Talked to IM folks at the amherst train show, they say the AC-12 will be shipping in April. Their website reflects the same. I did get a chance to hold the thing, It looks pretty good, It looks nearly identical to the Key/Nakamura unit. I hope they will have spare parts, I would love to backfit my Key units with the pony truck they have on theirs. The rest of the show was great, 4 buildings full of trains. Got a few deals before my kids were ready to go home. This was far better than anything I've attended before. Unfortunatly no pictures, the camera didn't make it to the show.
I'm glad to hear that the AC-12 Cab Forwards will be shipped in April As for parts, that won't happen anytime soon.
Good news on the Cab Forward. If I could buy only one thing for my layout this year, this would be it.
Frank told me they are currently working on fitting traction tires. They saw a running model last fall from the manufacturers. They are quite happy with the results so far. Detail was pretty good. Windows are glazed. Model had a nice heft to it. Both engines are articulated. Frank said after they are done with the HO 2nd release and the N 1st release of the Cabforward, they are considering something "from ATSF". He said the reservations on the N CF were beyond their expectations. I will try to post my photos of the CF tomorrow. Dave
Hmmm... I've been very resistant to committing to buy a Cab-Forward thusfar. Resistance is weakening with each report about the Cab-Forward's imminant release. Resistance is futile.... ... I'll need to assimilate one.
Well, this AC12 is going to be my fourth steamer. I started out with one steamer the went crazy with diesels. I do love my diesels but the AC12 will be my fourth steamer. It Bob, Powersteamguy 1790, who is corrupting me. I sure love my Challenger with the sound.
Bob: You're making a good choice with the AC-12. You might consider an undecorated version. You should also make a nice fleet of Kato Mikado's. It still is my favorite N scale steamer.
Thanks for the photo! The model does look great. If you copy the image to your computer and increase the exposure, you can see the detail even more clearly.
After getting another two locomotives this last week (now the roster is at 16 steam locos), I think the AC-12 will be the last for a while. I have one on pre-order and if I like the way it runs, I'll probably have another headed my way. Not sure if the boss will bite since I already have an AC-4 and an AC-6. Judging from my preliminary look at the show, the detail on the IM unit may be better than that of the brass ones out there. I did get a great deal on a CC 2-10-2 at the show, I'm already looking at chopping it into an SP F-1 or F-4, not sure which yet. It depends on the references I can find.
Must . . . resist . . . Must . . . stay . . . . true to my era . . . I picked up the Daylight set & GS4 by justifying that it is still on the rails (or at least was in my 1995 era). So far I've been really good w/ not buying anything that didn't show up on Tehachapi in the mid-90's. But damn that looks nice!
Only if you want to run one in the ATSF roadname. I've ordered a couple in SP and one undecorated. Am glad I never went after a Keys Imports Cab Forward on EBay years ago.
The CC 2-10-2 is a good steamer provided you add significant weight to the tender which provides all the electrical conductivity. You can also hard wire the tender to the locomotive. The 2-10-2 will easily pull 35-40 cars on level track. It's DCC friendly as you install a decoder on the board in the tender.
Ah, but brass has its own rewards..... One thing that Intermountain couldnt tell me was how many drivers were geared. I did turn the loco over and it looks like 1 axle per engine is geared. I hope that there are idlers in between each axle but cant verify that yet. Also, i have dug up some reviews of the 1st run HO and there were some running issues. I am proceeding with tempered optimism (but i know where i can get a Key CF if i need a plan B...). Dave
