No new photos for me so here is a moldy oldy. Similar view to the photo discussed in the thread about the File Photo.:teeth:
I'm all set. Here is my new Tex Mex covered hopper. Note: This is a fantasy scheme. I have seen Tex Mex gondolas and cabooses, but no other types; I presume they had boxcars, too. [edit] Finished a Minnesota Corn Products covered hopper. Same type Model Power shell as above.
Coming home from a camping trip this weekend, I caught this grain load at Belt, MT: Curves, baby! And again, just east of Great Falls:
SNFF 2007 08 12 Fast, short report from N Scale Convention in Hartford, CT. This is my 2nd NSC/N Scale convention (Chantilly 2004 was my 1st), and I'm told that every N Scale Convention has a unique personality all its own. Speaking for myself, it was a great time, 275 attendees or thereabouts. What makes these conventions is really the people and acquaintances that one makes... meeting in person the Forum/Trainboard/Railwire acquaintances .... meeting the vendors and manufacturers and thus seeing the real people... the room sales... etc. As always, these conventions should not be measured in the same way as Train Shows, rather, they are about having the extended time to meet, visit, eat with, enjoy time together, with the many people, personalities, manufacturers, and organizations that will ordain the future of our N scale hobby. I got there late in the Convention timeline, arriving just in time for Banquet on Saturday night, did the Room Sales after the Banquet, and attended the Manufacturer's Breakfast this morning. Saw and met many old and new acquaintances and friends. Here's a few product comments and a few pictures from my all-to-brief time there, I could not include everything as I have to run to airport soon.... I took notes as fast as I could, but of course, this is all real-time, so please know that anything below may be subject to change or be corrected. That having been said, enjoy! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Comments, no particular order. Again, I took notes really fast and all of the following subject to subsequent confirmation/correction: * Athearn's John Engstrom said their FP45 / F45s are actively still coming and we should see them in 2008, they are successfully working to meet all of our quality expections. He also said the Big Boy 4-8-8-4 is on track for end of 2007, but clearly said they could not make any promises they'd be here in time for Christmas. * Eric Smith of Micro-Trains confirmed the N scale Heavyweight Passenger Cars are going ahead, and also referred to their previous announcement of the 40' drop-bottom gondola. Cool. * Intermountain's Frank Angstread (spelling) talked at length about many Intermountain announcements, and highlighted their AC-12 Southern Pacific Cab Forward (see below). * Digitrax is working on their sound decoders for N and Z scale. * Kato was not able to make it, and we all missed them. * More continued offerings and great stuff from many, including, but not limited to, BLMA, Deluxe Innovations, George Hollowedel, Jim Hinds, Neals NGauging Trains, Russ Kaufman, Atlas, Eastern Seaboard Models and many others. * Some of the projects to come included a N scale Howe Truss Bridge, Atlas vaguely referred to another new N scale diesel model sometime in late 2008. Micro-Trains continuing their Z scale product line expansion. - - - - Intermountain showed the engineering drawings of their anticipatd 2008 delivery of N scale Southern Pacific AC-12. I am sure we all look forward and hoping for excellent execution of what looks to be a great N scale model: - - - - For those of you who like to collect N scale, the NSC 2007 Banquet car is a Pez Candy drop bottom gondola: As always, only 275 were handed out, so watch for them on eBay quickly if you were not able to attend and want one! - - - - Finally, Louisville in June 2008 looks to be shaping up to be huge, and many folks here all agree that it will be a real good one to go to. Based on what many said, the size of the N Trak Layout likely will be in the kind of size range that we saw in Chantilly in 2004. That's all for now!
Extra 1030 arrives at Third Street District. There's already switcher WT 16 waiting for the work. WT 16 has to spot the cars set out by Extra 1030. Wolfgang
Here's a few shots of the layout progress. Admittedly, these aren't very pretty or engaging like the preceding shots... but I'm feverishly (as much as work, kids and wife allow) toward one day having beautiful shots to share of my own. In the meantime, you get to look at my blue foam utopia! Oh well... at least now I get to run trains again
Got to have a run on the weekend - couple of BLMA'ised Kato SD70MAC's on the Earthworm ;-) I need to play with Helicon.... Some better detailed shots to come soon I hope.
Hi, all, I just posted some pics and short trip report, from the N Scale Collector's Convention in Hartford, over on the N scale Trainboard Forum. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=90783&page=3
Great start, I really like the clouds and the sky blue paint on the wall. Does a great job in camoflauging the brick. Keep us posted on updates.