Sometimes it's hard to be an N scaler

[OldEastRR]

While checking the Rapido website for some info on when the NH 8600 coaches (which I thought were scheduled for this summer) were estimated to be delivered, I saw that they're now coming out with the HO streamlined NH diner that ran with the coaches. The HO coaches AND the Smoker -Lounges are already done, and sold out. So I guess HO "earned" a NH diner. I have a suspicion that eventually ALL the NH streamlined passenger cars are going to be done by Rapido in HO scale. The next obvious choice will be the baggage-lounge cars.
Meanwhile us N guys are still waiting on the single coach car.
It does get discouraging being a "second-class modeler" in the world of toy trains. It makes me angry sometimes. But there's not a damn thing me or the whole bunch of US -prototype N scalers can do about being "second-class" to HO. We're a minority, with all the drawbacks that entails.
I'm hoping Rapido finds it can produce at least the smoker-lounge cars in N, but they weren't too optimistic on such a thing happening. It is disheartening to be sitting on the siding while the "first class modelers" HO train roars by. But I'm staying in N. Sad tho it may be sometimes.

[SandyEggoJake]

>> But there's not a damn thing me or the whole bunch of US -prototype N scalers can do about being "second-class"..

Other than recruiting new folks into our hobby, to ensure we remain the fastest growing of the top three scales? 

There is something to be said for being the squeaky wheel, but all things are relative; the line I model has never even had any company produce decals for it yet. 

[bbussey]

The 8600s are en route and will be available in October.  And you can kitbash a 8500 PBLW smoker relatively easily.  It will be real easy after the 8600s are released, as you can just swap in the 8600 interior into an 8200 model to get the 8500 smoker.

That HO diner has an MSRP of $140, and the cost is being subsidized by the NHRHTA (which has little to no interest in N).  How much are you willing to pay for a New Haven fluted diner, given your statements about product cost in the past?

And, you can always be a true modeler and scratchbuild/kitbash your own.  That's the price of admission when you model a road where the majority of the roster consists of esoteric prototypes — where, amazingly, a number of those esoteric prototypes have been released RTR in N.

[bbussey]

NH-specific prototypes released RTR in N:  NE-5 caboose, NE-6 caboose, 1913 heavyweight RPO, EMD FL9, Pullman-Bradley Lightweight 10-window coach, P-S 8600 Smoker.

Esoteric prototypes associated with NH released RTR in N: 28-1 heavyweight parlor, XIH boxcar, Alco DL-109, NE-2 caboose.

Specific prototypes released RTR in N that had a significant presence on NH equipment roster:  PS-1 40' boxcar SD, PS-1 50' boxcar DSD, 1937 AAR 40' boxcar SD, 1944 AAR 40' boxcar SD, USRA twin hopper, 8-panel twin hopper, 40' quad hopper, 42' fishbelly flatcar, 50' fishbelly flatcar with side-mounted brakewheel, AAR 53' flatcar, 40' wood reefer, Alco RS-1, Alco RS-2, Alco RS-3, Alco S-2, Alco RS-11, Alco FA1, Alco FB1, Alco FB2, Alco PA1, EMD GP-9, FM H16-44 early, FM H16-44 late, GE U25B, GE 44-tonner, RDC-1, RDC-2, RDC-3, RDC-4, 4-8-2 Mountain, 0-8-0 switcher, 12-1 heavyweight sleeper, 10-1-2 heavyweoght sleeper, scale test car.

Kits of NH-specific prototypes released in N:  Caanan Union Station, Cannondale Station, New Haven Tower, 14-4 fluted sleeper, 6-4-6 fluted sleeper, 6BR- fluted bar-lounge.

And more stuff is coming.  Single window heavyweight coach is next.  There is plenty to choose from regarding NH in N.  The only major void is the electrics, which most people won't model in N due to the catenary.

[nkalanaga]

And wasn't the NH catenary unique to them? 

[GaryHinshaw]

The only major void is the electrics, which most people won't model in N due to the catenary.

Coincidentally, this cool Tom Nelligan photo just showed up on RailPictures today.

[bbussey]

And wasn't the NH catenary unique to them?

Yes, for the most part, and two type of towers as well.

[Philip H]

maybe its because I spent the weekend around a bunch of HO and O scale guys but . . . can we all get over this inferiority complex?  We've had more great N Scale products in the last decade then ever.  I now have three decent to top of the line manufacturers with SD40-2's for my KCS fleet (though NONE of them has done the iconic white  ); we have factory installed sound at decent prices, and freight cars in most eras with details that nearly match HO standards.  We have TWO scale-specific magazines and more web fora then you can shake a stick at.

Your desired niche' prototype is not well represented, but that's common in every scale. Try being a sugarcane modeler (my other closet love).

[rgengineoiler]

Get over it!  I started way back in 1984 when the few Loco's that were available sounded like lawn mowers.  You are wishing for a certain car to be manufactured.  Now,  this is a serious N Scale Hobby with unbelievable possibilities that are available.  No, we will never catch up with HO but,  I am very happy with the progress that has been made in 34 years and when some things were not available I would scratch build them when possible or just wait and sometimes suggest a product to be manufactured.  I think N Scale is fantastic now,  compared to 1984 when I started.  Congrats to all of the manufacturers who help our N Scale hobby move forward.   Doug   

[thomasjmdavis]

And here I was reading the Rapido newsletter, and reading in precisely the opposite of the OP.

In the actual latest newsletter (#104 in my inbox a couple days ago, as opposed to #103, which is what comes up if you select "latest newsletter" on their homepage menu as of 9:45 EDT this morning), they told us there was a new N scale passenger car in the planning stages, to be announced shortly.
In this newsletter, they told us that, in addition to the HO Scale NH diner, there was a second diner project due to be announced soon but not quite ready to be announced...
 

We will be officially launching (hard launching?) the New Haven [HO] dining car next month. You see, we have another dining car to announce at the same time, and that launch is not ready yet.

It doesn't say anything about what scale dining car #2 is.  Combine that with

We will have a surprise N scale passenger car announcement in a forthcoming newsletter.

from newsletter #103 and....

It is clearly the intent of Rapido that we spend the time between now and Christmas speculating on what N scale diner they will be producing.

Just to kick off, I would assume one of 2. a) same NH one they are doing in HO; b) one of the 1950s era CN cars (I forget the number series) that would work with their previously released CN cars.  If the latter, I will place one of the 3 pre-orders you will ever get for one in GTW 1954.  OR, please pull one of the 1954 CN cars out before lettering, and I will decal my own.

Idly speculating on stuff they will never make is much more fun than griping about stuff they haven't made yet.

[coosvalley]

I think the OP is generally a "glass is mostly empty" kinda guy.Sometimes reading his posts makes me wonder why he bothers at all. I think he just prefers to gripe , whereas another NH modeler here seems to be able to make do ...It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round.

Someone once said something about model railroading being hours of mild frustration sprinkled with small bits of satisfaction...Some focus on the frustration, others the satisfaction..

[Chris333]

I'm sure there are people who complain in the larger scales as well.

[nstars]

I'm sure there are people who complain in the larger scales as well.

They may complain about not enough space, too short trains, etc.  .

Marc

[Dave V]

N scale has advantages over HO, but ready availability of a broad range of prototypes isn't one of them (although as has been mentioned it's gotten a whole lot better just in the last decade).

HO has advantages over N, but among them are NOT train length, scenery-to-trains ratio, utilization of space, minimum curvature radius, etc.

O scale, OTOH, has its own following for its own reasons...  The amazing "heft," throaty sound, and detail must balance with the user's space.  I've never taken a look to see if O scale writ large has a more extensive product selection than N, but I do know that O scale 2-rail proto guys have much less choice than N scalers do.  Then again, it may be easier to scratchbuild what you need in O than in N (but will take much more material!).  I dunno; never tried.  My only dabbling in O scale is the Lionel stuff we put under the tree at Christmas.

So each modeler must make his or her own choice based on what's most important to him or her.  When I was still active duty and moving frequently, the portability of N scale trumped all my other concerns.  Now that I'm much less nomadic, HO scale (and in particular narrow gauge) is much more practical for me.  Availability of product in HOn3 is way better than it's ever been and with only a few exceptions will I need to dip into craftsman kits and brass.  So that's where I am in the "great compromise."

Long story short, there's no free lunch.  You're fighting against HO's decades-long lead in popularity over N, and if you want a windfall of specific prototype RTR stuff, you'll have to decide if N really is the right scale for you.  I watched 4 companies selling PRR K4s in HO before we got one in N scale and it was awfully tempting to switch.  Then Walthers went on a Pennsy bender making everything from B60bs and N6bs to PRR-specific interlocking towers and a full Broadway Limited--in HO only, of course!--and if I'd not returned to my HOn3 roots of so many years ago I most certainly would be filling that 12 x 14 foot space in my basement with an embarrassingly compressed HO scale PRR.

[draskouasshat]

maybe its because I spent the weekend around a bunch of HO and O scale guys but . . . can we all get over this inferiority complex?  We've had more great N Scale products in the last decade then ever.  I now have three decent to top of the line manufacturers with SD40-2's for my KCS fleet (though NONE of them has done the iconic white  ); we have factory installed sound at decent prices, and freight cars in most eras with details that nearly match HO standards.  We have TWO scale-specific magazines and more web fora then you can shake a stick at.

Your desired niche' prototype is not well represented, but that's common in every scale. Try being a sugarcane modeler (my other closet love).

This is part of the problem unfortunately. The same goes for F and E units apparently. im all about the scale progressing but we wont if we keep regurgitating the same models over and over. I understand that companies need their bread and butter models but someone needs to bring in wheat bread and maybe some apple butter to spice things up a but.

Drasko