iHobby

[James Costello]

So was there actually any news from iHobby?

Or was the news just that there was no new news and the decline of the relevence of iHobby continued...

[John]

Or was the news just that there was no new news and the decline of the relevence of iHobby continued...

I don't know,  but I wish you guys would all spend more time showing how we model stuff .. and leave the moaning about the decline of the hobby to other forums ..

[bbussey]

Regarding newly tooled Trainman...well the modern boxcar is a hit, no doubt.  The 3560 hopper is OK, but I would still pay the extra $5-6 to Intermountain for it to have etched walks and MTL trucks/couplers.

The boxcar is okay, but I like the hopper far more than the boxcar.  Roofwalks can always be upgraded.  It takes 15 minutes to body-mount MTL 1015s and swap in 36" FVM wheelsets, in the stock truck frames which are more accurate and prototype-specific than the MTL equivalent.  The dimensions of the car are accurate while the relief and decos are of high quality.  It doesn't look out of place with "higher-end" rolling stock, whether in a consist or standing in a yard.  And it was a prototype needed in N.

Not sure what other "new" tooling there is in Trainman N.   I will still buy the odd 90T just to get additional road numbers.

The GP15 and Magor C&O caboose immediately come to mind - they and the 3560 definitely are "mid-level" pieces as opposed to the older tooling in the Trainman line such as the 90-ton hoppers.  And the 40' double-door boxcars look great after a new roofwalk and some minor roof surgery.

[Denver Road Doug]

I'd take you up on your bet about finding "every" Trainman offering for $5 or less. I also can guarantee you that, maybe even bet my a** that Trainman helps bring newbies into the game. I see it every weekend and somebody must be buying it because we sell a helluva lot of it. NOT too mention that the absolute goal of any shop, online or B&M is too keep things off clearance and off ebay as much as they can.

Sorry, I didn't state was I was trying to say very well.  What I meant was, I could find all of the old tooling that is now in the Trainman line for $5 or less.  So, not including their new Trainman tooling, just all old stuff, and pre-Trainman.  Point being that typically newbies aren't overly concerned about prototype, roadname, etc. so there is a large population of freight cars and locos available at lower prices, and Atlas is competing with that.  I will admit it's a little more work to go that route, and often newbies aren't exposed to trains shows or swap meets and the need for instant gratification kills eBay.  It is probably attractive to the newbies because it's just packaged well, and no concern about trucks/couplers, etc. 

So, I will concede that there is value for the newbies with the Trainman line.    I do think the trainsets are great and I feel that all along the Trainman line and marketing was geared (along with True Track) to put together a quality, relatively inexpensive trainset that is a GOOD VALUE.   So, as a component of the trainset I definitely see the reasoning.   All-in-all, I've softened my stance on Trainman but I still don't like the dumbing down of the locos. (of which there is currently only one, and I hope it stays that way)

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Personally, I think Trainman's timing is perfect. Over the past two years, lots of people have wanted to either actually economize, or at least think they are because of "the economy".

Trainman allows them to do just that, while still taking place in the marketplace. It might not move the ball further down the field in the evolution of the scale (if that is indeed the direction of the market), but it does help keep people happy (that's the point, eh?) and keeps some money coming into Atlas's coffers. Sounds like a win-win to me.

[Denver Road Doug]

Personally, I think Trainman's timing is perfect. Over the past two years, lots of people have wanted to either actually economize, or at least think they are because of "the economy".

Trainman allows them to do just that, while still taking place in the marketplace. It might not move the ball further down the field in the evolution of the scale (if that is indeed the direction of the market), but it does help keep people happy (that's the point, eh?) and keeps some money coming into Atlas's coffers. Sounds like a win-win to me.

No arguments.  The slant of this thread had moved to Atlas not releasing new tooling, so you're kinda saying exactly what I am....the evolution of the scale has stopped/slowed (according to this thread, anyway  : ) due to Trainman.

[H Lee]

Not really sure why you guys seem to miss my point every single time...

I don't think they have 'missed your point' - I think almost everyone has gotten your point and have chosen to disagree with you!!!

[sirenwerks]

I think if it came to having something in Trainman than not having at all, I'd choose the Trainman option. At least having the core of the model, say the right body with the right rib count, allows for upgrading. Even to the extent that end bracing on the covered hoppers can be replaced and finer grabs added and etched roofwalks. That being said, I wish Atlas would offer finer versions of a model first or simultaneously. The double door 40-footer comes to mind for me there, I need them in modified/upgraded form, but just can't fathom attacking the quantity I need. If a finer model were available, I would spring for them, just to have less upgrades to make.

In one sense that I think is being overlooked, the lower Trainman quality is a good thing for the MRRer economy though; because, not only does it bring new modelers into the hobby (this I do believe, though I don't think N scale is usually an entry point for younger modelers, but an adoption), but it creates an aftermarket for companies like TrainCat and JnJ to offer upgrade parts. While these sort of parts may not pay the bills, it does add (steady?) revenue. And it adds activity that, psychologically, probably offers more satisfaction to those who take that extra step, and helps to probably keep them in the hobby more than anything else because of the satisfaction.

My reproach to Rossford Yard wasn't meant to belittle operators, or even those who just like to watch trains run in a circle, but imagine that we can have both, higher amounts realism, that actually move too.

[DaveB]

So, at this point, are we left to conclude that the City of Los Angeles is in fact Kato's doozie?

[sirenwerks]

More like a snoozie.