The "N" Crowd

[R. T. POTEET]

R.T. POTEET,
Lets not go through what you and I went through earlier this year, remeber our little brawl? ;)
Again. But with different people.
So if we may, can we please get back to N-scale (although it is about N-scale but ya'll catch my drift)

Sorry to say that.

And yes PCM cannot do any thing right when it comes to planning for a new item. 

Althogh i think Kato has taken my and other peoples request for a GG-1, I kinda would like to see it in Brunswick Green with 5 gold Feathered Stripes along the sides.

nscaler711, there is really no brouhaha going on between Dave V and myself - we have had our disagreements and we have our agreeements; my issue here has been that Kato has yet to make some sort of official announcement of this offering and I cannot find one internet discounter taking advanced orders.  What does this add up to? We have a picture of a GG1 on a Kato flyer which addresses issuances through the next six months - and, as I stated a bit earlier, I would even question that time frame. Next to a K4s this is PRR's most hallowed icon and everybody wants it tomorrow. Somebody over on the idiotstboreddotcom forum even said that he was going to get one of these Broadway sets as a Christmas present and immediately it was going to be out by the end of the year. As far as I am concerned without an official announcement from Kato this is a WAR - which stands for WILD *** RUMOR if you are not in the know - and WARs are essentials to what is known as wishful propaganda.

I am sure that Kato would not have pictured one of these GG1s on their flyer if it was not in the offing - currently suspended somewhere out there in the vapor - and that is all I have ever said. I would like to see something official - when I do I will be as overjoyed as all those rabid PRR fans who are, at this moment, drooling all over their computer tables.

Comprende?

And as far as I am concerned I am even done talking about the GG1!!!

[nscaler711]

Alright i completly understand.....all i am sayin is if it were  a small brawl lets not let it get it to the level that we had gone to.

 

I sure do hope they bring a GG-1 out. (i wouldnt care if it was a dummy or not) 

Athrean is bringing out a Big Boy! 

[Wdlgln005]

Dave, the flyer you post is the one that I saw in a photo over on atlas; Kato used to supply flyers with this format to hobby shops ten fifteen years ago. Sorry, but I learned that the date printed at the top has about as much significance as a campaign promise. I have yet to meet the manufacturer who is always above the vapor and, unfortunately, that holds true for Kato!

This will give Dave some time to . . . . . . . . . . work some OT between now & then.

Obviously, Wdlgln005, you have your tongue-in-cheek when you make this statement because it has got to be one of the funniest that has appeared in this or any forum in a long, long, long time. All you former or current members of the Armed Forces tell Wdlgln005 the going rate Uncle Sugar pays for OT!!!; I should be rich!!!!

Dave, how much money did you get for your last OT????

Yeah, the Air Force pays lots of overtime....  right?  Since I'm on duty 24/7, what would overtime be?

RT, feel free to be as pessimistic as you want.  But I've got a lot more faith in Kato than some other companies (can you say PCM???).  We'll just wait and see, I guess...

 

Glad you enjoyed my little addition of OT. I must have been thinking of the firemen & police around here that get 2nd jobs painting houses or whatever they can fit into time off the job. Combat pay can't be nearly enough to compensate for all the dangers over there.

Getting back to the GG1-Broadway, I'm thinking MSRP & street price to be very close to Kato's current sets. I hhope they do the GG1 in a bunch of paint schemes. I would expect demand for the electric to be very high. It should also look good pulling a set of Bachmann's Amfleet & some Hertiage fleet cars.  

 

 

 

[nscaler711]

I have a name for my RR now OCCRR
Oakwood Capital Central RailRoad.

Here is the paint scheme for a Dash 8-40C
The logo is at th rear of the loco

 

[nscaler711]

I have a name for my RR now OCCRR
Oakwood Capital Central RailRoad.

Here is the paint scheme for a Dash 8-40C
The logo is at th rear of the loco

Please click on it for a larger view. 

 

[Blue Flamer]

  nscaler711

    Nice bright lime green paint job. They will see that one coming down the track.    .

Blue Flamer.
 

[Dave Vollmer]

Here is the paint scheme for a Dash 8-40C
The logo is at th rear of the loco

Ahhh... brings back memories.  My grandmother in Lancaster, PA used to keep Andes Candies in little dishes around the house at Christmastime.  That's the first thing I though of when I saw that!

[Anonymous]

UPDATE on the  BC & CS  RR.   (Berkley Concord & Central Sierra) see far below for details. 

Benchwork, Lots of It.  But it's something Unsual that I am doing that's why i've taken 5 weeks to accomplish something in this arena.   I created a stowaway layout that can be put away in a space that would occupy a large high Couch. The "box" to put away the train is "converted" to a couch.   The box allows me to place 4 "drawers" of  74' x 36'  layout  workspace with a verticall separation about 7 inches.  

Now each 74' x 36' section, has foldable legs.   These 'Legs'  is acually a modified heavy duty ironing board.  For Each Drawer/platform,  I am using 3/8 plywood with a frame of 1'x2' cedar with a central crossmember to give it good rigidity.    Why the heck use ironing boards?? simple,  when lowerd their legs crossfold underneath flat.   When deploying them upright pulling on a tab and realeasing it when you have the height desired "fixes" the ironing platform.

I've had to build a simple wood "Crane" to lift each drawer to the right height to grab at the center.  since I cant Reach the 36' inch span to properly pull up the 10lbs of board/ironboard combo.  I need a counter weight on the backend of the crane.  (yes leverage works against you too)

I am working on a system of easily joining the tracks power grid/switching.  No It will not be bridge style for obvious reasons.   Basically I am going to bypass direct rail connection and go for an under side 24 Pin/Socket wiriing on each side to join power between sections.   I am going to divert all power and swichlines to those two locations, so that power failures during alignment disappear.  Alignment for wheel on rail purposes will still be timecosuming,  but I dont believe that kind of alignment is as hard as puting 24 pairs (8 for each section) of rails into the those damned rail joiners (gonna use soft modeling clay to hold/Jostle the aligment in as needed (hidden under a clever ruse obcourse.)  

The main drawback to shelving style that I am doing is that ridges/gorges/bridges will be limited to to about 6 inches in height, unless you have removable pieces, which I intend to have.   The other drawback is that you have to have auxilliary support for the surface area for each section junction plus near the ends.   But these are just small columnar units with a good base and top section to pop in place.  (it's really so your layout doesn't sag at the edges, and  so that a falling person, doesnt take out your  Ironing board get up. (which cannot widstand a huge weight on it.) 

Remember, Tear Down Ability is the key for me, everything else is a bonus. 

 

Cheers, Rob

 

Theme-- SF East Bay Delta -Sacramento-Sierra Foothills, 

Period:  1950-54.

Rail Users.  UPAC, WPAC, ATSF.  &   BC & CS RR  (Berkley,Concord & Central Sierra RR, FrLnc)

Unique Features: River Harbor slip & Freighter. AirField w/ small Air Line. 3rivers snaking thru.

Status: under construction, Bonds Sold, investors demanding results.

[Blue Flamer]

I thought maybe we could start a thread for us N-scalers.  I know there are already several "chat" threads out there, but I thought it might be nice to have a spot for us to talk about the world of 1:160 modeling.  After all, we're the second most popular scale out there!

For starters, I'd love to see more of Phillip's Code 55 track and his locomotive projects!

I would also love to see pictures of other N scale layouts - complete, under construction, or just a plan!

Here's a shot on my N scale Pennsylvania Railroad layout:

 

Dave.

Did you think that when you started this thread on Nov.21/06 that it would run to 59 pages +. The information imparted here has given a great number of MRR's the inspiration to try just that little bit harder to accomplish what many others have done, and to increase their own level of expertise with that effort.

Thanks. 

Blue Flamer. 

[R. T. POTEET]

Just a reflection: unless someone makes a response before I get this posted this should be the last item on page #59. Next entry should be on page #60.

Where do we stand on the following:

1. Uncle Irv's F45/FP45;
2. Intermountain's AC;
3. I read in one of the N Scale mags that someone was supposed to be developing a body shell for a GE 44 tonner and the likes but I have heard nothing else about it for the better part of two years;
4. Kato's GG1 - this is not a jibe - I am definitely interested if anyone has scared up any new info since our brouhaha of a couple of weeks ago;
5. Kadee - I'm sorry, MicroTrains; old habits die hard - passenger cars - I read about these over on idiotboreddotcom; and
6.  anything which aroused heart palpitations or heartburn and which I may have overlooked.

[Blue Flamer]

Just a reflection: unless someone makes a response before I get this posted this should be the last item on page #59. Next entry should be on page #60.

 

Well R.T. If you got the last word in on page 59, then I MUST be getting the first in on PAGE 60. Here's looking forward to the next 60. 

Blue Flamer. 

[mls1621]

It's official.  My SD-24 cannot be speed matched to my turbine.

I spoke with David at DigiTrax this morning and followed his reccommendations with no positive results.  I asked if one of their decoders would help, but he assured me that the scale speed motor was the problem.

I emailed Atlas to see if another motor was avaiable, that would fit the chassis.  Amazingly, they responded the same day, but again, no positive outcome.

My beautiful SD24 will run alone on my layout, unless I buy another era correct locomotive from Atlas to double head with it.

 

It's fixed

Today I got a Digitrax decoder for my Atlas SD24.  I was able to adjust CV's 2-5 and 6 to speed match it to my Brass Turbine.  I'm a happy camper once more. 

For those of you planning on buying a new Atlas Locomotive, I recommend getting it without the decoder and installing a Digitrax decoder once you get it home.  The Lenz decoders supplied in these locomotives will not accept changes to the above mentioned CV's.  I've experienced this with every decoder equiped Atlas N scale locomotive in my and my neighbor's roster.

These comments are just my personal opinion.  I'm just posting to save the rest of you this wonderful, character building experience.

 

[R. T. POTEET]

There is still nothing official from katousadotcom pertaining to a GG1 but the NSR Horizons feature in the Sept-Oct N Scale Railroading says that

Kato also announced that the next train will be the PRR Broadway Limited and it will be pulled by a GG1.

and

the official announcement of the GG1 and 15 car Broadway Limited should be made late 2007.

As I have said before on numerous occasions, as soon as we get this and the Big Boy and the Cab-forward and this GS4 - have I missed anything - out of the way then maybe the manufacturers can settle down to some serious and rational modelmaking! 

[R. T. POTEET]

I made the last entry on this topic but I'm going to make another one at this point.

Two things!!! Firstly, the National Train Show coverage in the October '07 MR addresses the GG1; and secondly I am impressed with the detail on the preproduction sample of the Kato GS-4; I do not want to make any disparaging comments on Con-Cor's model of this iconic locomotive but this new GS-4 measures up to the expectations we have come to saddle on Kato.

You Espee and Pennsy and Onion Specific modelers need to bow your head in humility that you are getting a great number of quality - as least as far as cosmetics are concerned - locomotives to add to your stable. I am indeed envious; first you got the Challenger; I am also hopeful that when all of this shakes itself out - Big Boy; Cab-forward; GG1; perhaps even an FEF and a K4s - you will be satiated for awhile and the rest of us will see something offered to our likeing and the "Why doesn't XYZ make a PDQ?" weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth will grow quiet, at least for awhile anyway!

[Dave Vollmer]

I've been working on a pair of Fine N Scale Models PRR X31a resin boxcar kits as part of the PRRPro Yahoo project group.  I finished a double-door X31a in the original Circle Keystone "Automobiles" scheme and am working on a single-door X31a in the 1954 Shadow Keystone Phase 1a (SK1a) scheme.

I'll post photos when they're both done.

Thank God for my Optivisor.  I don't have the right dimensional data for the SK1a X31a, so I'm having to cut and arrange the dimensional data from a Microscale X26/X28/29 variant sheet.  These numbers are literally less than a millimeter tall!  I wouldn't bother except that I take high-res photos of my stuff, and they never lie!

[tattooguy67]

Count me in on that dave, although i doubt mine will ever look as nice as yours, that is sweet dude!

[nscaler711]

*pats RT on the back* Its ok man you will get your chance too. ;)

As for Me i want that BB, in fact i will be applying for a job on the local RR here to get it!

And Nirvana Is AWESOME!! lol ( i am listening to it and KoRn at the same time, odd arent I?)

[Blue Flamer]

The "N" Crowd has been in the dark long enough. It is time to BUMP it into the light.

Blue Flamer.   

[Dave Vollmer]

My latest project...  This is a Fine N Scale Models resin/brass Pennsylvania RR X31a 40' double-door roundroof boxcar kit I finished in the original 1934 PRR circle keystone "Automobiles" scheme.

These are great, easy little kits.  Cheap, too!  Fine N Scale also has great customer service...  one of the kits I bought was missing the steps.  The owner called me at home to confirm where to send them (free of charge, of course) and even sent additional free parts!  We had a very good chat about the N scale freight car market.  I highly recommend them.

The X31a is the current project for the PRRPro Pennsy prototype modeler's Yahoo group.

[SecretWeapon]

Very Nice Dave

[Cederstrand]

Very nice, Dave. Also goo dto see The N Crowd back on page one. 

While I have some N scalers here, two question:

1) Do the more recent (to me anyway) Kato diesels run well together in DC mode (AC4400, SD90Mac, C44-9W)?

2) Would an Atlas DASH 8-40BW run with any or all of those above mentioned Kato's in DC mode?  

Thanks for any first hand knwledge on this. Rob

[mavrick0]

Most Kato's I have run before dropping in a decoder all run around the same, specially if they are around the same production dates.  But with DC close enough is good enough it's really only with DCC that you don't want them fighting each other because that will cause issues with the decoders.

I have found the older Atlas without the scale speed motors are close to the Kato's but the new one's with the scale speed aren't even close and won't be able to run together.

[navygunner]

The Atlas dash 8's will run a good bit slower than the mentioned Kato units.  I have several models of each and have to mu the dash 8's with themselves and the Kato SD 70's, 80's and 4400's all play and run well together.

 

Bob

[Cederstrand]

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. Any suggestions on the best way to sneak them into a stable of mostly steam locos without the wife noticing them?  

Those I listed have been tugging at me too long so I am going to have to have at least a couple of them. I suppose it's like an addiction, but it only harms ones wallet.

 Rob

[R. T. POTEET]

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. Any suggestions on the best way to sneak them into a stable of mostly steam locos without the wife noticing them?  

Those I listed have been tugging at me too long so I am going to have to have at least a couple of them. I suppose it's like an addiction, but it only harms ones wallet.

 Rob

Explain to your wife the economies of leasing; tell her they are on a long-term lease from one of your model railroad cronies and this lease will expire three days after the next glacier inches its way above the northern horizon. Tell her that built into the leasing fee is the requirement that you treat her to a steak dinner and a show once a month and, son-of-a-gun, tonights the night.

[Cederstrand]

rtpoteet, hmmmm...interesting idea there. Could work.

Or, how about I buy her a pack of HO Woodland Scenics cows to add to her little herd? I know, that would be mighty generous of me considering the cost of cool N Kato and Atlas diesels, but perhaps she wouldn't know the difference!?! Uhhh, make that several packs of cows, horses, cats & dogs, and some extra fencing to go with one of her model barns. (There was a very good reason I got her into HO stuff a few years back) Rob

[Blue Flamer]

EDIT... It is now TWO WEEKS without The "N" Crowd. This is no good for this thread. Where have all the "N" Crowd gone???                                                         

Blue Flamer. 

[Blue Flamer]

BUMP.   

 

Blue Flamer.

[R. T. POTEET]

You know, this topic would sure pick up a lot of steam if we renamed it Weekend N Scale Fun.

Anybody have any hot smokin' rumors to pass around? Anybody heard anything on the GG1s?

[Blue Flamer]

Anybody have any hot smokin' rumors to pass around? Anybody heard anything on the GG1s?

If anyone will have heard any rumours about the GG1's, it would be the young feller who started The "N" Crowd.

Where are you Mr. Vollmer??? Do you have any news???   

Blue Flamer.