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Your model wish list?

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Posted by E-L man tom on Friday, August 24, 2018 10:26 AM

Although there are several items that I'd like to see, the one that immediately comes to mind is a plastic version of the class N3A caboose that the Erie-Erie Lackawanna had, and maybe the DL&W style cabooses. Years ago OMI produced a brass version of the N3A, but it was about $180 a pop. I presently have a "scratch-bashed" version of the N3A, built from plastic body parts  that I found at a train show from a guy from Indiana a long time ago. The underframe is modified, from a Tyco train set caboose, and, of course all the other detail and running gear updates added. It was a fun project. I still have two more sets of those body parts (and the respective underframes) that I plan to build one day, unless, of course, that plastic version is manufactured before then.  

Tom Modeling the free-lanced Toledo Erie Central switching layout.
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Posted by Uncle_Bob on Friday, August 24, 2018 11:19 PM

I'll second the Lackawanna caboose, both wood and steel, and also Erie cabooses, in both HO and N.

Also, a PRR H9s would be nice to have, again in both HO and N, as would N scale BLI I1sa's.

I've already mentioned an N scale Genset in another thread, but I'll repeat myself here.

Last, time enough to get everything done that needs to be done, as Wayne said.

 

 

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Posted by Paul3 on Saturday, August 25, 2018 12:31 AM

Well, surprise, surprise, but I want more NH items (I know, big shocker, right?).

Rapido has made the NH "Osgood Bradley" Coach, the stainless steel 8600 Coach and the stainless 300/400 Parlor/Parlor-Lounge.  What we need next are NH stainless diners, grills, and "County" cars (combines) to complete the NH's post-war passenger car fleet.

I would like NH-style troop sleeper baggage and mail storage conversions.  The NH had 150 total of these former sleepers, and they formed the backbone of the NH's post-war baggage/mail fleet.

I have several cars that need pre-war NH decals, specifically heavyweight waterslide decals.  All the streamlined decals are out there, but the pre-war heavyweight decals are only available in dry transfers.  And sure, I could try to use them, but I remember doing dry transfers in my youth and I was no good at it then.  I doubt I'm any better now.

I echo the call for a Lima LS-1200 switcher (since the NH had 10 of 'em), and I'd like to see a HH600 model (Atlas makes the HH660, which is the more streamlined version) as NH had 10 of these, too. 

I would also like a quality H16-44 (Trainmaster-style).  The Bachmann one is junk (I can't get over the window screen for the radiators), and the Bowser one doesn't have any front or rear cab windows...or headlights (and good luck drilling those out!).  FYI, the Atlas one is the "Lowey" style.

The new Walthers G-85 TOFC will fill in a gap in my NH trailer obsession for the 1960's, but they aren't doing NH.  Sigh.  Oh, and trailers to match would be nice.

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Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, August 25, 2018 2:31 AM

Paul3
...I have several cars that need pre-war NH decals, specifically heavyweight waterslide decals. All the streamlined decals are out there, but the pre-war heavyweight decals are only available in dry transfers. And sure, I could try to use them, but I remember doing dry transfers in my youth and I was no good at it then. I doubt I'm any better now....

Paul, I've always preferred dry transfers over decals, but there are some situations where they're not very easy to apply...places like the ends of boxcars or the spaces between ribs on a gondola or the stake pockets on a flatcar.

For those instances, simply apply the dry transfers to blank decal paper, then burnish as per the instructions, cut them out, and apply them as you would any regular decal.

The first few I did, I was worried that the soaking in water might lift the dry transfers from the decal film, so I over-sprayed the sheet with Glosscote (before cutting out the individual decals, as doing so afterwards would seal the cut edges, and perhaps not allow the water to separate the decal from the backing paper).

This made the decal difficult to set, as the setting solution, usually Solvaset, couldn't penetrate the Glosscote.
I tried a test run, with no Glosscote over the burnished dry transfer decals, and they worked as well as any regular decal, so the clear overspray can be eliminated from that step, and saved for after the car has been lettered and the decals set.

Incidentally, Solvaset works equally well on dry transfers, already applied on a model, as it does on decals, making the transfer settle down over rivets and panel lines, just like it does with decals.

Wayne

pav
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Posted by pav on Saturday, August 25, 2018 5:22 AM

Along the line of older electrics, I would like to see electric boxcabs such as NYC P-2 or T-3 in HO scale. Steeplecabs are another loco I'd like to see made. These models only seem to be available in brass, but a more affordable version of these models would be nice.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Saturday, August 25, 2018 6:50 AM

Southgate

Blue box kits to come back. Dan

 
Be realistic about what you wish for.  In the present day high probability against bb kits being produced again.
 
They are still available at train shows and eBay and you should find an ample supply.  

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by gregc on Saturday, August 25, 2018 7:05 AM

Mjorstad
While there are plenty of great models out there, there’s still so many reknowned prototypes that have either never been modeled at all or have not been mass-produced.  You can sometimes find brass versions but those can get incredibly expensive.

modern day modelers probably don't have much of a wish list because diesles weren't customized for particular RRs.

and i assume most posting on this thread aren't modeling UP or looking for a Big Boy.

i actually found everything (in brass) on my wish list, which are older Philly & Reading camelbacks and the I10 2-8-0 which was built in plastic by Bachman but quickly discontinued because of wobbly wheels.

the irony is that Reading models aren't in high demand and thanks to ebay, models made in the 1960s can be found.

  

  

 

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

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Posted by emdmike on Saturday, August 25, 2018 7:33 AM

I would love to see some early box cab style diesels that run nice, like the old MDC/Roundhouse but with modern drive and details.  With Overland out of the brass business, the market for the oddball rebuilds that class ones are doing like NS and so forth is wide open now.  One engine on my list for along time was also ticked off my want list.  A C&O G9 to transform into the ex BC&G #13 that ran on the Logansport & Eel River RR when I was a kid.  Not perfect but after the major front end details have been changed, its about as close as I can get or afford.  Mine is also an Overland Brass model by Rok Am from the late 1970's.  While not an engine, I would like to see affordable Rock Island 4 axle commuter coaches from the steam/early diesel era made in plastic or brass.      Mike the Aspie

Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome

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Posted by Paul3 on Saturday, August 25, 2018 10:02 PM

Wayne,
I could never get dry transfers straight or consistent.  I always seemed to miss a spot, tearing a chunk out when I pulled the paper off, etc.

Thanks for the tips on applying them as waterslides.  If nothing gets made, I'll have to give 'em a try.  BTW, these are Clover House dry transfers I'm talking about.  Have you used them?  How's the quality?

riogrande5761,
Right?  How can anyone miss the Athearn BB kits when they won't go away?

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Posted by OldEngineman on Saturday, August 25, 2018 10:57 PM

gmpullman wrote (with pic):

"Amtrak Lineup by Edmund, on Flickr"

Nice lineup. I spent many working days running that #911.

I'd like to see the Milwaukee Road electrics in HO. I believe MTH made a Little Joe a while back, but try and find one at a reasonable price!

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Posted by m horton on Saturday, August 25, 2018 11:28 PM
I'd like to see Atlas do more New Haven RS3's in black/orange,orange/black schemes, a mechanical reefer like the old pacific HO cars with the short doors, forty foot mechanical reefers, and Athearn do more Mack trucks,both B and R models.
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Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, August 25, 2018 11:31 PM

OldEngineman
Nice lineup. I spent many working days running that #911.

Thank You!

For some reason the 911 always seemed to follow me around when I was near the NEC.

 IMG_0510 by Edmund, on Flickr

 

 IMG_0508 by Edmund, on Flickr

I'm sure you know her fate. She got toasted, IIRC outside of  IN Wilmington.

I feel old! GG1s, Metroliners, Turbotrain, EP5s, E44s, E7s all retired and some in museums. I remember riding on all of 'em!

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, August 26, 2018 12:25 AM

Paul3
...Thanks for the tips on applying them as waterslides. If nothing gets made, I'll have to give 'em a try. BTW, these are Clover House dry transfers I'm talking about. Have you used them? How's the quality?...

I've not used that brand, Paul.  The majority at first were from Letraset, both their "Mini" sheets and the full-size 10"x15" alphabet and numeral sets.
When C-D-S came out with their alphabet sets and sets for modelling real railroad cars and locomotives, I switched to those, and actually had them do three different 50 sheet custom sets for me.  I've also used some of the Woodland Scenics dry transfer alphabet sets. 

As long as you don't move the transfer sheet from its position (it can be lightly taped along one edge to keep it from moving), you can re-lower the sheet onto the item you're lettering, and re-rub those areas which didn't transfer on the first try. 
I use the curved tip of a small pair of tweezers, rather than the pencil recommended by many who offer dry transfers, to do the initial rubbing (it doesn't obliterate the view through the sheet, as does a pencil, and is just as accurate and easy to manipulate).  A plastic stylus with a not-too-pointy tip would work, too.

Also, when you're lifting the lettering sheet to view your progress, don't lift it straight up, as that puts a lot of stress on the already-placed lettering...instead, gently peel it back over itself.  That's similar to removing masking tape by pulling it up, which often removes part of what to which it was stuck, whereas peeling it back, almost parallel to itself, usually gives better results.

Wayne

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, August 26, 2018 12:51 AM

Twin Cities and Western. Rarely available in HO....but not so much if at all available in N.

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Posted by josephbw on Sunday, August 26, 2018 10:40 AM

I'm still patiently waiting for more 60's and 70's vehicles in HO and under $20. I buy all I can at train shows, but my layout is still screaming for more. Sad

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Posted by tomwazy on Sunday, August 26, 2018 12:46 PM

  I’d be in for the EL/Erie cabooses also.  Two firms have teased production of models,JJL Models of the Dunmore comes to mind,but doesnt look like they will ever be reality. KV Models has been working on an etched metal version of the bay window,keeping my fingers crossed on that one. I think more prototypically correct caboose models in general are needed,along the lines and quality of the Athearn SP releases a few years ago. Most available caboose models,other than brass,are generic at best. 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, August 26, 2018 12:59 PM

I remember the old school Warren Truss bridges (N scale) where the sides unclipped from the junk looking deck.

You could make a good looking wood deck in the right scale lumber and clip the sides on that. It fit perfectly and looked great.

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Posted by angelob6660 on Sunday, August 26, 2018 2:12 PM

My wish list would be Amtrak Superliner II in Phase IV and 1700 series baggage cars (that were converted coaches) in N Scale.

Also P40s in that Phase III faded stripes into Phase V.

More production on vehicles that aren't 1950s or 1970s trucks.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

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Posted by Paul3 on Sunday, August 26, 2018 5:16 PM

Wayne,

Thanks again!  I'll have to try it one of these days.

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Posted by Southgate on Sunday, August 26, 2018 9:55 PM

riogrande5761

 

 
Southgate

Blue box kits to come back. Dan

 

 

 
Be realistic about what you wish for.  In the present day high probability against bb kits being produced again.
 
They are still available at train shows and eBay and you should find an ample supply.  
 

Umm... Confession time!

My ORIGINAL post on that reply space was a metal bodied GE 44 tonner made by, or at least  runs like it was made by Kato.  So just after posting, I parused ebay for a Keystone metal body for the millionth time, ALWAYS having come up dry. 

Well this time not only was it there, it had the NWSL drive system!!!! Brand new kit. Unbuilt!

So, all too often when someone here sees your wish item they'll kindly point out there's one on the 'bay, right? (case in point, BB kits) Well, I didn't want this one to get any more exposure than it already would get, so I quickly pounded keys to edit my reply to the first thing I could think of.

I'd welcome BB kits back, but that 44 tonner really is THE ONE item on my wish list, far and away above others. I only did that to divert!Confused

And

I NAILED IT! With an MSRP of $80 back in the late 70s, early '80s, factoring in inflation, paying only $20 more than that, New kit, I think I did quite well. I bid WAY over that.

Just FINALLY got my wish list item. Dan

 

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Monday, August 27, 2018 6:21 AM

Dan, woo.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by E-L man tom on Monday, August 27, 2018 10:27 AM

tomwazy

  I’d be in for the EL/Erie cabooses also.  Two firms have teased production of models,JJL Models of the Dunmore comes to mind,but doesnt look like they will ever be reality. KV Models has been working on an etched metal version of the bay window,keeping my fingers crossed on that one. I think more prototypically correct caboose models in general are needed,along the lines and quality of the Athearn SP releases a few years ago. Most available caboose models,other than brass,are generic at best. 

 

With a little modification, the Walthers bay window caboose comes close to the bay window caboose that the Erie/EL had. In fact I have a kit of the Walthers model, still unbuilt as of this date. The Dunmore (class N3A) caboose is the one that is hard to come by. If I wasn't such a klutz at soldering, I might be inclined to build a brass model of it. 

Tom Modeling the free-lanced Toledo Erie Central switching layout.
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Monday, August 27, 2018 3:59 PM

In the Amtrak arena.  Inspited of initial critiques from naysayers, Athearn has been successful with the release of the SDP40f!

Now it's time for a "Pooch"!

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by angelob6660 on Monday, August 27, 2018 4:52 PM

Yeah! I forgot to mention about the P30CH.

It's go with every scale.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

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Posted by Bayfield Transfer Railway on Monday, August 27, 2018 9:48 PM

Well, I'd like to see some 1st generation diesels with working CORRECT class/marker lights a la the latest Bowser and Scale Trains 2nd generation units.

The other thing I would REALLY like to see is the FM H-16-66.

Disclaimer:  This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.

Michael Mornard

Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!

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Posted by steemtrayn on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 5:56 AM

Same as last time; PRR Baldwin BP20.

Image result for prr bp20

And a freight car:

Image result for sodium chlorate railcar

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 6:17 AM

steemtrayn
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.

Dave

Dave, the way things are going, it won't be long before you will be pressing "2" for English.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by MARTIN STATION on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 10:38 AM

 

   I too would like to see both a high quality GE44 tonner and 70 tonner. Although I would like to see them made like Bachmann's 45 ton locomotive which I belive is really a nice engine. The cast hoods add nice weight and the plastic cab can still be nicely detailed.

Ralph

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Posted by BNSF UP and others modeler on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 10:46 AM

I dont get that quote... am I missing something obvious?

I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.

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Posted by DavidH66 on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 1:02 PM

Krauss Mafei (SP?) Deisels

Standard Cab SD70

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