A while back I posted a question regarding the era that folks model. I am wondering what is the most difficult problem you face in modeling your particular era. For me, modeling 1890, it is most difficult to find affordable engines and rolling stock that are appropriate to the era . I now scratch build most of my buildings, so that is no longer a problem . Finding accurate people is also an ongoing problem... Good luck and Happy Modeling!! John ------------------ The Colorado and Southwestern, Top of the Rockies! http://jstrainstation.homestead.com
Modeling modern era, the most difficult problem is to keep up with all new motive power that appear on the market, that run beautifully and that obviously has a place on my layout... JLS Susquehanna Ontario & Western RR (N scale) http://www.trainternet.org/
That would most definitely be the lack of an SD70MAC... C'mon Athearn get on the ball! Dump the production of the SD45, GP35, and all the other wide bodies and get this model made! And they better get some HTCR IIs as well. And while i'm ranting does anybody make a thinwall Dash 9/AC cab kit?
My problem is access to information. I model America, reside Australia. I do find it a bit hard to wander down to the tracks and get the odd shot or three, and need to rely on books, mags and the 'net to get what info I can. Other than that, it's having the range of detail parts available in N, as they do in HO. An N Scale Cannon and Co would be a blessing (without the EMD bias). Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page N to the Nth degree!
I model in the late '30s early '40s and the most difficult problem is rolling stock, vehicles and people dressed in that era. ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
I wish Cannon would do some GE stuff as well. A really good Dash9/AC thinwall cab would be a Godsend... I wonder if HiTech(might have changed names) is going to do one. I sure hope so.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tunnel88: That would most definitely be the lack of an SD70MAC... C'mon Athearn get on the ball! Dump the production of the SD45, GP35, and all the other wide bodies and get this model made! And they better get some HTCR IIs as well. And while i'm ranting does anybody make a thinwall Dash 9/AC cab kit? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> SD70MAC? Why should they waste time on those, they need to be working on MP15AC's and SD45T-2's! All kidding aside, no one makes a thinwall Dash 8/9/AC cab kit. There was a discussion about this on another list I'm on, as to what the chances are that Hi-Tech Details would do it. The answer is that the odds are very slim; the owner of Hi-Tech was very disappointed in the sales of his U-Boat/Dash-7 cabs, and has barely broken even on them. Seems like there isn't a whole lot of GE modeling going on; why I don't know, since there are so many variations on them! Hopefully, more guys will model more GE's and buy more of his parts, giving him the encouragement he needs to do some more GE components. BTW, there is a company called Scale Rail Models that is doing etched brass parts and detail sets. They have a bunch for various GE units, like BNSF four-side window coversions for the Dash-9, positionable cab doors, radiator access plates for Dash 8/9 units, and a bunch of other details. They also just announced an ATSF ground plane antenna kit(sure hope it's a modern one). Some of these might be worth investigating. ------------------ Have A Nice Day!
Excellent suggestion, i'll have to look at this company's products... My main beef with the Athearn Dash 9 is the front windows. It's almost impossible to get the windows to look right even with the American Model Builders laser cut windows because the cab walls are too thick and it's obvious. I didn't know about the High Tech Details disaster. It's too bad, because while i haven't bought any products from them, i probably eventually will. Regarding your original comments, scratchbuild, scratchbuild! Just kiddig, i wouldn't mind seeing those models as well, especially since i see them as often as the big ACs, just in a different paint job...
Tip on windows: When we made displays for use in Museums, and were allowed to use some kit parts; we often ran into the thick wall problem you mention. What we did was to file at a 'knife edge' angle to thin down the wall just around the viewable edge of the window. If a child could not look up and see the inside top of a window or door, then obviously an adult critic isn't going to stand on their head to see if we filed the top of doors, windows, etc. Take a forinstance; the access doors on the long nose of GP-8. You would only need to file the right and left inside of the body shell after cutting the door way opening. The floor is level, can't see the top of the doorway. Mount the door open, and place a workman holding the door with one hand, his other on the engine body. New door is mounted, and braced. You can see inside, so now you have to model the prime mover! Do not file the outside surface of the body shell, only the inside that can be seen. Same is true on the edge of a roof, file under side only, then add the soffit. Use diamond finger nail file and go around the hat on your people, underside. Its not so thick, looks better in close up photos. ------------------ Watash [This message has been edited by watash (edited 27 September 2000).]
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ChrisDante: I model in the late '30s early '40s and the most difficult problem is rolling stock, vehicles and people dressed in that era. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I'd think this would be the easiest era to do, especially in HO, but maybe I'm wrong. My N-Trak module looks like it's having a "Classic Car Show". Almost every auto is from the 30's, 40's and 50's. Atleast I found a Dodge Viper to put out there. It's supposed to be "Today" on my Module and I find it most difficult to stay as modern as possible in N-Scale. By the time the F40PH's are all but retired, we may get a decent running one and that will be too late for me. They also seem to jump around a bit in what they produce. We are getting SD80/90MACS from KATO,(None which I need, I sort of model the BNSF with a UP Branch, I won't run a 90MAC on a Branch-Line.) but the SD70M, 70MAC, 75M, and 75I's are nonexistant. And it took forever to get them to produce the most popular of all diesels, the SD40-2! We should of had that loco YEARS AGO! Things are starting to look up, KATO has announced they will make the Amtrak Genesis Loco's next year (HAPPY! HAPPY! JOY! JOY!) and my Amtrak Fleet is looking for an Up-Date. Good thing too, Chicago Metra is looking at buying some in real-life. Just another road name to add to the KATO roster. ------------------ BNSF RAILFAN-TO-THE-MAX! Brent Tidaback, Member #234 and a N-Scaler to boot!
Interesting tip Watash i think i'll give it a try and see what happens. Thinking about Hi Tech Details though, i hate to second guess them because they can't defend themselves here, but i wonder what would have happened if they had made their kits for Dash 9s and 8s before instead of the Uboats and Dash 7s? I think they would have been in business because all the superdetailers would have been 'forced' to use their kits on any ACs or Dash 9s they detailed! I don't know about anybody else but i haven't seen too many superdetailed uboats or Dash 7s lately...
Here's a picture of an SD70-MAC. It's a custom built locomotive from the following website: http://www.modelrailroad.net/custom.html ------------------ What's that? A train horn? Sorry, gotta go! [This message has been edited by CPRailfan (edited 27 September 2000).]
I remember seeing that unit on their site some time ago... I guess it's still too expensive! OOPS, i thought you said SD70M NOT SD70MAC! That is an SD70M not an SD70MAC... [This message has been edited by tunnel88 (edited 28 September 2000).]
click on CPRailfan's note and go down the list of custom made locos. There are a couple of MAC's there, I like the BNSF and I am unamimous in that! CPR probably added the AC knowing it would draw attention to his post. He is pretty smart. (I made a typ-o) ------------------ Watash [This message has been edited by watash (edited 28 September 2000).]
Tunnel88, back in my day, waaaay back, we thought the diesels were fancy painted Interurbans with bad bearings! They still all look alike to me! What I can't figure out, is what's the Mackity 9 got that the Goopity 90 doesn't have, blue paint maybe? How do you build up steam to GO? hee hee I just got back awhile ago, the 11:06 west bound came through, BNSF, had five "Funny cars on Head end", no steam. I'm still waiting for this diesel fad to wear out. (snicker snicker) ------------------ Watash
Watash, I've been out of town for a few weeks and have just started to read all your posts. You and I are cut from the same mold. I think you're spotting me about 10yrs, lots of good steam back then. No problem telling a Consolidation from a Mikado. I remember back in the '70s rooting for Ross Rolland's success in bringing back steam... Ah well. Nice to meet you. ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
Yeah! There's two of us ag'in ya'll, that's pretty even odds. Ya'll Yankees just think yew won the war! Yewins didn't a'tall. We'uns jest postponed it awhile til we build up more steam. We done fixed the flat on our 4-4-0 and R fix'in to CHARGE to VICKSBURG!!! ------------------ Watash
Hey Chris, where's Guilford, is that over thar close by Birmingham, or way up in the Hallar somer's? Anyway, I'm happy to be knowin' a fellow steam puffer! Its been kinda strange surrounded by all these "painted motorcars" around here. I'll bet if we coupled an old AC-9 or even an H-6 onto one of these new phangled Big Mac hamburger 70's, we could just set there until he spun his wheels, then we could just crack our throttle a wee-e-e-e-e bit and drag his raggidy a$$ off down the track. I saw that with an F-7. It was an accident. Ha. ------------------ Watash
