R. T. POTEET With that in mind I am probably going to build my next layout using Code 40 rail for sidetrack and industrial trackage. Fred, I don't know whether you caught it or not but one of the N-Scale periodicals published an article some time back about a rail from New Jersey(?) who had a wire manufacturer in Connecticut(?) draw him a spool of approximately 20 Gauge flat wire which he was using for N-Scale rail. This wire approximated Code 32 rail; that's about 100# rail, perfect for turn of the (20th) Century railroading . . . . . . . . . . a little extreme solution perhaps and I can live with N-Scale Code 40--that equates to HO-Scale Code 73--but I would sure like to see something smaller than the currently available N-Scale Code 55.
With that in mind I am probably going to build my next layout using Code 40 rail for sidetrack and industrial trackage.
Fred, I don't know whether you caught it or not but one of the N-Scale periodicals published an article some time back about a rail from New Jersey(?) who had a wire manufacturer in Connecticut(?) draw him a spool of approximately 20 Gauge flat wire which he was using for N-Scale rail. This wire approximated Code 32 rail; that's about 100# rail, perfect for turn of the (20th) Century railroading . . . . . . . . . . a little extreme solution perhaps and I can live with N-Scale Code 40--that equates to HO-Scale Code 73--but I would sure like to see something smaller than the currently available N-Scale Code 55.
Actually, I would really like to see more variety of rail sizes at the smaller end, too. Even in HO, code 40 is a bit large for a lot of 19th Century prototype track. It's certainly too big for a lot of mine and similar trams. And I'd love to see a size in between code 55 and 40 as well. The current .015" difference in rail sizes from code 40 to 55 to 70 to 83 to 100 isn't really granular enough for HO, and is terrible for N.
I also resigned myself to never being able to use but a very few Rivarossi locomotives when I started out using code 70 in HO in the '70s. Other European manufacture locomotives were similarly off limits to me due to flange size. And even the RP25 flange limits out at code 40 if I use spikes - and I have to use the near scale spikes from Proto87 to use spikes at all with code 40.
I enjoy your work and posts - keep them coming.
Fred W
As mentioned, a B&O wagon-top caboose would be nice. Also, I'd like to see some more factory-lettered locos and rolling stock in older midwest road names. I'm still scrounging for NKP diesels and virtually anything in W&LE. No offense to anyone, but every time I pick up an MR choc full of ads for new models in UP and BNSF, I feel like I'm gonna hurl.
nfrgcs10 ... No offense to anyone, but every time I pick up an MR choc full of ads for new models in UP and BNSF, I feel like I'm gonna hurl.
... No offense to anyone, but every time I pick up an MR choc full of ads for new models in UP and BNSF, I feel like I'm gonna hurl.
I'm starting to feel the same way. But BNSF IS the biggest Railroad conglomerate around. Owned by Warren Buffet.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Modern fire trucks ( ladders, snorkels, pumpers, foam tenders,and heavy rescues).
It would be cool if they made parts of side walks where they dip down for bikers and pedestrians.
galaxy nfrgcs10: ... No offense to anyone, but every time I pick up an MR choc full of ads for new models in UP and BNSF, I feel like I'm gonna hurl. I'm starting to feel the same way. But BNSF IS the biggest Railroad conglomerate around. Owned by Warren Buffet.
nfrgcs10: ... No offense to anyone, but every time I pick up an MR choc full of ads for new models in UP and BNSF, I feel like I'm gonna hurl.
Although I can definitely understand why it's so popular, it's nice to see I'm not the only one.
A 1950s Mack transit bus(HO)
Full consist set of PRR "Fleet of Modernism" pullmans in HO.
DEcalsfor the LYCOMING valley , North Shore railroad, Nittany and Bald Eagle Decals!!!
mk
RR equipment? For me personally, I'd love a ready-to-run N&W PM coach which can be modified to also be a 1720 lounge car.
In scenery materials? Can't think of anything at this time.
Paint or textures? More colors available as non-toxic water based acrylics.
Have to agree with the acrylics comment, and I want them in rattlecans. ( I KNOW there are some, just not the colors I want.)
Rotary Couplers: http://www.sergentengineering.com/ Why they cannot make the knuckles open I don't know, but they do spin. And it's ingenious, and obvious: make the shank round, mold the back wider than the hole...
-Morgan
CSX 579 It would be cool if they made parts of side walks where they dip down for bikers and pedestrians.
For me it would be simple. N Scale Steam is the thing that needs to be improved. I could care less that someone came out with the Big Boy or Challenger. Come out with the USRA types or do not forget that there are more RR's than UP or BNSF if you do do the Modern stuff out there.
edbenton For me it would be simple. N Scale Steam is the thing that needs to be improved. I could care less that someone came out with the Big Boy or Challenger. Come out with the USRA types or do not forget that there are more RR's than UP or BNSF if you do do the Modern stuff out there.
Agreed that more USRA types and smaller steam needs to be done. several rants are appearing on that subject for HO too.
Unfortunately, UP and BNSF are teh biggests modern RRs out there and so they are going to produce it to death, forgetting other large RRs, like CSX or NS. ANd forget short line or subs they aren't worth anything to manufacturers. SAd but true
I would like to see more rolling stock and engines in Great Northern, especially wood cabooses; 12 inch or larger pre-made trees; more common logging equipment such as a McGiffert log loader. There are many others but the list would be too long. I just went to the Athearn website and saw that Athearn makes what I want, but almost everything is sold out.
I don't think that sounds silly at all, sounds like it'd add a whole new dimension to our layouts if that is possible. After all moving automobiles have been subjects of experimentation inside the hobby circles for some time with some commercialization. Now, the question is, how to make it work?
I'd like to see a couple of items in N-scale: Some Osgood Bradley passenger cars done for the New Haven by Rapido, a New Haven FL9, a New Haven C-Liner, along with buses and trailors done by Classic Mini-Metals for the New England Transportation Company. I understand tooling can be very expensive and a market must be there, but some of these would only require a paint and decal job by the manufacturer. That should not be a big problem. If you are interested, write/email the appropriate company with your suggestions. "The noisey wheel gets the grease".
andrechapelon If you're going to dream, dream BIG. EDIT: I'd even be willing to pre-order a replicator or holodeck. Now that I think of it, a manufacturer would only have to make 1 replicator. All subsequent replicators would be well... replicated. 'Course, if I were the original mfgr, I'd make so that the only replicator that could replicate replicators is the original. Andre I'm sure the replicator would be relatively cheap. The high profit market would be the millions of software programs that contained the recipes for each item you want to replicate. Dave
If you're going to dream, dream BIG.
EDIT: I'd even be willing to pre-order a replicator or holodeck. Now that I think of it, a manufacturer would only have to make 1 replicator. All subsequent replicators would be well... replicated.
'Course, if I were the original mfgr, I'd make so that the only replicator that could replicate replicators is the original.
Andre
I'm sure the replicator would be relatively cheap. The high profit market would be the millions of software programs that contained the recipes for each item you want to replicate.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
When are they going to make an 0-2-0? Or how about one of those famous 4-0-4s?
Everybody has something different they want produced, I'd be happy just to see more USRA stuff as it is the backbone of steam engines from 1918 forward.
4-6-2s and 2-8-2s seem to have been ignored so far in both heavy and light versions but you have to remember, these highly detailed "plastic" engines have only become available in the last 20 years and everything takes time no matter how badly you may want it "now".
As to why they keep making more Big Boys and such, I'll go out on a limb here here and suggest that maybe it's because they "sell out" everytime!
And just as an after thought, has anyone taken a close look at the Bachmann SY 2-8-2? It just screams out to be modified into a small branchline engine. Swap the cab and loose the tender for something else and it looks like a totally different engine, and they are "sweet" runners to boot.
I am really suprised that more people haven't bought these and modified them such as I have seen with the Spectrum 2-8-0 and some others.
Mark
"As to why they keep making more Big Boys and such, I'll go out on a limb here here and suggest that maybe it's because they "sell out" everytime!"
But USRA light and heavy Mikados have sold out every time Broadway has made them too!
As for kit bashing, I don't have a photo handy, but I have two BLI USRA Heavy Mikes that now have Delta trailing trucks and Bachmann long haul tenders.
Sheldon
Phoebe Vet andrechapelon: If you're going to dream, dream BIG. EDIT: I'd even be willing to pre-order a replicator or holodeck. Now that I think of it, a manufacturer would only have to make 1 replicator. All subsequent replicators would be well... replicated. 'Course, if I were the original mfgr, I'd make so that the only replicator that could replicate replicators is the original. Andre I'm sure the replicator would be relatively cheap. The high profit market would be the millions of software programs that contained the recipes for each item you want to replicate. Dave
andrechapelon: If you're going to dream, dream BIG. EDIT: I'd even be willing to pre-order a replicator or holodeck. Now that I think of it, a manufacturer would only have to make 1 replicator. All subsequent replicators would be well... replicated. 'Course, if I were the original mfgr, I'd make so that the only replicator that could replicate replicators is the original. Andre I'm sure the replicator would be relatively cheap. The high profit market would be the millions of software programs that contained the recipes for each item you want to replicate. Dave
Ya got a point there. King Gillette made his fortune on the blades, not the apparati that hold the blades.
Forty Niner ! And just as an after thought, has anyone taken a close look at the Bachmann SY 2-8-2? It just screams out to be modified into a small branchline engine. Swap the cab and loose the tender for something else and it looks like a totally different engine, and they are "sweet" runners to boot. I am really suprised that more people haven't bought these and modified them such as I have seen with the Spectrum 2-8-0 and some others. Mark
!
You are so right, the SY's are fantastic running engines and their detail level is certainly higher than the typical Spectrum.
That is why I bought 3 of these.
I'd like for Walthers to produce a complete North Coast Limited. They have already done some cars for the train. Need the observation and the dome/sleeper for certain.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
I'd like to see a sub $500 printer that can handle white ink and print decals.
Enjoy
Paul
Forty Niner When are they going to make an 0-2-0? Or how about one of those famous 4-0-4s?
Wouldn't a 4-0-4 be a tank car?
IRONROOSTER I'd like to see a sub $500 printer that can handle white ink and print decals. Enjoy Paul
That's one I don't understand unless you want to go into the decal business. I have purchased LARGE quantites of custom decals from Rail Graphics and barely spent $300-$400.
New products I would like to see?
For me, I would like to see more locomotive engines produced (similar to the Walthers 567 Prime Moover) so I can do more locomotives with the hood doors open.
I would like to see an AAR alternate 50 ton offset hopper in HO scale. I recently noticed the fourth company (or is it the fifth?) that has released their version of the AAR standard car, and still no alternate. They were used extensively by the Van Sweringen roads (C&O, Erie, NKP), but were rostered by AT&SF, NP, and many others as well.