Are there any decent N-scale SP&S diesel engines that anyone knows of? I'm not asking for brass, though. Nor am I asking for custom made products. Atlas and Bowser have some HO models either produced in the past or forthcoming, but I'm not aware of any in N scale. Aside from having been a "regional" railroad only, I presume it's the paucity of Alco models that has precluded manufacturers from producing any? Micro-Trains has had some cars and a caboose labelled for SP&S. But given the company's careless attitude about exact prototypes, I don't know how accurate these were.
Atlas has done the RS-1 and RS-3. Life Like has done the C424 (wrong phase) and the FA2 (not very well done). IM has done an F7 IIRC.
Atlas (and Lowell Smith) have done the eide vision caboose. The first two runs were Atlas Cabeese painted and printed by Lowell's contractor, and the third run was done by Atlas. These are pretty close to the proto, and sides and details are available for those that want more accuracy. Atlas is preparing to release a cupola caboose in 2014, but it is nowhere near accurate. The MT wood caboose is close, but still not quite there. Boxcars and such have been done by IM, MT, and Atlas (probably others as well). Atlas did some ballast cars. MT did a couple of tank cars IIRC. I remember seeing some woodchip cars, but can't remember who did them.
Not current, but you can get an idea... http://spshs.org/res/N SCALE SP&S CARS.pdf http://spshs.org/res/N SCALE SP&S locomotives.pdf John Moore may be able to add more, as I understand he was involved with the listings.
As far as I know, Lowell smith does as close to proto as possible when they release stuff. What I do know is that the recently run CCS cars in the SP&S roadname are based off of CNW cars and one is incorrectly numbered. 305 should be 301 because the real 305 was not a coach. MTL has done Boxcars, a flat car, a tank car, and woodchip gons(so has Deluxe innovations). IM is running some SP&S boxcars, atlas is releasing 2 SP&S cabeese, they did some SP&S cars 50' boxes(I have two) and a set of 70 ton Hart ballast hoppers( I own six of these). I'm dying for some more Century's in N, the rest are available and with decals can be reproduced in a good 'nuff format. which is what I'm doing, it would be nice if Microscale would run some more decals though. http://lowellsmith.net/
Were the DI wood chip gondolas the modern 100 ton style? DeLuxe Innovations also did some box cars a few years back. A single and a two pack? (Total of three different reporting numbers?) IM did the old wood chip gondolas. Not sure if those are correct, as that body style was also used for their NP, MILW, and many others. I have a couple of the SP&S, maybe there are photos in the color guide useful for comparison. It definitely was incorrect for MILW.
I can post photos of the SP&S stuff I do own if it'll help at all Swissboy, I should warn you beforehand though my other C424 isn't here yet.
Lowell Smith has done the most SP&S stuff, although technically he only commisions others to do the units. He has released coaches in several paint schemes, a diner, an RPO, a business car, and the two end cars, the MT Hood and MT ST Helens as well as 2 baggage cars. He did a Tichy wreck train for SP&S and one caboose. He has had Atlas produce an RS1 in Tigerstripe paint (2 numbers) and and RS3 in broadstripe (3 numbers and un-numbered) and has a new RS3 coming soon in Tigerstripe (2 numbers and un-numbered). He had Intermountain do an F7 and BLI do an E7 in 2 paint schemes. None of his units have been released by the companies that made them although Atlas sold some shells thru their store that must have been surplus. Atlas has done an RS1 prior to the LS stuff in the original black scheme and has done a few boxcars. They have 2 cabeese coming out. They also did 6 ballast hoppers. Intermountain ( including Centralia) has done 4 coaches in pinstripe paint, numerous 12 panel boxcars and 6 woodchip Gons. Microtrains has done 2 cabeese, several boxcars, 2 woodchip Gons, 2 flatcars, 1 tankcar (BLW did a separate 4 piece set). LifeLike did 2 sets of FA/FB2s and 2 C424s DI did some boxcars as well As far as correctness, it ranges from very good to "not even close". Lowell Smith has a disclaimer on his website that states "if you are a rivet counter, look elsewhere". My approach is if it says SP&S I buy it........if it isn't correct, I'll use it till something correct (or at least MORE correct) comes along. Most SP&S locos are difficult to come by...Unless you watch ebay, they are all sold out from dealers shelves. The run of Lowell Smith RS3's are the only game in town right now for new.
Would love very much to see some photos. So please do post them if you find time. Great replies, everyone. Thank you so much. It'll take me a while to go look it all up. I had not even known of Lowell Smith! But then, I'm a little far from the action here in Switzerland. Edit: Is all the Lowell Smith page N scale? At least, I have yet to find some scale info on their SP&S page.
Hate to interrupt, but I just gotta' say I am AMAZED at the SP&S people here on TB. Such a diverse group from so many different places, all into a relatively small road !!! I will probably never have any SP&S stuff (just wouldn't fit, ya' know ???), but I always read the posts. Wish I could find 1/2 as many people and 1/2 as many manufacturers that are interested in "my" regional, the EJ&E !!! Keep posting, and I'll keep reading. OK, now back to your regularly scheduled SP&S program !!!
Perhaps it is due to association with the so-called "Hill Lines." In it's day, the SP&S would have been considered a Class 1 company. (Before the government changed how they calculate such data.) With it's subsidiary companies and branches, operating across two states, it was nearing 1000 miles of track. Quite significantly larger than the EJ&E. Their Portland-Spokane main line was 380 miles alone. The OT main line was another 150+ miles. The OE main 140+ miles. All in all, much larger than many "regionals" of today.
I see !!! It was much larger than I realized !!! And somehow I knew it had somethin' to do with those Alcos !!! THANKS !!!
