This is a very intriguing comment... but... simultaneously troubling. It would seem that most of the models produced to date by other manufacturers are the most likely candidates for Arnold/Hornby' next project. I can't think of any 'single' model which was widely used by MOST of the railroads which have yet to be done in N scale. The most likely candidates would be Baldwin/Lima/Hamilton models which WOULD have many variations from some relatively similar chassis... like DRS-4-4-750/1000; DRS-4-4-1500;or, AS-616; DRS-6-6-1500... etc...
What ever the next model is, they don't seem to be in any hurry to release it? I wonder why? This is the response I received from Arnold/Hornby after asking if they had replacement wheel sets available. Enjoy! I do have another N scale project already completed- we hope to be announcing it in the near future. Kind regards, Arvids
So, the 'hints' are it's not steam, 'the prototype covers almost all the railroads that you’d want, and that it will take decades to work through the “A” list of roadnames', and 'the tooling includes variations that have never been done in any scale'...not that the engine hasn't been done, just the variations. Personally, I hope that it is the Baldwin AS-616's and their close relatives but I don't know if that covers the 'decades to work through the 'A' list of roadnames' hint. Granted it does include most of the big roads (B&LE, CNW, C&O, Milw, Pensy, SP, UP and if they included the DRS-6-6-1500 Erie and NP (1 loco) and DRS-6-4-1500 NS), but decades to cover them...? The AS-616 represents the largest number of locomotives sold not currently available in N scale (214) and if you include the DRS-6-6-1500 (82) and DRS 6-4-1500 (91) that as I recall only had a minor truck spacing difference totals 387 locomotive. Variations (other than the trucks) include with and without dynamic brakes and a B unit (add 7 to the total for the B unit but only SP and Milw had them). I've tried to convince a manufacturer to make one of these for YEARS...which is why I know it's going to be something else
The FM H10-44 sold 195 units, and the H12-44 sold 336. Not sure if you would count these as "variations," although I think of them that way. Together, these are roughly 530 units, and were used by nearly every Class 1 and a whole host of other railroads, steel mills and switching lines as well. The FM switcher was once sold by MiniTrix, but hasn't been available in N scale in years - although I don't think the AS-616 was EVER made in N. And there are variations for the H10/H12 (the Canadian version, the original Loewy cab vs. the later "simplified" cabs) that I don't think have all been done in any scale. I just can't believe Hornby is doing a switcher; but if they were, the FM H10/H12-44 series would fit the other "hints." I think. John C.
Mark, you hit it - It is the SW1. :wideeyes: Source: http://www.1zu160.net/scripte/forum/forum_show.php?id=826755
An SW-1-!!!!! This is great news!! SP's first diesel switcher!! The SP owned 14 of them. Very cool, Wolf
That is the next model. Here a link to my "local" dealer's page: http://www.aat-net.de/index.php?mai..._67987_68733&zenid=ohtkg6hv5raofcl26nimh0b670 Unfortunately none of their engines is announced in Pennsylvania so far, but all of them were owned by the PRR.
No idea where "All American Trains" gets their information, but from what I can piece together maybe some sort of published catalog? In any case, I don't think there's been any official "online" announcement from Arnold/Hornby yet. Cheers, -Mark
Well if it does happen to be the SW-1 it would be the first in plastic. One has been done in brass. And a lot of roads had at least a few. The article does say a diecast metal body and hopefully no traction tires as this is a short wheelbase and like most short wheelbase models needs all the pick-up they can get. 661 units built and they covered most of the alphabet in road names with only a few letters left out. Headlights, exhaust stacks, windows, and hood taper, plus a few other minor things marked some changes during production so there can be some different versions. I don't know how many may have found their way to a new home as a used loco but I assume more than a few as the higher horse power versions came out. My island logging, quarrying, and mining operation just might be interested since the model covers my era.
If it is an SW1, I'm going to need to get my artwork in order for another run of custom decals. This could get expensive.
Why, that is just the neatest thing. I will have to get four if/when they release them in Milwaukee Road so I can have models of the four "Donkeys" that ran east out of my hometown of Austin, MN. I used to watch them pull trains out and in in the mid-sixties. Doug
Charlie Vlk has confirmed it - SW1 is next. Apparently AAT is known for jumping the gun on these sorts of things in order to get out there ahead of everyone else on the pre-orders (and often handing out incorrect info in the process). But as far as the model itself goes, yes, they are correct - SW1. Cheers, -Mark
