The last post kind of brings up the age old question - just how ready to run are ready to run locos? Seems like we have always had to do something to most cars and locos, such as add weight, details, or decoders decal additional road numbers, weathering, etc. Now, I also know most of us prefer to spend out time doing something else - building a layout, complaining on the internet, etc. - but it does seem that the "tweak" (or model, if you prefer) to satisfaction element gets forgotten. Obviously, hood width and ride height are pretty drastic to change, but as mentioned above, for those pickers of nit, isn't some sort of modifications to almost any rolling stock part of the hobby? And, maybe even a fun part, being the only one with a particular level of road specific detail on a diesel? (yeah, I know detail parts are getting harder to come by.....)
George, this is a forum which is a place intended for discussion, a supermarket is not. As for your other point, please remember that you have contributed to the "page count" as well.
I have a hard time believing after 13 pages of post not 1 photo of the SW1500 from MTL. I personally have not seen one & am waiting for the SP version. Thanks Joe & MTL for great products.
Actually there is a post to a picture in the form of a link. You will have to go back to the first couple of pages to find it. Looks nice. But, I'm not going back to find it for you. It's there, you'll find it. By the way welcome to Train Board. Looks like train time at the old train station. There is a group of guys from a fallen train website who finally showed up here. A big shout out to say welcome to TrainBoard. I've called this home for years. So, welcome... from this desert rat. Good to have you on board. Judging from the discussion we may well reach those, what? 27 pages? I recently set at a table at CJ's while a train discussion ensued. A newbie to the group who is playing with the original Lionel three track stuff. Started a profundo about it's the only way to play with trains and all this other stuff is phooey. Excuse me but was that a put down to the rest of us? He was being introduced to a mixed group of very proud model railroaders. Needless to say he hasn't been invited back. Why? Because of his negative attitude toward the other modelers in the group...that's why? Just so you get some background about this group... I'm referred to as the "Rivet Counter" the prototyper. Not really but I'm closer to being one of those types, then perhaps other's in the group, with one exception. One of the members has a freelanced layout but his train equipment is as prototype and detailed as any I've seen. He participates here with me on TrainBoard. To protect the innocent...well...you all know him as Josta. In the group there are three Garden Railway Enthusiast, four HO pursuants AND one N scaler...me. We used to have two OOO or three track railist and one S scaler. The O&S Rail Link, is dust on the floor. More then likely a pile in a dumpster somewhere. Doug P. and myself built that layout for Ivan C. Sad to see, and I got to see the remnants it's all dust on the floor. Harrumph! The point here or the one I want to make is, we all get along reasonably well. That is until one, thinks the world revolves around him and wants to be the entertainer the center of attention with everyone's focus on him. Oop's did I mention dissent in the ranks. For the most part, we enjoy visiting each other's layouts. impromptu work sessions, troubleshooting and operations nights. Most of us don't look down our noses at the others type of modelers. Oh, we rag on each other with the usual bantering. You guys wouldn't know anything about bantering...would you? Enjoying the various takes, expressions and in general support each other. A round robin group that get's together to trouble shoot, out right build... and/or whatever is needed to run trains and when we are past the construction stage, we operate the railroads. Loads of fun. It's ok to participate and express your model railroading anyway you want to. Go for it.
I agree a picture of the 'finished' product would speak volumes. BUT...everyone has to remember...Joe has stated time and again that this SW1500 was built as a 'trainset' locomotive. It is gonna be a 'close enough is good enough' locomotive. Those who can accept that will buy it. Those who cant...wont. Runners will run it. Modelers will 'fix' it as best as they can. Just because a manufacturer makes a 'close enough is good enough' locomotive....doesnt make it a life or death thing.
It could be like on some other forums, where they just to it to add to the post count. Kind of the someone ask a question, you have no idea the answer, so you give the answer, "I dunno but hopefully someone who does comes along soon." Never understood that answer...if you have no idea, you don't have to type a reply to every thread you visit.
Someone needs to do the their home work. There is a picture, not posted here, not official (that's true) a link to a picture and in case you missed it the first time it's in a post on either the first or second page of this discussion. Here's a clue, "E-pay", OP's post. Go back and find it. And quit grumbling about there not being a picture. What? No I'm not going back to find it for you. Sheeez! Besides, I have some railfanning I want to do on my own train layout.
Joe, personally I don't have a dog in this hunt and am not particularly interested in this model. But I am curious, you mention "compromises" and then "mistakes" in your remarks. Could you elaborate on this case in particular? - Was the truck choice and body issue simply an oversight? Did someone not do their research? - You mention 'box you had to work with'. Were these choices based on production costs & restrictions? Or perhaps pressure to produce something quickly for the corporate folks required less lead time to dot the "i"s and cross all of the "t"s? - Would making a 100% accurate model have required far too much retooling to make this endeavor profitable? In other words, did you go with truck molds you already had rather than create new ones? Personally, if it was a choice between getting a marginally accurate product out the door or not producing it at all, I'm for making it and offering it for sale. Better we have nearly perfect than nothing at all I say and let the buyer decide if the details are far to egregious to live with. Frankly, as you get down to the N & Z scales do these minute details really matter unless you have an obsessive compulsive personality? Otherwise, all we are really after is impressing family & friends who wouldn't know the difference anyways. If such details prevent you from enjoying this hobby then maybe we need to move on to something more agreeable with our personality. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Rick my friend... One of us needs to cut back on our old f*rt meds !!! I went back to page 1 thru 13. Didnt see a picture of the model. Lots of pics and links to the 1:1 and some 'drawings' of the model....but NO actual pics of the model that someone bought ;-)
I ordered two of the NS SW1500's. Even though MTL has released 4 different AD&N cars in three different schemes, I am pretty sure that they are not going to release ADN150/1509 as any of their SW1500 schemes. (Same loco, different number and paint scheme.) I have the original painting and styling sheet from EMD for ADN 150 if you want a copy of it, Joe. The trucks and the handrails are correct for my prototype which was bought new by the AD&N in 1970. I have no problem with the use of the LL mechanism either because I have several of them as the AD&N had 2 SW9's, an SW1200, and an SW900. I have put a Z2 decoder into an SW9 and used a small LED with magnet wire for the the back headlight. The headlight is not that hard. I have to paint and decal every locomotive for my prototype anyway. I have to build a lot of them, too. I am just glad that MTL came out with this model. It's gonna be "close enough" for me.
Photo of item "as sold" in this completed listing... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-Train...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Not a very clear pic and its in the jewel case. If someone wants to buy me one...I'll take all the pictures ya want and post em here ....
George, George, George, LOL you funny guy. What? Did I say there was a picture? No! I said there was a LINK to a picture. Go back to the OP's First entry and try, try again. Here's a clue E-pay. You'll find it. Oh darn someone stole all the fun.,,they found it. Credit goes to the other George. You guys are alright! Now about my flatulations...they're all fresh but it smells like something climbed up in there and died. Yikes! Must the the dead cow coming through. I love those Mexican Barbecue's Yummmmmm. COL If someone would paint Santa Fe Zebra Stripes on it...I'd buy it.
Sounds like the perfect "special run" item for the 2015 National N Scale Convention in Sacramento. Send your suggestion now to both the N Scale Enthusiast and Micro-Trains and maybe we'll see it available next summer.
Grumpy Old Men If you haven't seen the movie Grumpy Old Men, it's a must see. Funny as all get out. In my library I have copies of Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men. By the way they both get the girl but not without a bunch of dead fish thrown in for good luck, a cat and dog fight and seat covers getting torn up. You might want to watch, Out To Sea...too funny. Not to be alarmed George and I are good friends and I think some of my train equipment still operates on his railroad. Wouldn't bet on it. Count me in for two each, on the special run.
You haven't heard that expression before? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=355723 For the record, my thought was that it originated in the Catskills. I've never seen Shrek. /yes, this is WAY off topic
