making one's own is often the only recourse, especially if you do the Pennsy in N, it seems :-( Although I'm well on my way to mixing up a Spectrum 2-8-0 and an old Minitrix K4 and stirring until they turn into an H10s. It's a good way to improve one's modeling skills, and is really the only way to get what I need. I may even be able to turn the leftovers into an acceptable E6 if I can hack it up OK. I've heard rumors of a brass H10s in N, but they are probably unfounded as well. Kitbash and scratchbuild away! Ray
It seems that a new diesel is announced once a month by either Kato, Atlas, Microtrains, or Intermountain. Everybody is on an F unit warpath. With exception of brass, there has been very little steam. A couple good models by Bachman and Life Like along with one by Kato that's been out for quite some time. Con Cor models are nice but they need to overhauled in the detail department.
The manufactures need to get on the ball and release more steam. I am tired of seeing 2-3 new diesel releases each month with often 3-4 different detail variation of each when we seem to get one new steam release about every 6 months. I do agree with other that I am willing to wait if that is what it takes to make them right the first time, but even at that, their just aren't enough announcements even on the horizon to wait for. This christmas season train sales have exlpoded at our shop. It is a HobbyTown USA, full line hobby shop that normally our main holiday sales are RC. Most people coming in are looking for Steam. The predominant customer is a Mom/Dad with a 7-8 year old child looking for their first train. They want steam. In their eye's, steam is what the kids think of when they think of trains. This is problably due to growing up with Thomas but whatever it is, they want steam. We sold out of every steam starter set we had this weekend, including 0,HO and N. They are just not interested in diesels. Release more steam please!!!!
Reliable steam is possible in N scale - the europeans as well as Kato, Micro Ace and Tomix prove it can be done, the biggest hang up especially as it concerns the eurpoeans is that the price point for quality steam is more than US modellers are likely to tolerate. Who wants to take bets on which will show up in the stores first? PCM's E7 or Model Power "modellers" FP7
Charlie: You said that about 2003, 2004, & 2005. </font>[/QUOTE]Rookie. Charlie's been saying that for a lot longer than 3 years! For some reason, he's always right too. I always find ways to part with my money throughout the year.
Mike, I know that feeling...... No matter how high the annual "budget" for trains, by then end of the year it is gone.... SuperSteam, I agreee that European Manufacturers build beautiful and well running steam engines (me being German I own a few...). But the price is north of 300 US for the larger engines (typical Heavy Pacifics) and still most of the European Companies are bancrupt or already closed. In my opinion they priced themself out of the market, but did build magnificent models in the process. So in my view we sould encourage the US manufacturers to fix what is easily fixable (like all wheels geared and all tender-axles "life") but also accept that we will see fewer steam engines than diesels. But ohh the joy of finally opening the box of a new steamer
Charlie, based upon your involvement and the promises made both here as well as elsewhere I have 2 M1b's on order. I hope these turn out as you say. Us Pennsy runners/ modelers [non brass] have had a long time to wait for some Pennsy steam. Has PCM decided on what their policy will be regarding repair parts? If these are the hit that you apparently expect they will be then I suspect there will be a demand for parts for repair as well as for kitbashing/ scratch building.
While you guys here are dreaming big (literally with all them articulateds) I would be just as happy if Bachmann would quit delaying their Decapods already. If they run anywhere near as good as the current Mikes, I would be really happy indeed! Russ
Tony- You remind me of the guy in the Fed Ex commercial...... Comparing BLI/PCM to LBF or any of its predecessor companies is so wrong on so many different levels I cannot even begin to comment on it. Charlie Vlk
Hey Charlie, any chance we'll see other Pennsy steam? The PRR had more H-class locomotives than any other (hint hint) Ray
Ray: Welcome to Trainboard. PCM can't get their first release the E-7, to production. Why worry about future models of any PCM product. Stay cool and run steam.....
I’m done with N-Scale steam. Just cancelled my Model Power 4-4-0 and 2-6-0. Patience is not a virtue. Patience is the 5th Halliwell sister.
There are other manufacturer's of N scale steam besides Model Power. Take a look at Micro-Ace, Fleischmann and Kato for great steam loco's. Stay cool and run steam....
Powersteamguy1790- Because Ray will get his PRR stuff before you see any Southern Railway locos or cars!!! <gggggg> Ray- PRR H Class locos are being considered for HO and N future production. This 2006 will see several PRR items released in N. Charlie Vlk Railroad Model Resources/ Precision Craft Models
Charlie: I never expected to see any any Southern loco's or cars from PCM. I'm still waiting for the SP E-7's that I ordered many, many months ago. Stay cool and run steam.....
Bob- The giggle giggle giggle was deleted by the Forum program.... Seriously, the delay is going to be worth it when you see the finished E7s and the releases of new N Scale locos and cars that will follow it.... What BLI has been doing to HO PCM will do to N... and 2006 will see a bunch of stuff released (including some Southern Railway stuff too!!!) Charlie Vlk Railroad Model Resources/ Precision Craft Models
Charlie: I had the ABBA E-7's ordered from the first announcements as you know well from my previous posts. I also have the PRR M-1a's on order as well. I've expected great things from PCM. Stay cool and run steam....
Glad y'all are takin the time to do it right Charlie! Rumor has it that the measurements for the molds got reversed in the computer and it came out 160:1 instead of 1:160.
I think the biggest heartburn folks have with PCM is a phenomenom known in the software industry as "vaporware." PCM needs to stop announcing and start delivering. While the delays are understandable, it is evident that a growing minority of the market is less than accepting of the delays. As for the general state of N Scale steam, I think that aside from a few "flagship" RR specific locos (NYC Hudsons, Big Boys, Cab Forwards, M1, etc), I'd be quite happy with the full spectrum of USRA locomotives being done to the quality standards that we all want. By doing USRAs, they can legitimately put a slew of roadnames on them. Then somebody clever can do detail kits for the myriad of minor differences. (And hopefully, a smart loco manufacturer will build the locos in such a way that the detail kits can be easily installed, hint, hint, hint...)
