Just got back from Trainfest with the Modutrak group and it was a great show. Things seemed to be very upbeat and there were a lot of people walking around with bags of goodies they bought, so hopefully vendors did alright as well. Skibbe and I got around to most of the vendors at the show and talked to a lot of people we've gotten to know. I think what potentially caused some holdback on more new announcements at the show this year was the repeated story we heard that things are backed up in China a bit and no one knows for sure when they can get future products yet. For instance last time we talked to John at Athearn he mentioned that their Challengers and Big Boys in n-scale were a huge hit for them and that we should see more. The FEF or Turbines they did in HO make perfect sense to produce in n-scale. However Athearn has been quiet with new n-scale announcements and telling the story that until things stabilize in China they don't want to set up expectations they can't deliver on.
All that said, there are still a LOT of new n-scale products already announced and things seem to be very good in n-scale these days.
Anyway, on to the report....
Intermountain had their SD40-2W samples on display. By the end of the weekend the unpainted one looked virtually destroyed, no doubt thanks to little fingers that were everywhere.
Kato had their samples of the Sante Fe El Capitan. These units were finished nearly identical to the Super Chief with good detail and similar paint. The samples didn't have car numbers or names painted on them and they have been handled quite a bit. Expect them to ship in the first week of December.
Rumors are swirling that Kato will be doing Union Pacific "City" cars next. No idea if it will be a complete set of a particular city train or individual cars like Walthers to mix and match. Kato also hinted that the next project after the UP City cars will likely be a midwest prototype which could be a lot of things. Panama, C&NW 400 and more.
Micro Trains had their new wheelsets on display. They looked good, especially compared to their typical pizza cutter units. MT also had some samples of more heavyweight cars (12-1, 10-1-2 and a 28:1 Parlor).
Bluford had a few more of their latest releases and a poster with their new 70 ton 3-bay hoppers.
Athearn had no new announcements but had a few of their new releases on display. They also had some samples of their new LPG car on display:
Atlas, likewise had nothing new in n-scale to announce.
A company called AYA, which usually carried the backlit mirror railroad signs, has gotten into the laser cut kit market with some good looking houses, barns and a coal barge pier. I picked up two of the houses for my modules:
GC Laser had some new pieces that were interesting...
A new Canadian company called Imagine That Laser also had some very well done laser cut wood structures including a Chicago elevated platform:
This was not complete yet as they were scrambling to get everything together for the show.
Detailing was impressive for laser wood detail:
All the rest of the HO buildings on display will also be produced in n-scale:
BLI had their n-scale PA samples on display:
The Sante Fe unit actually has plated sides (so does the D&H unit). They said to expect these to arrive in hobby stores some time in the next couple months. They also said they plan to tool up 1-2 new n-scale models as well. Read what you want into that announcement.
Deluxe had some of their latest release on display as well as a rough first sample of a new intermodal container crane:
This will have a partial metal body for weight and the boom should be positionable. No time frame or pricing yet.
FVM made the now obvious 1935 MILW Hiawatha announcement. They also had their GEVO CP unit on display:
FVM also had this guy on display as well:
He seems to only come in one paint scheme and everyone will want one (at least that's what we heard...) ;D
More photos can be found
HEREHope that gives a little taste of the show. Overall the place was packed both days and things felt very upbeat. I know my wallet took a hit this weekend.
Also thanks to all who stopped by to say hi at the Modutrak booth. The kind words and encouragement are always nice to hear.
- jamie
