marknewton wrote:Well, knowing that Eureka is basically a one-man operation, and knowing the bloke involved, I can't say I'm surprised. He's probaly flat-out preparing for the October long weekend model railway exhibition, which is the biggest event of the year out here. Without wanting to sound like an apologist, it wouldn't hurt to give him a bit more time.Cheers,Mark.
He answered today and they do have them. Kind of pricey but maybe next month. If he is just one gut I understand the time it took to get a reply. I didn't know that. It's just that when you order something from the other side of the globe fast e-mail replies are among the most important thing. That said, any small businesses are of course excused from this since that comes with certain limitations.
Certainly a tempting loco though.
Magnus
marknewton wrote:...I don't remember when I first saw one of our 60 class Garratts, I would have still been in nappies. But I do remember my first ride on one, when I was about 8 years old, very well indeed. My grandfather organised for my dad and I to have a trip one Saturday morning from Rozelle to the Glenlee coal loader and return, a round trip of about 60 miles. The Glenlee coalies weren't particularly long or heavy trains, but they did have to run smartly to avoid blocking the suburban train service they shared the line with. The first part of the journey was fairly sedate, as we ran on freight-only lines out of Rozelle. The fireman was a bit inexperienced, so the driver bludged while his mate took the time to get his fire right. But when we reached the main south at Flemington Goods Junction, the driver wound her up to about 2 turns off mid-gear, and pulled the regulator out past his right ear - the bloody thing took off like a scalded cat! And that's how we went to Glenlee, fast. Garratts generally ride well, and the 60s were no exception. But the noise! And they were a dirty engine, with a soft exhaust, and the stoker feed screw running along the cab floor in a shallow trough only covered by open grating. They had a whistle with a sound that could only be described as manic, and this driver likef to use it. We roared through the level crossing at Liverpool hospital doing about 55mph, the driver whistling madly, and got some seriously dirty looks from the bloke on the gatehouse - right next to the big "Hospital, Quiet Please" sign.By the time we got to Glenlee my dad and I were filthy, half deafened, and grinning like idiots! The crew had crib while the train loaded, we had the cut lunch Mum had packed for us, having first cleaned up a bit with the hot water in the wash bucket. The fireman made me a cuppa in a tin mug using the "billy boiler" attached to the gauge glass, so I felt quite grown up. The return trip was every bit as fast and exciting, being mostly downhill, and when we arrived at Rozelle, the crew both gave me a sweatrag as a memento of the day. (I used them until they fell apart!) I felt ten feet tall when I stepped off that engine, and didn't stop talking about it for days afterwards.Anyway, forgive me for rambling, I can only agree with you when you say that Garratts have an aura of power and might about them.All the best,Mark.
...I don't remember when I first saw one of our 60 class Garratts, I would have still been in nappies. But I do remember my first ride on one, when I was about 8 years old, very well indeed. My grandfather organised for my dad and I to have a trip one Saturday morning from Rozelle to the Glenlee coal loader and return, a round trip of about 60 miles. The Glenlee coalies weren't particularly long or heavy trains, but they did have to run smartly to avoid blocking the suburban train service they shared the line with. The first part of the journey was fairly sedate, as we ran on freight-only lines out of Rozelle. The fireman was a bit inexperienced, so the driver bludged while his mate took the time to get his fire right. But when we reached the main south at Flemington Goods Junction, the driver wound her up to about 2 turns off mid-gear, and pulled the regulator out past his right ear - the bloody thing took off like a scalded cat! And that's how we went to Glenlee, fast. Garratts generally ride well, and the 60s were no exception. But the noise! And they were a dirty engine, with a soft exhaust, and the stoker feed screw running along the cab floor in a shallow trough only covered by open grating. They had a whistle with a sound that could only be described as manic, and this driver likef to use it. We roared through the level crossing at Liverpool hospital doing about 55mph, the driver whistling madly, and got some seriously dirty looks from the bloke on the gatehouse - right next to the big "Hospital, Quiet Please" sign.By the time we got to Glenlee my dad and I were filthy, half deafened, and grinning like idiots! The crew had crib while the train loaded, we had the cut lunch Mum had packed for us, having first cleaned up a bit with the hot water in the wash bucket. The fireman made me a cuppa in a tin mug using the "billy boiler" attached to the gauge glass, so I felt quite grown up. The return trip was every bit as fast and exciting, being mostly downhill, and when we arrived at Rozelle, the crew both gave me a sweatrag as a memento of the day. (I used them until they fell apart!) I felt ten feet tall when I stepped off that engine, and didn't stop talking about it for days afterwards.Anyway, forgive me for rambling, I can only agree with you when you say that Garratts have an aura of power and might about them.All the best,Mark.
Okay.....you win.
Buying Kato outright.
That is such the American way of solving problems.
marknewton wrote: jasperofzeal wrote: Is this guy a troll? Or just being trollish? No, I don't think he's a troll, just very single-minded.Mark.
jasperofzeal wrote: Is this guy a troll? Or just being trollish?
Is this guy a troll? Or just being trollish?
I think I have a solution to Doc's dilemma!
All he has to do is gather together all the money he can find, beg, borrow or steal, convert it to Yen, then go to the Kato home office and offer to buy the company. Assuming that he has enough not to get laughed right out of the building, he can then set the factory to work on whatever US prototype HO model (with DCC, sound and smell) suits his fancy.
Then all he has to do is convince enough other people to buy it before the whole scheme makes like the Titanic....
In the meantime, the original Kato management will take his money, build a more modern facility, equip it with newer and better machinery and go right back to manufacturing Japanese prototype rolling stock in Nj scale (1:150, not 1:160.) They know where the income comes from.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
selector wrote:BTW, I saw Garratts at work at 12,000 feet in the Andes Mountains in my pre-teen years....just , you know, a couple of decades ago. They are real eye-catchers, heavy, loud, and nothing to fool around with. Once or twice I stood over them when they passed below a pedestrain overpass. I recall the stack being so much larger than those of the Baldwin 2-8-0 locos that outnumbered the Garratts by about 20/1.
BTW, I saw Garratts at work at 12,000 feet in the Andes Mountains in my pre-teen years....just , you know, a couple of decades ago. They are real eye-catchers, heavy, loud, and nothing to fool around with. Once or twice I stood over them when they passed below a pedestrain overpass. I recall the stack being so much larger than those of the Baldwin 2-8-0 locos that outnumbered the Garratts by about 20/1.
jasperofzeal wrote:Is this guy a troll? Or just being trollish?
Lillen wrote:I e-mailed them about a week ago about buying one but they haven't answered me yet.. That is a shame because it would be an intresting thing to have on the layout, but I usually don't like buying stuff when they are not decent in their response time.
I e-mailed them about a week ago about buying one but they haven't answered me yet..
That is a shame because it would be an intresting thing to have on the layout, but I usually don't like buying stuff when they are not decent in their response time.
doc manago wrote:But Walthers never jumped into the japanese market, as KATO did in US!!! Nobody called they...the came and made an excellent name...why do not offers the models that people want, with the last technology, that is DCC & sound.
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
Maybe they're hurriedly building you one, Magnus. Then they can respond with an affirmative if you ask them to ship you one.
BTW, I saw Garratts at work at 12,000 feet in the Andes Mountains in my pre-teen years....just , you know, a couple of decades ago. They are real eye-catchers, heavy, loud, and nothing to fool around with. Once or twice I stood over them when they passed below a pedestrain overpass. I recall the stack being so much larger than those of the Baldwin 2-8-0 locos that outnumbered the Garratts by about 20/1. I think you would love one if you can get a decent model.
-Crandell
marknewton wrote: Lillen wrote: Is there any garrets available anywhere? DCC, H0?Yes, Magnus, there are HO Garratts with DCC available, contrary to the previous answer.http://eurekamodels.com.au/Garratt.htmlI don't own one, but a number of my friends have them. They are a very nice model indeed.Cheers,Mark.
Lillen wrote: Is there any garrets available anywhere? DCC, H0?
Is there any garrets available anywhere? DCC, H0?
darth9x9 wrote:Well at least you are half right for one of the things that Walthers does is distribute. They are also a manufacturer - unless you know who really produces (in HO scale) their:- 89' bi level autoracks- 89' tri level autoracks- 86' hi cube box cars- plastic pellet covered hoppers- single bay airslide covered hoppers...
Well at least you are half right for one of the things that Walthers does is distribute. They are also a manufacturer - unless you know who really produces (in HO scale) their:- 89' bi level autoracks- 89' tri level autoracks- 86' hi cube box cars- plastic pellet covered hoppers- single bay airslide covered hoppers...
tomikawaTT wrote: Note that Walthers is a DISTRIBUTOR. Kato and Bowser are MANUFACTURORS. There is a difference!
Note that Walthers is a DISTRIBUTOR. Kato and Bowser are MANUFACTURORS. There is a difference!
Well at least you are half right for one of the things that Walthers does is distribute. They are also a manufacturer - unless you know who really produces (in HO scale) their:- 89' bi level autoracks- 89' tri level autoracks- 86' hi cube box cars- plastic pellet covered hoppers- single bay airslide covered hoppers- two bay airslide covered hoppers- 50' waffle side box cars- difco dump cars- many different models of Amfleet cars- hundreds (literally) of structures
...and this was all before Walthers bought Life-Like. Now they have some incredible F units on the market that beat everybody else's (which I was really surprised by) and I am quite happy with the upgrade to their GP30s. I expect more cool things to come from Walthers as a manufacturer.
Bill Carl (modeling Chessie and predecessors from 1973-1983) Member of Four County Society of Model Engineers NCE DCC Master Visit the FCSME at www.FCSME.org Modular railroading at its best! If it has an X in it, it sucks! And yes, I just had my modeler's license renewed last week!
As for who wants how much of what, I suggest you re-read Mark Newton's and my earlier posts to this thread.
I visited the page and I am very happy that this is a nice engine in HO!
Lillen wrote:Is there any garrets available anywhere? DCC, H0?
Lillen wrote: Is there any garrets available anywhere? DCC, H0? I love those ever since I saw them on a train show. They look very nice.Magnus
I love those ever since I saw them on a train show. They look very nice.
Only on one of the Trainz video games for computers.
Safety Valve wrote:Marknetwon, I knew nothing about your Garrets until one showed up in a train sim game a while ago.
Marknetwon, I knew nothing about your Garrets until one showed up in a train sim game a while ago.
Getting back to the original subject of this thread, I just had a fact slap me in the face!Thanks to JNR standardization, very little tooling is required to produce the basic structures of the entire JNR steam locomotive fleet as it existed in the '50s and '60s...Compare this to the situation in the United States...So, imagine yourself as a Japanese model railroad manufacturer. Which loco will you produce?...No matter what choice you make, it will not be accepted by the majority of US modelers, many of whom will be vocally displeased. OTOH, with a single set of basic mechanical parts you can make two classes of 2-8-2 and two classes of 2-8-4, all four of which will be widely popular in your "up close and personal" domestic market...I rest my case.
Mark,
Getting back to the original subject of this thread, I just had a fact slap me in the face!
Thanks to JNR standardization, very little tooling is required to produce the basic structures of the entire JNR steam locomotive fleet as it existed in the '50s and '60s:
Compare this to the situation in the United States:
So, imagine yourself as a Japanese model railroad manufacturer. Which loco will you produce? A modern NYC design? (Tenshodo did that in the late 1950s.) Still another Big Boy? The one and only 2-6-0 operated by the Podunk and Northern? No matter what choice you make, it will not be accepted by the majority of US modelers, many of whom will be vocally displeased. OTOH, with a single set of basic mechanical parts you can make two classes of 2-8-2 and two classes of 2-8-4, all four of which will be widely popular in your "up close and personal" domestic market...
I rest my case.