MICRO - ACE , is a Japanese builder of equipment in Japanese 'N" scale (1:150), for their domestic market. In the west , they are best known to modellers of mainline electrification for their great models of large pre 1950 boxcab electrics used by North American modellers, and Europeans also use their later prototype juice jacks that resemble power found there. Economically priced and having high standards of performance , they are desirable locomotives as is, or altered cosmetically to meet other prototype appearances . MICR0-ACE also makes models of Japanese steam . One of these was an early H.K.Porter built mogul, the prototype of which was made famous in North America by KEN KIDDER and others that imported thousands under the sobriquet "Porter Moguls", as low cost fabricated brass models in 'HO' and 'O' scale in the 1960s and 70s. The MICRO -ACE version (JNR 7100 class), was of a locomotive built to the smaller than NA loading gage then found in Japan, but at 1:150 scale came across as suitable for Canadian-American-Mexican use. MICRO-ACE has sold the tooling to ATLAS after, producing a few thousands for their domestic market . ATLAS is introducing the former MICRO-ACE engine as this is written, to NA. However, MICRO-ACE themselves is introducing a far more interesting locomotive. It is an 0-6-6-0 mallet from the opening decade of the 20th century. Given the scale difference it is suitable for conversion to 'Old Maude", that led the way to mallets use as pushers ('helper engines') ,and ultimately primary power on many railoraods. It needs some exterior appliance changes , and a B&O pilot to duplicate "Old Maude", for instance. Given the givens of low cost, and fine appearance and operating characteristics , it is a terrific opportunity to get a locomotive type available only in other scales, and then as expensive fabricated models , for NA 'N' scalers. Or for that matter, any 1:160 modeller, looking to obtain an early mallet without paying "White Glove " , premium prices. I believe there will be plenty of takers around the world for this one. Good-Luck. Peter
I have not seen pictures yet, but would like to. Are any posted on the web yet? I need to find something I can use to make a GHQ challenger.
Pray59, I have seen pictues of this loco and I don't have measurements but I have the feeling that it may be too small for a Challenger. It is a very early style loco that might be great for a Denver and Salt Lake engine. MicrAce has a web site that is all in Japanese but has pictures. The schedule is for it to be out sometime next month. John
Definitely not a common type but not an interesting one to at least consider further... "Old Maude" was an ugly gal, but she probably did her fair share of "house work" while she was alive... Western Maryland had some heavy-hitters in helper service... which looked more like a "bully" than it did a helper... Either of these steamers probably could be done with the chassis of the mallet, and it may be even possible to adapt shells of some other steamers to create even more possibilities. The slender boiler would indeed by one consideration for a logging locomotive but I am sure some other possibilities also exist... besides, how many model steamers lets you do an "upshot" like the prototypes... check out all that space above the drivers... [ 24. December 2003, 01:30: Message edited by: Jerry M. LaBoda ]
Here is another example of a 0-6-6-0 and some ideas on what can be done with the chassis... Denver Northwestern and Pacific 200 The engine was later rebuilt with a two-wheel pilot, creating a 2-6-6-0 engine, and, later still, were acquired by the Rio Grande, where it carried the number 3360. Here are a couple of photos of Denver and Salt Lake 2-6-6-0s to give you some idea of what the 200 looked like after rebuilding... D&SL 204/D&RGW 3364 D&SL 215/D&RGW 3374 Looking at these photos makes me wonder if you could adapt a Micro-Trains Arnold 0-6-0 conversion pilot with the lead truck to fit the Micro - Ace chassis, giving you a basis for doing a 2-6-6-0... Thoughts... ideas... options... Denver & Salt Lake [ 23. December 2003, 17:15: Message edited by: Jerry M. LaBoda ]
Definitely a thumbs up from me. I had never heard of Micro-Ace, until I bought one of their 4-6-2s awhile back. It was a lower priced steamer and can pull the ugly off of a rhino's butt. It is also very smooth. Kato smooth. I will be keeping my eyes open. Jacob
Dear Members of Trainboard, Anyone looking to purchase the new MICRO ACE Mallet can see our announcement on the yellow page section. www.nscaledivision.com is now taking reservations for these.
I have started to convert one of the M-A mallets to a 2-6-6-0, but am still not sure which loco I will model. A lot will depend on how much information I can find on any loco. The Denver and Salt Lake would be nice but I really like the way the headlight is mounted when the D&RGW got these engines. The tender is from an old style Bachmann 2-8-0 with a the bottom of a Kato caboose under it for the pick-up. The pilot has been changed and the headlight removed.
Thanks Charlie and Alan. The bigest problem I'm having is finding enough information on these locos. I have a number of photos but getting plans seem to be next to impossible. By using the pick-up from the Kato caboose I think the performance of the loco has improved which makes sense because now it has one more truck to pick up from. It is a nice runner.
I never realised that there were 0-6-6-0's around, but looks like there were several different ones! Very interesting locos to model.
This is my effort,tender is Kato Mike but it should be shorter.Going to model a DRG loco. [ 26. February 2004, 12:37: Message edited by: E-8 ]
