Any predictions on any new announcements at the NMRA convention in St. Louis? There was a late flury of announcements by Lifelike, Atlas and Kato in June. SWill they announce more at the convention? Also there were some rumors of a mid-summer surprise from Kato.
For new N items the four "traditional" places to announce/display new releases have been the Nuremburg Toy Fair in Germany each spring; the N Scale Collector Convention (wrapped up June 30 in Lancaster PA); the NMRA Convention (coming up this weekend in St Louis MO); and the Chicago National Hobby Show (normally in October but this year in early September) in Rosemont IL. With virtually all the major manufactuers having an internet presence, they have been breaking with tradition lately and using the WWW more and more to announce new products throughout the year. Hard to predict what will be announced in St. Louis -- 2001 has certainly been a banner year for N scale. eNjoy Don B
The mid-summer surprise from Kato is automatic knuckle couplers. I would expect a C44AC from Kato as well as a continuation of the SD40-2 line including tunnel motors. I would expect a B40-8 and the SD70 series from Atlas in the near future.
Scott? how educated are your guesses here? Do you know someone on the inside or is it just wishful thinking? Bryan
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by bmalonef45: Scott? how educated are your guesses here? Do you know someone on the inside or is it just wishful thinking? Bryan<hr></blockquote> Don't know. Can't say. Never can tell.
Scott I have been doing some snooping myself and a little bird told me that KATO doesn't plan to do a new release 6 Axle loco for a while, My source said the following! "We have no immediate plans for more modern power....we have been hitting the more recent end of the scale pretty hard lately and need to do something older and with less than six axles." But only time will tell. Mick
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by MRL Mick: "We have no immediate plans for more modern power....we have been hitting the more recent end of the scale pretty hard lately and need to do something older and with less than six axles." Originally posted by Inkaneer: Some have speculated it might be a new steamer like a Pacific or a re-release of the Mikado.<hr></blockquote> Except that both of those have six axles (more if you count the tenders). Sorry, couldn't resist. Dwight
Atlas announced code 55 track sections, flex track, #5 and #7 turnouts. Only #5 available right away. #7 later. Had some on display and they looked very very nice. Daryl
Hey, At the Kato both today in St. Louis, it was hinted at that Unitrak flextrak and a Wye turnout are in the pipeline as well. They would not be any more specific. They also had the nose/cab of the AMD103/Genesis on display and techinical drawings of the Genesis and the Superliners. They said the Amtrak stuff would be released around January. Ski
