Happy New Year

[Anonymous]

From an N scale perspective, this past year has been a good one. More and more steam is coming out for the steam heads, and great rolling stock from class companies like LBF, Red Caboose, MT, etc.

I think the weakest area in N scale is still the structures. The manufactures copy what is happening in HO (primarily a steam/diesel transition scale) and offer those same structures to us N'rs. Of course, N is much more a modern era happening so we could use more modern structures to support the SD90's, etc.

Atlas has put a big smile on many faces with the announcement of their Shay. I am guessing that Atlas will hit a new price point with the Shay as well, but I suspect it will sell very very well.

A lot of the excitement in our DCC world is in decoder development. Lenz putting out the USP (less reliance on track contact) I think will be a milestone for the hobby. And although I never thought I would agree with Terry T on this issue, it might just well be that flywheels will become redundant. And this is a good thing for us N scaler's, as we need all the space we can get. It seems just when you think decoders can't get any better, something new and yummy comes along.

I think one area that needs improvement is that Lenz and Digitrax needs to copy Zimo with decoders with a stop ability and five different speed selections, great for signals (auto stop) and computer running (choices of speeds). And another item that is desperately needed is a book on how to get a layout up and running with computer assistance, so for example, the computer can control all your staging needs.

Kudos's to the company I have just blanked out on that has brought out the "elevator" staging assist. I think this product will have a slow start but I have a feeling, like the commercial helix, it will work its way into our hearts. I know I want one. I just sent an email off suggesting to the company that the elevator become DCC friendly and that the shelves be widen to hold more trains.

Hats off to the European manufactures that are now putting out "starter" train sets that are already DCC ready. North American manufactures need to pick up on this. I once suggested that some North American manufacture buy up all the remaining MRC Command2000 units and put them in a "starter" train set.

And a final hats off to MR for its new format. I find I like it the best over what has been available. Despite all the rants against MR, your magazine still remains "The" model RR magazine available to the public and is still the single source that brings in more newbies to the hobby than anything else.

I will let some one else summarize the year for HO, Z, TT, S, G, and O scales.

Have a safe and Happy New Year
And may not of your cars derail [;)]

[Anonymous]

HO looks to have been very good. A lot of steam ex: New Rivarossi FEF-3, the Trix Big Boy (or did that come out in 2002?), the Lionel HO Challenger, etc. Not sure about diesels. I think a lot of new structure kits came out, like that new round house and shop (Athern?, Atlas?, Walthers?). But I'm but a mere novice. Let's have an HO pro tell use about '03.

[Anonymous]

ROCO are the company producing starter DCC sets - the cheapest is around £90 here in Britain. Must get round to buying one as they're a lot cheaper than buying the equipment seperately! I'm sure I saw the same set listed in MR a while ago, but with US loco and cars?

Oh, and Happy New Year to all!

[IRONROOSTER]

It's been a good year in S. American Models and S Helper continue to expand their lines - both have steam engines now. More small manufacturers are expanding in S. On the tinplate side Lionel/American Flyer has expanded and It looks like MTH is getting involved. While the concentration is on 40's - 60's, there is some later and earlier stuff available. This a very viable scale for the steam to diesel transition era and second generation diesels in either scale or hirail.
Happy New Year
Paul