The West Springfield Report

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You're wallet maybe hoping, but if you're like most of us, the brain hopes in direct contrast to the wallet.

Quote of the year!

[Robbman]

Flexi-Van...

[sirenwerks]

Flexi-Van...

If it is, Bob should give a courtesy call to N Scale Kits so it can stop "researching" its model, which it's been doing forever. Hmmm... NSK has also been saying it's releasing a PRR F39 flat. Don't suppose you have one of those up your sleeve too, Bob?

In defense of NSK, it claims on its web site to have the Magor-built 64' pulpwood cars used by MEC and BAR now in production. However, its web site's sales page does not reflect this claim. Anyone know NSK's story?

[asarge]

Flexi-Vans in N. That's something none of the majors will touch anytime soon.

[CBQ Fan]

Looks like a Canadian proto gon - with the slightly shorter wheelbase....

Trenton Works???

Had the pleasure of speaking with Blaine at ExatRail for a while.  Yes, that is a CP prototype gon from the 1970s and not the same as the others.  He did say that it would be released in CP Rail only, and the plan moving forward is not to release foobie schemes on the model.  No interior detail in either car, but the exterior detail is excellent (especially on the CP prototype) and both models sit at the correct height above the rail.  The modern mill gons looked great, but the CP car looked extremely good.  Both models will be announced officially within the next few days.

Other news that hasn't been mentioned up-thread:

Regarding the MTL heavyweights - two different sleeper configuration test shots and one parlor test shot were on display.  Lots of good material to kitbash prototypes that are different than the models.  Only the bodies, trucks, diaphragms and roof components were displayed; the underbody and interior were not present.  All three cars have air conditioning, and the roof configuration is vastly different for each of the three.

Atlas had painted samples of the next upcoming modern tankcar (don't remember which prototype is next) as well as samples of upcoming releases on various rolling stock.  They also had a sample of the new code 55 truss bridge in black which looked very nice.

FVM had samples of the next MILW boxcars as well as production run versions of all the announced GEVOs and various recently released modern rolling stock on display.

Rapido said the demand for the HO scale PBLWs was greater than they imagined, and that it probably would inspire them to produce the remaining three variations of the model.  N scale versions definitely are being considered, but they would be at least two years beyond the release of all the HO variations, so that the N scale variations could be tooled simultaneously.  Replicating the HO scale steam car in N is unlikely due to trying to make the smaller model produce visible steam.

IMRC had samples from the latest Centralia passenger car releases, including the 13DBRs that started shipping right before the show.  They also had a sample of the upcoming fluted coach due in March, I think decorated in C&O but I don't remember for certain.  I do remember that it looked very nice.

What is a "PBLW"?

[GaryHinshaw]

I'll waste a little bandwidth with a wild guess: it's a typo for OBLW, which I'll further guess is Osgood-Bradley Lightweights.   ???

[CBQ Fan]

I'll waste a little bandwidth with a wild guess: it's a typo for OBLW, which I'll further guess is Osgood-Bradley Lightweights.   ???

Right or wrong that makes much more sense so I am going with it until proven otherwise.

[TrainCat2]

Flexi-Van...

If it is, Bob should give a courtesy call to N Scale Kits so it can stop "researching" its model, which it's been doing forever. Hmmm... NSK has also been saying it's releasing a PRR F39 flat. Don't suppose you have one of those up your sleeve too, Bob?

Bryan,

Yes, it is a Flexi-Van Mark III. There were four variants commonly called Mark I - Mark IV. I did not know that NSK was doing the Mark II Flexi-Van (same as the model Skibbe showed in an earlier thread) nor the PRR F39 until Richie (UP1950) reported it. It really was a surprise because I already had the SolidWorks files for the Mark II Flexi-Van and the F39 completed. They were going to be my first "shots" in stepping up to the die-cast level. It is not my intention to compete, which is why I switched to the Mark III. However, if NSK does not release them in the very near future, I guess I will go ahead and continue with my original plans as I have already everything I need to start production.

Expect at least 6-8 new releases that are intermodal in the late 50's to 80's in the next couple of months.

[Frank Amato]

Expect at least 6-8 new releases that are intermodal in the late 50's to 80's in the next couple of months.

Yes!!!

[lock4244]

Looks like a Canadian proto gon - with the slightly shorter wheelbase....

Trenton Works???

Had the pleasure of speaking with Blaine at ExatRail for a while.  Yes, that is a CP prototype gon from the 1970s and not the same as the others.  He did say that it would be released in CP Rail only, and the plan moving forward is not to release foobie schemes on the model.  No interior detail in either car, but the exterior detail is excellent (especially on the CP prototype) and both models sit at the correct height above the rail.  The modern mill gons looked great, but the CP car looked extremely good.  Both models will be announced officially within the next few days.

snip...

Rapido said the demand for the HO scale PBLWs was greater than they imagined, and that it probably would inspire them to produce the remaining three variations of the model.  N scale versions definitely are being considered, but they would be at least two years beyond the release of all the HO variations, so that the N scale variations could be tooled simultaneously.  Replicating the HO scale steam car in N is unlikely due to trying to make the smaller model produce visible steam.

CP gon is most appreciated and needed. Mr Wallet concedes it is great to see another Canadian car being done and will gladly spring for a fleet. Thank you Exactrail.

I hope Rapido does the steam genny in N. I could care less about weather or not it smokes... it's another prototype I could use a few of.

[Ian MacMillan]

ExactRail brought a hottie to sell product. And I will never buy from Tex N Rails again.

I was glad to see Creative Model Railroads attending the show and I bought the station that they have. They will also have several more N buildings coming out that have not been listed on their site, with a few being industries.

I did not get a chance to see Island Model Works as I wanted to pick up some of their MBTA bi-levels. Dan can you send me photos of yours?

[asarge]

Expect at least 6-8 new releases that are intermodal in the late 50's to 80's in the next couple of months.

6-8! Whoa. I would hope they would stretch it out a bit. if it is that much it'll all happen at once an a whole lot of people's wallet's and brains will think alike for awhile.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

What happened over at TexNRails?

I'll take a few pics. They need a LOT of work.

[Guilford Guy]

I eNjoyed myself at Springfield! Met up with 26 acquaintances (I started counting) and assaulted an off duty police officer with a bamboo skewer!

[bbussey]

What is a "PBLW"?

Pullman Bradley Light Weight - the acronym for the proper designation of the 1934 passenger cars made famous by the New Haven that Rapido is releasing in HO later this year (contrary to Rapido's "Osgood Bradley Lightweight" title).  Osgood Bradley won the contract to develop the car, but the company was acquired by Pullman-Standard and renamed prior to the cars being built.  The "Light Weight" designation also was two words, rather than "Lightweight" as the car is mostly referred to today.