Afternoon everyone, I'm finally getting back here after spending a lot of time on other things during the spring and summer. My wife and I returned a few weeks ago from a railroad excursion tour in eastern Europe in parts of Germany, Hungary and Austria. It involved a number of trips on rail lines dating back to the late 1800s and was nearly all steam powered with a few trips to other cities on modern rail. We climbed a few mountains on cog rail systems both steam and electric powered. In addition to some incredible steam restorations that were in operation I also photographed a number of things done differently over there. Nothing complex but simple things such as inverted A frame power poles. I suspect there will be a few technically incorrect additions to my US based railroads. Naturally being a classic nerd my Dad and I found at least one hobby shop in each city and a few things just sort of found their way into my luggage. I had been looking for two things in particular. One was a Fleischman 2-10-0 like the one I bought there in 1974 and still have. With a price tag of over $500 though, I decided to go with a very nice Trix 2-6-0. Nearly everyone on this trip was a railroad modeler or married to one and I got quite a few comments on how good Trix is though I had never heard of them before. The other thing I have been looking for but unable to find at all in the states was a cantenary locomotive. I keep forgetting the correct term for it but have not found any in this country, new, used, scrapped or otherwise. It's a common source of power in the northeast but no HO versions anywhere I can find. On this trip though there were several in every shop we checked, dozens of different models. I bought a Piko and the photo should be attached. I also found a little 0-6-0 switcher that I couldn't leave behind. It was a demo and had no box but it ran so well that I had to have it . A Fleischman I think. We also got a tour of the Marklin factory that was fascinating. Some amazing high tech manufacturing and workers who were going to get it right or not at all. It is the second largest employer in town. My regret was that they no longer have a factory store. There is a superb outdoor G scale layout in front of the building. Anyway here are some photos of what I brought home. Rick H.
Pantograph!!! Why can't I remember that? Thanks. Yeah it looks like a nice one, haven't run it yet but I have high hopes for it. Rick H.
If you are interested in the Northeast Corridor, Bachmann makes models of the HHP-8, the E60, and they are doing a new run of the Acela soon too. Atlas has the older AEM-7 and the Bombardier stock for NJ transit.
Yeah, was this trip through Reynauld's Euro Imports? I know they had one over the summer, but since you mentioned Hungary, I am wondering if you went. They went to the Marklin factory, which reminded me of it, but they didn't go to the other countries you mentioned.
