Yes, I've acquired centerbeams through the years, mostly via eBay. I own seven, only one of which is TTX and that one is a rarely-seen-these-days opera window centerbeam (beggars can't be choosers...) I always run that one loaded so you can't see the opera windows. Since Intermountain/Fox Valley owns Red Caboose's tooling, one would think they would be putting out centerbeams...or even another company with a better ride height (these RCs ride a bit high...but again, beggars can't be choosers...). But when I railfan, 90% of the centerbeams I see are TTX yellow. When TTX yellow non-opera window centerbeams do pop up, they're ridiculously expensive ($75). Come on now!
That is what is good about the N scale MDC Roundhouse 50’ Modern Tank cars. I have collected quite a few of the UTLX/GATX ones pretty cheaply. If they don’t have them already, put some Micro-Trains trucks under them and they fill the bill pretty well for generic tank cars.
Although I am not a staunch Milw Rd modeler, I own quite a few locomotives and rolling stock for this railroad. I have three of the Atlantic 4-4-2 class shrouded units number 1, 2 and 3. I was hoping that Fox Valley would follow it up with a shrouded Baltic 4-6-4 class F7... but it never happened. Even though it is not a "need or Holy Grail" for me, I'm sure many Milw Rd modelers would jump at the opportunity to get one.
you cannot go to Japan without riding in - or at least seeing - a cubic buttload of Toyota Comfort taxis from the 90s models and up, and yet it's easier finding a needle in a needlestack than one of these in N scale (Kato made one as part of a 4-car set like a decade ago, good luck finding one for sale). Have come across a couple of -meh- printable 3D cad patterns but nothing that great so far. Just wild to me that with N being so big there that no one makes a scale model when you can't walk 5ft in any given direction in Tokyo without running into one.
I'm missing the Intermountain n scale cab forward AC-12, #4294. I have it on order, but will Intermountain every release it.
Norfolk & Western Class A locomotive. Maybe with all the popularity of putting out models of restored locomotives, there is a chance. (But a very, very slim one...)
I'm still waiting for IM to produce the milk reefer (Chateau Martin) in N scale...waited for at least 6-7 years before they finally cancelled it.
I would love to have an N scale GP7U. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will have to scratch/bash and custom paint one of these one of these eventually. The one I need was a former BNSF unit with the "Topeka Cab." The Housatonic RR has the #22, which started as BNSF, went to a couple of other homes along the way and was a BAR unit, prior to the HRRC picking it up. They are available in HO from Athearn, but no N scale is on the horizon, especially from Athearn.
What am I missing that has been produced but I ain't got 'cuz I ain't bought 'em when they come out; couldden' find 'em or sold 'em an' now want one or more back? Kato KOBO Busted and Mined RDCs. MT State boxcar for the District of Columbia. Either LL or C-C DL-109 (I need the power chassis for something) Either LL plastic frame or C-C PA; LL better (again, need power chassis for something) Things that I would buy if out there: B&O Q-4 P&LE A-2a P&LE K-5 or K-6 Street trackage #4 turnouts (the Katos are sharper than #4, have continuity problems thus most power will not operate on them). A prototypical B&O gas electric (the B-manns are alright, but most of B&O's did not look anything like them) HW baggage/passenger other than RR or the nineteenth century cars Wood RPO or preferably baggage/mail from late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries. (the MDC thirty four foot car just does not work) Colonial style red brick buildings, especially those with cupolas. Old and Weary passenger car decals Old and Weary steam generator car. Especially Baldwin road switchers......................... IM did them in fireball. If you have the older B-manns in the speed, they will fit onto the latest power chassis. If you use DCC, you can do what you will with the B-mann factory decoder. If you are DC only, eventually, you will fry the decoder and have to wire around it, which is not difficult on this one. It runs well on DC with or without the decoder; better without it. The slow speed control is amazing. Someone did commission IM to do the F-3s in fireball. I was hoping that he would have them done as the rebuilt-into-F-7s; the F-7 grilles but with the high F-3 fans retained and in speed. He had them done as delivered. I have an undecorated LL and B-mann NE caboose. Thank you for the heads up on the lowering of the LL. The B-mann does look and sit nicely. Your problem with that one is that you will have to replace the glazing or mask over it if you can find an undecorated. B-mann glued the glazing in there so well that if you try to remove it, you will crack and break it. If you get a lettered model and must strip it, you will have to replace the glazing. The B-mann is a nice one, other than that. I am surprised that we have yet to see this one, especially when one was running in recent memory. It is a good locomotive for N&W guys as you can use it on freight or passenger. N&W modellers also have been asking for a Molly. That one would work well for the smaller pikes at home, but it is big steam that seems to sell.
