Grapevine, Texas NTS 2023 - Announcements

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Here are the Mann-Bach announcements, NGL the 4-6-0 is definitely out of left field:

That's actually all some good stuff!

[Mark5]

Some of those Bmann freight cars might be good (will need to see 'em first) and the MSRP is a bit nutty as usual ($59.00 for a coil car!).

Is Kato at the NMRA? Been waiting to see what they will do next since the Big Boy is finally "out of the way". 

[Englewood]

I'm really liking that Bachmann 4-6-0 and the Siemens cars. Yes, Bachmann has hit one out of the ballpark.

[High Hood]

The newly retooled Athearn Bethgon, from RMC’s Facebook coverage.

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[Tristan Ashcroft]

Here are the Mann-Bach announcements, NGL the 4-6-0 is definitely out of left field:

Oh sweet!  I'm definitely a sucker for a good classic 10-wheeler.

I still want to see them, but those coil cars look hopeful.

[James Costello]

From the Railroad Model Craftsmen's coverage of the JTC stand:



Also decorated samples of their 60' flat which will also be a welcome addition to the fleet.

[Mark5]

From the Railroad Model Craftsmen's coverage of the JTC stand:

{photo of the new JTC coupler]

Also decorated samples of their 60' flat which will also be a welcome addition to the fleet.

Thanks James, that new coupler certainly has my interest!

[mike_lawyer]

Is it just me, or has Bachmann kind of stopped releasing "new" steam locomotive types?  It seems to be retreads of what they have already released. 

I do wish, however, they would release a new run of regular K4s, not streamlined.

[peteski]

Great to see Charlie Vlk's coupler design finally getting in production by JTC.  Arnold and BLI attempted to use them but did not make them available separately.  I just hope that unlike the Arnold version, JTC version will play well with MTL couplers without modifications.

[learmoia]

A little frustrated that Bachmann Drops the 20th Century Hudson in HO scale but not N scale..

Those coil cars are neat.. Might get CR and NW..

The VRK/JTC Coupler is interesting..

~Ian

[squirrelhunter]

I saw (but some how forgot to get a pic of) the chemical tank car- it is the same quality as their recent single and triple dome cars, which are quite nice.

I'm excited for the new 4-6-0, they had samples of the 52'6" drop end gon, it's good to get a nice gon that is proper length.

Edit- didn't see or hear about anything new with Kato.

The real big news is Peco had sample North American prototype Code 55 turnouts, and a "poll" about what new product they should do next- as of Friday close the Code 55 was winning handily.

[kevlarcat]

The real big news is Peco had sample North American prototype Code 55 turnouts, and a "poll" about what new product they should do next- as of Friday close the Code 55 was winning handily.

Woah, as someone about to build a layout next spring, this is the best news of the decade for me!

[EspeeGoldenState]

Is Kato at the NMRA? Been waiting to see what they will do next since the Big Boy is finally "out of the way". 

Edit- didn't see or hear about anything new with Kato.

Kato posted pics on the Facebook page of their booth.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=789836529809832&set=a.640282674765219

A keen eye revealed that they have preproduction samples of the Viewliner II Sleepers, Diner and Dorm-Baggage cars. (Pic stolen form Amtrak Modelers Facebook Group)

[Rivet Miscounter]

Here are my notes from what I saw....N-Scale unless noted.  I'l circle back with photos of a few things when I get a chance.

Bachmann
-Suppose I missed an announcement about an SD40-2?   I haven't been in the loop in N enough but they had one in their booth.  I didn't care enough about it to inquire...it reminded me of the late-90's Kato model but it was black plastic, sort of hard to tell much.

Athearn
-Samples of new bethgon, new Acid tank car, new 45ft Stoughton trailer, and new end detail for the 89ft flats. 
-Biggest news item for me was the new Berwick bathtub coal gons.

Atlas
-Had their new gray roadbed track.   Wish Unitrack looked like that but with Unitrack's durability, running characteristics, and selection of pieces.
-Biggest breaking news item is that the Dash8-40B's are on the water.
-GP40's are still a ways away, hoping to get them into production before the Chinese New Year and then on the water either right before or right after.
-Confirmed that any loco prior to the SD45 will still have ESU decoders.   I had read some musings to the contrary so I asked.

JTC
-They had decorated samples of their VTTX cars...they are offering weathered versions of both TTX and Trailer Train schemes and they looked really nice.
-Also had multiple versions of their new 60ft flat.....farm implement version, HTTX (heavy duty/military) version, and TOFC. (Wisconsin Central prototype)

Kato
-Was there, didn't stop.   Same crotchity old guy that's been their show guy for at least 20 years now, that never gives you any usable (or unusable, or accurate) information.

AZL
-They had decorated samples of their SD40-2's (BN and ATSF) and Tunnel Motors (DRGW and SP)
-They had undec samples of their SD50, SD60, and SD60M locos.
-Talked about a myriad of things with them....ideas for new freight cars (from both of us) but nothing of actual plans.
-I pitched two schemes not included in their press releases for their new announcements....Oakway Leasing for the SD60s, and GRR for the Ortner cars.

ScaleTrains
-Seemingly had samples of everything they've announced.
-Asked them if the beacons on the SD40-2's will be functional (HO versions are) and the answer was NO.   Bit of a bummer.

[peteski]

The real big news is Peco had sample North American prototype Code 55 turnouts, and a "poll" about what new product they should do next- as of Friday close the Code 55 was winning handily.

Is that all N scale?!