I realize model locomotive production is pretty much pick and choose, and only the most popular models will be reproduced in any scale, but it would be nice to see more options.
This time I bring it up because of MRR’s steam loco weathering article. The N&W 2-6-6-4 steamer looked absolutely great. Some of my other ‘wants’ are PRR 4-4-4-4 and Baldwin roadswitcher diesels. There are a few more loco’s but they are currently produced and just wish they were more affordable (Athearn “Challenger”).
Not what I was expecting in the thread. Our Youth In Model Railroading organization is having a hard time finding enough children who are interested in N-scale to keep that layout going. In 1997 there were always 10-12 regular N-scalers or about 20% of the club. Now there are only 4. Seems that there are more O-Gague (Lionel) and Lego modelers in the new recruits than there are N-scale.
I don’t know if that is because while the “Thomas” that they grew up with comes in all scales the N-scale ones seem to be outrageously priced. Why buy an N-scale Thomas with a couple of cars for $137 when one can get an HO one with more cars for $45. Then they just continue with the first scale they were introduced to??? Just a theory.
Um, why are we talking “Thomas”? I’m talking real model trains here.
P.S. that pick is NOT new. I’m only 4 or 5 in there, don’t even remember having that set. That was a tick over 2 decades ago.
It seems everyone has “want” they want produced at an “affordable” rate.
The simple fact is that N scale is not quite as popular as HO here in the States.
Even in HO scale with far more options, there are plenty of complaints about lack of certain models!!
And the way they now do pre-ordering production and limited production runs and have changed the way models are produced bring even more complaints.
The sad thing is that with the advent of the computer ordering age, a LHS in Anytown USA can possibly sell any model to a guy looking for that model in Anyothertown USA or possibly worldwide and get it sold, rather than having it sit on their shelves not selling to uniterested local trade, if they have a website to order from.
The lack of good steam and selection in N is just why i went back to HO.
Bob
If you want lots and lots of N-scale products, just shift to Nj (1:150 scale) Japanese prototype, and order all your supplies from Japan. Lots of steam, electric (catenary) motors - not so much diesel, but diesel isn’t a major player in Japan - and EMU and DMU train sets. A sizeable percentage of everything that ever polished rails in Japan is available, and the prices are merely outrageous, not ruinous.
Not your idea of fun? Sorry 'bout that…
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - in twice-N 1:80 scale, aka HOj)
What’s easier to make: a lot of different diesel models that only require minor retooling, sometimes only requiring a shell swapping (Atlas has 4 axles down to a science), or steam engines, which all had different running gears etc? It all comes down to price. Bachmann is stepping up to the plate in small N scale steam such as the 4-6-0.
I’d guess there’s more big steamers available in HO because it’s easier to manufacture complex running gear in 1:87.
As you’ve already mentioned, the Athearn Challengers kill the wallet.
It’s a shame honestly. N scale is perfect for modern railroading, what with all the 6 axles that Kato (and FVM) produce, along with the unit stuff out there. Atlas also has a very affordable GP15-1 that makes a good yardswitcher. Now Walthers already has the 0-8-0 tooling, I’d expect them, if they ever DO get back into N scale, to make more of the specialty big steam. With N scale’s size and the track systems out there, mainline steam would definitely be a possibility.
yet I digress, there’s a reason I’m not deciding what to make.
One of the things that has mystified me is why we haven’t seen more big steam power in N. I can understand the smaller engines being a challenge to produce, but why haven’t we seen more 4-8-4s, and 2-10-2s, and 2-10-4 types? I’m surprised that the 4-10-2 and 4-12-2, and the 0-10-2 haven’t been produced.
But having said all that, the real need for a long time has been for the smaller, and more typical steam power.
I think for many years N-scale has been dominated by diesel era modelers. As a result manufacturers seemed to concentrate on that era. It’s only in the past ten years or so that I’ve noticed more steam offerings. I’m sure there will be more to come as demand picks up and technology continues to lead to more improvements.
Diesel selection I’m actually pretty happy with in N. The model railroad hobby shop I go to carries Atlas, Kato, and is just getting into Fox Valley Model’s locomotives. The do carry Bachmann but it seems only the companies latest offerings.
Steamers I just more or less want to have. Understand if I had them I would run them, but only for fun or to show them off. I only seriously model diesel loco’s.
I can only second Chuck´s statement. Japanese N scale offers an abundance of rolling stock at very reasonable prices and sourcing has not yet been a problem (prior to the Tsunami). N scale also offers a lot to the European modeler, down to minute 0-4-0 tank locos.
N scale still seems to be somewhat of a stepchild in Northern America, a role it surely does not deserve.
See Plaza Japan’s eBay Store – lots of steam and traction!
What I meant by my comment is since it’s easier to make diesels than steamers (I would assume at least), the manufacturers focus on that. Couple that with the post on this thread about how there’s a big percentage that just model steam, and I’m betting the manufacturers think there’s no interest. Just look at HO, I think they have about a half-dozen different 4-8-8-4 models. N scale has the Challenger and Walther’s big steamers.
So overall I think it’s the manufacturers both not perceiving much of a market, and the ease and cost of making many diesel models versus many steamer models.
Keep in mind as well that diesel details are MUCH easier to change than steamer models. While basic details are there, to do road specific would be a lot of R/D and labor cost that would make the price of a factory-detailed 2-8-0 or 4-6-2 or the like be HIGH; let alone the 4-8-8-4
We need more cow bell! [(-D] Sorry, I’ve been thinking that ever since I first saw this thread![:-^]
I’ll say it again and again… we need an Alco S-2 diesel switcher in N scale. Alco built 1,502 S-2s and most of the major railways had them.
Okay, here’s the deal. N Scale started in the 1960’s with some rudimentary steam and diesel models, neither of which were particularly good in terms of looks or operation. We really didn’t have a reliable steam locomotive at all until the Kato Mikado was introduced about 10 years ago, and the Bachmann consolidation a short time later. For obvious reasons, N scale diesels were able to mature about a decade earlier, with the advent of the Atlas/Kato RS-3.
More recently, Bachmann has vastly improved the drives under many of its old and tired shells, while at the same time offering new gems like the 4-6-0. Meanwhile, Model Power has entered the fray with some very good Pacifics, and some smaller stuff as well.
No matter what you buy in N scale steam, you have to take into account that the physics of the thing are always going to make it a little more “special” than diesels. You have to make sure your track work is flawless, your electricals are soundly installed, and your maintenance levels are high.
As for the big steam that’s been coming out, it’s all well and good, but Big Boys and Challengers didn’t run everywhere. The smaller models noted above were far more common, and much more likely to look suitable on a smallish model railroad.
I’d like to see more, too, but face it… every road treated its steam differently, and ordered different appliances. Even if they ordered the same appliances, they never put them on the same place on the engine. Tooling up to make accurate steam models is an impossible challenge, especially if a competitive price is one of the objectives. My suggestion is to find a wheel arrangement that meets your needs, and learn how to kitbash.
And sorry, switching to a Japanese prototype that I have zero interest in just so I can buy models off t
Same here.
Alvie
I don’t knit pick about little detials, because, well, sometimes they’re not right. It wouldn’t bother me one bit to buy a generic 4-4-2 steamer. Fox Valley Models has a Milwaukee Hiawatha set in N (and HO) that is just a beautiful set, I plan on getting one even at $400. I’m hoping this means they will do a slight retooling and come out with a non-Milwaukee-streamlined version in the near future. The LHS sells Model Power in N, and they look to be some beautiful models also. I will also eventually have their Pacific and Mogul models. If Bachmann’s new Ten Wheeler (in N) is nice enough I will get one or two of them. I was more or less saying that there are some models out there that would be nice to have in N scale. As also mentioned a lot of the steam and diesel models that I like are made in HO, but I don’t have the space to commit to such a ‘large’ scale. I wish I did, because working with HO at the model rr club, I think I would rather prefer that, but I don’t even have enough room to afford to a nice HO switching shelf.