New auto-coupling air hoses available in N scale.

[lock4244]

I stand by it being fluff. IMO, it adds a wow factor that goes away quickly. One can install brake hoses as a detail part, but this adds an admittedly cool animated aspect, but to me, little else.

I put it on par with the ubiquitous N trak module fire scene (attention grabber), rather than someone making a serious attempt to detail to prototype fidelity. IMO, little to nothing to do with detailing a model. I'm not saying it isn't neat, but it is what it is.

And real air-hoses require a person to couple... 

[DKS]

On the same side of the coin...the magnetic dongles on knuckle couplers in N scale don't get a lot of negative remarks, and they're really stupid looking...

Very likely because we are used to them, and more or less expect to see them. Not much worse, really, than wheels that are twice as thick as they should be, flanges that are many times too deep, knuckle couplers that don't even remotely resemble real ones, handrails that are too fat, and a host of other things that we come to expect in N scale.

Nonetheless, what really surprises me are all the negative comments here, the vast majority of which seem off the top of yer heads.

Opinions are wrong how, exactly? And you determined they're off the tops of our heads how, exactly? Sometimes one does not need to see something in the flesh to know one doesn't like it. I'm pretty gosh darned sure if I bought them, I still wouldn't like them. And it's nothing against the hard work and ingenuity of the makers--I hope they sell a bajillion.

[Scottl]

These are cool, I'll try them out for sure.  The MT metal hooks look ridiculous, it is about time something emerged to replace them.  Ed and Gary's body mounts with the integral hose is an amazing improvement, but these are functional which will be fun to play with.   

I'm impressed with the diverse tooling and other products PWRS is coming out with.  They are kicking butt with lots of cool prototypes that are very common in Canada but don't get a second thought by US manufacturers.

[Mark5]

Four more pages here: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=28939.0

 

[mplsjct]

Four more pages here: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=28939.0

 

Well, not really, a good deal of that thread has to do with reducing the weight of freight cars.

[Mark5]

Well, not really, a good deal of that thread has to do with reducing the weight of freight cars.

Wow, thats some heavy thread drift. We'll get top men to distill it down!

Back on topic, its cool (the hoses) but I'm not ready for them.

Mark

[GaryHinshaw]

Nonetheless, what really surprises me are all the negative comments here, the vast majority of which seem off the top of yer heads.

We're just calling it as we see it Robert.  In my case I've experimented with this detail for several hours in the course of developing -- with Ed Nadolski --  etched coupler pockets  for the "Full Thottle / Bowser / Lee English" Z scale couplers.  I looked into material that might make a suitable hose and concluded that making the hose part of the etched pocket was simpler, more reliable, and better looking.   IMHO the PWRS offering looks a bit clunky compared to the etched hose, and in return I get a feature that doesn't personally excite me and will probably require some maintenance in its current form.  No contest.

I'll be ordering a couple of packages of these extremely innovative and creative products tomorrow.

I totally applaud PWRS for pushing the envelope!  I will follow future developments with interest.

[rswinnerton]

I want to see someone do working air brakes in N scale.

[robert3985]

We're just calling it as we see it Robert.  In my case I've experimented with this detail for several hours in the course of developing -- with Ed Nadolski --  etched coupler pockets  for the "Full Thottle / Bowser / Lee English" Z scale couplers.  I looked into material that might make a suitable hose and concluded that making the hose part of the etched pocket was simpler, more reliable, and better looking.   IMHO the PWRS offering looks a bit clunky compared to the etched hose, and in return I get a feature that doesn't personally excite me and will probably require some maintenance in its current form.  No contest.

I totally applaud PWRS for pushing the envelope!  I will follow future developments with interest.

Hey, I love you and Ed's etched coupler pockets.  Too bad the Bowser coupler they're made for has become nearly impossible to get (really).  Personally, I find flat etchings of air hoses to look flat, along with etched uncoupling levers, etched grabs, etched MU hoses...they're flat.  Plus, the flat brass air hoses don't hook together...they just stick out...looking flat.

I'm just calling it as I see it too.  These PWRS items don't look 100% prototypical, but, the hoses are round (yours are flat), they hook up automatically together (everybody else's just stick out...some looking flat) and as I see it, the only prob with their appearance are the little square ends (etched ones are flat...not exactly prototypical looking either). 

However, I'm not giving them a ringing endorsement...but I'm also not making a judgement to not use 'em before I try 'em.  I want to see them "in the flesh" before making any judgments about maintenance, falling off or anything else I can't possibly know about until I've run 'em for a while.

If they run without falling off and hook up most of the time, that'll be okay for me, since nobody else's hook up at all...ever...and a lot of 'em look flat.   

Opinions are wrong how, exactly? And you determined they're off the tops of our heads how, exactly? Sometimes one does not need to see something in the flesh to know one doesn't like it. I'm pretty gosh darned sure if I bought them, I still wouldn't like them. And it's nothing against the hard work and ingenuity of the makers--I hope they sell a bajillion.

DKS...I said "the vast majority of which seem off the top of yer head."  Not all of 'em.  Interesting that you're so adamantly opposed to this product before you even try 'em.  So, how is it you're so "gosh darned sure" you wouldn't like 'em??  You determined you will not like them how again, exactly?? 

I don't even mention "opinions" in my post...I mention "comments".  But, opinions based on incomplete evidence are "off the top of yer head" (that's a generic "yer") as are assumptions about reliability, falling off, pulling cars along, more maintenance...etc., etc.  ALL of which may be true, or NONE of which may be true.  Without experience with the product, it's all a guess. 

That's why I'm gonna get some before forming any conclusions other than they look exponentially better than dongles (based on photos and videos).

[havingfuntoo]

These air hoses do hook up, and they do hold on. There is even comment on the video to that effect. I not so sure I am bothered by the tooth prick …opps I mean pick being used to uncouple the cars but having to hold them so that they will separate is really not something I would be keen on. If you watch the video carefully you will notice car movement and or lack of it. I would like to see a wide angle shot of it all happening.

Not being negative about new developments (even though it sounds like I am) I am not going to be rushing in to test them, I feel certain curiosity will get the better of some one here and the test results will be soon published. I am looking forward to them.

[DKS]

Interesting that you're so adamantly opposed to this product before you even try 'em.  So, how is it you're so "gosh darned sure" you wouldn't like 'em??  You determined you will not like them how again, exactly?? 

Exactly this: I do not like the way they look. As others have said, neat idea but clunky-looking. Better-looking than "dongles"? Marginally, IMO; there are far superior alternatives appearance-wise. I'd rather have better-looking air hoses (or none at all, for that matter) that don't work than stove-pipes that connect and disconnect. It has the feeling of "gimmick" to me. As I said, some things you really don't need to buy and try to know they're not for you. I do not oppose the product from the standpoint of being innovative; I think it's a seriously cool idea and I hope the manufacturers have a great success on their hands. Just not my cuppa tea.

[GaryHinshaw]

Robert, I was attempting to address your gratuitous comment that that "vast majority of the responders were commenting off the top of their heads".   What I should have said in my response is that PWRS provided plenty of material on their site, including a 30 min installation video, for people to make pretty well-informed judgements about this product.   Everything you say about the etched part is true, but that's really beside the point.  The bottom line is: please try not to annoy the "vast majority" of respondents by implying that their comments are ill-formed.  There is plenty of basis for them.

Hey, I love you and Ed's etched coupler pockets. 

Hey, I love you too, man!   

[ednadolski]

Hey, I love you and Ed's etched coupler pockets.  Too bad the Bowser coupler they're made for has become nearly impossible to get (really).

Thanks Bob, but I must correct you:   The couplers are plenty available, I just received another order for 100 pairs from Lee, as detailed at this link.

The info on how to order the couplers is at this link.

Personally, I find flat etchings of air hoses to look flat, along with etched uncoupling levers, etched grabs, etched MU hoses...they're flat.

Does this look flat to you?  (FWIW, the camera lens here is about 2" from the model):

Plus, the flat brass air hoses don't hook together...they just stick out...looking flat.

True, they don't hook together, but they can be made to look like it.  You'd have to be running your trains at a viewing distance of about 3" to notice the difference:

I'm just calling it as I see it too.

As am I, my friend...  admittedly tho I don't wear my optivisors when I am actually running trains 

Ed

[DKS]

You'd have to be running your trains at a viewing distance of about 3" to notice the difference...

Uh-oh. Does this mean we need a "3 inch rule"? 

[VonRyan]

Uh-oh. Does this mean we need a "3 inch rule"? 

More like a 3" barrier since if you get any closer you'll get cross-eyed... 



-Cody F.