The 2008 National Train Show was held in Anaheim, Calif., in conjunction with the National Model Railroad Association national convention.
Check out the new products section at ModelRailroader.com and see the new products announced at the National Train Show
Thanks for the excellent, detailed report. My time there was pretty limited, and as HO isn't my primary scale I didn't really look much at those wonderful offerings you've described in so well. I've added a link to your report from my own (see below).
I managed to get photos of the N scale pre-release InterMountain AC 12 Cab Forward and the Kato PRR GG-1 (though the focus in the latter is poor).
Here's are links to my own, much more limited, report and my image gallery. And for those interested in additional perspectives on the show, I also recommend Joe Fugate's daily reports.
Best!
Looks like another dry year for early rail modelers.
Dave H.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Dave;
That thought hadn't occurred to me. I wasn't actually looking for old time trains. But now that you mention it, the only one that caught my eye was Bachmann's Lilly Belle set, an HO set based on Walt Disney's backyard live steam train. (art imitating art initating life... LOL).
I did specifically look for Athearn's N scale consolidations, moguls, and the overton and overland cars to go with them. I didn't see them and I asked. The guy in the Athearn shirt didn't seem to know what I was talking about so I said, "Like in the Thunder Rails sets".
He said, "This is Athearn. Thunder Rails is by Atlas". (click the link) LOL
By the way, I have both the mogul and consolidation, and nine of the overtons. I love them!
I am glad someone is making one of the largest Beyer Garrats..4-8-4 +4-8-4, although I may never own a model, they demonstrate another pinnacle of steam development. I did try to bid on an ebay HOn3 brass one, but lost the bid, oh well.
A number of good models, but I tell ya, like the earlier comment, lack of early century models.
My big wish for Athearn, bring back the Roundhouse steam kits.
dinwitty wrote:A number of good models, but I tell ya, like the earlier comment, lack of early century models.My big wish for Athearn, bring back the Roundhouse steam kits.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
In light of the comments regarding the lack of early rail offerings, I've written a blog post on the subject with a poll. I'd be grateful if you'd take the time to look it over and vote.
Early Rail Poll
Since the last new car offered in the wood frame truss rod era (pre-1910) by a major manufacturer was over 30 years ago, may one new car every half century or so would be warranted. Everybody ought to be able to get one new car once in their lifetime.
Regarding MR's report on the National Train Show, see my recent post "Southern Pacific 'Big Boys'???"
Mark
I for one like the looks of the Genesis MT-4 4-8-2, and I hope it's a success for Genesis, since I've always thought all of the SP MT-series were a particularly handsome Mountain-type loco. However, I'm wondering if a lot of SP fans might not prefer the locomotive with the WWII "Skyline" casing, instead.
Just curious.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
twhite wrote: I for one like the looks of the Genesis MT-4 4-8-2, and I hope it's a success for Genesis, since I've always thought all of the SP MT-series were a particularly handsome Mountain-type loco. However, I'm wondering if a lot of SP fans might not prefer the locomotive with the WWII "Skyline" casing, instead. Just curious. Tom
Tom,
I saw a photo of an Athearn plastic casting for the skyline casing. I believe they will be available on models after the initial release.
Is there ever a ton of N-Scale stuff?
Irv
markpierce wrote: twhite wrote: I for one like the looks of the Genesis MT-4 4-8-2, and I hope it's a success for Genesis, since I've always thought all of the SP MT-series were a particularly handsome Mountain-type loco. However, I'm wondering if a lot of SP fans might not prefer the locomotive with the WWII "Skyline" casing, instead. Just curious. Tom Tom, I saw a photo of an Athearn plastic casting for the skyline casing. I believe they will be available on models after the initial release.Mark
Mark:
Thanks for the information. If they are, then I might consider one of the straight DC's. I like the way the Genesis model looks.
-Morgan
Flashwave wrote:One other nitpick, when were Garretts consiidered a narrow guage anything? Let alone a boxcar
Morgan:
Caught that one, too. My, my, it must have been NOISY up there in the San Juans, LOL!
corsair7 wrote: Is there ever a ton of N-Scale stuff?Irv
I was at the show but didn't get much of a chance to walk around as we had one of the layouts. While I model HO, I did peek at the N Scale stuff too. Seemed like most of the N Scale only company booths had very few or no people looking. Seemed weird since N scale seems to be gaining followers. I was at the show a couple of years ago in Cincinatti and it seemed to have more manufacturers than this year's show.
Rick Keil
There have been many narrow gauge Garretts, although not this one, and as you say, it's defenetly not a boxcar.
/stefan
RedGrey62 wrote: corsair7 wrote: Is there ever a ton of N-Scale stuff?IrvI was at the show but didn't get much of a chance to walk around as we had one of the layouts. While I model HO, I did peek at the N Scale stuff too. Seemed like most of the N Scale only company booths had very few or no people looking. Seemed weird since N scale seems to be gaining followers. I was at the show a couple of years ago in Cincinatti and it seemed to have more manufacturers than this year's show.Rick Keil
I think everybody is expecting a recession and not investing alot in new stuff.
As for the seeming lack of interest in N-Scale, well that might have been caused by the fact that there was big N-Scale convention just a couple of weeks ago. I understand from fellow club members who went that there were large crowds there virtually all of the time. So people may not have been up to going to another one so soon after.
corsair7 wrote:As for the seeming lack of interest in N-Scale, well that might have been caused by the fact that there was big N-Scale convention just a couple of weeks ago. I understand from fellow club members who went that there were large crowds there virtually all of the time. So people may not have been up to going to another one so soon after.
I was told by a fellow club member that the National N Scale Convention (the Derby City Express) in Louisville was about the same size as the National Train Show. They put together an N-Trak layout of over 750 modules. I wish I could have gotten there.
N scale is definitely on the rise. As are Z, S and other less known scales. And, as I understand it, several of the top awards at the NTS went to Z scale modules.
A video recording of Athearn's site at the National Train Show evidenced that many of their new HO models will have some metal detail parts, such as roof walks on freight cars and elephant ears on SP SD45s. That is an interesting and welcome development, although the SP Mountain loco, the "woody" station wagon, and some Ford Model A trucks were of most interest to me.
Randall_Roberts wrote: corsair7 wrote: As for the seeming lack of interest in N-Scale, well that might have been caused by the fact that there was big N-Scale convention just a couple of weeks ago. I understand from fellow club members who went that there were large crowds there virtually all of the time. So people may not have been up to going to another one so soon after.I was told by a fellow club member that the National N Scale Convention (the Derby City Express) in Louisville was about the same size as the National Train Show. They put together an N-Trak layout of over 750 modules. I wish I could have gotten there. N scale is definitely on the rise. As are Z, S and other less known scales. And, as I understand it, several of the top awards at the NTS went to Z scale modules.Best!
corsair7 wrote: As for the seeming lack of interest in N-Scale, well that might have been caused by the fact that there was big N-Scale convention just a couple of weeks ago. I understand from fellow club members who went that there were large crowds there virtually all of the time. So people may not have been up to going to another one so soon after.
THat is what I heard as well. Unfortunately I haven't seen many photos of the Derby City Express N-Trak layout. 750 modules have to take up a lot of room and I suppose anyone making the rounds with a train on that layout must have taken many hours to cover evn a 25% of it if that.
I look forward to see what Model Railroader says and show about this one.
As for others scales, 80% of model railroaders are so to use HO stuff. I am beginning to doubt that number. HO is still number but I'll bet O isn't number 2 anymore.
Why should this be a "sticky" thread?
There were a slew of new N Scale product announcements prior to the Louisville show for N scale. These included some awesome brass bridges from BLMA and Traincat, a pre-production model of Athearn's F-45/FP-45, and a bunch of new rolling stock.
There have been some outstanding reviews of both shows from an N scale perspective on forums that focus on 1:160. John Sing, who frequents both The Railwire and the Atlas N scale board put up some very thorough photo galleries. I'm sure if you googled Derby City Express or something along those lines, you'd find plenty of information.
I've found that the MR staff prefers ponds over wells.... They may hold the same amount of water, but one's a lot deeper than the other...and the other lets you have a good view of the surface.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
San Dimas Southern slideshow
Margaritaman wrote:There were a couple of gentlemen in a very small unmarked booth right along the food court area. They were selling some wonderfully done Accurail rolling stock. Anyone happen to catch their name? Thanks