LakeErieExpress Just make this whole grinding train - maybe with real sparking action? ;)
Just make this whole grinding train - maybe with real sparking action? ;)
-Jon
Bob Schuknecht Kyle For the doors to look prototypical on a semi trailer, and open 270 degrees, they would have to be very thin and delicate. I am not interested in operating doors. I would like to see a trailer modeled with the doors in the open position. That would be possible.
Kyle For the doors to look prototypical on a semi trailer, and open 270 degrees, they would have to be very thin and delicate.
For the doors to look prototypical on a semi trailer, and open 270 degrees, they would have to be very thin and delicate.
I am not interested in operating doors. I would like to see a trailer modeled with the doors in the open position. That would be possible.
If you are going have a trailer backed up against a loading door, you could take a regular trailer modeled with the doors closed, and add doors on the side of the trailer in the open position. Having the back of a dry van open were you could see it would be hard, but all weather doors, or with the back facing the backdrop would be fine. The doors on the side in the open position wiuld create the illustion that the back of the trailer is open.
Loking at both maps for both railroads, Soo and Monon didn't go to Texas, Frisco did.
Outside of Santa Fe, I decided to give the MKT a shot. That's when I fell in love with not just the railroads that went there, but the lone star state itself.
ATSFGuy Who wants to see a 2-8-2 Mikado lettered for MKT? There's no denying the appeal of Katy steam locomotive architecture. I don't know of a single unattractive loco on the roster. But a correcty Katy Mike from any producer would be a hard order to fill, outside of brass. You might as well ask for a Soo or Monon Mike. Somebody might offer a "typical" 2-8-2, such as a USRA light MIke, in Katy livery; but the overall dimensions, as well as the cab, domes, valve gear, coal fuel, and lots of details would be wrong. Most modern manufacturers don't offer inaccurate liveries, although there are exceptions such as BLI's generic 2-8-0, which is intended to fill the kind of market niche you imply for the Katy 2-8-2. Some of the USRA's that are offered in multiple liveries are a bit of a stretch, since most USRA locos were modified during their service lives. You can wait till somebody does it, but you'll probably get that loco a lot faster by slapping some decals on an available model that's close. Some detail modifications --- especially conversion of the tender to oil --- would go a long way to make the engine believable. You could ask BLI to release their Mike in MKT livery, but you'd be standing in line behind a lot of others with similar requests for steamers of their favorite regional railroad. Your other request for Katy Alco diesels is somewhat similar, but easier to achieve if you are willing to do some painting and decaling. Alternatively, a letter or email to a manufacturer can't hurt. Tom " width="120" height="789" />
Who wants to see a 2-8-2 Mikado lettered for MKT?
There's no denying the appeal of Katy steam locomotive architecture. I don't know of a single unattractive loco on the roster. But a correcty Katy Mike from any producer would be a hard order to fill, outside of brass. You might as well ask for a Soo or Monon Mike. Somebody might offer a "typical" 2-8-2, such as a USRA light MIke, in Katy livery; but the overall dimensions, as well as the cab, domes, valve gear, coal fuel, and lots of details would be wrong. Most modern manufacturers don't offer inaccurate liveries, although there are exceptions such as BLI's generic 2-8-0, which is intended to fill the kind of market niche you imply for the Katy 2-8-2. Some of the USRA's that are offered in multiple liveries are a bit of a stretch, since most USRA locos were modified during their service lives. You can wait till somebody does it, but you'll probably get that loco a lot faster by slapping some decals on an available model that's close. Some detail modifications --- especially conversion of the tender to oil --- would go a long way to make the engine believable. You could ask BLI to release their Mike in MKT livery, but you'd be standing in line behind a lot of others with similar requests for steamers of their favorite regional railroad.
Your other request for Katy Alco diesels is somewhat similar, but easier to achieve if you are willing to do some painting and decaling.
Alternatively, a letter or email to a manufacturer can't hurt.
Tom
" width="120" height="789" />
Steven Otte Not a model, but a service: Google Rail View. Like Google Street View, only for trains. They would put cameras on the front of all locomotives. Then we could use Google Earth to get a good look at all the trackside industries we want to model.
Not a model, but a service: Google Rail View. Like Google Street View, only for trains. They would put cameras on the front of all locomotives. Then we could use Google Earth to get a good look at all the trackside industries we want to model.
Most engines have cameras already. Maybe the railroads could sell the videos and replace some of the lost coal revenue.
Or how about MKT Alco PA's in Red/Silver?
" width="100" height="790" />
steemtrayn BLI Centipedes sold well, Why shouldn't the BP-20?
BLI Centipedes sold well, Why shouldn't the BP-20?
That's a good point. UP Turbines also have been steady successes, and they were pretty limited in their prototype numbers and range. Only one road ever owned them.
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
Ed, I agree that some of the tooling from the RF16 would probably be adaptable to produce a BP20. In particular, I think the cab, pilot, rear end, and parts of the paneling, exhaust ports, doors, etc. would probably be very helpful. However, the BP20 nose is significantly longer, which means the area between the "snout" and cab would have to be newly formed. The trucks shouldn't be any problem, as they're the same as PA trucks. It's certainly possible. I just don't know how much effort (and expense) would be involved.
By the way, the Bachmann EM-1 is an interesting case. It doesn't look bad on the straightaway, but details can be improved on every version I've seen, and I don't like articulateds that hinge in the wrong place. It can get around an 18" radius, but my Key and Challenger EM-1's can get around 19"! (Of course, they ALL look horrible while they're doing it.)
A reissue of the L-4 Mohawk? I'm all for it. I missed it last time around, and it's my favorite Mohawk.
ACYYes, I would vote for the Baldwin BP-20. A manufacturer would have to consider the innate appeal of the engine, plus its connection to the always popular PRR.
Hi, Tom
Just a few observations about Broadway Limited and "one-of-a-kind" prototypes.
BLI seems to know their PRR market and they seem to work very closely with the PRRT&HS in the production of their models.
These days it seems many of the molds are modular so different options can be made. I have been following Jason Shron at Rapido and Lee English at Bowser in describing the production of their RDC and RS-3, respectively, with regards to all of the road-specific options that have to be accounted for.
So, If BLI has the nose contour and much of the side panel/radiator already worked-up from their "Sharknose" perhaps they can economically turn out a BP20?
They have already done some one-of-a-kinds, such as the S2 turbine and they have the "streamlined" K4, 3768 and the NYC Commodore Vanderbilt 5344 coming down the pipeline.
I assume they (BLI) are sitting on the NYC L-4a Mohawk tooling—which turned out to be a fantastic model—so maybe they could use the drive to produce other classes?
Both the Mohawk and Turbine were brass hybrids. How BLI can produce these in brass, with sound AND painting and lettering and still sell as reasonably as they do is pretty amazing, in my opinion.
Rapido is producing the EP-5 Jet and BLI the PRR P5a, both fairly unique locomotives with a rather limited geographical exposure.
So, I believe there is some hope for folks that are hoping and wishing that their favorite might someday be produced in a "mass appeal" format.
Who would ever have guessed that Bachmann would have made the B&O EM-1?
Road specific, not very many paint schemes, (1) large radius track necessary but, presumably, they sold pretty well! I, for one, am glad they did!
Regards, Ed
Ed, I understand your desire for more heavy duty flatcars, but I still prefer the more common, more numerous cars. I find it amazing that Westerfield kits are the only option for somebody who wants a USRA triple hopper, as used by the thousands on the C&O and NYC. Meanwhile, we have AAR Standard twin offset hoppers by Athearn, Atlas, Accurail, and Kadee (thankfully, the Intermountain offset twin hopper is the Alternate Standard, which is a different car).
Yes, I would vote for the Baldwin BP-20. A manufacturer would have to consider the innate appeal of the engine, plus its connection to the always popular PRR. Those would be strong points in favor. On the other hand, the engine was only bought by PRR, and can only be justified in five basic paint schemes: Brunswick Green with 5 gold stripes on sides only; Same with five stripes extending to the nose; Tuscan Red with 5 dulux stripes; Freight Brunswick with single narrow Dulux stripe; and Tuscan with wide Dulux stripe and large lettering. Would a manufacturer decide this limits the market, or would he decide the market is enhanced by having that many livery options? I guess that decision could go either way.
You do make a good point, Rick. Just wishfull thinking on my part. But these locos are number one and two on my wish list for new models needed.
Years ago when BLI introduced their Heavy (USRA) Mikado, they offered it lettered for a variety of roads including NYC. They called it a class H-9d (for NYC subsidiary Pittsburg & Lake Erie). The locomotive looked nothing like an H-9d. So I got one and set about to making it my own. I removed the road pilot and replaced it with foot boards. I moved the generator from on top of the smoke box to the rear of the boiler. I removed the air pump from the fireman's side and installed two on the pilot deck behind shields. I replaced the USRA 8-wheel tender with a Rivarossi 12-wheel C&O style tender (the closest that I could find for the H-9d). I transfered the BLI electronics and sound to the new tender and added a backup lamp. Now I've got a reasonable facsimile of an H-9. To replicate an H-10 would be a lot tougher.
I guess I can save my nickels and dimes and someday buy an expensive brass piece and hope that it runs half as good as my BLI. But I'll keep thinking those happy thoughts!
"Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep 'em rolling" John.
steemtrayn...And a B unit to go with it.
Count me in on a BP20 (or two!) as well!
Somehow Walthers seemed to miscalculate the market for the '48 Century cars. Seems like the lounges and diners were all going for a dime-a-dozen but the Pullmans seemed to sell out pretty quickly and very few are available now. A Walthers "Creek" just sold on Ebay for $290!
Now—how about a vote for more depressed center flats? I have two of the four-truck GSC Walthers "Gold" ones but could use a few more. They are demanding top dollar, and the two truck variety is scarce, too.
I sometimes see the Railworks brass Queen Mary go for $750 or so!
Well, speaking of flats. A PRR F22 gun flat would be nice as well. I've attempted the F&C kits several times with awful results. Stake pockets glued everywhere except on the side sill! AMB makes a nice 16" Naval gun, which requires a minimum of 2 F22s, better with three.
Happy Modeling! Ed
...And a B unit to go with it.
You can always send them an email. There is no harm in asking, the worst thing someone could say is "no".
JOHN C TARANTO Rick, I still believe that if BLI or MTH would come out with a NYC H-10a/b or an L-2a that they would sell like crazy. They would have to do a second run.
Rick,
I still believe that if BLI or MTH would come out with a NYC H-10a/b or an L-2a that they would sell like crazy. They would have to do a second run.
I'm sorry John but past history does not support this, look at the 20th Century Limited that Walthers did, all those cars went at deeply discounted prices a year after they were first introduced because they did not sell. While the Santa Fe and Pennsy consists sold out and were not available unless for more than list price.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
NILE One of the things that I have noticed is that steam and transition engines, rolling stock, and passenger cars are widely available in the "popular railroads". Reality was there were over 100 railroads and 50 of them were class I. So I would like to see more of those other roads that are long gone.
One of the things that I have noticed is that steam and transition engines, rolling stock, and passenger cars are widely available in the "popular railroads". Reality was there were over 100 railroads and 50 of them were class I. So I would like to see more of those other roads that are long gone.
Good luck with that. Given that Walthers, BLI, Athearn, et. al. are in business to sell stuff, they're going to concentrate on items that are more likely to sell. NYC, ATSF, UP, SP, GN, etc. will sell because they're more widely known. Louisiana & Arkansas, Kansas Oklahoma & Gulf, etc., not so much.
Andre
Bob Schuknecht DrW Bob Schuknecht I had an idea today. A semi trailer with the rear doors open. Modelpower has that: https://www.hobbylinc.com/model-power-51-heavyweight-at-sf-flatcar-w:-40-trailer-w:operating-doors-ho-scale-model-railroad-98362 Unfortunately they don't show a picture with the doors open. The doors need to open all the way to the trailer sides which would be necessary to place the trailer at a loading dock door.
DrW Bob Schuknecht I had an idea today. A semi trailer with the rear doors open. Modelpower has that: https://www.hobbylinc.com/model-power-51-heavyweight-at-sf-flatcar-w:-40-trailer-w:operating-doors-ho-scale-model-railroad-98362
Bob Schuknecht I had an idea today. A semi trailer with the rear doors open.
I had an idea today. A semi trailer with the rear doors open.
Modelpower has that:
https://www.hobbylinc.com/model-power-51-heavyweight-at-sf-flatcar-w:-40-trailer-w:operating-doors-ho-scale-model-railroad-98362
Unfortunately they don't show a picture with the doors open. The doors need to open all the way to the trailer sides which would be necessary to place the trailer at a loading dock door.
For the doors to look prototypical on a semi trailer, and open 270 degrees, they would have to be very thin and delicate. Semi trailers, especially the dry vans are built very light and mostly out of thin aluminium and olywood. Opening containers would be ok since they are solidly built of steel with thick corner post. A dry van trailer would look to thick and toy like. A scratch build using some aluminum foil, or thin aluminum sheets and super thin wood would look acceptable but be very fragile(couldn't be shipped.)
If you have ever seen a photo of a dry van stuck under a bridge, you will see that it is little more than glorified aluminum foil, rolls right up like a sardine can.
gmpullman tstage H-10...L-2...H-5....I would happily take any and all of those. Oh, but wouldn't a high-stepping K-3 round out that wish list nicely? http://www.railarchive.net/nyccollection/nyc4851_wdv.htm Just look at those shapely drivers! Ed
tstage H-10...L-2...H-5....I would happily take any and all of those.
Oh, but wouldn't a high-stepping K-3 round out that wish list nicely?
http://www.railarchive.net/nyccollection/nyc4851_wdv.htm
Just look at those shapely drivers!
Ed
I am sorry guys, but the chances of those ever being made in plastic is slim and none. My experience in a hobby shop in Toledo (a NYC hotbed ) was that NYC did not sell. The owner was a NYC fan and made sure to stock all the NYC that was made, but the NYC guys were so picky that they would not even buy brass unless every rivit was in place.
Of course I am still looking for the FGE RBL with the offset 12' Door that the DT&I and others owned.
Who wants to see some correct accurate passenger cars from Wabash, Erie, Lackawanna, Nickel Plate, Norfolk & Western, Central of Georgia, or Southern? (Yes I'm saying it again!) but how many of you would like to own scale replicas of these cars instead of incorrect freelanced ones. At least a Baggage car, Diner, Lounge, or Sleeper with one of these roadnames.
I think Walthers should re-run thier E units, possibly a Black Penn Central with the white PC "Noodle" logo.
Too bad Walthers shelved The Fallen Flags Series. Some good choices in there, but since only a small amout of orders were placed, the idea went through the roof.
For all 12 of us who are interested, I'd love to see an accurate (and good running) model of any reasonably normal (Baldwin, Rogers, etc) 1880s (or even 1890s) American, Mogul, or Consolidation.
Fred W
E-L man tom I would also like to add: a plastic model of the class N3A (northeastern style, offset cupola) caboose, used by Erie, Erie Lackawanna and Delaware, Lackawanna & Western.
I would also like to add: a plastic model of the class N3A (northeastern style, offset cupola) caboose, used by Erie, Erie Lackawanna and Delaware, Lackawanna & Western.
JJL Models is releasing these again, soon I hope!
https://www.facebook.com/JJLModels/
These are teh Erie "Dunmore" cabooses that made it into teh EL and later CR, but they're different from the DL&W Kaiser VValley cabs.
I would also like to add: a plastic model of the class N3A (northeastern style, offset cupola) caboose, used by Erie, Erie Lackawanna and Delaware, Lackawanna & Western. This could be in kit form, as there were probably as many as 6 different versions of this car, so the kit could include the necessary parts needed for the desired version. I'm not sure, but I think these cabooses lasted into the Conrail years as well. They were also called Dunmore style cabooses. I know that years ago MR Magazine had a version of this car advertised (can't remember the manufacturer), but it was without trucks or couplers. I believe the retail price was $49.95 as I recall. So, for less than half the price I scratchbuilt a crude version of one. I will probably build another, but this time I have many good prototype photos to work off of, which I didn't have when I built the first one.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
No question about that. NYC sure had a lot of K-3's and they ran all over the system. They even got into West Virginia!
tstageH-10...L-2...H-5....I would happily take any and all of those.
John & Tom -
H-10...L-2...H-5....I would happily take any and all of those.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
JOHN C TARANTO tstage, I totally agree with you. I would love to see BLI come out with an NYC H-10a / H-10b. Also, an L-2a Mohawk would ROCK. These models have only been produced in brass. The L-2a is very rare. Of course, if you're willing to shell out $1,500 you can get a new H-10 from Division Point. Sure, these locomotives are railroad specific, but I believe there is a demand for them. Look at the success BLI has had with their Pennsy locos and others. The H-10 and L-2 are locomotives of a similar design. It could be feasible to produce them. These models would sell like Hot Cakes! Are you listening, Broadway Limited?
tstage, I totally agree with you. I would love to see BLI come out with an NYC H-10a / H-10b. Also, an L-2a Mohawk would ROCK. These models have only been produced in brass. The L-2a is very rare. Of course, if you're willing to shell out $1,500 you can get a new H-10 from Division Point.
Sure, these locomotives are railroad specific, but I believe there is a demand for them. Look at the success BLI has had with their Pennsy locos and others. The H-10 and L-2 are locomotives of a similar design. It could be feasible to produce them. These models would sell like Hot Cakes! Are you listening, Broadway Limited?
I'm sure there would be a market for the NYC H-10 or L-2 4-8-2. If the engineering is done carefully, it would be possible to do the 4-8-2 so that it represents an L-2a, b, c, or d. NYC had a total of 300 L-2's in those four subclasses, so the market ought to be there.
If an NYC Mike is your preference, I suggest that an H-5 Mikado should be considered. NYC had over 600 of them in various subclasses, and NKP also owned copies. They were heavy mainline power on NYC and subsidiaries when built, and later were used systemwide very much like GP9's in local, branch, transfer, work train, helper, switching, or any service where a bigger mainline engine wasn't needed. Some were sold on the secondhand market to High Point Thomasville & Denton and Atlanta Birmingham & Coast, and perhaps others. The AB&C engines eventually found their way onto the ACL roster. An H-5 model could be designed so that several different trailing trucks, valve gear, and piping options could be offered. This would expand the potential market with minimal additional design & development costs.
How about a Santa Fe SF30C in plastic and DC/DCC ready?
Is there a market for Pacific Electric Red Cars in HO Scale?
RTR version of Metra E8s
Julian
Modeling Pre-WP merger UP (1974-81)
NorthWest I have a couple more: An HO plastic Amtrak Cascades Talgo set with "fins". Trying to hack a model of a European set is about as close as we can get now, and those are expensive! Also, a suitably detailed F40PH Cabbage.
I have a couple more:
An HO plastic Amtrak Cascades Talgo set with "fins". Trying to hack a model of a European set is about as close as we can get now, and those are expensive!
Also, a suitably detailed F40PH Cabbage.
Rapido is making HO F40PH Cabbages with their standrd crazy details. Beautiful locomotives though expensive. Granted not much more than an Athearn Genesis. The cabbages are powered since the difference between a powered locomotive and a dummy is $5 to make.
Personally, I would just like more undecorated locomotives for shortlines and freelancing. I am mainly taking about GP40s and SD40-2s. Athearn made some, but they were quickly bought up.
How about RTR EMC SC or SW locomotive, ALCO MRS-1, RSD-1, and Illinois Central SW14, walthers reissuing of their RTR greenville woodchip hopper cars, Central Vermont wood caboose, and more data only freight car kits by Accurail, like modern wood chip cars, flatcars, and modern 4 bay coal hopper cars.
I liked the idea of the poseable figures that could be hardened. Instead of air setting, I might suggest some sort of plastic or epoxy that hardens under UV light, just like the stuff my dentist uses. There are TV ads these days for some sort of glue that cures with their UV light. Such figures would come as basic flexible people, you bend them into pose, and light them with UV. Another option would be heat, like cookie dough. You shape them then put them in a slow oven. Probably some microwaveable stuff would work too.
This is the Cabcar I was talking about;
" width="900" height="600" />
tstage I haven't perused through the entire thread to see all the recommendations. However - just in case Tom (ACY) hasn't suggested it yet - a FM H20-44 switcher in plastic would really make a nice addition to the diesel market: I'd gladly purchase one in the above lightning stripe scheme...or even ACY yellow. Tom
I haven't perused through the entire thread to see all the recommendations. However - just in case Tom (ACY) hasn't suggested it yet - a FM H20-44 switcher in plastic would really make a nice addition to the diesel market:
I'd gladly purchase one in the above lightning stripe scheme...or even ACY yellow.
Hi Tom ---
Thanks for giving a boost to one of my favorites. If you'll go back through this thread, I think you'll find my suggestions concerning the H20-44. This was the first 2000 h.p. road switcher. It looked like an overgrown yard engine because it had no short hood and was a bit short in length. It had the same 2000 h.p. prime mover and four traction motors as the more famous Erie Built cab units.
There were two different demo paint schemes, and some of the first ones were used by UP as helpers in Southern California, and later as heavy switchers/transfer engines in a variety of UP locations. IHB used them in transfer service around Chicago, and those units eventually joined several NYC units in service on branches and locals in lots of NYC locations. PRR had the largest group, and used them as branch and local freight engines on the Pittsburgh Division as well as several lines in Ohio and Indiana. AC&Y and P&WV used them as their primary road power. It wasn't unusual to see them in multiple-unit lashups with other H20's or other FM units. N&W inherited some from P&WV, and used them at Lamberts Point. Southwest Portland Cement bought three from UP for heavy switching around Victorville. The three SWPC units are all preserved, one each in California, Illinois, and Texas.
Big Dawg Originals is considering the possibility of releasing an H20-44 body shell to fit Hobbytown's upgrade of their well respected diesel drive. Check Big Dawg's Facebook page and tell them if this is an item you want. They will not proceed with the project unless they receive a sufficient number of committed responses.
Thanks again for supporting the H20-44.
Tom (the other one)
How about 72' passengers cars with interiors And lights.
I'm hoping that Atlas would make some early GP38 (7660-7939) and GP40/-2s in Conrail blue, in N.
Is there a way to suggest models to Atlas?
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
MheetuPlastic BOX CAR ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES....
Hi, Mheetu
I presume you are asking for Box CAB electrics? Typos happen...
Broadway Limited has got you covered (although die-cast and not plastic)
They are also making the GG1 available again although with the Bachmann offering, the MTH and previous BLI's, plus the European 1970s models I'm not sure what the market will bear, there?
Speaking of wants in the electric category, I'd sure like to see some PRR E44s as well.
Rapido has the New Haven EP-5 JET coming!
http://rapidotrains.com/nh-ep-5-jet/
Have you looked at Shapeways for PRR catenary supports? I bought some a while back and I'm very pleased with what I recieved. This is the seller that I bought from:
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/designdyne?li=pb
would like to see some 4-4-2 Atlantics lots of railroads had these from PRR E4's to southern pacific etc.
Plastic BOX CAR ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES....
Northeast corridor Catenary
A reissue of circus trains cars and sets would be nice to see.
I found a link to suggest products somewhere on Athearn's website a while ago and suggested they reissue first generation Metrolink coaches which are long OOP and sell for a premium on the auction site. Seems like they listened because they are going to re-issue them in the spring and their price is going to be the price they have been selling for, around $50 per car.
I realize this is a old thread, but maybe it's time to revive it and keep all the good suggestions going about what gaps need to be filled in Model Roading.
I'm still waiting to see Walthers release an Amfleet Cab car that Amtrak used on the San Diegan from 1987-2002. Even after the Surfliner was introduced in 2000, I still remember seeing a few San Diegans running behind a F59PHI until 03.
So how about it Walthers?
Send Walthers an email explaining what you want. Or tell their new product center online.
I'm sure they can help you
CJCRESCENT's right and Kevin's not wrong. The Locomotive Company reportedly had some pretty serious quality control issues. But that doesn't mean the original idea was bad. I'm told Arbour had the same issues, but I've never tried to build kits from either company. Arbour's patterns were acquired by Bowser, but Bowser has stopped producing this type of loco. Over in England, people aren't so afraid of "advanced" kits, and the manufacturers offer quite a broad selection. The British firm DJH offered US locomotives several years ago, but they didn't sell well. They had a USRA light Mike, a USRA light Pacific, and an NYC 4-6-4. I don't know whether their problems were due to limited availability, poor marketing, or something else entirely.
I wonder whether that Pere Marquette heavy 2-8-0 could be built using a Bowser/Penn Line H9s and start by shaving off the Belpaire bulges. Or the old Varney Heavy 2-8-0, possibly using that same Bowser mechanism. The old Bachmann RDG 2-8-0 might work if you did serious surgery on the cab & firebox. I'm not familiar enough with the prototype to be sure. If the drivers need to be smaller (55 = 57"), then replacements can be found. This wouldn't be an easy conversion in any case, so the first idea (Get a manufacturer to do it) would still be best.
Lee Town used to make white metal conversion kits. Maybe that idea could be resurrected, using white metal, resin, and brass or nickel silver etchings or castings.
Atlantic and Hibernia ... 4. Since no manufacturer is ever going to be able to satisfy every modeler for every steam locomotive, would it be practical to sell custom frames, drivers, valve gears, and motors? Suppose I want to a 2-4-0 and my buddy wants an 0-4-4T. We could each order the appropriate frame, wheels, and motor combination and then build the bodies ourselves. How many people would need to take advantage of this service for the price to drop below that of the average brass locomotive? ... Kevin
...
4. Since no manufacturer is ever going to be able to satisfy every modeler for every steam locomotive, would it be practical to sell custom frames, drivers, valve gears, and motors? Suppose I want to a 2-4-0 and my buddy wants an 0-4-4T. We could each order the appropriate frame, wheels, and motor combination and then build the bodies ourselves. How many people would need to take advantage of this service for the price to drop below that of the average brass locomotive?
Kevin
Kevin, hate to disappoint, but its been done, and was a failure. You bought a boiler kit, short or long, a mechanism kit that was a 4-6-0 or 2-8-0, and a separate tender kit that allowed for coal or oil. All this was done by "The Locomotive Company" and they had many problems after their initial runs. These locos all would build into late 19th to early 20th century locos. They came with everything needed, molded in Zamac. The mechanisms were all powered by Sagami can motors and idler gearboxes, connected directly to the motor.
These were supposed to be fairly easy to build, but after building 3 locos from the kits, I can say they were anything but. Most of the boiler pieces were warped, and impossible to straigthen up, there were out of round wheels, the rods were made out of some metal that was so brittle that in trying to clean out the holes for the crankpins, the rods would literally shatter. The gearbox was so bad that the gears would not line up properly. To top it off, it was almost impossible to produce a square level frame.
It took me a year to build them, and it wasn't a pleasant experience. Even with my skill set, I would be very reluctant to buy another kit set up like this. I would prefer a single kit like Bowser's old kits.
Carey
Keep it between the Rails
Alabama Central Homepage
Nara member #128
NMRA &SER Life member
ACY Fmilhaupt, do you have a specific ALCO 2-8-0 in mind? Brooks engines had a distinctive look that was different from the look of other Alcos. Many non-USRA locos had a "look" that was dictated more by the purchaser than the builder. (For example, PRR 2-8-0's with Belpaire boilers were built by Alco and even [gasp!] Lima!). Are you thinking of a big mainline 2-8-0 or a small branch/shortline 2-8-0. If the latter, I'd recommend a light Brooks engine like the Buffalo & Susquehanna engines.
Fmilhaupt, do you have a specific ALCO 2-8-0 in mind? Brooks engines had a distinctive look that was different from the look of other Alcos. Many non-USRA locos had a "look" that was dictated more by the purchaser than the builder. (For example, PRR 2-8-0's with Belpaire boilers were built by Alco and even [gasp!] Lima!). Are you thinking of a big mainline 2-8-0 or a small branch/shortline 2-8-0. If the latter, I'd recommend a light Brooks engine like the Buffalo & Susquehanna engines.
Yes: a Brooks 2-8-0. You've articulated it much more precisely than I did.
For my own selfish purposes, I'm looking for the beefy ones that the Pere Marquette used, but that are somewhat similar in size and proportions to some owned by the NYC, GM&O, Monon, and possibly the EJ&E.
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
Wow. Lots of new ideas while I was away, plus some endorsements of earlier ideas. There's more interest in PRR steam in N scale.
A lot of folks want more vehicles of a lot of different types. Kevin's idea of having poseable figures is really great. As he says, he's thinking out of the box and that's good.
The NP/SP&S/GN 4-6-6-4 seems to be gaining traction (is that a pun?) By the way, 4-6-6-4's tend to have a smaller "front porch" than most other artic's, so they wouldn't look so bad with the non-prototypical hinge arrangement. And as for those minimum radius curves, I agree wholeheartedly that they aren't a good idea, if only because of appearance. My point was that big artic's CAN be designed to operate successfully on tight curves. Most tend to look horrible on anything less than 30" radius in HO, no matter how they're hinged, and they don't really start to look GOOD until you get to 40" or more (cut these figures in half for N; double them for O).
Hard to know how to respond to Hornblower's comments about scratchbuilding stucco structures. I sure don't know what kind of market exists for Southern California architecture. One of the goals of this whole thread is to create a climate where we won't have to do so much scratchbuilding because the needed items are available. But if the products don't become available, we do what we must. Hornblower has recognized that all of his structure needs are not going to be fulfilled by the suppliers, and has developed workable methods of getting what he needs & wants. I hope he is rewarded with some suitable structures, if only because his efforts deserve to be rewarded. However, I grew up in Ohio and the first floor of our house was --- you guessed it --- STUCCO. So it's not just a California thing.
Back a few years ago Micro Machines made some sets that included 4 wheelers, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles that scaled out pretty well to HO. You have to watch these things in places like Wal Mart and pick them up when they're available.
locoi1sa Well since were going crazy with non articulated articulated steam locos may I add a sound decoder with only two functions for steamers. And while were at it how about some HO scale dirt bikes with riders and maybe some 4 wheel ATVs? Pete
Well since were going crazy with non articulated articulated steam locos may I add a sound decoder with only two functions for steamers.
And while were at it how about some HO scale dirt bikes with riders and maybe some 4 wheel ATVs?
Pete
I used to lament the fact that so few available structure kits resemble architecture found in Southern California. We don't see a lot of masonry buildings as they don't do well in earthquake country. Instead, we have a lot of stucco on frame structures. Modeling the 1950's in the Orange County area, I need a lot of single story commercial buildings with storefront windows and stucco walls. The closest kits I found are the recent Walthers Main Street releases but these have brick walls. What to do? I've become a scratch building fiend. I can purchase 4' by 8' sheets of 0.040" styrene for $20 locally and so have been building like crazy. I find that a light circular pattern sanding of the finish sides of the styrene walls with 220 grit sandpaper and stippling the paint finish looks a lot like HO scale sized stucco. I use a vernier caliper with one jaw sharpened to a knife edge to cut out my storefront window frames. The most time consuming portion of building these structures has proven to be the rooftop detailing. Scratch building all those air conditioning and exhaust fan units can get a little tedious but the end result is quite satisfying. No model available? Why not try to scratch build or at least kitbash what you want?
Hornblower
There was talk a few years ago about geared locomotives in N scale. Did anything ever come of that?
Each time this question comes up, I repeat myself and say that I would really like slightly less expensive small power trucks for building streetcars, MOW equipment, inspection engines, tram engines, and other oddities.
So let's really think out of the proverbial box:
1. Live steam in On30 and O
2. Scale figures that harden on exposure to air. The figure would arrive packed in an air-tight bag, you open it up, pose the figure and after a few hours it hardens so that it can be painted and glued.
3. A smart phone or tablet app that takes the place of the paperwork used during operating sessions. The car cards, waybills, train orders, etc etc etc are generated by a computer operated by the dispatcher and then automatically sent to the operators.
Any other really exotic ideas?
Pennsy Steam in N Scale.
Modeling the Bellefonte Central Railroad
Fan of the PRR
Garden Railway Enthusiast
Check out my Youtube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PennsyModeler
I really like the idea of the Whitcomb 65-tonner. 'course, I'd like to see a Whitcomb 44-tonner, too.
What would probably kill these would be that the price on even the smaller switchers is creeping up to or exceeding price of larger power. When a side-rod 45-ton switcher is more expensive than a Geep ($155 MSRP vs. $109 MSRP), there's a big segment of the market that won't go for the smaller locomotive. Even Bachmann's 44-ton switcher is within $5 of their GP7, now.
What I really want for my fleet right now is a heavy ALCo 2-8-0. My road's diesels pretty much have been covered, and I'm up to my knees in Berkshires.
Another one that's been missed is a smaller, lighter Mikado than a USRA version. 'hard to choose a prototype for that one, though.
Let's see
1. A good & correct C30-7. Broadway's is ok, and IIRC atlas had an error, but I forgot what. The BLI pulls better than the atlas, but the body details are kind of lacking, and installing an antic-limber is a bit of a pain to the BLI. Preferably Atlas since they have most of the stuff to make a correct BN one. preferably available with or without DCC/sound
2. A good & correct C415. Even though BN only had 2, I like the looks of these. preferably available with or without DCC/sound.
3. Kato to redo their GP35.
4. Great Northern S-1 4-8-4. I know BLI announced them, but I doubt they are doing them anymore
5. GN/NP/SP&S 4-6-6-4. MTH might, but I've heard too many horror stories about their electronics.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
UP 4-12-2Seriously, are we discussing N-gauge or HO here?
ACY Both of my Key Brass EM-1's can take a 19" radius curve, although they look like @%#*$@# doing it. The Challenger EM-1 can do the same, although she complains about it. I understand the Intermountain SP 4-8-8-2 (which is a 2-8-8-4 that needs a compass) is designed to hinge like the prototype. Can anybody say what kind of radius that engine needs? Surely ANY articulated (maybe excepting a Triplex or a 2-10-10-2) can handle any curve that can be negotiated be the 4-12-2 after which you're named.
Both of my Key Brass EM-1's can take a 19" radius curve, although they look like @%#*$@# doing it. The Challenger EM-1 can do the same, although she complains about it. I understand the Intermountain SP 4-8-8-2 (which is a 2-8-8-4 that needs a compass) is designed to hinge like the prototype. Can anybody say what kind of radius that engine needs?
Surely ANY articulated (maybe excepting a Triplex or a 2-10-10-2) can handle any curve that can be negotiated be the 4-12-2 after which you're named.
Seriously, are we discussing N-gauge or HO here?
I think BLI is advertising 42" minimum radius for their 4-12-2, if it ever gets made--and MTH's version with it's non-prototypical articulated mechanism overhangs severely on 26" radius, but will probably do less (though I don't have less so I don't know what it will be comfortable on).
If you got a Key HO EM-1 around tight curves--well, that must be a miracle--but I would bet consistent operation on curves that tight would only lead to problems...
On Oct. 29, Bear suggested a Whitcomb 65 tonner & Karl seconded it. Has anybody seen the Conemaugh & Black Lick's bold script lettering on these units? WOW! With that paint scheme, the hobby shops would have a hard time keeping them on the shelves. I'll bet people who don't know (or care) where the C&BL is, would be buying them. And it would open up a market for SW1's, NW2's, and SW7's lettered the same.
Kinda along the lines of what Nittany said about Amtrak baggage and Viewliners:
I really want (and need) HO Amtrak Horizon cars in IVb. Model availability in proportion to prototype usage is crazy small. Yes, I know Walthers did them already, but they're darn near impossible to find. I would be thrilled if Walthers ran them again; my Missouri River Runner looks odd with a string of Amcans.
UP 4-12-2:
Surely ANY articulated (maybe excepting a Triplex or a 2-10-10-2) can handle any curve that can be negotiated be the 4-12-2 after which you're named. However, I will concede that the non-prototypical design may make it easier to distribute the weight for optimal traction. So maybe it's a trade-off: Accurate design or better performance. I like the idea of having an accurate design, then tweaking it to get the best performance practicable.
If Intermountain has commercial success with the 4-8-8-2, maybe they'll consider using that basic mechanism for a good EM-1 or maybe the DM&IR 2-8-8-4 mentioned a short while ago. (Or an NP Z-5 or SP AC-9)
tstage Joe, I was speaking of the NYC 4-8-2 L-4a Mohawks. BLI released them in 2009 and they were outfitted with a QSI sound decoder. Tom
Joe,
I was speaking of the NYC 4-8-2 L-4a Mohawks. BLI released them in 2009 and they were outfitted with a QSI sound decoder.
Oh I'm sorry. I didn't even know they made Mohawks. If you get around to it can you post a picture of it or is a picture of it on your website?
Joe C
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Yes, sir, I can understand...but then you've also eliminated so many potential would-be buyers that there likely wouldn't be enough remaining to pay for such an animal--in suitable sales....
UP 4-12-2 ACY So I guess I'm adding another request to manufacturers: Articulated that are hinged like the real ones, and can pull. No need to ask for correct proportions & details. That goes without saying. Impossible--the real ones had a fixed "rear engine" ie rear set of drivers. With "correct proportions & details" these models will require a minimum of 48" HO scale radius to operate--just like most of the brass ones require.
ACY So I guess I'm adding another request to manufacturers: Articulated that are hinged like the real ones, and can pull. No need to ask for correct proportions & details. That goes without saying.
So I guess I'm adding another request to manufacturers: Articulated that are hinged like the real ones, and can pull. No need to ask for correct proportions & details. That goes without saying.
Impossible--the real ones had a fixed "rear engine" ie rear set of drivers. With "correct proportions & details" these models will require a minimum of 48" HO scale radius to operate--just like most of the brass ones require.
To make them go around 24" radius, without the rear drivers pivoting, and without cheating the balance point of the boiler, and other needed compromises--is mathematically impossible unless perhaps you only want a small 2-6-6-2. The "correct details" of plumbing and fixtures will get in the way, and to pivot like the prototype requires much larger radius than HO scale 24" radius, because the prototype could never in a million years operate on that.
Poor puller or not, she's beautiful. I think I'd check weight distribution. That can be a major factor, particularly with Articulateds. Lots of moving stuff that could affect performance.
As for a less expensive version, the plastic engines can be nice, pricewise; but they don't always match up to the better brass stuff when it comes to detail. I got one Bachmann B&O EM-1 and it made me gun-shy. It needs to have a lot of details added or corrected in order to deserve a roundhouse stall beside my other EM-1's. Some of the UP and N&W Artic's from other producers are a lot better in this regard. Back in the '70's, I remember a display at a hobby shop in the Chicago area. Several state-of-the-art brass SP Cab Forwards were displayed with the then-new AHM SP 4-8-8-2. Right out of the box, the Plastic engine looked every bit as good as the more expensive brass ones. That was 40 years ago. It sure isn't true of the Bachmann EM-1 today. I also dislike Articulateds that don't hinge like the prototype, and that's what you get with the plastic ones.
I'd like to see a DMIR version of the Bachman 2-8-8-4 with a Centipede tender for a similar price. Also BN/BNSF new taconite cars priced so one could afford 60 or so. Same with the new CN/DMIR taconite cars.
While we're at it a Ford Super Duty crew cab pickup set up for Hy Rail. Maybe some similar trucks with utility boxes. This is the one most universal model for modern railroading that is not produced. They are everywhere.
ACYIf you can afford it, Sunset recently produced the Z-6 and Z-8, but I'm sure you're thinking about something more easily affordable.
Doesn't pull worth a darn. Couldn't even get 20 cars up a 2% grade. Going to try bullfrog snot and see if that makes a difference.
I'm still waiting for a plastic or hybrid R-T-R model of Canadian Pacific's D10g-h-j-k 4-6-0 steamer. They had more in this series (500+) than some railroads had in their entire fleet.
Steve
Oops! That wasn't JaBear. It was Texas Zephyr. The E5 suggestion should have told me that. Sorry. But the comments still stand.
At last! We've finally corrupted JaBear to the point that he's actually thrown out nine suggestions!
Seems like a lot of these have merit. The 2 passenger cars (# 1 and 5A) would be likely candidates for Walthers. I'm not personally too familiar with the MoPac RS-3 rebuilds. Maybe this could be done as a refit kit in resin or styrene. Do they resemble the DeWitt rebuilds that Conrail did? Is there a possibility that the model could be marketed to a wider market, by making it a match for more than just the MoPac engines?
Seems like any manufacturer who makes a decent E6 (or even an E7) could work up an E5 A&B. If not, then it could be a project for somebody to do in resin, to slip over an existing E6 chassis. N scalers can gloat over this one. It was recently produced.
As for no. 7, PFM proved in the 1960's that GN was a road with a lot of appeal to customers. The ATSF Prairie might be a harder sell, but you never know.
If you can afford it, Sunset recently produced the Z-6 and Z-8, but I'm sure you're thinking about something more easily affordable. The idea has merit. The engines were drop-dead beautiful and were operated by NP, SP&S, GN, and I think Undec/Freelance had a few too!
Idea no. 8 sounds good too. Something along the lines of the Yardmaster series by Branchline (I think Atlas has those patterns now).
Texas Zepher8. Equivalent of the ubiquitous Athearn Blue Box - simple model kits that just work well, look OK, priced for the masses, buildable by interested children, and can endure clumsy operators.
Thankfully Accurail is still staying with kits for now. Proto 2000, Intermountain, and Red Caboose are all starting to get more and more difficult to find in kit form anymore. No reason to rehash that topic though...
"JaBear" in Feb 1960, E.Morrell was asking the manufacturers for nickel silver track , "........and sold it at a reasonable price. I'm sure they'd have a shock when they saw how fast it was being bought up. I'll wager that in 3 years, every HO railroad in the country would roll on nickel silver."
I knew it had been around a long time before the general MR community discovered it. I had my first piece of nickel-silver track (Atlas flex on fiber ties) in 1965, but even so I continued to use brass. Seems like it was 1984 or so when the flood gates were finally opened and it was embraced as the way to go. I remember when (but not the date) when brass was discontinued and put on the clearance rack of the hobby store. The #6 turnouts still flew off the shelf.
Back to the topic at hand. After thinking about it for a while ... I still want (of course most of these have the same issues of a very limited market).
1. CB&Q square end tail car from the last Denver and Kansas City Zephyrs.2. NP Z5 (Yellowstone), Z6, Z7, Z8 (Challengers)3. C&S E54. NP pig palace and BIG pig palaces5. NCL BUDD 4-4-6 Dome Sleeper (actually I'm guessing Walther's will eventually do this.)5. MP RS-3 rebuilds with EMD prime mover such that they had 4 exhaust stacks.6. AT&SF heavy Prairie 19xx class.7. ANY of the GN steam locos with the Belpair Firebox.8. Equivalent of the ubiquitous Athearn Blue Box - simple model kits that just work well, look OK, priced for the masses, buildable by interested children, and can endure clumsy operators.
The manufacturers actually do look at the online surveys.
A couple years ago the number one most requested diesel in various online surveys was the Alco C-430.
Even though Bowser doesn't have or take time to respond to online forum discussions, they took note of that and are making the C-430. It didn't hurt that a number of people personally called them about making that particular engine as well. Even though it has a unique frame length and unique 4 axle hi-ad trucks that can only be used on a C-415, they still chose to do it.
What would I like to see? How about some "correct" name trains that Walthers or Rapido haven't done.
I think the Rock Island/SP "Golden State Limited", with its bright red and stainless steel finish, would be really neat--and a likely good seller as it would appeal to both Rock Island and SP fans.
I'd like to see the all-purple ACL rebuilt coach done in HO--I think that would be neat and would sell.
I'd like to see the PRR original paint scheme (yellow, silver, Brunswick green roof) "East Wind" in something other than brass. Some of the cars are standard PRR coaches, and could also be done in the regular, off-season, PRR paint schemes--so there would be considerable cross-over there. Also some of the cars were from ACL, etc. I think doing a neat name train like the "East Wind" would appeal to eastern road modelers.
Also the Atlantic Coast Line "Champion" or Seaboard Air Line "Silver Meteor". We already have the motive power to pull these trains readily available.
Omigosh! did we convert DaBear? After years of trying to forget the 0-2-0 article, with the help of some very expensive therapy, I get reminded of it again. Oh well..... Back to the head shrinker. JaBear makes a really god point about the 65T Whitcomb. I can picture a lot of steel mill guys and shortline operators who would go nuts for that one.
The ditch light idea seems like a natural for modern day guys, and I wonder if Steemtrayn and kbkchooch should have patented their ideas about removable weights and fuel tank punchouts for speakers before they posted them.
Is the Lima switcher idea getting traction? I think Lima used frames that were dimensionally the same as Baldwin frames, so Bowser would probably be the best bet for that one. As for the FM H20-44, Atlas would seem to be a natural. They should still have access to the tooling that was used on their H15/16-44, and a lot of that could be used on the H20. For that matter, a rerun of the H15/16-44 would be nice. They were pretty scarce at the last show at Timonium.
steemtrayn How about weights with removable sections for decoder installations? If you want to add a decoder, just remove the section, no milling nrcessary. If you want more weight, just leave it in place.
How about weights with removable sections for decoder installations? If you want to add a decoder, just remove the section, no milling nrcessary. If you want more weight, just leave it in place.
Stellar idea Dave, but lets go further (while were dreaming)!! Removable weights for decoders with fuel tank punch outs for speakers!!!
Ever put sound in a Proto GP9 while retaining as much weight as possible?? It gets ugly!
Especially when the nose gets chopped, you lose even more space. I've done a bunch this way, it's not fun!
Karl
NCE über alles!
kbkchooch richhotrain I'd like to see Atlas produce flex track. Rich I was waiting for this to come up, thanks Rich!!
richhotrain I'd like to see Atlas produce flex track. Rich
I'd like to see Atlas produce flex track.
Rich
I was waiting for this to come up, thanks Rich!!
I tried not to, but I simply could not resist.
Alton Junction
ACY The old Bachmann RDG I-10 can be found at swap meets now & then. I wonder whether a mechanism from the newer Bachmann 2-8-0 could be put under that old boiler.
The old Bachmann RDG I-10 can be found at swap meets now & then. I wonder whether a mechanism from the newer Bachmann 2-8-0 could be put under that old boiler.
No need to. If you look hard enough, you can find them with the can motor from Bachmann. For a 3 or 4 year period, prior to the "new" 2-8-0, Bachmann produced them under their "Plus" line. From the outside they look identical to the train set version, remove off the shell and there is a split frame chassis with a can motor inside! I've got 2 of them and they run as nice as my newer Consols.
Bear, I agree with the 65 ton Whitcomb unit, done in brass eons ago. I want this one in particular.
locoi1sa Sorry to get your hopes up. Pete
Sorry to get your hopes up.
Pete,No worries..
I got this crazy idea of doing a Cincinnati Union Terminal Lima and SW8 switchers.The CUT did the switching chores at Cincinnati Union Station.
BTW.I did a web search yesterday and came up with the real Eddystone locomotive works.Interesting find.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
"JaBear"P.S. I can't find the article picturing a kit bashed 0-2-0 steam loco.
Bear.
Its right after the 0-5-0 switcher article. The April issue of space and rail star date 3039. The same issue with the article about using a transporter to scale operators for brakeman duties.
BRAKIE locoi1sa Larry. Didn't Eddystone locomotive works come out with a Lima switcher in plastic? Pete Pete,That's news to me. Do they have a web page?
locoi1sa Larry. Didn't Eddystone locomotive works come out with a Lima switcher in plastic? Pete
Larry.
Didn't Eddystone locomotive works come out with a Lima switcher in plastic?
Pete,That's news to me.
Do they have a web page?
They used too but it seems to be dead. Perhaps they had gone out of business. I think they had the resin Lima switcher shells that fit on someone else s chassis. Here is the link I had bookmarked and I did a google search too and got nothing.
http://www.eddystonelocomotives.com/
ACY "Many --- probably most --- of the suggestions will go unanswered by the manufacturers. But if we get a positive response from a few, and get some new and/or better products on the hobby shop shelves and on our layouts, then it will have been worthwhile. It can't hurt to put a bug in a manufacturer's ear."
Gidday Tom, sounds very much like "Whistling Dixie" to me.
However you do have a point.
Back in the May 1955 Model Railroader, Mr. Roger.R.Thomson was asking for more plastic structural shapes, and in Feb 1960, E.Morrell was asking the manufacturers for nickel silver track , "........and sold it at a reasonable price. I'm sure they'd have a shock when they saw how fast it was being bought up. I'll wager that in 3 years, every HO railroad in the country would roll on nickel silver."
Flywheel drive was discussed back in the Nov 1945, June 1951, Oct 1961 and Dec 1969 Model Railroader,s, all scratch built, but again it paid off when Athearn produced their flywheel drive in 1973, so "Good things do come to those that wait".
I know that there will be more examples as I only had a very cursory look but there are also the "Someone should make a Erehwon & Nor Nor Eastern 0-2-0 as fitted out by their workshops , 32nd Jan 19..." examples,usually written in an indignant , almost self righteous manner, At least no one on this thread has adopted that attitude.
peahrens I just started last year, so may have missed some prior releases of these.
To my mind Paul makes a valid point. Now I know that the pros and cons of prepurchasing and limited runs have been, and will continue to be discussed ad nausem, and yes there is ebay, but I think that the manufacturers are missing the train, regarding new comers to the hobby, seeing Product discontinued in various catalogs can be some what discouraging.
If I was to join into a thread like this then a Bachmann ????? DCC ready Whitcomb 65 tonner would be nice.
Cheers, the Bear.
P.S. I can't find the article picturing a kit bashed 0-2-0 steam loco.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I would love to more locomotives with Ditch light right from the factory and more modern day figures.
~ Tim .
To see photos of my HO scale / 1/64 scale layout and diorama photos base in the present day . http://www.flickr.com/photos/icr140/
Right now, I'd settle for the Amtrak gaps like Viewliners and Heritage diners and baggage. You can get all the Superliners and Amfleets you can handle, but good luck making a whole train!
Denver and Salt Lake 2-6-6-0
http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15330coll22/id/43313
http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15330coll22/id/43351/rec/373
http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15330coll22/id/43484/rec/448
http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15330coll22/id/43506/rec/470
I'm hoping BLI or MTH does a true Erie Berkshire also the 0-8-8-0 Erie camelback that MTH does in O scale but in HO
I'm thinking Bachmann may do an older generic version of a Mikado and/or Pacific with the higher domes and maybe an Elesco feedwater heater. Teming them up depending on road name with one of their Vanderbilt tenders would do it for me.
My $.02
Mark
EL Man:
Don't worry about displaying ignorance. There's no shame in not knowing something. Sometimes the correct answer is "I don't know". The only shame is in an unwillingness to learn.
An NW2 with all the weight milled out of it so you can do what you want inside. You could then fill it with weight if you wanted, add electronics or both to what you want. Basicly it is easier to add weight than take away.
tstage I'd like to see BLI do a 2nd run of the 4-8-2 Mohawks; this time with the Paragon2 decoders. I would love to double-head two of them on a friend's huge layout. Tom
I'd like to see BLI do a 2nd run of the 4-8-2 Mohawks; this time with the Paragon2 decoders. I would love to double-head two of them on a friend's huge layout.
I believe they have have. The M1?http://www.broadway-limited.com/2213prrm1a4-8-2unletteredunnumberedpost-1946versionparagon2sounddcdccho.aspx
A couple observations:
The old Bachmann RDG I-10 can be found at swap meets now & then. I wonder whether a mechanism from the newer Bachmann 2-8-0 could be put under that old boiler. Driver size is the same or nearly so. Also, I wonder why RDG guys aren't clamoring for an I-9, which was much more numerous than the I-10.
The suggestion for a UP standard Harriman 2-8-2 is pretty interesting. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to have an SP version to appeal to a broader market. Also, I'll bet there are other straight-boilered Mike prototypes that could be represented by this basic engine.
Glad to hear from the N gaugers. How about you guys in O? S?
GP-9_Man11786In fact Pennsy steam of any kind would be welcomed. Its so plentiful in HO but there's a total dearth in N.
I would imagine that's probably true for just about any N-scale road name.
I'd like to see a K4 pacific in N Scale. Our only options are the old Mintrix models or poorly-running brass. In fact Pennsy steam of any kind would be welcomed. Its so plentiful in HO but there's a total dearth in N.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
I would love to see the Conrail Executive Train passenger cars modeled accurately....The Proto2000 locos are fine, just need the cars now....
OK, I do UP and CB&Q so my list is biased towrds the West (and HO scale);
1) ACF/Rogers 34-foot 50-ton ballast cars. Used in the thousands on UP alone, but only done in brass years ago bt Challenger Imports. These cars were used by CNW, CB&Q, UP, GB&W and others? These aren't like other hoppers. Badly needed, never done in resin or plastic!
2) UP "Harriman" passenger cars in plastic. "Proper" models, not just rehash of the old MDC moldings.
3) UP O-50-1 tank cars. Not unlike what the Athearn car SHOULD be, but the UP cars had big 69" domes.
4) a reasonably priced UP "common standard" 2-8-2
5) a UP SD70M with flaired radiators in HO
I'll stop here and let everyone digest :-)
I know that some manufacturers have produced these, even of late, but I wouldn't mind seeing more GP38's and, although not in my era, the SD70. More road names in each too. I may be displaying my ignorance, so please ignore if I'M wrong.
I'll second the call for a Fairbanks-Morse H-20-44. The NYC, IHB and Pittsburgh & West Virginia had them. With regards to 2-8-0 Consolidations, I've always liked the looks of the big 90-series ones that the Lehigh & Hudson had. Bachman used to make a model of a big Reading 2-8-0 but it had a cheap pancake motor and didn't run well. While I'm dreaming, how about a big 4-8-2 such as those owned by the B&m and L&HR? Or a Lackawanna or Lehigh Valley 4-8-4?
ACYThe Scenery car and the Horse car are available as kits from Bethlehem, I think. By the way, they were used by more roads than just the PRR. Without looking it up, I think NYC, SP, & maybe B&O.
ACY.
The New Haven also had some horse cars later converted to baggage cars. My former club was housed in a 1905 Bradley and sons former horse car.
Ed.
I concur about the stake pockets on the F22. I used a thick ACC that stayed workable for about ten minutes but thick enough to hold the parts on their own. I did mine like an assembly line with all the parts prepped and ready to instal. Paint, decals, trucks and couplers are left to do. Then I can start on the gun tube.
Pretty good.
Looks like there's a lot of interest in heavyweight head-end cars, and several votes for the Lima switcher. Yes, the Lima was available as a limited-run resin refit kit to go on the (Bowser, I think) mechanism, and they were available in brass a couple centuries ago. The Scenery car and the Horse car are available as kits from Bethlehem, I think. By the way, they were used by more roads than just the PRR. Without looking it up, I think NYC, SP, & maybe B&O.
The forthcoming PRR H10s could be offered with a different tender, as Locoi1sa suggested. Also, the only consistent spotting feature that distinguishes an H9s from an H10s is the "snifter" valve on the steam chest. Shouldn't be too hard to come up with an H9s variation in a future run.
Tstage mentioned the NYC H-10 Mike. A nice suggestion. Then there's the NYC H-5 Mike which boasted a roster of about 600 engines for the NYC and subsidiaries, plus the NKP's copies. Some of the NYC engines were sold to the AB&C (later part of the ACL), and at least one went to the HPT&D. So several road names could be offered. I'd buy either one --- H-5 or 10 --- for use at my NYC interchange, and maybe an extra H-5 for my NKP interchange.
Crhostler, the RDG K-1 has always been my favorite RDG loco. I don't model the road, but might buy one just because I like the big brute.
Still hoping someone will second my suggestion re. the F-M H20-44. Walthers had the PRR plan 4129 10 & 6 briefly, but just try to find one today. It'd be nice if they'd re-release that. And how about the STANDARD PRR flat end obs. and lounge cars that were used on several trains. The ones Walthers released were unique to the Broadway.
How about suggestions for other scales & gauges?
A Pennsy F22 flat car so I can ship my 16" Naval Gun Barrels (made by Laserkits)
AMB Laserkit Photo
I know Funaro & Camerlengo has resin kits, of which I have two, but me and the stake pockets and the acc are NOT having much fun trying to get those tiny stake pockets to stick! Brass F22s are occasionally found at about $175 a copy (currently, one at brasstrains.com!)
How about it Bowser? Please???
One thing that's hard to find are combination cars, cars that are say 1/4 baggage with the rest being seats. In Heavyweight cars, Bachmann makes one that's about 50-50, and the old AHM/Rivarossi cars were about 1/4 seats, 3/4 baggage. In lightweight, I don't know if anyone makes them?? They were quite common on top-of-the-line trains like NYC's Twentieth Century Limited, or C&NW's 400, but they're pretty rare in HO.
SD90MacH II with prototype sound.
Rail Whales
68' DODX 140 ton flat(I've scratch built one)
Richard
About 30 years ago or more Custom Brass had released a Reading K1sb (2-10-2) and I had always hoped that someone other than a brass maker would produce them. BLI has the Reading T-1, though unaffordable...they still make it. K1...yeah that would work for me.
Mark H.
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
I'd love to see a NYC 2-8-2 H-10a/10b in plastic sometime. They are available in brass but pretty road specific so I don't expect to see one.
FYI: True Line Trains will be releasing some low-cupola cabooses available in NYC, P&LE, P, McK&Y, and Rutland schemes sometime next year.
How about some big center cab Lima or Baldwin transfer units? More pre war RPO HW cars that are affordable like Walthers did with the B60b and the R50b? Maybe an end door scenery car and horse car to go with them too.
BLI has answered the prayer of most of us SPF with the soon to be released H10 2-8-0. I can foresee the next release with a lines east tender to firmly establish it as a great model to all of us PRR modelers.
ACY Russq4b, I agree that an N&W Mollie 4-8-0 would be wonderful to have. As for the 2-8-0, I'd suggest drivers in the 55-57" range. Other than brass, I think every 2-8-0 produced in HO has had 50-52" or 62-64" drivers. Actually, Bachmann's 2-8-0 isn't just an IC engine. It's a pretty much standard Harriman 2-8-0. Give it the drivers I suggested, replace the sandbox and tender, take off the Baker valve gear, put on a new cylinder block and VOILA you've got a very presentable UP or SP 2-8-0. That may sound like a lot of changes, but it's not really that much of a big deal when you remember that BLI produced 2 versions of 2-10-4 to represent PRR and C&O. The UP 2-8-0 should also please Peahrens.
Russq4b, I agree that an N&W Mollie 4-8-0 would be wonderful to have. As for the 2-8-0, I'd suggest drivers in the 55-57" range. Other than brass, I think every 2-8-0 produced in HO has had 50-52" or 62-64" drivers. Actually, Bachmann's 2-8-0 isn't just an IC engine. It's a pretty much standard Harriman 2-8-0. Give it the drivers I suggested, replace the sandbox and tender, take off the Baker valve gear, put on a new cylinder block and VOILA you've got a very presentable UP or SP 2-8-0. That may sound like a lot of changes, but it's not really that much of a big deal when you remember that BLI produced 2 versions of 2-10-4 to represent PRR and C&O. The UP 2-8-0 should also please Peahrens.
I am a B&O guy, so I would like a 2-8-0 that's close to what the B&O had. In general I think there would be a good market for 2-8-0s because I see a lot of people base their layouts on branch lines.
How about some big, old, long and ugly freight houses like this one, so I don't have to scratch build them myself?
Hi,
I would love to get ahold of some smaller ATSF specific steamers, and an Illinois Central Mountain with the big ugly sand box on top.
Car wise, I'd like Walthers to put out a streamline Illinois Central RPO and tail end car.
While there are a ton of mid 20th century structure kits out there, I do believe there is room for more.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
We also need vehicles for the 70 through today.
A Lima yard switcher would be nice as well.
Modern railroaders with safety vest and some with a RCO belt pack.
...and, Peahrens,
UP used USRA 0-6-0's as available from Walthers. And if you look around at swap meets or eBay, you might find a Roundhouse 0-6-0, which could represent a fairly early Harriman 0-6-0.
GREAT!
I was hoping to stir up some discussion & it seems to have worked.
TexasZephyr, I was aware of the Westerfield kits, but not sure if they're available. I'm planning on building a couple that I already have, but a mass-produced model would allow me to expand the fleet further. Yes, they weren't used by a lot of roads, but there were a lot of them and they were interchanged to a lot of roads, especially in the East. And it's true that the USRA didn't build any; but that's where the design originated.
Keep the ideas coming. Maybe there's a manufacturer out there listening.
sodium chlorate car
My list is ever changing, but always growing!
Being a passenger nut I'm always on the lookout for certain types of passenger cars. One area that seems to be lacking would be what some railroads refered to as "betterment" cars. Heavyweights that have been rebuilt or modernized. LOTS of post-war railroads, especially those on a budget, rebuilt heavyweights—especially non-revenue cars like diners, RPOs and lounges—adding A-C, modern windows and sometimes smooth sides.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bo/bo-ob3202abr.jpg
Or this PRR sleeper that had the sections removed and replaced with modern Roomettes...
Anyone modeling passenger operations on the B&O, Pennsy, Erie, Lackawanna, UP, SP and a bunch of others would want some of these "betterment" cars.
Walthers came close with their paired window coach like this: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-10120
As long as I'm on a roll I'd like to see a few more bedroom-lounge cars both Pullman and Budd. In pre-Amtrak days, lots of these cars replaced diners and sometimes represented the entire "first-class" portion of the train!
One final car, and I started a thread on this some time ago, would be U.S. No.1 the Ferdinand Magellan! This was done in brass by Overland about ten tears ago and the few that come up often sell quickly at over $1200.00! This car was used by FDR, Truman, maybe once or twice by Eisenhower and even Reagan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Magellan_Railcar
It sits in the Gold Coast Railroad Museum so there wouldn't be any problems getting data.
Thanks for letting me ramble, I could fill another page with freight cars and locomotives as well but I'll give it a rest for now!
I'd like to see the smaller HO 20th century steamers in UP decoration with DCC and sound, such as 0-6-0, 0-8-0, 2-6-2, 2-8-0 such as Bachmann (preferably Spectrum), Proto2000, Geneis, BLI, etc. I just started last year, so may have missed some prior releases of these. Not very interested in DCC w/o sound.
I'm covered with a BLI Mountain and Mikado, a Bachmann (not Spectrum) 2-6-0, Genesis Challenger & Big Boy, plus upcoming (early 2014 at this point) Genesis 4-8-4, so my preferences above would fill some key voids.
My second priorities would be UP diesels (DCC/sound) in F7, RS-2, etc). I have a DCC only Kato RS-2 (added a decoder but don't have the skills to squeeze in a speaker) and think I missed some Intermountain F72, not sure if offerred in DCC/sound.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
ACYUSRA triple hopper, used in very large numbers by NYC and C&O and maybe others.
I wouldn't mind having a cut of 4-5 of them to be running empty back to home road.
I think the N&W 4-8-0 Huckleberry would be a block buster.
I also think we need more variety in the 2-8-0 locos. The Bachmann Consolidation is a fine model but it's based, from what I heard, from ICG. We need 2-8-0s to cover some of the other road names.
Finally I think we need another company like Magnuson to produce resin cast brick buildings.
HO Plastic SDP40F and P30CH