Amherst - West Springfield 2019 Announcements

[tom mann]

Well, I can't upload my photo. Ugh.

Why what do you need from me?  More space?

[James Costello]

Does Athearn make any 53-ft HO scale containers that have not been done in N scale?   

If it's true then there's at least 2 models that haven't been done in N before that are desperately needed:

1) 53' Monon Plate Wall - aka a JB Hunt signature container, from 1993 onwards:

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH2651
http://www.athearn.com/Newsletter/032106/53_Monon_cont_032106.pdf

2) 53' Stoughton Exterior Post (with a sheet and post front wall) from about 2003 onwards - a nice visual difference from the existing Kato model (and also the one hinted at by FVM).

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn7.bigcommerce.com%2Fs-upyoiba7k3%2Fimages%2Fstencil%2F1280x1280%2Fproducts%2F541046%2F341975%2FATH-72533-2__88930.1504130236.jpg%3Fc%3D2%26imbypass%3Don&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modeltrainstuff.com%2Fathearn-ho-72535-53-stoughton-container-burlington-northern-santa-fe-hub-group-3-3%2F&docid=JJzlhKHvdK0VWM&tbnid=HflKQv79jrsm_M%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjftJrdt4zgAhXaXCsKHWx7DEYQMwhPKA8wDw..i&w=1200&h=1054&itg=1&bih=719&biw=1436&q=athearn%2053'%20exterior%20post%20container&ved=0ahUKEwjftJrdt4zgAhXaXCsKHWx7DEYQMwhPKA8wDw&iact=mrc&uact=8

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH2686

Notable schemes include EMP, BNSF, Hub Group, NACS etc
http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part3/images/emuu230371.jpg

It would great to finally have some EMP Optimodal schemes to represent Schneider's earliest container offerings:
http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part3/images/opsu234402.jpg
http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part3/images/opsu234402_front.jpg

[thomasjmdavis]

Looks nice at a glance. But on closer inspection it looks like it was tooled in the 60s or 70s, with giant bricks and mortar lines, and fat window parts. In fact, in the unpainted image it looks more like a recent Woodland Scenics pre-fab abomination... I just don't get it, especially when some of their other N Scale kits are so much better...

[wanders off scratching head]

I'm guessing they did that so it matches the Heljan downtown kits of the 1970s.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Why what do you need from me?  More space?

I'm not sure what's going on. I try to post and it hangs while uploading (normal for adding photos) then refreshes to a blank "New Topic" page.

Let me try to make a gallery.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

OK i click "Galery" than try to bulk upload to "My Gallery" and the photos appear to upload, but then disappear when I access said gallery.

I can't use Flickr any more because of their upload limit.

[cfritschle]

If it's true then there's at least 2 models that haven't been done in N before that are desperately needed:

1) 53' Monon Plate Wall - aka a JB Hunt signature container, from 1993 onwards:

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH2651
http://www.athearn.com/Newsletter/032106/53_Monon_cont_032106.pdf

2) 53' Stoughton Exterior Post (with a sheet and post front wall) from about 2003 onwards - a nice visual difference from the existing Kato model (and also the one hinted at by FVM).

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn7.bigcommerce.com%2Fs-upyoiba7k3%2Fimages%2Fstencil%2F1280x1280%2Fproducts%2F541046%2F341975%2FATH-72533-2__88930.1504130236.jpg%3Fc%3D2%26imbypass%3Don&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modeltrainstuff.com%2Fathearn-ho-72535-53-stoughton-container-burlington-northern-santa-fe-hub-group-3-3%2F&docid=JJzlhKHvdK0VWM&tbnid=HflKQv79jrsm_M%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjftJrdt4zgAhXaXCsKHWx7DEYQMwhPKA8wDw..i&w=1200&h=1054&itg=1&bih=719&biw=1436&q=athearn%2053'%20exterior%20post%20container&ved=0ahUKEwjftJrdt4zgAhXaXCsKHWx7DEYQMwhPKA8wDw&iact=mrc&uact=8

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH2686

Notable schemes include EMP, BNSF, Hub Group, NACS etc
http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part3/images/emuu230371.jpg

It would great to finally have some EMP Optimodal schemes to represent Schneider's earliest container offerings:
http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part3/images/opsu234402.jpg
http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part3/images/opsu234402_front.jpg

Hopefully they will focus on producing the containers you have listed.   

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Trying this again:

One quick note. All ST HO models now have ESU series 5 decoders. It sounds as if must of the advancements are on the back end... Faster processes, more memory, more sound channels. I'm still trying to find out if they take series 4 sound files. There should be little to no difference in operation. N scale models will continue with series 4 decoders for now.

Scale trains - C44-9W in both Operator and Rivet Counter versions.

Operator:

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Operator engines have molded in grabs, non-etched radiator grills and less piping along the frame and truck.

Here is the Rivet Counter:

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Let's compare! SF unit is Rivet Counter, UP is Operator.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

And now I exceeded my maximum uploads for the day.

Ugh

Tom, any way you can turn off my user restrictions for this? I have probably 100 photos of varying sizes.

[James Costello]

ScaleTrains has a new catalogue to download and a new run of 5188cuft covered hoppers in CSX, KCS grey, Leasors and BNSF new numbers.

Catalogue:
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0642/8107/files/ST-Catalog-2019-Vol-1.pdf?10832123684201395384

5188cuft:
https://www.scaletrains.com/collections/rivet-counter-n-scale-gunderson-5188-covered-hopper

Between C44-9Ws in BNSF H2 and new additions for the earthworm, there's enough to keep Tehachapi modellers broke 

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I guess I can't add photos, so I'll just add what I found out. Hopefully the moderators can increase my daily allowance of uploaded photos.

Athearn:
4427 and ACF 3 bay hoppers were shown. Both look very nice. They also announced EVERY container they have ever done in N... I think there were over a dozen versions from early 20' FRP cans to the latest 53' They also appear to be designed for magnets.

Atlas: I got some photos of the ex-Walthers tooling. Plow has not changed at all. Difco is also largely the same. That 4427... They did add hopper grates to the bottom. I think it would have been unforgivable if they hadn't. But the roof-walk is still plastic and not see-though. The trough covers are still molded in. And MSRP is more expensive than the Exactrail version of the SAME prototype. How bad is it? Well there is a blob molded into the slope sheet to represent an air reservoir. It's pretty bad. This belongs in the Trainman line.

SD60Es looked great. Very nice paint. Wire grabs on the cab. But not on back? Yep they pulled a BLI on this model.

Bachmann: Nothing new to report other than they did apparently release a Conrail version of their newly retooled GP40. I'll have to keep my eye out for one. I dare not buy it online as it shares the same part number with the previous generation.

JTC Models: Containers. Containers everywhere. They are really well painted. Expect fully painted chassis out soon. They are also working on their first well car - possibly a 53' Thrall. They are also seriously looking at a 48' version.

Tangent: They are planning more N scale. The owner wants cars that can be purchased by the dozen - I.E. unit train cars. He was surprised to see some N scalers purchased 100! coal cars at a time. Yikes! He is going to keep with modern models. I suggested a 19k gallon corn syrup car.

River Point Station: They had samples of their first N scale vehicle. They will be offering a 92-96 Ford HD with crew cab and work box varieties. Lots of add on details. Chromed parts. Printed in era appropriate railroads as well as undec. Should be out in May.

NCE: Possibly working on a wifi module "Can't confirm or deny the project"... Which means we can use those fancy ESU throttles on NCE layouts. NICE...

Exactrail: NEW CAR! Autoflood IIs are coming soon. Paint samples were present and they looked very nice. The new project manager is an N scaler and they are planning on a major product push in the next few years. This will include new tooling, but also MANY new schemes on existing tooling. Glad to see them back at it.

Intermountain: Still clearing the pipeline from the shut down. They want to get product out there before announcing anything new. Their PS 4785 will probably make it to production, though reservations are not enough to make it jump up cue. It SHOULD show up at some point though. That makes me very happy.

50' Gunderson box tooling samples were present. They looked good.

BLI: Tank cars and SW7s were present. I can confirm that the SW7 is all metal and very heavy. It looks very good in person - Better tha the Bachmann NW2. but maybe not quite as crisp as the LL/Walthers/Atlas SW1200.

MTL: Humvies next. I spoke with Eric Smith at length about the SW1500. The tooling changeover to Atlas has breathed new life in the SW1500 project and expect to see many, many more in the future. I asked the possibility of a hood-mounted handrail version. He is very interested in growing the SW1500 series.

ESM: X58, X65, and X72 will all be grouped together for shipment from China. Not sure on the timeline. This shipment will also include their new 70t RB trucks and wheelsets. We talked about truck colors, and I think I convinced him that silver will be a good option (can be thrown in with the X72 holiday car). I'm sure you Union Pacific modelers would appreciate that.

I'm sure I missed a few things. There is a flood of items coming. Last time I saw this many new projects at the same time it was 2005/2006.

[jagged ben]

...:

1) 53' Monon Plate Wall - aka a JB Hunt signature container, from 1993 onwards:

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH2651
http://www.athearn.com/Newsletter/032106/53_Monon_cont_032106.pdf

...

THIS

(And the others you mentioned, but that one first.)

[unittrain]

Atlas also has the new 50' plug door boxcars in the works. Lots of new stuff on the horizon.

[C855B]

This is all very encouraging! The Tangent and ExactRail intel has my attention. I'm glad folks seriously stepped-up for the Tangent coal cars. David had some trepidation about N, so I hope the success encourages him to make additional runs of the "original paint" numbering so I can add to my fleet. So... given all the excuses I received in my in-person inquiries, it appears that the problem at ExactRail with N was Blaine. Shame on him!