Rayman4449

Jim Miller's photo of the Accucraft Cab-Forward from the ECLSTS:

Jim Miller's photos of the new Accucraft Allegheny at the ECLSTS:

Who makes those red flat cars btw? Are those LGB? I've been thinking about buying some.

Very nice Jim and thanks for sharing the pics! Can I post some of those of the Allegheny in another thread?

Interesting video to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=IQ0oKi0xBig

Thanks Ben! I only saw the link on the other forum, wasn't sure who actually took them. Wow, I can't believe I'm finally getting to see a G scale Drefuss Hudson... On the blind driver, I don't think you will notice at all, but am surprised they would bother doing that on a 4-6-4 engine.

Photo of the Autoracks: (from the ECLSTS) Original link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usatrainsgscalegroup/8581735088/in/set-72157633061735655

Photo of the new Dreyfuss Hudson: (from the ECLSTS) Original link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usatrainsgscalegroup/sets/72157633061735655/?page=3

Photos from the ECLSTS: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usatrainsgscalegroup/sets/72157633061735655/ Includes pictures of new Accucraft Dreyfuss Hudson

Copy of the Aristocraft Insider for March-April 2013: (NS Heritage paint scheme info) Link to the PDF: http://www.aristocraftforum.com/insiders/2013/INSIDER_MAR_APRIL_2013.pdf

Good information to know. I honestly can't answer and will have to let someone else chime in.

That's a good price.

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's really heart warming to hear the level of enjoyment you (still) get out of it. That has how it has been for me as well and when I got my first real G scale engine (the UP Challenger) I would head straight down to the basement everyday after work to run it back and forth on the staging track just to watch and hear it run. Your experience overall sounds somewhat similar to my own. Growing up I had a sizable HO layout in my room, visited steam train museums and read trains magazine. It all faded once I got in high school but once I graduated college a chance viewing of the Southern Pacific 4449 on TV rekindled my latent interest and have been into it ever since. >: )

I do have a bit still in storage that I bought with the intent of use way down the road. I did have one person that was slowly buying them off me at the going rate but that's it. I haven't really said much about it as I wasn't actively looking to sell it but if you're interested I do have some. Looks like Aristo has been out of stock on it for a good long while now. Sent a reply to your email.

Was this from the Aristocraft sale? I probably should look to sell some of my 8ft SS in tubes.

Looking good Joe!

Sure thing Honestly only time will tell. It doesn't seem like anyone is making or announcing much of any new G scale product and given how bad the job market still is I would not be surprised if they held off another year.

Any of the existing MTH dealers can sell their One Gauge product line, including myself. There are plenty out there.

Not sure how much is fixable but I can tell you, plastic epoxy is your friend!

There has been an updated post on this system at: http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/displayForumTopic/content/14804764764716558 It's still in beta testing but I'm guessing they are making good progress. Looking forward to adding this capability to my layout when it's finally released. Guess I'll finally have to break down and get a tablet Raymond

Goodness, what a pain! Diesels are the easiest to ship safely too. Hard to believe they are so badly packed that they're getting destroyed! One thing I do know with USA three axle engines, that it's important to make sure the trucks are properly padded so they can't move around too much. Stuff packing up on top of the motorblock to help ensure that front floppy truck doesn't snap off as I have heard happen in the past. Raymond

Here is the page to watch when it's released: http://www.mthtrains.com/content/catalogs

And for all those wondering, this appears to confirm that 2013 Catalog WILL be released. This item now appears in their product search as being in their 2013 catalog: http://www.mthtrains.com/content/70-75032 So it looks like they are updating their website and will just be a matter of time before the catalog is published. My guess in the next couple of weeks. MTH has told me directly to expect the 2013 catalog in March so stay tuned! Raymond

I'm honestly not surprised that most of their dealer network doesn't keep stock, especially the bulk of their existing network which is made up of primarily O gauge dealers. I'm a full dealer now and I don't keep stock on any product outside of TIUs, Remotes and repair parts...it's just not worth it. Not being able to find product to see in person is the main reason I post so many photos of the various models I have on my website. Most mfg websites have precious few photos and any they do have are small and low resolution. You really can't get an idea of just how good they look without high-res, big, close-ups of them. I have tried to take and post up-close photos in series of the sides and tops of most of the engines I have. If you have a dealer that is telling you "we are only going to send your engine back to MTH if you need repair" then I would think twice before ordering with them. To me that is part of the service they are supposed to be providing to you and if they either can't or are unwilling to service what they sell then that is a complete failure to perform even the basic level of help to your customer. These guys must either could not be bothered or honestly (and more probable) have no idea how they work or can perform even basic repair. That is why I went the additional step to become a dealer, so I could more effectively help those that come to me for help. Any sales outside of that is an added benefit but not the real driver. MTH may very well offer to sell direct on new product releases. It's something USA trains has done since the beginning and Aristocraft only just recently. If they go that path they will likely still have wholesale sales to dealers as they have with some of the items they have sold direct on blow-out. They are sold out of a lot of their One-gauge offerings, but they do still have some things in-stock. If you are looking for something in particular I'd be glad to look it up for you. Raymond

It is actually and was very lucky to get it!