NMRA Convention / National Train Show 2013 News

[Puddington]

We are indeed producing the three new n scale projects for Prairie Shadows. (They look sooooo great eh !) I'm going to guess an update on status will be coming out this fall but you can always get ahold of the wonderful folks at Prairie Shadows and ask them for an update.... and place an order ! LOL

That CN caboose looks awesome.... even to a confirmed CP guy !

[fredmoehrle]

I picked up both of the switchers they did and love them.  But you have to understand there's a world of distance between what folks want and say they want to buy and what they actually spend money on.  I'm as guilty as anyone...for the longest time I wanted a large scale A3 Skywarrior (flew on them from time to time in Vietnam) and one just showed up in 1/48 scale by Trumpeter...guess what...it's still on the hobby shop shelf and not in my stash at home...  Oh well.  It's our nature.    I suspect, as it has been proven time and time again, what the web says, may not be what actually happens in the hobby shops in the real world.

Joe

Trumpeter is a PITA!
First they came out with a 1/144 scale Gato.  (Dockside scene, anyone?)
Then a 1/500 scale USS North Carolina (that suckers still in the rafters over my traintable!)
  Luckily, the local hobby shop shut down, so I'm not tempted by plastic kits as much.

[C855B]

I picked up both of the switchers they did and love them.

Ah... but we need to get back to the truism about switchers - how many operators need more than one? Road power is run in multiples, so it's SOP to have several of an SD- or GP-whatever, or, heaven forbid, a bunch of Toaster variants.

Now a few of us will buy [good-quality] switchers in as many road numbers as are released. Switchers are part of the scenery, that they might operate is a big plus. But Mr. Average N-scaler? And I do hope Atlas doesn't get burned by this in their responding to the hue-and-cry with the S-2. 

[Mark5]

I don't need no stinkin' switchers!

I model the Pokey on the N&W and up through the mid 1970s N&W mostly used GP9s and RS11s (never saw a switcher) to switch the (large) yard in Williamson.

That said, I think the S-2 should be a hit. Not only did major railroads use them but many shortlines used/use them as primary motive power. Many possibilities!

Mark

[Denver Road Doug]

Ah... but we need to get back to the truism about switchers - how many operators need more than one? ... <snip>  I do hope Atlas doesn't get burned by this in their responding to the hue-and-cry with the S-2.

I think that is a very valid point and I've said repeatedly that I would rather have the manufacturers go the extra mile to make sure a switcher that is heavy, has a good mech and quality motor, and other high end features. (headlights on both ends, DCC, etc.)     I think Atlas kinda gets that, (outside of their GP15-1 in their Trainman line, which is effectively a switcher and did not need to be cheaped out like it was.) which is why they swung for the fences and did the metal shell and sound decoder for the S-2.    Since you generally only need one or two, spending a little more shouldn't pose a huge barrier for purchase.

[Denver Road Doug]

We are indeed producing the three new n scale projects for Prairie Shadows. (They look sooooo great eh !) I'm going to guess an update on status will be coming out this fall but you can always get ahold of the wonderful folks at Prairie Shadows and ask them for an update.... and place an order ! LOL

Sent Jeff an e-mail today asking about the flat cars and here is the reply:
"They are apparently going into production soon... hoping for a November/December delivery."

[Wardie]

Ah... but we need to get back to the truism about switchers - how many operators need more than one? Road power is run in multiples, so it's SOP to have several of an SD- or GP-whatever, or, heaven forbid, a bunch of Toaster variants.

Now a few of us will buy [good-quality] switchers in as many road numbers as are released. Switchers are part of the scenery, that they might operate is a big plus. But Mr. Average N-scaler? And I do hope Atlas doesn't get burned by this in their responding to the hue-and-cry with the S-2. 

For quite a few years the Maine Centrals fleet of Alco S-4's operated as road power for branch lines in singles, pairs, and I think even occasionally trios. They all came with MU, the first two cab ends only, the rest both ends. Their SW-7's and SW-9 were also used as road power for the first thirty or so years of their careers, only being shunted to yard duty at the end. I know that not nearly as many people model the MEC as a lot of other roads, but just because an engine is an S or SW doesn't mean it wasn't road power.

[Ike the BN Freak]

For quite a few years the Maine Centrals fleet of Alco S-4's operated as road power for branch lines in singles, pairs, and I think even occasionally trios. They all came with MU, the first two cab ends only, the rest both ends. Their SW-7's and SW-9 were also used as road power for the first thirty or so years of their careers, only being shunted to yard duty at the end. I know that not nearly as many people model the MEC as a lot of other roads, but just because an engine is an S or SW doesn't mean it wasn't road power.

Also the Union Railroad in Pittsburgh, if you model recent history of it, all they have is switchers, MP15s, SW1500s, etc

[Mark5]

Not sure if this was mentioned, but Bachmann is releasing a small turntable that appears to have a pit of some sort.

[Kiasutha]

Also the Union Railroad in Pittsburgh, if you model recent history of it, all they have is switchers, MP15s, SW1500s, etc

Also the "Pittsburg and Shawmut", back in the 70's and there about.
All they had for a while was 9 SW-9's, and used them to haul coal trains on the mainline.

[packers#1]

The local shortline who took over for Norfolk Southern uses a leased SW1500 for motive power. Before, NS was sending GP50s, GP38-2s, and even B32-8s

[u18b]

My wallet won't get lighter until MT makes flexcoil trucks.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

LV, Reading, and Conrail used SW and MP15s as road power up in Anthracite country.

http://thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9421-Three-MP15s-and-an-SW1500-Through-Port-Clinton-PA
http://thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9421-at-the-St-Nick-Breaker

Many more: http://thecrhs.org/OnLocationWithConrail/HardCoalCountry

[wcfn100]

Switchers as road power, you bet.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=346803

Jason

[ljudice]

Did Bryan announce the next roadnames for the X58's yet?