Athearn: If you thought Athearn’s display was a bit small this year that is because their N scale models and a lot of their display materials were accidentally shipped to Atlanta a week early. They mentioned about continuing to upgrade MDC cars starting with the 50’ passenger cars. I’m not sure what “upgrade” means at this point; could just be couplers. They are working on a long LPG tanker. Again, I’m not sure if this is the current LPG, a modification to the current LPG or something new.
Atlas: Atlas had 85’ trash flats with containers. The flats were not on display.
Bachmann: This has been a busy year for them with 4 totally new engines produced. Nothing new at the show but I got a chance to see their new equipment first hand. The Canadian grain hopper is well done. It was on sale for under $9 and the detail holds its own against Trainman. The roller bearing trucks were nice. The GP7 also looked good. One issue I saw that had not been address before was the brake rachet sticks out quite a bit. The handrails were REALLY nice. These are already available below $60. 70 Tonner was a total gem.
Incidentally, If you have a 4-6-0 that derails often, make sure the front truck is not upside down. There was a problem with this found in some early production versions.
BLMA: Hey what’s the white plastic thing? Ohh that’s the new refer. Robb was very proud of his baby and it looks great. Near production ACF gons and spine cars were the best things at the show.
Deluxe: The bad news first. Don’t be expecting the GHQ/DI spine. The awesome news: 40’ container production is coming back to the USA! As tooling is retrieved from SK in China, it will find its way over to Bowser for production. There may be a small price increase (10%) due to the move, but that’s nowhere near as bad as the 20-30% increases we have seen from China. Some containers will stay in China such as the 20 footers. The concern is no one will pay over $17 for such a small item.
And the super awesome news: containers will see some updated tooling. Did you know the doors on the containers are a separate plate in the die? Different containers will see different styles of doors as a result. Newer, better detailed roofs will also be implemented. And to lift those containers onto flats, Deluxe will be producing a new container lift in plastic. This will be made in kit and RTR. The kit will feature trailer lift fingers.
Exactrail: The 4427 was on display as stated earlier. Sorry boys, truck mounted couplers. The cars do look good. Still waiting for BLMA to announce them as well
The Evans 5527 looked great. I can’t wait to get some. I can’t tell you what the refer looks like because they did not have a sample on display.
FVM: Wagon tops, wagon tops, wagon tops. I mentioned I saw a continuing trend of iconic transition era boxcars. The “long range” list may include some corn syrup love and a ’39 Hiawatha. Both would be sweet.
Intermountain: They were displaying a bunch of passenger cars I know nothing about. Their new 57’ refer looked good though. It looks like a newer version than the RC refer but similar to the MDC/Athearn car. The IMRC car has much better detail with etched access gates and ventilation area. Also nearing production is the newer rebuilt version with Carier refer unit.
Kato: Amfleets looked good, but not spectacurly better than the Bachmann cars. The wheels were somewhat free rolling, but not much better than a modified Bachmann car. Viewliners looked great.
MTL: 4427 has a wood roof walk. They would not talk about their next car after that. I stopped listening when they started talking about how awesome Z scale is. For those of you who forget, the 4427 was leaked at this show LAST YEAR. Still waiting…
Walthers: No N scale on display. No one was at the booth when I walked by.
N Scale Intermodal/S&R Models: Many of you may know these two stores are related. I have purchased a lot of custom runs from this outfit before and can attest to how well they are painted. But the booth was a total surprise. It was well thought out with a built in traffic pattern. Everything was well organized and spacious. It was easily one of the best exhibitors there.
Please be kind, these were taken with my cell phone:
Atlas doing their best to trash the competition.
RS Laser kits are fantastic. This is an Nn3 car. I purchased brick and cinder block walls too.
Exclusive: Sylvan Scale Models future N scale projects. Transition era modelers finally get their fire truck!
Kato shows off their new passenger cars. I do not have high hopes for that inside bearing truck.
