I just recieved my copy of N Scale Railroading. On page 14 is an advertisement for N scale Curved switches. The switch machine is built right into the roadbed and is compatible with Kato. They want $50.00 smak-a-roondos for the switch...a bit much. Imported by Mokei Emports, 6950 Kingsbury, St. Louis, MO 63130. No website address or phone is given. "Available from you dealer". Just thought you ought to know. Maybe our good friends at Wig Wag can give us a better deal. Grin!
New Locomotive Announcement: I might as well throw in some other news...at least to me. InterMountain is announcing the availability of Electro-Motive SD45-2, without the flared radiators in six (6) roadnames. Santa Fe Blue/Yellow 4 numbers. Clinchfield Black, CSX yellow/blue/Gray, Montana Rail Link, Erie Lackawanna and Conrail. No prices mentioned. The Nov. & Dec. issue is full of new items. See the N Scale Railroading Mag...for further details. If you are inclined.
Yea The price is a little steep for the curved turnouts but the double slip is probably fair. Already have a Conrail SD45-2 on order.
I have two Tomax curved switches from 1990. I have used them in a previous layout. Tomax is a fine track product. I got these from Neal and I think he still has access to the Tomax track. Thankfully, Tomax is now offering a gray ballast. The old track and switches were in brown only. Great if you could score enough track for a layout's needs, but needed to be painted if mixed with Unitrack. Doc
Santa Fe SD45-2 B Units YES!! It took me a minute to figure out what you meant. Yeah, some B units would be great. Here we go scratchbuilding...again. Great idea.
Reservations for the 45-2's were taken during September. You really need to start checking out dealer websites. BTW: I don't think any SD45-2 was built new with a flared radiator. However I am not an expert in every rivet and door on locos.
Tomix - we want more! Tomix is the top-selling N scale sectional track line in Japan. That's right - it outsells Kato in its native land. But it has been all but unavailable elsewhere. It's great to have a wholesale source for the Tomix curved and double-switch pieces in the U.S. But I really hope that Tomix, and an enlightened U.S. distributor, will see the virtues of bringing the entire track line to the U.S. market. I am sure it would be successful. I've posted the latest Tomix catalogue to my Railimages folder. Take a look! --Bryan
I trust that you all are aware of Peco's curved turnouts. They work great at about 1/4 the price. Of course, that's w/o a motor and unrealistic code 80. I used bruce Stull's (Scale Shops) trunout motors which added about $12.00 to each. I've used one LH and one RH and two Wyes. I am very satisfied with the performance
Does anyone know what share of the US N-scale track market Kato has? I'm thinking it can't be significant enough to make it worthwhile for Tomix to jump in and compete for.
Dangit! For a second I thought this was an Atlas announcement for their next items in the Code 55 line! I've been harping on Atlas to release curved turnouts since they announced the C55 line, but so far no luck. The Peco curved turnouts work great, and really expand what you can do when designing a layout, so I hope that Atlas will eventually follow suit.
To Wig Wag, LLC and all tuned in. I appreciate your re-direct. I don't pay much attention to the dealers announcements as it may be a year or longer before we see the actual product on the shelves. I am not much into reservations as I like to see and test track a locomotive befoe I buy it. Still...darn...I can get a lemon...amazing. Thanks for your response and ahhhh... may I suggest there's nothing wrong with your letting us know what's coming up. A heads up from you is always appreciated. To Chartsmalm, I use the curved peco switches in many places on my layout. They work well and the electrofrog provides for smooth running. I have no patience when it comes to under that table installments...did that on past layouts. To much maintenance or readjustments IE., when the family hound dog visited the layout wagging his tale...thunk. Nor do I care much for an ugly switch machine sitting off to the side of the track. On my mainline I am utilizing Kato #6 swtiches with some reservations. The sidings and yard tracks, where accessible by hand, I 'm using Peco switches with a hand throw. Hand throws, although oversized do work well and are fun to use. Thanks for everyone's come back. A day late and dollar short but oh well...it was news to me. Grin!!
Is the tomix track compatible with kato ? I know Atlas is but what is the rail code of the tomix? Thanks guys
They're just distinguishing SD45-2s from SD45s. No SD45-2 has flares, because they didn't need them. The longer frame, and thus hood, allowed EMD to fit the same radiator area flush with the body.
You are so right! What? Did I imply something or did you read into it...grin?! You are so correct. When I first spotted the SD45-2 I was puzzled as I thought all SD45's had the flared radiators. I figured there must be a reason or purpose for building them that way...IE., more room for a larger radiator. As I talked to the crews and learned this motor was a SD45...no one mentioned -2 as these kinds of things aren't that important to the rails. I was confused. After I got used to it and learned the official designation...I wanted a model of it. Here we are how many years later? I hope I live long enough to see other types of locomotives produced.
