I am always like: „Theses guys are complaining about having to pay 10£ more for a loco?“ One year ago a Vectron was like 350€ or something. The Prices are crazy though, just like the models, which I mean in a positive way
Wow, those are O-Gauge prices here in the States. Most DC silent HO scale locomotives here average about $200, although I've paid $750 for more "boutique" trains (RTL III trainset, brass New Haven I5). Even the trains I import from the UK usually only end up being $300 or so, but mainly because of the GBP - USD exchange rate (but hey, I don't pay VAT! lol)
For 1 or G (A bit bigger than 0 Gauge) you’ll pay around 3000€ ( yes 3000 not 300) for a Loco. A single coach costs 500€. Inflations just crazy
Previously showed my N scale train, compared to in game footage. Here are most of my HO trains. No layout unfortunately. If I do make a layout it will be N scale most likely, or a train station for the HO Dutch trains. Very excited for the upcoming Dutch DLC for TSW! Apparently the Koploper in the back will be featured. I'd love to see a VIRM (front double decker). I am a huge fan of double decker trains.
Just received a couple of pre-orders from Rapido. A GMD1 road switcher, and a set of Metra gallery cars, both excellently detailed per usual from Rapido. And while not a model, my wife and I just got back from Disney and found that one of the stores in the UK pavilion at EPCOT has started stocking TFL merchandise. I grabbed a hat and a mug (don't mind the stain in the mug, I was working on a cup of tea when I decided to share my finds).
Yes they are! Rapido even has a magnetic "wand" they send with their trains so people who run DC can still control individual lights on their trains.
My Black Friday and Cyber Monday model train hauls, plus my catenary wire I've had on back order since May. I've finally started the process of collecting actual track! Just five more packs of Flex Track, four packs of shorts, and a bunch of turnouts left to go! lol
Rails of Sheffield got my pre-ordered LT 4TC out to me pretty fast. I paid for it on a Friday and it made the trip to New York for delivery on the following Monday. Multiple trucks, a flight across the Atlantic, and a visit to customs over the weekend before Christmas is pretty impressive. This is also my last 4TC; I didn't really need this one, but I wanted something to go with my two LT tanks and Metro-Vick Bo-Bo (I'd also like to find one of the old Bachmann LT Class 20's at some point, but they seem to sell for an arm, leg, and a kidney!) And in case you're curious what I was watching in the background, it was Ice Cube's Friday lol
A couple more pre-orders showed up, this time from Atlas. Both variants of the same platform, an Amtrak Dash-8, and a P&W Dash-8. Sorry for the less than great photos; Atlas screwed the locomotives to the packaging base, and I didn't feel like removing them just to put them back into storage.
There weren't many terribly enticing Christmas deals for model train supplies this year, but I did end up ordering a few packs of various length short sections of track for the layout. I figure these will come in handy for the various gaps from poor first time track planning, as well as to patch up sections of flex track I cut too short. Laying track by hand instead of using good ol' Bachmann EZ Track is shaping up to be quite the learning experience lol.
Just purchased an Atlas O Turntable for my layout this afternoon, plus some track to build my loco facility. I also have a brand new locomotive coming in the next few months. It's one of Lionel's new BNSF ET44C4s. It's going to be awesome. I'm pretty excited. I'll have to post some photos of my layout sometime.
Fixed it for you. No such thing as an unhealthy fascination with GWR tank engines. As a Brit modelling OO, I couldn't agree more. They should've moved to HO as soon as the motors and electronics got small enough to fit the bodies. Instead we can't run our stuff with stock from anywhere else in the world and have it be in scale, and all our British stock has to run on narrow gauge track. Silly. But OO is probably way too entrenched now. Absolute beauty! I tend to prefer locos in blue, but I'd definitely have one like this. I have Bachmann's Class 24 which I'm very keen on, but it's hard not to love a rat.
Good point on the GWR tanks, although my bank account would still argue the point lol. I actually just finished reading David Maidment's Great Western Pannier Tank Classes and was shocked at just how many varieties of panniers existed before the 57XX (which in itself had a bunch of subtle variations amongst its builders) and later iterations came into development. It seemed like any GWR locomotive with six driving wheels built between the late 1800's and early 1900's were getting converted into pannier and saddle tanks. The scale difference doesn't bother me that much, especially since I'll be running a DC layout and have one train in service at any given time. I've used 1/64 scale vehicles on my past HO layout because they were cheaper and more accessible; worked for me, but I know it drives serious modelers crazy lol. I like BR blue and gray on self-propelled stock, but never really cared for straight BR blue, especially on locomotives. That said, I do like the electric blue that was used on early electrics and Class 73's; it tends to 'pop' a little more. It's crazy, the quality difference between Bachmann US and Europe. Here in the states I only buy Bachmann models if I absolutely have to, their build quality has never been great aside from their "Spectrum" trains, and even those can be hit or miss. I've noticed that Hornby seems to have that same reputation on your side of the pond. Bachmann Europe is probably my favorite British model train manufacturer, with Dapol and Accurascale not far behind.
I love tank engines in general, but Pannier tanks are a one of my favourite examples of the GWR just doing things a bit differently because the solution worked for their requirements. I need to get myself a copy of that book, it does sound fascinating. I only have a couple of pannier models (both 64xx, Bachmann OO and Farish N) but I will no doubt end up with more. Plus a 14xx, probably with High Level Kits' chassis upgrade. Livery-wise, I'm with you on electric blue, for me large logo and Railfreight look good as well, and in fact there aren't many liveries on Britain's railways, past or present, that I actually dislike. I think my love of Rail Blue, though, is probably a nostalgia thing - most locos were that colour when I was a nerdy kid spotting on Preston station in the 80s. There's something about a diesel loco in BR blue that just looks right to me. Yeah, Hornby is a strange one, some of the stuff they make is toy-like or just cheap rubbish, some is decent but flawed, but they do manage the occasional masterpiece and there seems no rhyme nor reason as to why. Their Pecketts and Rustons seem to run beautifully, Sentinels are good and my LMS Princess Royal is up there with any of my Bachmann models. I don't know why I have a Princess Royal, I have nowhere to run it, but it's gorgeous and I don't want to sell it. Even my example of Hornby's much-maligned L&Y Pug runs beautifully, almost as well as their Peckett W4. Maybe I just got lucky with the Hornby models I chose. Interesting to hear your take on Bachmann's North American models, I had a Bachmann N scale set in the 90s, probably quite toylike in reality but I was less discerning in those days. These days, I hear Atlas and Rapido are good - which North American manufacturers do you recommend?
For North American trains I cannot praise Rapido enough. Their models are a little on the pricey side, but their build quality and attention to detail is phenomenal. They seem to be a pretty ethical company with a great sense of humor, and they've done video tours of their factory in China to show they treat their Chinese workforce ethically. I've had the chance to meet a few of the Rapido crew a couple of times and they are very friendly and knowledgeable. You can tell they're really passionate about their company and the hobby. Atlas follows very close behind in terms of quality, with their pricing being a little less than Rapido. Their trains have always been smooth runners for me and I would put them on par with Bachmann Europe's quality.
Eurostar TGV TMST / Class 373 in its original livery, I’m waiting to move out soon so I’ll finally build a decent layout for my trains, they’re staying inside their box for a while lol.
Welcome to my world lol. At this point I'd thrilled to have shelves just to look at my damn trains! My wife and I are meeting with a potential buyer's agent tonight, so fingers crossed we get further along in our house shopping saga. Maybe by the end of the year I'll actually have a layout started lol.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one in this situation lol I wish you the best and that finally we can build this year our layout because, what’s the point at looking at our trains taking the dust in the attic !
There’s one thing I hate about Hornby and no I’m not talking about their recent prices for some sets that are too high in my opinion but, they put some horrible plastic pantographs it’s a bit disappointing. I decided to get rid of them on both my Eurostar with the new livery and the GNER. The original livery I posted above is in HO and was made by Jouef, it came with Sommerfeldt pantographs. I’m not satisfied yet because both holes are too close and I can only attach one pantograph, I don’t like dilemma but for the moment both my sets will have one pantograph instead of the usual two. I have to find a solution later by drilling a hole so I can finally put the missing piece of the puzzle. Enough talking and let’s see the results shall we ? Before, with the plastic pantographs: After with the GPU pantograph, here with the Eurostar in new livery:
Latest pre-order release, the Atlas NJT commuter train pack with ALP dual mode locomotive and three multilevel cars. I'm pretty impressed with the detailing on these trains, but that's the norm for Atlas. The ALP has some heft to it so I expect it to be a good runner and the multilevel cars are nice and light and look great. I also took advantage of a 10% off coupon from TrainWorld and stocked up on some more track. Just two more packs of flex track and a dozen turnouts left to go!
One of the rarest TGV set to find, it was made by Lima, the TGV P01. P for pendular, it was a test for pendulation on a TGV PSE type:
Yeah for the second picture it’s not broken but it was a weakness from Lima to reproduce the 1.5 kV DC pantograph most of the time, the set has working lighting and interior and for more realism it can be powered through pantographs as well:
I got a box in the mail from Atlas today, a GP40-2W. I've always had a soft spot for the wide-cab Geeps, and these could be seen on the PAR routes in my home-state of Connecticut.
I just ordered signals for my layout. They just shipped out today, and will probably arrive sometime next week. They are 3D printed here in the US, and the price per signal is pretty good for O-Gauge signals. If there are any O-Gauge 3-Rail modelers out there looking for signals, look up K&R Custom Signals. Ken and Richard have an awesome layout and they make custom signals and other 3D printed stuff. I've also begun working on basic scenery on my layout. It's coming along nicely. Still waiting patiently (not) for my new Lionel BNSF ET44C4. Next steps: MTH DCS, Atlas O rolling stock, and a new Lionel 89' Auto Rack (with sounds!)
As promised: photos of my signals in action. I just finished installing them this past weekend. They turned out great! The BNSF GP35U #2570 is a Lionel loco that I use for local and yard duties on my new Sunrise Mountain and Cactus Valley Railroad.
Some of my N Gauge fleet, layout they are on is getting dismantled shortly. All stock detailed and weathered by me.
Got some new trains (the Z scale in front and Bernina Express behind it, the farther back German train has been shown here before.) Going to make a mixed N and Z layout set in Switzerland.
More layout updates: -Road finished, just need to put pieces in between rails to make it look better and add lines (will use reflective or glow-in-the-dark paint, which will look great when I run trains at night) -Crossing gates from Z-Stuff For Trains; they have functional gates, flashers, and bell sound; will get these installed sometime this week; exciting! If anyone is looking for US-style crossing gates and/or signals, Z-Stuff makes them for HO, N, S, O, and G-Scales. They also work using IR sensors. Best of all, everything is included with the products, so you won't need additional sensors to operate. Just wire up, provide power, and enjoy.
