Grapevine, Texas NTS 2023 - Announcements

[robert3985]

Hi @robert3985 not to go OT, but any chance you could share a similar (large+detail == better) drawing for a #8 turnout?

TIA,
Ed

@ednadolski Hi Ed!  I've been looking for the original centerfold that I scanned of several A.R.E.A. turnouts, and I found a jpg of all of them, which includes a #8. 

I wanted to do a specific scan of just the #8 for you, but I can't find the original...I've been looking for it for a couple of hours.

I enlarged, cropped and sharpened the #8 drawing from my jpg file, and I don't know if it will be much help to you, because of the lack of sharpness.

Interestingly, the UP Common Standard drawings that I've got (and I've got a LOT of them) totally ignore #8's.  They have #6's, #6.5's, #7's, #9's, #10's, #12's and #14's, and I found only one mention of #8's in the hundreds of drawings I have on a chart dealing with certain turnout dimensions.

Soooo...evidently UP didn't go for #8's.

Photo #1 - A.R.E.A. Drawing of #8 Turnout


I'm also sending you UP Common Standard drawings of parts of this turnout.

Photo #2 - UP Common Standard Drawing of 16'-6" Split Switch and Accompanying Track Hardware:


I think that may be good enough for you to read if you open and enlarge it.  If it isn't, I'll create PDF files and send them to your email.

Here's another of the 11' guard rails...

Photo #3 - 11' Guard Rails:


Unfortunately, I don't have any drawings of a #8 frog.

Photo #4 - UP Common Standards Headblock and Switchstand Positioning:


I think that'll about do it.  These drawings aren't for "modern era" turnouts, drawings of which I have in a crashed hard drive, but they still might be useful.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[ednadolski]

Thanks @robert3985 !  Those all look really helpful.  The first is a bit fuzzy tho I can make out the tie spacings which is the key part.  The tie lengths are in 6" increments?

Ed

[lock4244]

Really looking forward to the VTTX container flat. It was such a common car for several decades from coast to coast and will be most appreciated.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/259338/8333045/PXL_20230825_163845811.jpg

The Bachmann SD40-2 looks like their recently redesigned HO model. That's not good though, because it uses parts from a bunch of phases nixed together. For example, this has an 81" nose, no anti-climber, and corrugated radiators.

I would love to do a photo comparison of all the SD40-2s available in N scale after these and the Scaletrains models come out.

[cjm413]

https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/259338/8333045/PXL_20230825_163845811.jpg

The Bachmann SD40-2 looks like their recently redesigned HO model. That's not good though, because it uses parts from a bunch of phases nixed together. For example, this has an 81" nose, no anti-climber, and corrugated radiators.

I would love to do a photo comparison of all the SD40-2s available in N scale after these and the Scaletrains models come out.

CNW 6926-6935 had 81" short hoods and corrugated radiators, but these were the exception to the rule.

[robert3985]

Thanks @robert3985 !  Those all look really helpful.  The first is a bit fuzzy tho I can make out the tie spacings which is the key part.  The tie lengths are in 6" increments?

Ed

@ednadolski Ed, yup...6" increments.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[simsuper80]

140$ per car in N SCALE is crazy .

Referring to the bachmann venture cars.

[Englewood]

Where did you see that price?

[simsuper80]

On the first page of this thread. You should be able to see it in the amtrak venture car add

[EspeeGoldenState]

140$ per car in N SCALE is crazy .

Referring to the bachmann venture cars.

Most of the street prices I've seen have been around $90 per car. Still doesn't make a lick of sense.

[Englewood]

On the first page of this thread. You should be able to see it in the amtrak venture car add

Oh, I see it now.
That is totally insane. They've lost their minds.

[C855B]

Oh, I see it now.
That is totally insane. They've lost their minds.

Well then, check out the cab car - $299. Oh. It has sound! 

[learmoia]

https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/259338/8333045/PXL_20230825_163845811.jpg

The Bachmann SD40-2 looks like their recently redesigned HO model. That's not good though, because it uses parts from a bunch of phases nixed together. For example, this has an 81" nose, no anti-climber, and corrugated radiators.

I would love to do a photo comparison of all the SD40-2s available in N scale after these and the Scaletrains models come out.

I'd call it an improvement over the last attempt..


But ScaleTrains makes it a non starter..

~Ian

[thomasjmdavis]

Most of the street prices I've seen have been around $90 per car. Still doesn't make a lick of sense.

It makes plenty of sense to Bachmann IF people bite the bullet and pay that price. Or the $140 MSRP, even better, for Bachmann. Bachmann is a profit center.

If modelers pay the price, because modelers "need" the car, and then complain, Bachmann is fine with that. They have plenty of canned complaint responses to use in replying to  livid emails.
The only way to change the behavior of a business is to buy or stop buying their product.  Sooner or later, they will get the message.  My personal opinion is that I will buy Bachmann's well made steam locomotives (but NOT their older design, trashy ones), and nothing else from them. But then...I model the 1950s and don't "need" Venture cars. But after my experience with their "Budd" cars of a few years ago, I doubt I would be buying another Bachmann passenger car even if I did "need" it.

In 2006 (less than 20 years ago), I paid $60 each (street price) for Kato 4 car sets of Super Chief cars (still have the receipt somewhere). The MSRP for those sets was $100 per 4 car set. Granted, lighting would have cost an additional $10 per car (or whatever).  Yes, the price of everything has gone up, but not 400%-500%.

[John]

Oh I am aware of the demographic here. I follow a UK based forum too but there really isn't nearly as much discussion about stuff like this. I think most UK N gauge modelers are less concerned with extreme prototypical accuracy. Maybe they haven't been spoiled by highly detailed models like NA has? Maybe because the scale is already a compromise it's less of an issue? I don't know the reasoning but it's definitely a different culture.

Interesting .. what I've seen of UK modeling, there is a pretty good body of work that could put a lot of us to shame .. now I don't follow UK track standards, but I do have to agree with you that Peco should provide an accurate track set for the UK modelers .. maybe its economies of scale, - ie how much return on the investment .. especially in US market