I came up with this list for another board. I thought it might be worth while to post here and add to it as time goes on. Currently, American Models offers these engines. They are good looking models but not up to Kato quality for running or detail. They do however fall in with the Athearn which were the standard of the HO world for a long time. Alco's: FA-2 PA-1 RS-3 Baldwins: S-12 GG-1 EMD FP-7 GP-9 E-8 GP-35 SD60 and SD60M F-40PH GE: U-25B FM: Trainmaster Steam: 4-6-2 PRR streamlined 4-6-2 J3a Hudson S Helper Service SW-1 SW-8/9 F-3 F-7 2-8-0 soon to be released, E-7 NW-2 These are all plastic engines. Running qualities are good from AM to excellent from SHS Lionel has entered the Market with the old AF line again. They offer the PA-1 GP-7 GP-20 Baldwin switcher and a soon to be released 2-8-2 light Mikado. Lionel's are AF tin-plate and not really aimed at the scale market. There have been several brass offerings over the years, but I'm not able to list all of them. A lot of them have since been made in Plastic, except for the GP-38 and SD-40's. The steam engines offered have not been duplicated for the most part. There are a couple of small companies that are trying to make a go of the market. With the frames from AM, some different shells could be offered but that really hasn't been done yet. Greg
Greg, I must say I like the models of Helper Service, but they have a major problem, most of their SW1 and SW8/9 locomotives are not available for long times. I ounce started with a C&NW SW1 but stopped with the whole thing as it was impossible to obtain a SW8/9 as this stayed on their website as "SOLD OUT" for ages.. I could not wait that long
I won't argue there Paul. They get a shipment from China and it will be a while before they get a second run if ever. Unfortunately the market for S is small and second runs are slow if at all on some road names. They never did a WP SW-9 and probably won't from what I hear. I guess that means I will have to strip a shell and do my own. I already have plans on painting WP F-7's, because they currently don't have plans on running them. That my change once they get their planned bay window caboose released. Greg
This is the down side to their inventory philosophy. Limited availability equals limited sales. Which inhibits the scale having any growth. And limits their potential profits........... Lack of growth for S can't be blamed on those consumers who are in, or might get in. The suppliers might take a few dollars, buy a mirror, and then go look at who is causing the problems! Themselves! If N scale had been run this way over 30 years ago, when I first joined that size, it would still also be a backwater. Unfortunately, this foolish idea for marketing has now spread it's tentacles to all scales. Boxcab E50
Well Ted I did forget Putt Trains. There stuff is all kits though, IIRC. I've been tempted to pick up the little critter kit and the 0-6-0 switcher. Like I need another two projects. I also didn't list Bill Train Shop from Florida and they have kits for engines and cars. Ted, isn't there a company making some shells for tinplater's? The last one I heard of was an Alco DL-109 shell. Lest I forget another company, Pennsylvania Heritage, that did the FM Trainmaster before AM did, but didn't get enough interest for a scale DC version. The shells were very nice looking IMHO. Greg Elems
