Trainfest 2010 Report

[jnevis]

I felt the same way, but I have the two on pre-order and will go with it.  They're close, but seem a bit too light.  They had the Wisconsin Nothern GP15 a models few down, and it almost looked like they used the same green.  I really hope they didn't.  Kind of frustrating, as Microscale lists Reading Green as being a good match, and from my previous attempts and painting Cal Northern units, I'd say Microscale is right on.

They did at least go with the two units that weren't DM&IR wth the funky fuel tanks.    

I've mentioned that a couple times on the ATL forum and got the "It matched our photos" response.  I've stood next to a ARZC, now FWRY, GP35 and even in direct sunlight the green wasn't as light, until I took a picture.  Then it seemed to lighten up and look closer.  Hmmmm....

[mcjaco]

I've mentioned that a couple times on the ATL forum and got the "It matched our photos" response.  I've stood next to a ARZC, now FWRY, GP35 and even in direct sunlight the green wasn't as light, until I took a picture.  Then it seemed to lighten up and look closer.  Hmmmm....

I spent a good portion of the nineties chasing the CFNR around NorCal during vacations to family that lived in Petaluma.  It's the railroad I've wanted to model for sometime, and the reason I jumped to N scale.  I just couldn't fathom trying to model the areas north of Hopland in HO.  I've been waiting for these units for ten years, so I'm buying them regardless. 

The green in person looked to light, which I believe was the argument with the GP15s too.  It isn't horrendously off, but enough to make you go hmmm.  That being said, the lighting in the State Fair building is notoriously bad, so I don't take much stock in what my eyes think they see there.  Like you I have tons of photos and depending on where the sun was, the cloud cover, and what year you're looking at, the green is probably right on in some photos.  I'm not going to split hairs over it.  Once it's detailed and weathered, it won't be that noticable. 

If you want to see a bad version, check out Walthers' Trainline version.  They didn't even bother with silver trucks.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

If you want to see a bad version, check out Walthers' Trainline version.  They didn't even bother with silver trucks.

Did it come in a new box?

[mcjaco]

Did it come in a new box?

Yeah, this is how Walthers sells their HO version, which is of the Proto line, not Trainline like I previously stated.  They do at least provide both the Farr and Intertial versions on the correct road names.



I painted this about twelve years ago when Walthers released the GP15 in the Trainline product.  This is straight Reading Green, with Flat White with a drop of black.  It's also heavily mdified with grabs, all weather cab, sunshades, wipers, beacon, etc.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Love the horns. New box.

[Mr. G]

I spent a good portion of the nineties chasing the CFNR around NorCal during vacations to family that lived in Petaluma.  It's the railroad I've wanted to model for sometime, and the reason I jumped to N scale.  I just couldn't fathom trying to model the areas north of Hopland in HO.  I've been waiting for these units for ten years, so I'm buying them regardless. 

The green in person looked to light, which I believe was the argument with the GP15s too.  It isn't horrendously off, but enough to make you go hmmm.  That being said, the lighting in the State Fair building is notoriously bad, so I don't take much stock in what my eyes think they see there.  Like you I have tons of photos and depending on where the sun was, the cloud cover, and what year you're looking at, the green is probably right on in some photos.  I'm not going to split hairs over it.  Once it's detailed and weathered, it won't be that noticable. 

If you want to see a bad version, check out Walthers' Trainline version.  They didn't even bother with silver trucks.

That Walthers green is atrocious.  The Atlas green doesn't look right to me either, but a bit of weathering should make it look less wonky.

[Dave V]

Maybe cousin Jimmy did the artwork for free.  He just turned nine.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I'm still not getting the "Atlas has a GP7" argument. The Atlas GP7 is dated. It is a nice model, but the walkway and handrails just arn't up to todays standards. Add the fact that there arn't winterization hatches, multiple horn variations (on the same phase), and a rather high price and I think it deserves some competition.

Does the new Bachmann GP7 have a scale width hood? I see they will have painted handrails. It looks to be the same quality as a Trainman engine (which, if you think about it, the Atlas GP7/9 is anyway).

Bachmann's B23-7 looks good enough to run with Atlas B23-7s without too many stares. I hope the GP7 will be even better.

[SkipGear]

I'm still not getting the "Atlas has a GP7" argument. The Atlas GP7 is dated. It is a nice model, but the walkway and handrails just arn't up to todays standards. Add the fact that there arn't winterization hatches, multiple horn variations (on the same phase), and a rather high price and I think it deserves some competition.

Does the new Bachmann GP7 have a scale width hood? I see they will have painted handrails. It looks to be the same quality as a Trainman engine (which, if you think about it, the Atlas GP7/9 is anyway).

Bachmann's B23-7 looks good enough to run with Atlas B23-7s without too many stares. I hope the GP7 will be even better.

We should know in a couple weeks. Distributors have them listed as due at the end of the month. The HO GP9's arrived the other day and they look very good.

[asarge]

We should know in a couple weeks. Distributors have them listed as due at the end of the month. The HO GP9's arrived the other day and they look very good.

Yeah, I had to do a double take at the L&N one. Pretty sharp for waht we perceive Bachmann diesels to be.

[Mark5]

I'd take a wait and see attitude on the Bach Geeps.

I'm pretty sure the Atlas Geeps have scale width hoods (Dan!)

I should probably put on my asbestos suit now as I say I'm not a fan of the bach 3 pole motors (as good as they are for a 3 pole).

Are the bach Geep winterization things molded on?

[Mr. G]

I'd take a wait and see attitude on the Bach Geeps.

With B-mann that's probably the best route.  You can be pretty certain that this isn't a limited run in these paint schemes.  There could be no new paint schemes for years.  Just look at how many variations we've seen of the 44-tonners

[sizemore]

I should probably put on my asbestos suit now as I say I'm not a fan of the bach 3 pole motors (as good as they are for a 3 pole).

If the motor is anything like the 44T, those motors actually operate pretty well when you put a good decoder on them. I'm still holding my breath but those GP-7's look promising.

The S.

[asarge]

The 44 Tonners are great little loco's. That's one good one, now let's see if they can follow up. There will be follow on schemes for awhile as long as it sells relatively well.

[SkipGear]

With B-mann that's probably the best route.  You can be pretty certain that this isn't a limited run in these paint schemes.  There could be no new paint schemes for years.  Just look at how many variations we've seen of the 44-tonners

Actually, there is a new batch of 44T's due at the end of the month. New road names including B&M, D&RGW, and US Army.