You have to think though, banks around my area haven't been as relentless at foreclosure because they don't ever get their money back. The banks in Chicago are figuring out "We need to seriously work with people if we ever want to see our money. Foreclosing puts _US_ deeper in the hole." Banks across the country need to figure this out aswell. They want to stay afloat, well killing your loans doesn't help one bit. Governer Pat Quinn of IL just passed new regulations that allows the State Of Illinois to Disrupt Foreclosures for an undisclosed amount of time, allowing the State to work with home owners to stay afloat. Bolingbrook's Mayor, who has fought hard to make Bolingbrook a Nice place to live, is also fighting Will County to help people in his town. I hope IL becomes a model for other states to see that the State can intervene and should intervene. Only then will the economies for all come back on track. Charlse Ro made the right choice. I'm sad to see the new cabooses won't be out on time, but I hope he takes time to further do research on it's prototype since he's got the chance. And hopefully this summer I can add to this section when I get my custom run PCC's. I would also like to add, AristoCraft's Train Engineer Revolution System will now be launching June 2009! This system is unlike any DCC Control ever. More easier to use, advance tracking of your engines, and control up to 999 Trains! And since no one can actually do that, technically speaking that makes it infinite ! (watch someone actually run 999 locomotives just to prove Aristo Wrong now~ Hey if they do that, Can you say Guiness Book Of World Records? I knew you could!) Sorry to sound like spokesperson. I don't want to tell you to get it or don't. Having analog Aristocraft Units that can now be controlled like DCC with the Train Engineer system makes me all excited ^^
Special run flat cars, but certainly not limited There is a vendor on ebay who is selling what they claim to be special run modern flat cars by USA Trains. I've seen these so called special run flat cars at the ECLS Train show and let me tell you Charles Ro was swimming in them, so they may be special, but they certainly are not limited. The one claim the vendor made which I agree with is that the Rio Grande name in this special run flat car is rare, I didn't see any at the show in Rio Grande, so this may be a valid statement. I did see Charles Ro take these special run flat cars and put loads on them such as bulldozers, backhoes, traucks, trailers, tractor trailers, etc and then rebox them. The road names that got flooded with these special run flat cars are Union Pacific, Santa Fe, and TTX. I can't tell you the vendor name on ebay who has these due to train board rules, but I can give you a hint, thier store is in California and they had a plane section along with a train section, they also sell roll EZ metal wheels. Enough said, you should know who they are now. So watch out when someone uses terminology as "special" "special run" "one of a kind" these are all just marketing avenues to try and get you to buy something. Do a little investgation before buying something worded as such and paying a premium price for it. These so call special run flat cars this vendor has are not worth $49 for a 2 pack to me, especially when they were selling for $18 individually without boxes or $49 single with a load and reboxed by Charles Ro
Buzz words It is always good to throw in some caution and do some research when "Buzz words" like limited,Rare,OOP come into play.They could very well be telling the truth but 9 times out of 10 their stretching the truth. I would think that most people in the hobby know these tricks but I have known a few that have had more money than brains and wound up with a bunch of stuff that are a dime a dozen.Hey look at it this way our banking community and govternment sold 10's of thousand of people aload of crap and that lasted for only a limited time it is now Rare that they will ever get away with it again.
USA Trains considers idea of producing a EMD SD-9 I again wrote to Charles Ro of USA Trains, using what influence I could after meeting him in person and now he knows me a little. I really want to see a EMD SD-9 locomotive get produced and think USA TRain would do a better job, especially when they won a award for the GP-9. Here is what I wrote and USA Trains response. >>>>>>>>>>>> Thank you for your comments. We will consider it for future products. USA TRAINS P.O. Box 100 Malden, MA 02148 781-322-6084 From: *********** Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 8:06 PM To: info@usatrains.com; info@usatrains.com Subject: re: would like to see a EMD SD-9 locomotive made Hi, I just thought I would relay a thought of mine. I would like to see USA Trains come out with a SD-9 locomotive with those powerful SD-70MAC power trucks, that would be a awesome locomotive for sure. Rio Grande used SD-9 locomotives heavily for coal mines and pulling long coal trains. Aristocraft announed coming out with a SD-9 locomotive 2 years ago, but I think you should beat them to the punch, plus your power trucks are better than theres. ********
Reviewed: Aristocraft Mallet My Aristocraft 2-8-8-2 Mallet arrived and finally I got a steam engine to run train #6 again. Let me tell you, Aristocraft packed this locomotive very well. First I had to open the main or 1st box. Then there were more seperate brown boxes, so I open the bigger one of course and yet got to another box which was the Artisocraft yellow box. The tender was also packed in it's own seperate box. After unpacking everything, of course I put it on the track by itself starting with the tender first. I couldn't believe how free rolling the tender was, yet it did not have ball bearing wheels, it must be the way they machined the wheels to make it so free rolling, truthlly it rolled better than my USA 50ft reefer cars I eqiupped with roll ez metal ball bearing wheels. The locomotive is massive in size. it might not be a big boy, but with tender this thing measures 49 inches long. I really liked the extra attention focused on a string attached to the bell, thats really nice. I tuned the power on and like all new models it took off a little jerky, but smoothed out as more power was applied. I really like the lighted classification lights and front laterns, that was a nice touch. Also the rearf light on the tender really works in reverse which the Mikado did not have this feature. The Mallet did very well going through my 8ft curves on the layout. I even put it to the test and put it on track #3 which has a S turn in it with only a .5ft (half) straight piece in between the S, it went through the S curve without a problem. The only thing I would like to have seen is a more detailed cab interior with a lighted firebox. I bbought the Rio Grande road name which shows to have a grey boiler in the catalog, but it came black. I knew this however before hand that there was a mistake in the Aristocraft catalog as to the color release by making previous research, there were many G scale people who did complain of the same thing, to me it doesn't matter, especially since I don't think any Rio Grande steam locomotives had grey boilers anyway. There was a special edition Rio Grande mallet made with a green boiler, but that was already sold out. All in all I'm happy so far with the performance, it runs nuce and smooth. I also think that Aristocraft did a much better job on the Mallet over the Mikado model wise.
EMD trainman, That is one beautiful steamer!!!! I'm glad they packed it well and she arrived unscathed. It looks awesome!!!
I've always been Pro Diesel, not a fan of steam at all, and take this as a high compliment coming from a Diesel person.... That is a really kick butt steam locomotive! Now I want one~ Repaint her for CB&Q For sure~ Or Frisco 1630~ I hope that the steam locmotive holds up with aristo's new drive gear system. -Secretly a Fan of CB&Q 3006/3007 & Frisco 1630-
Route 66, thank you very much, I'm very happy with this one so far. DragonFyreGT, I was also mainly a diesel locommotive fan, but my fascination with multplex, articulated and multiple drive set steam locomotives really does make me like these type of steam engines, such as the MTH Challenger for example. This steam engine will handle 8ft curves including S curves with just a half straight in between which is impressive for it's size. Thanks for the compliment. I plan on a video for it's inaugural run this weekend with it's string of woodside freight cars. I decided only woodside freight cars for this train to make it unique.
EMD Trainman: How does your Mallet run? I purchased one back in June, it arrived with the front truck virtually inoperative. It would turn very slowly, or not at all, and the back truck basically pushed the front one around. I shipped it back to Aristocraft and they sent me a replacement locomotive. Same problem, only a little better this time. I shipped it back a third time to have it repaired, and it arrived with the same problem, only this time, I found several handrails were bent and several detail parts were damaged or broken off. In disgust, I shipped it back to the retailer who, after many phone calls, finally refunded my money and took three months to mail me a check for it. I'm just trying to find out if I had bad luck, or maybe I was being too picky?
TraditionalCatholic, I hope for my sake it was bad luck. I had major problems with a Aristocraft Mikado and a Aristocraft SD-45, both were first production runs and have not run a Aristocraft diesel since. The Mallet I have is a near end run Mallet so hopefully by then all of the bugs were worked out. The funny part is the Aristocraft 2-8-0 Consolidation with the old stlye motor block is the one Aristocraft I had best luck with and is still running after 5 years.
Track Cleaner cars, what do you think? We have seen very few of any type of track cleaning cars in the G scale world. I'm getting to the point where I just can't be hand cleaning my track, I'm getting too old for that. So if you look at whats out there, you have the LGB self propelled track maintenance machine, but I think it's made for just keeping debris off of the track. A vendor in California sells a product called brite block which you attach to a existing car such as a Aristocraft bobber caboose. Aristocraft has their own track maintenance caboose, but I think uses a stone. There was one company called Centerline Products that had a new design G scale track maintenance car. I seen them in person at the ECLS train show this spring. What I thought made them different was the fact it uses a brush and it is non abrasive towards the track. The brush is also easy to replace and you can also wet the brush with Goo Gone and still not hurt the brush. Model Railroad Craftsmen gave this new car a good review, but is it worth the $233.00 price tag? Here is the link for Centerline, let me know what you think >>>> www.centerline-products.com/rail_wheel.htm
my Friend Kris and I use a combination of track cleaners on our tracks. First we have that track scrubbing car that is purchased from R&L Lines (Manufacturer). Then we use a combination of 3 20' cars with aristo's track cleaning pad and on her search light car, she has a pair of track cleaning abraisive wheels under the center of the car. That combination for the both of us works. LGB's Track cleaning vehicle isn't as good as people say it is. It freezes up every so often. And as for this company you've found, I haven't heard of them, but I will say this, if their product keeps your tracks clean for a few months at a time, it's actually worth the price. But just remember, smoke fluid can be placed on track cleaning pads and it'll clean your track just as good. I perfer LGB Smoke Fluid for this.
CMX Products I have used the centerline on my N scale layout,I'm not satisfied with it so I would not even consider it for my G scale. If I were to spend 200 shamolies on a track cleaning out-fit I would check out CMX products track cleaner you can even load it up with lacquer thinner just venilate the room while using.It doesn't blend in like your railroad equipment but neither does the centerline but this will work better. I know your a mechanic and understand using the right tool for the job.It may cost a few extra dollars for a tool that saves time which in turn makes you money.I know this is just a hobby but a tool of this nature saves time and enhances enjoyment of the hobby and after initail results of clean track just running a train without manual labor.The results will take the sting out of the cost. Here are some links: CMX G Picture Tour! User Reviews Cleaning Cars. Chemist Reviews CMX Clean Machine
Thank you Route 66 for your input, much appreciated to hear from someone who actually used the centerline product
I'm a month late on this, but courtesy of Garden Railways Magazine - Outdoor Large Scale Trains, G Scale Garden Trains, Forums , I bring you news for April: Bridges & structures K's G Scale Buildings, 2504 Hwy 160, Cortez CO 81321, has commercial, chain-link fence with concertina wire across the top, plus working gates, in large scale. Write for pricing.The company also has corrugated-metal roofing/siding, 1" to 10" wide x 1" to 20" long. Price: 9ยข/square inch. Ridge caps and corner trim are also available. E-mail: tomandgeri@hughes.net Miscellaneous Train-li USA, 3 Kensington Way, Upton MA 01568, offers the LaserTrain system, a decoupling system. TrainLi is introducing the first "Point&Click" technology that allows to decouple any car (must be equipped with LaserTrain) anywhere on the layout, regardless whether the layout is DC or DCC (and a little bit more restricted - also battery). The LaserTrain starter kit comes with an electronic receiver board, two control units to be truck mountable, two servos, two decoupler mechanics, all mounting screws/brackets, one rechargeable battery and the laser pen with three functions: 1. Visible laser for indentifying the right target direction, 2. Engaging the front decoupler, and 3. Engaging the rear decoupler. LaserTrain for Hook & Loop couplers is available immediately and will be soon followed by LaserTrain for knuckle couplers.
EMD, I came upon a company Aztec Manufacturing, Aztec Mfg - Model Railroad Track Cleaning Cars and Accessories, and they offer a track cleaning car in G scale. I have two of them, one for Z scale and one for HOac. They clean the track fairly well as long as you do it monthly or so. On my Z scale layout, I have an item Gaugemaster electronic track cleaner. It is connected between the transformer and the rails. I run my trains analog and it also keeps the track clean. My Z scake layouts are 24" x 55" and 3' x 14' with a bridge accross the window and another section 3' x 6'. Robert
LGB is back and new arrivals are here Marklin is now shipping out LGB items and new arrivals are already coming in according to one source from a vendor who already has recieved some of these new trains. They have a big banner on thier web site stating LGB is back in buisness and new arrivals are here.
G scale news June 2009 Aristocraft Revolution is now out and Phoenix Sound systems is developing a completely interfaced version of thier sound card that will be a 5 minute install with any Revolution decoder. Only if USA Trains installed such interfaces. In the reviews, the cons were that this system is not compatible with other DCC based control systems. Also the all stop button instantly cuts off voltage to the motor which could cause mechanical damage. Aristocraft 40ft double door box cars, new road names are out, B&O, Norfolk & Western, Southern, Milwaukee Road, Southern Pacific, CB&Q, Western Maryland and Erie USA Trains ahs new road names for the S-4 switcher, Great Northern, Lehigh Valley, Boston & Maine, Milwaukee Road, Maine Central and Central of New Jersey USA Trains GP38-2 has 3 new road names, Bangor & Aroostock, Maine Central and Missouri Pacific Now is stock special run Aristocraft trains : CSX 3 bay hopper in 6 road numbers, Burlington Northern GP-40 in 4 road numbers, Illonios Central 2 bay hopper in 4 raod numbers, Great Northern 2 bay hopper in 4 road numbers, Milwaukee Road 2 bay hopper in 4 raod numbers, Rock Island GP-40 in 4 road numbers Bachman has come out with a long caboose in thier 1:20.3 series, it will have a 8 pin socket for a dcc decoder, operating cupola windows, a removable roof, detailed interior, diecast caboose type trucks, operating leaf springs and metal wheels. Looks like Bachman is stepping it up.. Piko which is distributed y Silvergate here in the US has 2 new European type freight cars coming out. Accucraft is again moving foward and expanding their AML 1:29 scale ratio line up. There will be a 0-4-0Tdockside switcher in B&O in both live steam and electric, a 0-6-0 USRA switcher wqith vanderbuilt tender in many road names and a Pennsylvania RR K-4 Pacific in Live steam. Accucraft AMS has reissued it's Iron Mountain 4 wheel coal car, Jackson and Sharp passenger cars in new paint schemes including Rio Grande bumble bee paint scheme. For those who don't know Accucraft AMS is F scale 1:20.3 narrow gauge. Train Li has announced a new track they come out with that seems cheaper than Aristocraft and USA Trains. This new track is called ProTrack and is made in Germany from your choice of brass or Nickle. 1ft box of 10 = $65, 2ft box of 10 = $130, 4ft box of 10 = $235. They also have R2 and R3 curves and 5ft flex track tube. They have R2 and R3 ProSwicthes at $60 to $70. Custom Model Products has AAR 40ft box cars available in many road names in 1:32 scale ratio, metal wheels and plastic body. Also featuring diecast sprung trucks, metal wheels, operating doors and working knuckle couplers. You can visit hier line up here at >>> www.custommodelproducts.com Eaglewings Iron Craft now making modern prebuilt buildings out of steel. You can visit them here at >>> www.eaglewingsironcraft.com Airwire has announced a new decoder called the Airwire-G2 Motion decoder and is completely compatible with Airwire900 decoders and throttles. Visit here at >>>> www.cvpusa.com for more info A company called Lenz has released a DCC decoder and power storage module for G scale trains. It got great reviews, the DCC decoder is called the Gold Maxi and the storage module is called the Power 3 QSI has released a DCC decoder/reciever motor controller with sound. The down fall is that it requires a Airwire CVP transmitter to make certain functions work. This system is called the Magnum Quantum and was originally intended for Aristocraft Dash 9 diesel engines This is the major news, there is smaller announcements, but I'll do that at a later date.
My friend Dave has a beta test module of the T.E. Revolution system and has it confirmed working with his QSI Analog and Digital Sound Decoders. And a local hobby shop I frequent has working test products of the new Bachmann Thomas and Percy engines. Compared to Lionel they run smoother, they don't jerk like Lionel's used to, and the electrical system doesn't suck as much to power the moving eyes. The hobby shop doesn't know how long until they actually ship, just that they know people at Bachmann and were able to get a sample to test out. Nice to see a huge improvment.
