Showcase Miniatures and Nn3

[wbvrail]

We've been very busy at Showcase Miniatures but I did want to post a notice about our new Nn3 Class B Shay kit.  The kit is not based on any particular prototype but is the culmination of many hours research on these geared locos.  The 26 ton Class B can be built as a wood, coal or oil fired model and the kit contains enough parts to recreate just about any design modification. It is designed to operate with the PowerMax powered truck which must be purchased separately.

I must confess that Nn3 is a devoted weakness of mine and many more kits are planned.  Tom Knapp will review this kit in an upcoming issue of N Scale Magazine.



http://www.showcaseminiatures.net/nn3.html

Walter

[Cajonpassfan]

Walter, that is just beautiful!
I must admit a similar narrow gauge weakness, and have been collecting Nn3 cars for the day that a well done classic 2-8-0 model may become available. Maybe that's something you would consider doing?
Regards, Otto K.

[wbvrail]

Otto,

We are considering a lot of models and the locomotives depend on the mechanism to make them operable.  The PowerMax fills a need for these geared locos but the rod engines are of great interest as well.

Walter

[thomasjmdavis]

Walter- Beautiful piece of work. I have a feeling that a lot of folks are going to spend their Saturday morning sketching out a logging spur.   I have several Showcase vehicles in my "paint when the basement warms up" box, and have always been impressed by the amount of detail you pack into your trucks (my favorite being the bottle truck- that one really brings back memories from childhood).

For my own "context" (which is to say, until I get a bigger basement I need to live with my current layout), were any of these locomotives used in an urban, industrial setting?  The "classic" photo of a Shay is in a logging camp surrounded by lumberjacks.  But I imagine they found other uses as well.  Time for me to do a bit of research.

[Palouse51]

.... were any of these locomotives used in an urban, industrial setting?  The "classic" photo of a Shay is in a logging camp surrounded by lumberjacks.  But I imagine they found other uses as well.  Time for me to do a bit of research.

While not narrow gauge, there where 2 Shays working the Vancouver wharves when I was a kid. Seeing them when Dad took me out railfanning was a treat. http://www.westonlangford.com/images/photo/110382/

[Cajonpassfan]

Otto,

We are considering a lot of models and the locomotives depend on the mechanism to make them operable.  The PowerMax fills a need for these geared locos but the rod engines are of great interest as well.

Walter

Thank you, Walter, I get that. And unfortunately there aren't any appropriately sized four-coupled locos available that I know of. I know Tom Knapp rebuilt a Japanese Mike but it comes with modern cast drivers.
We dream on...
Kind regards, Otto K.