S-Helper Service Inc, THe Showcase Line says it all. The WP set of F3's are fantastic. While this is a pre-production picture, the finial version looks even better with the silver freight pilot. Maybe it's time to back date my modeling, since the Zypher F3's were used in freight service between trips. Greg Elems
Glory days! Back when railroading had some beautiful power. Just another reason why I'm stuck in the '60's! BoxcabE50
I thought I'd show my A unit here. It has the silver pilot and is waiting for me to put the couplers in. Smooth running and DCC ready. Now to match my FP-7 to this unit. SHS really did a great job on their factory paint job. Greg Elems
Greg, This is why I am going S Scale for my new layout. These locomotives are awesome ... beautiful models. I have one complaint. I was just about to proceed with design of an industrial switching layout. I need these guys, even if they would not be at home in such a setting. I guess I need to reconsider my layout idea some...... By the way, do you have any websites which would show the scale S track (code 100 stuff)?
Off hand, I don't have any web sites that show the Shinohara or Tomalco track. The picture I posted of the F-3, has the Shinohara track. I can shot some track jpegs and post them if you like. Greg
Greg- Perhaps in a seperate thread, we could talk you into a brief tutorial on track and switches??? I'm not at all interested in hand laying. That's part of the reason for my researching a change of scales. Neurological problems causing my hands to shake. And anyhow, after a decent job of ballasting, a r-o-w doesn't look all that bad.....!!! Boxcab E50
Greg, Like Boxcab, I have no intention of handlaying track. With a little weathering and ballast, quality flex track and turnouts look just fine to me. I am really more interested in where I can obtain the scale track flex track and turn outs in Houston or via internet/phone. I've handled Atlas code 100 flex track for years in HO, so I have to assume the S Scale code 100 is not much different. Hope all are having a great Labor Day weekend.
Don SHS puts out two fine switch engines. The SW-1 and SW-9 look every bit as good as Atlas’ O and Kato’s HO versions. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were all made in the same factory in China. The F units could be used for freight and the switchers for serving the industries. My favorite railroad had both of them on their roster and I really can’t see my way to buying both. I’ll probably end up getting the SW-9. Greg
Greg- Is the SW9 actually available? (SW9/1200?) I had been thinking that this was a forthcoming project? Guess I should check the SHS site.... Boxcab E50
The SW-9 and the SW-1 have been out for a while. The SW-9 will be a second run that should arrive soon. When I last looked at the SHS web page, they still had a couple road names from the first run available. Also, there were a couple of SW-9's still available. Greg
This is a Wabash Valley shell on a shortend AM FP-7 frame. I was in the process of detailing it out when SHS brought out their version. I have let it sit for a long time. But looking at the detail parts I bought and the fact you can't have enough F units, I will go ahead and finish it. It is a smooth runner after all.
Those numberboards have me curious. If a person wanted to change them to a later version, is there a detail part available? Boxcab E50
BTS sells brass number boards for those F unit shells. They fit perfectly, but they don't light up. If you drilled out the flat area where the numbers go you could light them. I doubt I'll go to that much work. I also picked up some other parts from BTS for them. Greg
