, and control messaging, it is important to have as many electrical feeds to your track as possible. I am relaying a section of track to upgrade it to DCC standards. Part of that upgrading program includes putting terminal rail joiners at every point of connection. It is worth the expense. The new se...

I bought this beautiful engine from Factory Direct Hobbies. They were fast to get it to me once it came in. I ordered the DCC ready version because I wanted to put my own decoder in it. It runs great. It sounds great. I have it pulling 30 cars by itself with ease. Factory Direct Hobbies always seems to get the best of selection from suppliers. This engine complements my Indiana custom built SD40-2's. I had also purchased the undecorated version of them from Factory Direct Hobbies. Thanks,...

These hoppers look absolutely fantastic. The detail and graphics are beautiful. There may not be a specific B&O prototype for these, but that doesn't matter to me. I model B&O, C&O, Chessie System 1940's to the 1970's, and I think they fit in very well. The wheels are all within tolerance, the couplers are all to correct height, and operate well. They weigh about 1 ounce (according to my old "manual" scale), are heavier than most of my other hoppers, which will mean better operation. Great doin...

Beautiful train. Love the attention to detail. An outstanding representation to the real thing down to the driver details. BLI is an outstanding company known for their museum quality products. Train runs great and looks good on the layout. Sound is great. New sounds so it's not like the paragon 3 typical sounds. Factory Direct Hobbies service is top notch and outstanding. Customer service is excellent. I am extremely satisfied with my purchase and able to do business with them. I will continue...

My reason for giving such a high review is not so much that the locomotive works well and has all the bells, whistles and so forth as my other DCC locomotives, but it's personal. My grandfather was a U.S Postman on the MKT line out of Denison, Texas in the 1930s-early 60s, one of the best jobs, along with pullman porter, that a black man could have during that time. I remember meeting him at the Denison station as the MKT steam locomotive and its cars pulled in. It was then that my love for tra...