More GP38-2 details

Hi all, I've taken the plunge and pre-ordered two examples of the SP version, due for delivery end 2012, so it gives me 12 months to save money :-) The only two items that I'm hoping they will change before release is what seems a slightly to high inertial filter hatch , and replace the mentioned micro bulbs with LED's.They'll last a lot longer, will look better, and won't get hot. This is 2012 after all....

More details are known now, here's a run down of the details of the SP version, taken from the website of the shop I have ordered these: www.modeljunction.info.

Key Features

• All-new tooling
• DCC ready using Quick Plug technology
• EMD “notched” stepwells
• Round flush “shotgun” exhaust stacks
• SP light package
• Dual Gyralight operates in both directions using DCC
• SP “L” window
• SP four-hole jacking pads
• Late extended-range dynamic brakes with resistor grid details, and square PAF box
• SP-style tall snowplow
• SP-style walkway toolbox w/ additional tall handrail stanchion
• 88” nose w/ brakewheel
• New Single-Speed 48” “Q”-Fans
• Cab roof A/C unit
• Radio antenna with ground plane and conduit
• Late corrugated radiator intakes
• Front anticlimber, drop step on rear
• Dual “Prime” air filters w/ piping
• Late looped coupler lift bars
• Late ECAFB (welded)
• Brake wheel
• All-new Nathan P-3 horn on bracket w/ “staggered” chimes
• 3600 gallon fuel tank
• Single-end sanding lines
• Lift-off type under-cab access door
• Late battery box door with long louvers
• McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers
• Separately applied wire grab irons
• Etched radiator fan grills
• Window glazing
• Operating headlights utilizing microbulbs

It's a GP38-2!

What I secretly was hoping for and guessed, here's a video of the new Athearn Genesis release, a GP38-2, but the tooling they developed will enable them to manufacture many different geeps (GP40 etc) in the future. This is a great start however! Delivery expected late 2012, prices are not yet announced but going by their earlier GP9, I don't expect them to be cheap... (I'll be starting to put some funds aside starting now..)

eleven thousand one hundred and eleven

Thanks to all who visit this blog, let's see if we can double this! :-)

New Athearn announcement

This Saturday, Athearn will announce an all-new Genesis^® model at the Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield, MA.  If you plan to attend the show, we invite you to join us at 10:00am EST in the Better Living Center – Section 127 for the unveiling.  If you can’t make the show,  check out the Athearn^®Facebook^® page (no need to join Facebook to view) Saturday morning for details including an in-depth video.  Additional information including detailed product pictures along with the regularly scheduled January announcements will be available this Sunday at Athearn.com.  We’ll also be sending a special AthearnNews.

I wonder what this could be, I've been trying to figure out what it is, and all I can make out from this picture is that it appears to be a 4 axle loco, could it be an all new GP38? I hope so :-)

Book review

About a week ago I received my recently ordered book by Lance Mindheim: 'How to operate a modern era switching layout'. Lance is a very talented model railroader and besides owning a layout building company, has written several articles in the model railroading press, and several books.

His layouts have inspired many to build a similar layout, often set in the same area and era, to a similar theme, as the one he currently owns himself.

His books and subjects are all about simplicity, and realism. None of his track plans in previous books have a zillion tracks and switches, nor are they huge in size, but they are well designed and should be fun to operate. But how do you operate something in a realistic manner?

This is precisely what his newest book aims to explain, and it does.

As in previous books, I find it well written, clear and concise, and in an enjoyable manner. If there's one lesson that stands out in this books (and by his own admission), it is to slooooww down, take time for every move, don't run at high speeds, and think about what would happen in the real world.  I would thoroughly recommend it. If there's only one criticism (if you can call it that, and it also goes for his previous books) is that I would prefer the pages on the inside to be of a different quality, perhaps glossy, as opposed to the laser printed look and feel they have now.  You get it at Amazon, among others, and for the UK there's even a bookstore that has imported several copies of it for ordering. The link to all the info is found here , on Lance's own site. 

KADEE

Many probably think about couplers when reading the Kadee name. You'd be right, but they make a lot more, among which freight car trucks. I had ordered a couple of sets to try and use for my woodchip gondola cars.
Well, I am very , very impressed with the quality of those trucks. They're suspended, and extremely smooth rolling, I can't recommend them enough. I've mounted a set under my first woodchip gondola and it runs better than many other cars I have, fantastic! Once again proof that you get what you pay for, as they're not the cheapest trucks out there.
Same of course goes for their couplers, the patent of their coupler has expired for several years now, which meant there's a flood of 'clones' on the market. One positive thing that came out of that is that we've got rid of that horrible hornhook coupler, but there's several pretty bad knuckle couplers out there too now. Again, replace them with Kadee (or Sergent, but they're not compatible with knuckle couplers mostly, but very prototypical). couplers, you'll not only get a strong coupler, but one that is very reliable and couples effortlessly even in curves etc. Forget about the clones,they're just not worth it in my opinion. (I've still got several to exchange).

Atlas trainman Genset

Hi all,
Recently I received an Atlas newsletter, and among others, it announces the release of a Genset in California Northern colours. As you know I like that shortline, and would consider modeling it in the present (change era's from time to time).

Unfortunately, it's just a paint scheme release, they haven't looked at the differences between NRE gensets. The CFNR owns the dynamic brake versions type: 3GS21B-DE.
So I'm looking at a possible kitbash opportunity. There's lot's on the Atlas model that needs updating, the handrails are much too coarse etc, headlight placement is different, but the cab and nose are good, as are the overal dimensions.
Here two pictures for comparison: First the real thing (pic courtesy of Mike Arnold).

Second the Atlas model which is a 3GS21B , no dynamic brakes, hence the lower long hood, longer exhaust stacks, and generally different louvres etc.: