From an N scale perspective, this past year has been a good one. More and more steam is coming out for the steam heads, and great rolling stock from class companies like LBF, Red Caboose, MT, etc.
I think the weakest area in N scale is still the structures. The manufactures copy what is happening in HO (primarily a steam/diesel transition scale) and offer those same structures to us N’rs. Of course, N is much more a modern era happening so we could use more modern structures to support the SD90’s, etc.
Atlas has put a big smile on many faces with the announcement of their Shay. I am guessing that Atlas will hit a new price point with the Shay as well, but I suspect it will sell very very well.
A lot of the excitement in our DCC world is in decoder development. Lenz putting out the USP (less reliance on track contact) I think will be a milestone for the hobby. And although I never thought I would agree with Terry T on this issue, it might just well be that flywheels will become redundant. And this is a good thing for us N scaler’s, as we need all the space we can get. It seems just when you think decoders can’t get any better, something new and yummy comes along.
I think one area that needs improvement is that Lenz and Digitrax needs to copy Zimo with decoders with a stop ability and five different speed selections, great for signals (auto stop) and computer running (choices of speeds). And another item that is desperately needed is a book on how to get a layout up and running with computer assistance, so for example, the computer can control all your staging needs.
Kudos’s to the company I have just blanked out on that has brought out the “elevator” staging assist. I think this product will have a slow start but I have a feeling, like the commercial helix, it will work its way into our hearts. I know I want one. I just sent an email off suggesting to the company that the elevator become DCC friendly and that the shelves be widen to hol