Fresh from the OKC Train Show

[H Lee]

The InterMoutain Cab-Forward's aren't "vaporware"! We ran one, then two, then double-headed them around our layout for nearly 3 hours with no problems. One pulls about 35 MT 40' reefers with stock wheels on a flat N-TRAK layout

35 cars - comments????

[TiVoPrince]

Key
brass model pull +/-35 cars on a NTRAK layout?  Comparing to prototype pulling 100+ cars is useless, comparison to the most similar available/alternative Nscale model in a NTRAK environment makes sense...

[Mark5]

Key
Comparing to prototype pulling 100+ cars is useless, comparison to the most similar available/alternative Nscale model in a NTRAK environment makes sense...

Lol, a Y6b could tug over 200 cars, but don't expect an N scale model to do that!

I assume the AC is without traction tires - my Lifelike Y3 tugs about 30 MT 40' boxcars on the flat.

Mark

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Exactly, I think that yes, it'd be nice if locomotives could pull more, but given their expected operating environment (in which I think NTRAK is probably the best test), what REALLY do we need them to do.

How large of a train is the typical modeler running on their layouts? I'd LOVE to run 100 car trains on my home layouts, but it simply overwhelms them. 100 cars in in N, at 6" a car is 50'  of train. Who has room for that?

I'd be VERY curious to find out some data about typical model train layout train lengths. In some cases there are legitimate complaints out there (for example, if the Bachmann HHP can't pull 4 of their Amfleets), the demand that everything be able to pull its prototype equivalent is simply unrealistic.

[lock4244]

FWIW, I always figured a 1 for 3 ratio seemed pretty fair in N for road freights. Back when I had a layout, I used to run 30-40 car trains and figured that one model car represented three proto, so a 30 car train represented a 90 car train, 35 was a 105 car proto and so on. In my world, the cab forward is pulling the equivalent of a 105 car train on flat track... which seems fair to me. I doubt the proto AC tackled grades with 100 cars on the drawbar without assistance.

[wazzou]

Mike makes a good point.  I think the weight ratio of the model locomotives and model cars is key when compared to the prototype.  In other words, the difference in weight on the drivers is significant in comparing the two which lends to tractive effort.  In addition, I think the models suffer much more from friction than the prototype.

[Walkercolt]

Brand-new Digitrax sound decoder with speaker for N-scale, $39.95. Drops right into the Cab-Fowards' tender with pre-drilled sound holes. Download the sounds you want. Plugs into the Cab-Forward.
A company you know is seriously working on RS-15's. They have never made an N-scale locomotive, but they have HO's for many years. They aren't a "big name", and don't have unlimited resources, but they plan to be able to make them prototype-specific by design. They haven't done a new N-scale car in some time, either. If your deductions are right or wrong, I can't say further.
The Atlas tankcars are still "vaporware" as of 12-9-09 (both). I have no idea what the delay is. Cory was as enlightening to dealers as to the public (I'm certain that's the company line). Amtrak isn't very popular in Japan, so it may be sometime before we see the "El Cap" cars in Amtrak. Remember, we just get the scraps from the "home market" from Kato. We don't have to like it though.

[kiwi_al]

A company you know is seriously working on RS-15's. They have never made an N-scale locomotive, but they have HO's for many years. They aren't a "big name", and don't have unlimited resources, but they plan to be able to make them prototype-specific by design. They haven't done a new N-scale car in some time, either. If your deductions are right or wrong, I can't say further.

Oooooooooooh BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D

[Cory Rothlisberger]

Cory was as enlightening to dealers as to the public (I'm certain that's the company line).

I couldn't have been that enlightening Ricky considering I was 1,400 miles away in a hockey rink all weekend...

ANYWAYS, the 25,500 gal tank cars are getting loaded onto a container this weekend. The 20,700 gal tank is in production now and should be here in February.

[C855B]

A company you know is seriously working on RS-15's.

Seriously, not being a smart@$$... what is an RS-15? I thought I knew my early diesels, but you have me on that one. RSD-15, maybe?

[Atlanticflier]

New tankcars is welcome news. 

Wouldn't many modelers like to see the old LBF tooling return to availability, since most were unique models, not made by others?

AF

[Ian MacMillan]

Cory was as enlightening to dealers as to the public (I'm certain that's the company line).

I couldn't have been that enlightening Ricky considering I was 1,400 miles away in a hockey rink all weekend...

ANYWAYS, the 25,500 gal tank cars are getting loaded onto a container this weekend. The 20,700 gal tank is in production now and should be here in February.

Exactly, something can't be vaporware if it actually exists.

[Mark5]

Hey, a celebrity appearance on Railwire!

[bobcat]

Cory was as enlightening to dealers as to the public (I'm certain that's the company line).

I couldn't have been that enlightening Ricky considering I was 1,400 miles away in a hockey rink all weekend...

You mean you can't be in 2 places at once?

[Cory Rothlisberger]

You mean you can't be in 2 places at once?

I'd be in for one heck of a raise if I could!  ;D