Predictions for 2008

[ljudice]

Re: 3007 -

Lee will be modelling the Baltimore and Orion!!!!

Anyone remember this from Futurama???

[Iain]

I plan on beeing alive in 3007.  I'd be nice and old, but it is theoretically possible, and a lot of the folks on my Dad's side have lived into three digits.

That's a thousand years John, have you been down the back sipping on White Lightning again?  ;D ;D ;D

All I need is to go really fast or find a black hole

[lock4244]

BLMA will announce N scale rivets!

Don't forget the BLMA N Scale Rivet Counter... a complimentary product.

[Iain]

BLMA will announce N scale rivets!

Don't forget the BLMA N Scale Rivet Counter... a complimentary product.

We've that already, Robbman.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I think the C40-8 is coming, as well as the GP15 and CF7 though I don't have any confirmation on two of them.

I predict that PCM will either fold or sell off their n scale tooling. This will go up for sale. There are a few potential buyers out there:

Walthers would be the most logical buyer. Though Walthers does already have three of the four anounced engines from the PCM line (E7, E8, PA), They each have their problems. The E7 and E8 have a miss-shaped nose while the PA comes in only one phase. The PCM E7 is a work of art but the truck design is poor. Fortunatly the newer Walthers E8 trucks would fit with a minimal od tooling changes. Now walthers would have sound equiped multi-phase engines with free standing details.

The PCM hopper would do a lot better under a known name brand (Walthers) and distirbution network. The couplers and trucks could be adapted to other freight cars and engines, releasing Walthers from license fees and other companies production scheduals. The sound system, which can be produced smaller would fit in their steam, and diesel engines such as the FA1, FA2, BL2, Erie built, DL109 and others. It would be a perfect marriage.

Athearn could use the influx of new tooling, but they have been slow to roll out the former MDC tooling. Sound equiped engines would be a hit from a name brand though.

Atlas might pounce as they did with Industrial Rail, but With Walthers agressivly upgrading their older LL tooling and Walthers proven dedication to sound, I doubt Atlas would want to roll out a competing product.

[sirenwerks]

I think the C40-8 is coming, as well as the GP15 and CF7 though I don't have any confirmation on two of them.

A hunch on the latter two, or do you know someone who knows someone...?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Just a hunch

[kiwi_al]

Daniels hunches have a good track record!!!

[Atlanticflier]

Hopefully........we will see from ATLAS the 89' TOFC model in N Scale.

I expect a new trailer in N scale from Athearn in 2008 also !

[lock4244]

No one will make an N Scale GP40-2L(W) or GP40-2W  >

Kato will continue their policy of torture by not doing an N Scale SD75I... scared off by the Athearn paperweights  >

Oh well, HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

[central.vermont]

No one will make an N Scale GP40-2L(W) or GP40-2W  >

Kato will continue their policy of torture by not doing an N Scale SD75I... scared off by the Athearn paperweights  >

Oh well, HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

Mike,
You can also state that Kato will NOT do anything New England!! > >
Jon

[sirenwerks]

You can also state that Kato will NOT do anything New England!!

Well, it makes sense kinda, how many Japanese tourists go to New England versus the Pac NW, California or Southwest? They may not even know New England exists. Heck, we probably get more Asian tourists in the Mid Atlantic, but very little Kato comes in CSX or NS. Thank goodness for Atlas!

[3rdrail]

No Kato New England? What's this?



Last I recall, the New Haven was a New England railroad! 

[wm3798]

Around here they're mostly Mexican, and I don't think they're tourists in the purist sense of the word...
Lee

[chuck geiger]

We're going back to Aurora Postage Stamp Trains with bad track and Atlas turnouts that were sharper than a razor blade. I remember trying to build a 2x4 N scale layout in 1969. I used roadbed and grass, tried ballasting and had spurs that went nowhere and trackwork that looked like a 2 year old layed it down.