I think it makes sense to get as much out of it as possible. Just a question how many versions an individual wants. I have two now, but that's two more than I had originally intended. Ordered quite a few tracks already as well.
The biggest thing for me have been the new connections. I have gone to see several layouts, and I've talked to NG enthusiasts from around the world. I think our PNW-On30 group is on the verge of getting some new members. I know that this only really is a benefit to me and the other attendees, but I think it deserves a mention. The newer Bachmann On30 2-4-4-2 locomotives are here. I looked over the PBL Sn3 offerings and Blackstone's HOn3 table but didn't see anything promoted as new, but then again I am not well schooled in the offerings they already have out there so maybe there was something new. I got to try out a Rich Yoder Models On30 SP narrow gauge GE 50-tonner. That was cool. I am a few too any Franklins shy of coming home with one. Carstens has a brand new scenery bookby Paul Scoles. He was here tonight signing, and said he's got new techniques and info in the new book. I have a copy and my initial flip-through seems to have confirmed this.
They say that hope dies last. But mine is fading fast. Could it be that the brass fellows had complained too much about the collapse of their prices? ;-)
I've heard that PSC, despite heavy promotion, is having a tough time getting reservations for their HOn3 passenger cars.
Photos are being taken. I have no way to upload them until I get back. Next conventions... 2013 Pasadena, California 2014 Kansas City 2015 Houston, Texas 2016 Augusta, Maine Proposals were made for Durango, CO, and Hickory, NC in 2017. We voted to table the decision until 2013. Adam
Most likely because people have gotten wise to PSC's MO of announcing all kinds of wonderful things, and following through with none or very few of them. They are the "vapor-ware kings" of model railroading! Bill in FtL
I wonder in whose assessment the recent state of the economy is anything but a terrible recession? Maybe the guys on Wall street, since they seem to still be doing all right, in spite of their hand in starting the whole mess, and the top 10% who have made gains while everyone else has seen decline in their personal wealth. I am as guilty as everyone else of wanting to see new items announced, but the way so many on this list (and other lists as well) are whining about a lack of new announcements makes us sound like little children wanting more toys. To all the whiners I would say "Suck it up, and get back to what model railroading is supposed to be, and that is making models of trains and layouts, not just buying ready-made toys!" If you want something new, why not just build something yourself, whether it be straight from a kit, kitbashed, or (dare I say it?) scratchbuilt? Come on guys, get out to the workshop and get busy on that special project, or get to work on your layout, then take some pictures and post them here so we can all be envious of your progress! Bill in FtL
I have to say that the layouts I went to see were superb. Paul Scoles layout (yes, that Paul Scoles) shows I guess what can happen if you don't watch a lot of TV and don't wait for manufacturer X to release whatever. The Voss' layout was also excellent. I really enjoyed Jim Younkins' (non-narrow gauge alert!) N scale Mud Bay & Southern, and found in Jim and his co-conspirators (many from Mt. Rainier N Scalers, I think) a group of very experienced and accomplished modelers ready to share their knowledge even with someone as no-name as myself. I hear you on wishing for more releases. Economic realities these last bunch of years have caused me to bypass a lot of things I would have liked to have purchased and instead work on my modeling skills and try to make something cool. I have photos ready to download when I get a chance. It may be tomorrow.
Adam- We will be waiting with open arms for your photos. You got to see one layout that I have been wanting to see for years. The Mud Bay & Southern. Jim does fantastic work. Ryan
I for one have no interest in a K-anything. I'd love to see a C-16, C-17, C-18, C-21, T-12, T-19...really almost anything else. Nothing personal - the K-28's in particular are beautiful machines, but as a TOC shortline modeler, anything bigger than a large consolidation is of no use to me. And while it would have been exciting for Blackstone to make a new major announcement, I'm kind of grateful that they only announce a project when it's pretty well set in stone, and it's not fair to expect a new one every year. Really, the amount of of new life they've brought to HOn3 over the past few years is incredible, and it's a good sign for everyone in this scale/gauge combination that there's demand enough to warrant more runs of C-19's and K-27's. I'm sure the K-36 is likely the next project (unfortunately for me)...maybe sometime next year?
All righty - You've asked and I am now uploading. Keep in mind that I was really busy being part of the convention so I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted to get, and that for some reason my silly little camera likes to mess with the light cast and make things green. Oh, how I wish for a simple, durable digital camera with simple manual setting a la a late 60s/early 70s SLR. These digital things try to do too much, and the manuals are not complete and are not written for photographers anyway so there's nothing there to tell you how to get rid of a green cast to your photos. If this were film I'd know exactly what to do, but I digress. Go to my RailImages and search for tags like "NNGC" and you will find them there. I know some are sideways. I'll be fixing and re-uploading those as I find them. Adam
This should take us directly to those albums: http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/8060
I can't find my directory to remember who had the Moclips layout. I think it was Moclips and Bear Creek, but I could be wrong. It was in Edmonds or Shoreline. I get a little lost in that area. Voss layout was Didrik and Mary Kay Voss.
