Trainini magazine - May issue

[fshbwl]

Hello everyone,

The May issue of the Trainini international edition is now available at
https://www.trainini.de/download/Trainini_int_2019-05.pdf

Content:
- The new NoHAB diesel loco model from Freudenreich Feinwerkechnik
- Märklin's new metal-filled plastic loco shells
- Report on the Dortmund modelling fair
- Letters to the editor and other news.

Happy reading!

Chris

[mmagliaro]

Really fascinating piece in this issue on Marklin's use of metal-filled plastic.  They are molding locomotive shells in plastic with tungsten powder mixed in with it.  The details and smoothness still look perfect (at least to me).   A typical diesel shell example quoted in the article increases from 4g (all plastic) to 19g (plastic with tungsten powder in it).  The process allows shells to still be produced with injection molding (a critical requirement), and be non-conductive like a pure plastic shell.

I really hope this technology finds its way to other manufacturers.  That kind of evenly distributed weight increase would be a big improvement for the scale.

Give the article a read.  It's a good one!

[strummer]

That is interesting.

Also, on page 27 it states that Marklin will be using this process on a couple of N scale locos: I did not know that Marklin made any N scale...

Mark in Oregon

[peteski]

That is interesting.

Also, on page 27 it states that Marklin will be using this process on a couple of N scale locos: I did not know that Marklin made any N scale...

Mark in Oregon

Marklin and Trix (Minitrix) are one company (for several years now).  So N scale stuff is sold under the Minitrix name.

[strummer]

Of course, thanks!

I keep forgetting about all these mega-mergers...

Mark in Oregon

[learmoia]

So Kato stack cars are powdered metal cast within plastic?

Duhh.. nevermind..

"Model Features:
    Provides stable operation with or without container loads due to Kato’s new innovative heavier material steel compound plastic used for the construction of the well cars."

This is a no-brainier for locomotives!...

~Ian

[CRL]

"Model Features:
    Provides stable operation with or without container loads due to Kato’s new innovative heavier material steel compound plastic used for the construction of the well cars."

Added feature — no weathering necessary since the cars will rust on their own. 

[nkalanaga]

Not if they're painted.  besides, steel doesn't usually rust quickly indoors, unless your layout is in a humid environment, or has corrosive fumes.

That said, I have some older models, painted and decaled in the early 80s, that have rusted.  The water in our well, long since replaced with city water, had enough iron that the residue, under the decals, rusted.  Not a good sign, for models or laundry.  Most of those models are retired, and still in the old house.