The 2008 National Train Show was held in Anaheim, Calif., in conjunction with the National Model Railroad Association national convention.
Thanks for the excellent, detailed report. My time there was pretty limited, and as HO isn’t my primary scale I didn’t really look much at those wonderful offerings you’ve described in so well. I’ve added a link to your report from my own (see below).
I managed to get photos of the N scale pre-release InterMountain AC 12 Cab Forward and the Kato PRR GG-1 (though the focus in the latter is poor).
Here’s are links to my own, much more limited, report and my image gallery. And for those interested in additional perspectives on the show, I also recommend Joe Fugate’s daily reports.
Best!
Looks like another dry year for early rail modelers.
Dave H.
Dave;
That thought hadn’t occurred to me. I wasn’t actually looking for old time trains. But now that you mention it, the only one that caught my eye was Bachmann’s Lilly Belle set, an HO set based on Walt Disney’s backyard live steam train. (art imitating art initating life… LOL).
I did specifically look for Athearn’s N scale consolidations, moguls, and the overton and overland cars to go with them. I didn’t see them and I asked. The guy in the Athearn shirt didn’t seem to know what I was talking about so I said, “Like in the Thunder Rails sets”.
He said, “This is Athearn. Thunder Rails is by Atlas”. (click the link) LOL
By the way, I have both the mogul and consolidation, and nine of the overtons. I love them!
I am glad someone is making one of the largest Beyer Garrats…4-8-4 +4-8-4, although I may never own a model, they demonstrate another pinnacle of steam development. I did try to bid on an ebay HOn3 brass one, but lost the bid, oh well.
A number of good models, but I tell ya, like the earlier comment, lack of early century models.
My big wish for Athearn, bring back the Roundhouse steam kits.
I heard and third that remark.
Peter Smith, Memphis
thanks. Not a ton of n scale stuff, though.
In light of the comments regarding the lack of early rail offerings, I’ve written a blog post on the subject with a poll. I’d be grateful if you’d take the time to look it over and vote.
Best!
Since the last new car offered in the wood frame truss rod era (pre-1910) by a major manufacturer was over 30 years ago, may one new car every half century or so would be warranted. Everybody ought to be able to get one new car once in their lifetime.
Dave H.
Regarding MR’s report on the National Train Show, see my recent post “Southern Pacific ‘Big Boys’???”
Mark
I for one like the looks of the Genesis MT-4 4-8-2, and I hope it’s a success for Genesis, since I’ve always thought all of the SP MT-series were a particularly handsome Mountain-type loco. However, I’m wondering if a lot of SP fans might not prefer the locomotive with the WWII “Skyline” casing, instead.
Just curious.
Tom
I personally can’t wait to get an Atlas -840c. Their B version is an excellent N scale model, and all my Bachmanns of this model have long since given up. I plan to get a couple of these!
Tom,
I saw a photo of an Athearn plastic casting for the skyline casing. I believe they will be available on models after the initial release.
Mark
Is there ever a ton of N-Scale stuff?
Irv
Mark:
Thanks for the information. If they are, then I might consider one of the straight DC’s. I like the way the Genesis model looks.
Tom
One other nitpick, when were Garretts consiidered a narrow guage anything? Let alone a boxcar
Morgan:
Caught that one, too. My, my, it must have been NOISY up there in the San Juans, LOL!
Tom [:D]
I was at the show but didn’t get much of a chance to walk around as we had one of the layouts. While I model HO, I did peek at the N Scale stuff too. Seemed like most of the N Scale only company booths had very few or no people looking. Seemed weird since N scale seems to be gaining followers. I was at the show a couple of years ago in Cincinatti and it seemed to have more manufacturers than this year’s show.
Rick Keil
There have been many narrow gauge Garretts, although not this one, and as you say, it’s defenetly not a boxcar.
/stefan
I think everybody is expecting a recession and not investing alot in new stuff.
As for the seeming lack of interest in N-Scale, well that might have been caused by the fact that there was big N-Scale convention just a couple of weeks ago. I understand from fellow club members who went that there were large crowds there virtually all of the time. So people may not have been up to going to another one so soon after.
Irv