My Thoughts on Trainfest 2014

TetsuUma Nov 9, 2014

  1. TetsuUma

    TetsuUma TrainBoard Member

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    I went to Trainfest yesterday and these are my take-aways:

    Bluford Shops

    Those corn fields are pretty good for the price point and I was surprised by how rugged they seemed. You could put them on your layout as-is but giving them a wash or dusting them with an air brush will take the shine off of them and bring out the details.


    Kato


    Kato was promoting their UP FEF-3 this year. It looks really good and is enough to make me spring for a UP item.

    Kato UP FEF-3.jpg

    I talked to them about a North Coast Limited and they hinted the FEF-3 will be occupying their time for the next year. I did point out they could do a CB&Q tie-in for the MSP - Chicago portion of the run. I also told them that I thought they should do some three driver-axle steam as they have the really sweet C62 4-6-4 in Japan.

    Atlas

    It was nice to meet Paul face-to-face. I told them I noticed some Code 55 track in stores and we talked a little about manufacturing and model conspiracy theories. I also put in my vote for an SD9 and Atlas S2 in CB&Q scheme (that was a given).

    Fox Valley Models

    My take-away was that they were trying to nail down an ETA on the regular-cab GP60s. The pre-production models looked really good, though.

    Exactrail

    No word on the new N scale metal wheels. I'm not holding my breath.

    Micro-Trains

    The new heavyweight diners were on display and they were consistent with the previous models. I put in my vote for a CB&Q/BREX woodside reefer runner-pack. They also filled me in on the travails of the Z-scale locomotive program. (Tooling is based on a certain motor and the cost of the motor has increased precipitously.)

    Kam-Konnect

    I looked at it and was impressed. The track between modules only had a cut and when a train went over, the cars didn't even rock. The connection between modules is really strong and the alignment nubs makes getting everything straight a dream.

    These are my take-aways. I'd be interested in what others though.

    Andy
    Tetsu Uma
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sure would like to see these up close and personal.
     
  3. WPZephyrFan

    WPZephyrFan TrainBoard Member

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    That FEF looks sweet! And, I have to agree about the C62. What a great loco! Oh, and are we talking a Chinese Red SD9 or the original black scheme?
     
  4. TetsuUma

    TetsuUma TrainBoard Member

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    I told them both but they've never done an SD9 in "Blackbird."
     
  5. WPZephyrFan

    WPZephyrFan TrainBoard Member

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    I hope they listened. I do like the Q!
     
  6. Burlington Bob

    Burlington Bob TrainBoard Member

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    I would definitely buy an SD9 in the Blackbird scheme.
     
  7. joebalto

    joebalto TrainBoard Member

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    Just a more things. I mentioned to Athearn that they are only 1 hour away from Oshkosh trucks and Pierce manufacturing. The rep was surprised and did not know that. I did write down with the list of other suggestions everyone else was giving, he did say they would take a trip up there. Athearn had there mechanical reefer with sound. it caught me off guard as I was looking at the model and all of the sudden the reefer started up. No I did not get a price. I want to thank the staff at Walthers. They spent alot of money trying to make the event very kid friendly. Also I would like to thank all of the clubs that taught kids how to properly operate a train. My grandchildren raced trains on 1 layout, learned how to operated dc and dcc on others they are only 3 and 4 years old. They were very patient. I forgot about Exactrail....The Big John hoppers in N have been mentioned multiple time to them yesterday multiple times.... we will see. I hope so for everyone who models that local and era.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 10, 2014
  8. joebalto

    joebalto TrainBoard Member

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    I forgot about Woodland Scenics... their new lighting system is a little expensive. I would call it the Unitrak of lighting. I am all excited for this product so I can add lighting to my buildings. Very easy to use and the nano lights are sweet. Check out their web site for more info.
     
  9. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Now I'm curious. Not much for prices on their site. Do you remember what the pieces were showing for MSRP?
     
  10. UP_Challenger3985

    UP_Challenger3985 TrainBoard Member

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    I hadn't been for a few years, but was able to go twice this weekend. I was fairly surprised at how many N-scale layouts there were this year - I don't remember there being that many in years past.

    I didn't spend _too_ much time in the vendor area simply because I didn't want to buy too much before I actually started the layout. I did however, buy a Digitrax Zephyr system to replace my old Atlas system that doesn't work anymore.

    And most importantly, the trips help make my decision to switch to N-scale.

    Great job to the Trainfest crew for putting on a great show as always, and to the vendors & layouts on display! Looking forward to next year already!
     
  11. Bill Denton

    Bill Denton TrainBoard Supporter

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    I agree, there were a lot of N scale layouts there. Seems like instead of having one giant N-Trak layout, the various groups had their own smaller layouts through out the building.
     
  12. Jim Wiggin

    Jim Wiggin Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks for the report! This was the first year in a while I was not there. I used to work for a certain publisher in the past and always enjoyed the event. Glad to see White River Productions was up there selling RMC and Railfan and making good on all those subscriptions. I think the magazines are better for the change.
     
  13. joebalto

    joebalto TrainBoard Member

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    the power pack was 19.99. lights were 9.99 lights and hub 16.99 expansion hub 15,99 and auxialary switch was 9.99 still if you go through most lhs or internet dealers cheaper then if someone like me has to do all that wiring. lol
     
  14. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Prices seem quite fair. I have a feeling we will soon be seeing a lot more illuminated towns on model railroads.
     
  15. rsn48

    rsn48 TrainBoard Member

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    There are prices, the site does a poor job of letting you know. If you tab on the first, to the left, "LED stick on lights" and hit on it, another page pops up with prices.

    I must confess, this is one slick system, it has moved me to go from no night lighting on my layout to definitely using night lights.

    Some thoughts, it occurred to me that good interior black paint might be the black sound deadening paint used with cars. And for black putty, if you are going to have many many structures, AMI is still around but with a different name - Black Track Tack linked below. This tacky product is very malleable and could easily be used in substitute to the WS putty.

    http://www.sceneryexpress.com/Black-Track-Tack/products/1102/
     
  16. Fishplate

    Fishplate TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes, there were a lot of N scale layouts. At least one NTrak club decided to set up their own layout instead of joining the big one this year. Surprisingly, I didn't see much Z scale, but maybe I just missed it. Everything else was well represented. For those who couldn't go, check out my photos of random stuff that caught my eye at the show.
     

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