Toma Model Works (http://homepage1.nifty.com/tfw/index-e.html)

http://www.justmystep.justhpbs.jp/sub3.html


http://www.world-kougei.com/SHOP/6024064.html

http://www.shapeways.com/product/MYZQF7CEF/cilgwyn-penrhyn-quarry-quot-lilla-quot-009?li=more-from-shop&optionId=43303576

Slate Wagons:  http://www.shapeways.com/product/JEE77FFYF/5x-fr-type-2t-slate-wagons-009?li=more-from-shop&optionId=43508041

Rusty? (http://www.minitrains.eu/mt-diesel.html)

Unless I misunderstood the press release, this model is ONLY available through the NRM shop, and their delivery policy is....
"Overseas Delivery: We regret that we do not currently deliver overseas."

So I guess modellers will either have to visit the NRM shop, or see if any appear on those "auction sites"?

I think Bachmann DID make an E60CF:

WOW, I especially like the HOn30 (HOe) version of the little side rod diesel on page 25 of the catalog.   

I'll have to see if I can find a distributor for that one (I've done a little HOn30 modeling while in high school -- mostly Lilliput equipment)   
Thanks for sharing the link.

The Pennsylvania rostered 575 L1 2-8-2's and 5 L2 (USRA) 2-8-2's.

Since there's only the bowser kit for this engine, I think that a RTR version with decent detailing would be a welcome addition to the marketplace.  The H class 2-8-0's were even more popular and it's not a stretch to assume that at least some were sold to shortlines (ie. the Bellefonte Central?)

While PRR engines are "distinctive" in appearance , so are ATSF, IC, B&O, Reading, etc. steamers.  I don't understand the thought process that just because one manufacturer has made a USRA 2-8-2, that another manufacturer can't/won't produce another 2-8-2 designed for a specific railroad (be it PRR, or someone else).  Isn't that like saying, since a b-b trucked diesel switcher exists, we shouldn't expect any other b-b trucked diesel switchers to be made?

Even forgetting the diesel argument, if BLI has produced a 4-6-2, does that rule out a Southern PS-4?  It shouldn't.  Bring 'em on -- more models, more happy modelers!

Paul F.

The "era of steam" has been gone since the 1950's if we look at the "culture" of the railroads, the employees, the facilities needed to maintain and service steam as though it were part of the "day to day" running of a railroad.

Excursions, tourist lines and musuems do their full share to help younger generations (like me) to appreciate a part of what that 'era' was like.

Steam will or can be with us for as long as we want it to be.  It appears that there is more discussion about replacing boilers with newly constructed boilers for situations where historic preservation is less important than the service lifespan of the engine (when used daily in tourist operation).  I would rather see the engine have another 50+ years of service than be able to tell people that it still has its original boiler (and becoming a safety hazard).  The Gettysburg RR boiler explosion did a lot to curtail excursions on major class one railroads. 

Paul F.

Quote from: rogertra on April 12, 2008, 11:25:54 AM

Quote from: paulsafety on April 12, 2008, 10:54:52 AM

Look at Bachmann's british model line -- at least a dozen different 4-6-0s and multiple railroad specific models sharing common wheel arrangments.

Paul F.

Paul.


In the UK, every independent railway had it's unique design of locomotives, freight cars even station buildings, signals and fencing.  Therefore, if you model the Great Western Railway, then all you'll purchase is (usually) ex GWR steam locos or locos that could have run on the ex GWR.

Bachmann and and other manufacturers know this so in order to survive in the UK market they will procude several say 2-6-0s. Perhaps two different classes of ex GWR 2-6-0s, (The GWR being the most popular railway to model) maybe one ex SR 2-6-0, perhaps one ex LNER 2-6-0, perhaps two classes of ex LMS 2-6-0 and finally a British Railways built 2-6-0.   The UK ex GWR modeller, modelling the British Railways period could purchase the two ex GWR classes, perhaps the ex SR 2-6-0 and maybe the ex BR 2-6-0 as all thse cound have run over GWR metals.  Again, bachmann know this as do the other manufacturers, so that's what they will produce. If the modeller modelled a different part of the ex GWR, then they may purchase the ex LMS 2-6-0 but not the ex SR 2-6-0 as that ran in a different part of the country.  Complicated, eh?

UK model freight cars are the same.  You don't have the equivilant of a PS1 boxcar that was purchased in bulk from a boxcar manufacture.  If the UK railway didn't build it's own design of boxcars in its own shops, then contract builders would build to the railways specific design.  Therefore, you won't see Bachmann produce a model of an ex LNER "boxcar" letter for the GWR, or SR ot LMS, it just wouldn't sell.  Unlike here in North America where we are quite happy to use Athearn Blue Box boxcars or any manufacturers' passenger cars lettered for every railroad under the sun.  That just won't fly in the UK.  Ditto for locomotives.

Thanks for clearing things up.....prototype modlers in the UK actually model specific railways with railroad specific steam engine designs.....not at all like here in the USA......

I think I was trying to ask the question; "why can't we have the same variety of choices as a UK modeler?"  Are there more modelers in the UK than the USA; therfore, a larger potential customer base? 

Why can't we ask for a Western Maryland 4-6-2, a Southern PS-4, and other 4-6-2's that were specific to a railroad?    Recent polls about a prefered 4-6-2 model were couched in an underlying tone of "since we're likely limited to get only one, which one would you be willing to buy?"   Why couldn't that "feel" different -- as in, "which one would you like to see first, second, third, etc.

Regarding wagons and vans in the UK, I'm not sure I agree.  Your point seems to ignore mfg's such as Westerfield, F&C, Atlas's recent offerings, the very wide range of Budd, ACF and even railroad specific passenger cars from Walthers, BLI, Athearn (Genesis).   The skill needed to extensively modify an existing plastic or resin box car to a specific variation is similar, but also different that the level of tools and expertise needed to scratch build or extensively modify a steamer with valve gear and odd sized drivers.  Can modelers kit bash steam or scratchbuild it?  Of course, but should they have to do so when manufacturers continue to publish the same loco as other manufacturers (i.e. my reference to multiple copies of big boys, daylight GS4, PRR K-4 when the same efforts could have focused on expanding the overall variety in the entire marketplace).

Sometimes taking a marketing risk bombs, sometimes it creates or wakes up an entire market segment.  Examples -- On30, IRT Subway models, Peter Witt, the Spectrum 2-8-0 (not a USRA engine, and not even a pure IC model), the three truck shay and climax models in HO.  These models represented a risk when introduced.  Because they were extremely well made (kudos Bachmann) they expanded the marketplace.  People who were normally "diesel" modelers liked the looks of the 2-8-0 and how well it ran so they considered or actually got one.  Modelers in standard gauge O, HO and even G are itching to try out On30.  Variety begets sales if done well.   

Thank you for your comments, rogertra.  I am in awe of your layout and obvious model making skills.  I hope that someday I can emulate your efforts.

Paul F.

I think it's a great suggestion.  We would benefit from more steam models of common (ie. typical) wheel arrangements.

Rather than three versions of a Big Boy, multiple copies of K-4s and GS4s I'd prefer more variations of 4-4-0, 2-6-0, 2-8-0, and so on.

Look at Bachmann's british model line -- at least a dozen different 4-6-0s and multiple railroad specific models sharing common wheel arrangments.

There is no logical reason we should fail to ask for models of specific prototypes.  Let the manufacturers decide what they'll make - we can't "control" their choices, but asking is a healthy exercise, criticizing someone for wanting what they want is a mind game attempt to moderate the board.

Paul F.

How about something like this:
http://www.wabash-railroad.com/images/Steam/2-6-0/WB20571F.jpg

Another 4-8-4 with vanderbilt tender (Great Northern)
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/gn/gn-a2584adl.jpg

Assuming we have ready to run models, what type of layout would you build to run the transit equipment:
1) add a transit line to an existing urban model railroad
2) build a transit-focused layout that excludes other railroad modes (ie. long distance passenger, commuter rail, etc.)
3) build a terminal (with layup yard and shops) that terminates in a hidden staging area?

Here's a link to a video about a model transit layout based on the London Tube....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FICiRc8AdX4&feature=related

Paul F.

How about this for an interesting 2-6-2?


If I had the option, I'd rather see these PRR 2-6-0's

http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/prr4010.jpg
OR
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/prr267s.jpg

Paul F.

Quote
Not to rain on anyone's parade but this is  just to point out some of the intricasies of modelling rapid transit.

David Harrison

You're not raining on my parade, David!  Thanks for the added information -- I'm here to learn.

If the cars in the 6201-6470 range were modeled, I would be willing to live with the inaccuracy (and if I later decided that i couldn't, I could modify the doors, right?  As it stands now, I'd have to kitbash brass models, or rebuild craftsman kits ($$$). 

Paul F.

Of course, if the CTA 6000 series was made in affordable plastic, they could properly be lettered for SEPTA, too.  A couple of sets were sold to SEPTA to run on the Norristown High Speed line when accidents had depleted the ranks of the bullets and stratford cars (prior to the arrival of the current equipment):

http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?52150
http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?69138
http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?69076

Frankford El Car,

Did you mean a wooden car like this:
http://www.chicago-l.org/trains/gallery/images/wood/MWSERR842.jpg

Or like this?
http://www.chicago-l.org/trains/gallery/images/wood/crt1706.jpg

There is a great gallery at:
http://www.chicago-l.org/trains/gallery/index.html
Unfortunately, I am not nearly as familiar with Chicago's EL history or equipment (despite having ridden from O'hare and Midway into the Loop)

Paul F.