I used a slope back tender chassis with a Model Power 2-6-0 tender shell. I cut off the decoder part of the Bachmann DCC board and left the light board part of it intack. Bachmann has instructions about how to do this. I'm not sure that the slopeback tender shell has enough space for a decoder however.

It is shorter. In photos, check the distance between the tender trucks.

Hello, Mr. Bachmann!

I really appreciate the P&LE S4 among your new N scale models, but as several others have pointed out, the paint scheme is a fantasy dreamed up by the artist Howard Fogg. I think it would be great to have a "Howard Fogg" version of the model, as a way of honoring him, but there may be copyright restrictions on its use. I really don't know.

But I hope you go on to make the S4 in a scheme the P&LE actually used. (The Atlas HO Alco model has it right.) I do commend you on the color of the Pacemaker Green. It appears to be right on.

Here's a photo posted on trainboard.

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/P1000877.JPG

Well I hope so, since I agree with Rob that flywheels are a good thing. My caution is that sometimes in their descriptions of new N products Bachmann has simply copied the HO description for the same model (though there are some differences in this case.) And don't forget the 5-pole motor that wasn't!

Here's the parts diagram for the GP7: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/N_GP7_EXPLODE_DRAWING__N642X.pdf  I seriously doubt that the RS3 would have flywheels either.

There are many versions of AAR 40' steel box cars. What prototype version matches the upcoming Bachmann model? Opinions are welcome of course, but I'd like a definitive answer from Bachmann itself. I am curious.  Thanks.

Accurate up-to-date descriptions are always welcomed. The problem is that Bachmann does not change the product numbers when they update the product, so there's no way of telling that what you order online is the latest version or an older version. E.g., somebody who wants Rapido couplers (as pictured in the catalog) may find the actual pruduct has magnetic couplers--or vice versa. I think it would be helpful if the item numbers were changed as improvements are made.

Favorite Spot now has the new run in stock.

Some online dealers have them in stock. You can tell which run it is by the increase in the list price (2nd run $165).

I repeat myself, but I'd like a PRR K4s (postwar with 130P75 tenders) and a Spectrum ATSF Norther. A Santa Fe 2-10-4 would be OK too!

80" drivers at 1:148 scale would work out to about 86" drivers in 1:160 scale, so I'm not sure the LNER A1 chassis would work. I'll probably go the Kato C55 route.

There's really not much for NJT in N scale. No modern commuter cars at all, which you would need, since NJT began using their own equipment on the Port Jervis line in 1982. Before that it was EL. F40P's and U34CH's are both suitable, but the GP40's (modeled by Atlas) are strictly for maintenance of way use. However, NJT shares equipment on this line with Metro North, and for a while (1988-1989 for sure) Metro North RDC's, which Kato makes, operated to Port Jervis.  http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures/4665/ardcpj.jpg

I hope that whoever makes a K4s in N scale makes a modernized version. The K4s's were modernized in the 1930's with stoker equipped tenders, and some were further modernized post WWII with visible changes to the locomotive, especially the front end. The Trix version is of an "as built" K4s, and is good only from the 20's to 30's.

In other words, I'd like to see a K4s with either a 110P75 tender or (preferably) a 130P75 tender. The latter is a bit bigger (which can only be good) and was in use from the 30's to the 50's. The 1361 has such a tender, and Bachmann (or whoever) would be wise to model it.

As far as using the K4s for other roads than the PRR, the model would have to be built with different options for the cab, the smokebox, the firebox, the pilot, etc., so I really don't see that happening. The mechanism would be useful for other more generic boiler shells, and maybe the already manufactured USRA tenders would be appropriate.

Atlas and MDC/Athearn make old time 2-6-0's, and MDC/Athearn makes an old time 2-8-0, but maybe you mean 19th century, which would be the Atlas Mogul.

Ooooh, a PRR K4! Wonder why I didn't think of that.