2003 was the year of the Baldwin & FM switchers. Now with the releases of the C424/425 by LifeLike (in US liveries) and the C628 & C630 (so far) it could be said that 2004 was the year of the ALCo's in N scale. I think yet another ALCo Century may be announced for this year... the C636 (By Atlas, I hope). Next years (2005) offerings will probably be the much awaited U-boats.... U18b, U23b, U25c, U28b & c, U30c and U33c. But... then what???? 2006... the year of ??? Steam maybe? [ 28. July 2004, 16:06: Message edited by: Calzephyr ]
If they'll just produce a couple of those you've noted, I'll be happily in the poor house! I have been daydreaming of a U-25C in Northern Pacific. Would love U-28B, and U-33C in Milwaukee Road. (I just hope they'll not add the late Billboard lettering to a Milw unit. If so, no sale!) So many possibilities! So many daydreams! So much pain for my wallet to bear! Boxcab E50
A sudden release of U-boats in 2005 would be a wallet killer for me too. The likelyhood is that their will be many F3's and some FT's from IMRC that will be yanking at my wallet as well. By 2006 I may be to poor to wonder about new releases.... But wait.... that may be when the F7's will be released by IMRC.... Ohhhhh NOOOO!
Have you heard anything firm on coming F3's? I'd love to see some in Northern Pacific. I have not as yet bought FT's. Neither of MT, nor IM, has the correct version for my use. I model circa 1968. And need the larger cheek style number boards that NP added. I considered an attempt to change these. But have a problem with my hands. So shelved the idea..... Boxcab E50
Besides Alcos, couldn't we call the last year a year of N scale steam anyway? Perhaps the next big diesel thing will be offbeat, low volume sales EMD of the prototype - Kato has done the SD 38, for example in HO, and that could come out in N. Add an FP 45 from perhaps IM, GP 60 from LL and we are almost there! Rereleases of the Kato (or other) GP 50 (maybe a derivative GP 40X) and a good version of the DD40X..... We still don't have the MP15 and modern switchers, either. With the small frame/motor problem solved on other switchers, perhaps this and the GP 15 would be added to the mix.
I would like to see Atlas re-release some of their older diesels adding flywheels, ie the RS-11's. Would be nice to see a 44 tonner too!
I'd like to see a C420. Although I have several of the old Atlas/Kato versions, N scale needs re-tooled RS11s. Lifelike should do a C425.
About time we got new Alco's. I'm waiting for N&W units myself. I'm with the others who want a better quality version of an RS11. Was the N&W 1776 patriotic unit a uboat? One could dream about that too. Always liked that unit, but my age is showing. Lastly... Could we get DCC equiped units? I like the re-releases but they are always too much for my time investement to get them running DCC. Rossford- I think this decade will be the age of steam for N scale. I'm sure there's more to come now that they see we'll actually buy N scale steam. Overall, we have little to complain about.
