News from Rocky Mountain Train Show.

[wcfn100]

I was able to briefly stop by the RMTTS on Sunday and got some info and a few pictures.  There isn't much 'news' as we knew or expected most of it, but did get some confirmations.

Intermountain - I talked at length about the N scale cancellations and what they were going to do moving forward.  It sound like future announcement will have less road names and less road numbers and they are going to try and cut off reservations sooner meaning if something isn't making the numbers, it's cancelled and the other items will go to production.  Basically what we've all been saying for years.  They had samples of the new F unit chassis.  These things are fully loaded with lights including a backup light.  They will also be using Atlas trucks.

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Micro-Trains - Just asked about the new flat car and any updates to the TSC.  Looks like some new TCS styles might be on the horizon but I didn't get any specifics.  They had a poster up for the flat car.  It's a Thrall prototype built from 1975 on.  I questioned that build date due to the brake wheel, but haven't had a chance to look at any photos.  I'm pretty sure PS started building their 60' flat with the ratchet style brake by the late 60's.

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Rapido Trains - I mostly asked about the F30 flat coming to N, they said "maybe?".  I recognized the gentleman I was talking to from a previous show.  He was at Kato then.  If you saw Kato's help wanted ad, apparently 2 people left Kato recently, which also explained why they didn't make this show.  I guess Kato USA if pretty fed up with basically being ignored by the main office.

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San Juan - I tried to ask about the core kits but the owner wasn't as the show.  Best I could get is there's some internal stuff going on that may be postponing some announcements until it's settled.

Rail Smith - Just asked if along with some the the name trains, he could run more generic cars too.  In particular IC which has all been for the City of Miami.  He said next month might have IC cars with just the IC lettering.

Scale trains - Asked about the new HO reefers and they said there are going to do them in N.  Also asked about the GP30s which he also said will be coming.  At the same time he offered up the Tunnel Motors will be coming as well.  All of this sounded a few years off.  I also asked about the Fox Valley locomotive tooling.  They said the locomotives will be built to their specs so it sound like all new guts.

I think that's it.

Sorry for the big pics, too lazy to edit this morning.

Jason

[packers#1]

So if I’m understanding you correctly, the ScaleTrains GP30’s will be coming to N at some point, probably in a few years? Well that’s AWESOME!

[C855B]

Thanks for the report, Jason! Especially for asking all the right questions and getting forthwith answers from everybody. Of course I'm elated about the confirmation of the N GP30 from ScaleTrains 'cuz I'll be up for every number they produce. Better save my shekels.

Nice to see IM showing the Next18 socket in their pre-production chassis. Seems that this is the year where that form factor is going to catch on. 'Bout time.

[wcfn100]

So if I’m understanding you correctly, the ScaleTrains GP30’s will be coming to N at some point, probably in a few years? Well that’s AWESOME!

Yes.  I asked specifically about CGW units and getting the correct MARS nose light and cab side mounted horns and he said yes to both.

Now I just need to pick a side a what color the walkways were. 

Jason

[samusi01]

At the same time he offered up the Tunnel Motors will be coming as well.

Good news! Would be nice if they floated the 45T-2 as well.

Thanks for taking the time to visit and post news.

[wcfn100]

Nice to see IM showing the Next18 socket in their pre-production chassis. Seems that this is the year where that form factor is going to catch on. 'Bout time.

They were pretty excited about the electronics in the new chassis.  I should have taken a front-on shot of the light board, I believe even separate ditch lights are on there for modern applications.

Jason

[James Costello]

Thanks for the report Jason - appreciate it.

[thomasjmdavis]

Jason, thanks for the report.

In your conversation with Intermountain, did they say anything about cleaning up some of the spaghetti wiring on the F units? Is that the result of everything being hand wired for the show?  Looks like there are about 3' of extra wire in there, and no color code in this day and age is unusual.

[wcfn100]

Jason, thanks for the report.

In your conversation with Intermountain, did they say anything about cleaning up some of the spaghetti wiring on the F units? Is that the result of everything being hand wired for the show?  Looks like there are about 3' of extra wire in there, and no color code in this day and age is unusual.

I didn't think to ask about that.  I do know they are still working out some fit and finish stuff at a minimum.  He spoke specifically on some light leaking around the number boards, and making sure number boards with white letters on black, that the black is opaque.


Jason

[ednadolski]

@wcfn100 any ETA on these (HO and/or N)?

Ed

[Englewood]

Thanks for the report. Glad to hear that the reefers and the tunnel motors will be coming to N. I better start saving my pennies.
Anybody talk to JTC?

[wcfn100]

@wcfn100 any ETA on these (HO and/or N)?

Ed

Sorry, didn’t ask. Only asked on a couple Scale Trains locos since they’re going to make a dent in the wallet.

Jason

[mu26aeh]

@wcfn100 any ETA on these (HO and/or N)?

Ed

HO and N scale are both in production and available third quarter 2023

https://rapidotrains.com/product-delivery-schedule/

[ridinshotgun]

So ST is going to screw up the FVM locos in n scale by "updating the mechanism" on what is probably my best running group of locomotives? My FVM fleet of gp60's, SD70s and GEVOs run great as is. I have less issues with all of my FVM stuff than my few ST locomotives (that have been back to ST several times) and if I do have any issues with a FVM loco I can easily work on it compared to the rats nest of wires from 1970 I find in a ST loco.  They just can't leave something good alone. 

[wcfn100]

So ST is going to screw up the FVM locos in n scale by "updating the mechanism" on what is probably my best running group of locomotives?

To be precise, what they said is that they were going to be built to "their specs" and only mentioned the motor specifically.  I don't know what, if anything else will change for sure.

I was happy to hear that the BNSF 25th Annivesary unit will probably play well with the other ST units.  The one FVM unit we have runs very slow compared to all other modern locos we have.

Jason