Well you must have missed the Hallmark units. They were really nice brass units that were proto correct and run really well. Here is a shot of one of the 4-8-4's running on a NTrak show layout pulling an 88 car refer block plus caboose. I have several of these and the ATSF Texas types that all are proto correct and run well. The big problem is the smaller locomotives in ATSF. The Kato Mikado isn't even close to a real ATSF Mike. The Hallmark units show up every now and then both here on TrainBoard Swap Meet and on eBay.
We are just over half-way through the funding cycle and we have approximately 75% of the funding target to go. For those who are interested in an N scale AD60 but have not pledged, we would appreciate some feedback at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1560185090/n-scale-nswgr-ad60-garratt-locomotive to get a better understanding of why the project isn't for you; cost, timeframe, something else? It may help future crowd funding attempts succeed if this one fails.
Only two weeks to go to fund this amazing project! Project funding finishes on 30th June 2014. At the time of writing, the project is only 33% funded - that means that worldwide, there is only interest for 62 models of this iconic locomotive used in Australia and South Africa. Now is the time to decide to pledge to have your very own RTR 4-8-4+4-8-4 on your layout. Don't let this opportunity pass you by! Remember, if the project doesn't meet its funding goal, then the RTR AD60 won't be made.
4 days to go and now 71% funded - so another 45 pledges...or a couple of big ones...and the RTR AD60 will be a reality This is your chance to own a spectacular and unique locomotive - would look great as a visitor on almost any layout and would certainly become a talking point!
Project funding closes at 1400 (Eastern Australian Standard Time) on 30 June - we are $30K short of making the project a reality. If you know of *anyone* who can pledge, NOW is the time to ask them!
Well, the project completion date has come and gone! Unfortunately, although there were almost 90 backers, the funding target wasn't reached, so there will be no RTR AD60 produced. No funds have been debited from anyone's card and we now know that, although almost 5,000 people viewed the messages on the fora to which they were posted, and just over 1,000 visited the project page, watched the video and, presumably, read the project details, only 89 felt inclined to back the project. Which seems to suggest that the AD60 is a very small niche, loved by many but not likely to be produced as a RTR model in the foreseeable future, because there is no financially-viable demand for it Thanks to all who provided comments, suggestions and, most of all, backed the project
Hi all! I've had an interest in modeling Russian railways in the Soviet era, but never really looked into doing anything. I just won a Piko coach on eBay which is of Russian prototype, and I am on the hunt for a few more, but there is the problem of finding a suitable locomotive. Is there anything out there, preferably diesel, that is of Russian prototype that would be correct to use with the particular coach that I just won? Thanks! -Cody F.
Russian N scale Yes, there is at least one. The Minitrix DR (East German Railway) Class 120 can be made into a Russian version pretty easily. This is catalog number 12358, and there have been a couple of other versions with related catalog numbers in other paint schemes also available. You would need only to remove the buffers and repaint the body - and maybe a couple of other detail changes - to make it Russian. And it runs excellently and is DCC ready. There are plenty of websites with good reference photos of Russian equipment. Look for model M62 locomotives. You'll find several different paint schemes from which to choose. Try Eurolok shop or Reynauld's in the USA or any of several German online shops as sources. Going W-A-A-Y back to World War II, you can use an Alco RS-1. which the USA supplied to Russia. Simple repaint - and Micro-trains couplers look surprisingly very much like the Russian SA-3 coupler! And you can upgrade those awful wheels on the Piko coaches by getting some of the new Graham Farish by Bachmann British goods wagon wheel sets that have lower flanges and are metal. The axle length is the same as the Piko ones, so it's an easy pop-out-the-old, pop-in-the-new proposition. They will improve the running 100%. You can order these from online shops in the UK such as Peter's Spares or Hatton's. There are also the new Chinese coaches from CMR Line which are passable for Russian - if you get the green painted version. They are sold in 4-car sets, have amazing detail and are equipped with close coupling and LED lighting from the factory. By the way, this company is the manufacturer of the Rapido (Canada) models, so the quality is top notch. You can order these through Rapido. Tell Jason Shron I sent you! Also, check out the CMR Line website where you can order direct, or follow other search results for shops like EZ Transcom or Lee Kwon in Hong Kong where you can order them somewhat cheaper. As for other Russian models, Red Star Models, owned by Chris White in Maryland, has offered N scale Russian freight cars on and off over the years. Check their website for current status. Paul Ingraham, Coordinator, AsiaNRail
