Not much interest in foreign trains

[FJ and G]

One of the most notable changes in advertising for all model railroad magazines from 20 or 30 years ago to present is the steady decline of offerings for foreign motive power. Very rarely today do you see a European or Japanese train. Yes, they may be made there (or in China), but the models are typically American (usually U.S. and Canadian but rarely Mexican).

I confess to modeling mostly American too (despite living in Japan for 6 years and traveling extensively throughout the Far East). However, I may eventually model the light railways of France during WWI.

[Anonymous]

I'm saveing to get a Bullet train :)

[vsmith]

I have to agre that their is a pro -US viewpoint but arent all of them published here? MR, MRC, NG&SL Gazette, Finescale Railroader, are all US based so it logical that they would focus on their primary readers. If we saw mag's based from England or Germany (they are here but very hard to find) we would see a similar viewpoint based on the point of publication.

I suspect this is due to the fact that 90% of the modelers in the US are modeling US lines, modeling what they can see. So the market demand is there for that US based product.

The voltage difference between US and Europe is also a negative factor, as not a lot of European manufacturers are going to offer 220v converted to 110v for a small niche market.

I work in 1/2" scale narrow guage, and use LGB which is primarily European in 80% of its product. Marklin is similar for HO, as is Hornby for Engli***rains. The stuff is out there, but its like narrow guage, if your interested in it you will not use the mainstream mags as your primary source of info. You will look for the small dedicated mag that speciallizes it that interest.

My primary sources are Garden Railroads, Narrow guage & Shortline Gazette, and MR. But I also look at Finescale Railroader, Light Iron Digest, andTall Timber times, which I consider Niche magazines. Books, Books, Books, The sources are out there, one just has to look.

I Know I would love to see more Mexican narrow guage, I eventually got Gerald Best's book "Mexican Narrow Guage" as the other sources were so dry on the subject.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

The voltage difference between US and Europe is also a negative factor, as not a lot of European manufacturers are going to offer 220v converted to 110v for a small niche market.

Vr, I could be wrong about this, but aren't the motors 12v dc regardless. I have a couple of european locos which run fine using 110v tranformers, and I had my US stuff running on a Euro 220 transformer when I lived overseas with no prob. The DC didn't care about 50hz power. The Marklin 3 rail stuff may be different. But I agree on the limited market. My stuff is pretty much of collector value only to me.

Dan, from a few miles south of you.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

The voltage difference between US and Europe is also a negative factor, as not a lot of European manufacturers are going to offer 220v converted to 110v for a small niche market.

Vr, I could be wrong about this, but aren't the motors 12v dc regardless. I have a couple of european locos which run fine using 110v tranformers, and I had my US stuff running on a Euro 220 transformer when I lived overseas with no prob. The DC didn't care about 50hz power. The Marklin 3 rail stuff may be different. But I agree on the limited market. My stuff is pretty much of collector value only to me.

Dan, from a few miles south of you.

You're correct. European locos use 12v motors the same as US locos, it's just the transformers that are different.

[vsmith]

I stand corrected, thanks for the clarification. thats something I didnt know.

I still believe the lack of japanese/european coverage has everything to do with targeted marketing and not interest. Garden Railroads magazine every couple of months shows a european based garden layout so their are others out thier that are interested in this stuff. I would live to see more european industrial field railroads covered and models offered.

[IRONROOSTER]

I occasionally pick up a British model railroad magazine just to see what they have. Frankly, if my LHS carried some British models I'd probably succumb and buy them.
Enjoy
Paul

[AltonFan]

I have never really liked non-US prototype equipment. About the only non-US engines that ever really captured my imagination were the Garratts. (I've also toyed with the idea of painting the running gear on a few of my steam locomotives red as some European railways do.)

[Sydney]

I have all Eurpean engines and rolling stock in both N (principal) and HO (a few). I think the European railways were much more colorful than other railroads throughout the world (although British trains and rolling stock are also very colorful, too). The main problem now is the cost of European merchandise and the uncertainty of ever being able to get spare parts. The European manufacturers seem to be in great disarray, many of the popular manufacturers having been taken over by other companies and competition now almost being non-existent. Most Australian modellers are now modelling Australian prototypes, particularly in HO, but even in N scale there are many small and "boutique" manufacturers making Australian prototypes. If I was starting out in the hobby now, I would either model Australian or American prototypes as they are more readily available and, in most cases, much cheaper.

"Sydney"
New South Wales
Australia

[Anonymous]

I'll agree that American locos and stock are often cheaper - this is one of the factors that led me to start building a collection of US-outline HO equipment, others being the easy-assembly nature of the kits and the running qualities of the locos. However, with the latest HO scale RTR stock now priced at around £20-£30 in the UK, and Bachmann and Hornby producing excellent models of British Prototype models in OO scale at much the same or lower prices, the economic factor is not so strong! Take a look at the new Hornby Pullman cars as an example - full interior lighting (with working table lamps using fibre optics), close coupling, etc, and priced at the same level as the recent Walthers Budd stock. I don't plan to stop modelling US-outline HO as a result of this, by the way!

The current situation regarding some European manufacturers is a little confusing - as I understand it Lima have now been "wound up" as a company, which is a pity as they produced some loco classes that nobody else makes in OO scale. Hornby and Bachmann are doing well however, as are assorted smaller manufacturers such as Dapol. Spares for Hornby locos are fairly easy to obtain.