Looks like a happy new year for 1:29ers…potentially. http://www.americanmainline.com/modelc/1menu_29_ls.htm
I also see a Dreyfus Hudson back in the estore for pre-order.
You know … an electrical version of the Dreyfus would be tempting…
I probably deserve to have one of my boilers explode for saying this, but I’m sure it would be relatively easy to retro a Live steam version in to electric. Wonder why they aren’t available from AML, since they have done this for other locos.
Randy,
Don’t even say such a thing. You will jinx yourself! 
BTW, How DO you proof test one of your boilers?
Uh, right, so you’d buy a $4500 live steamer to convert it into a $3000.00 electric model…
This makes sense?
tac
OVGRS
Yes, the (ls) Dreyfus would be on my RR if it were a bit closer to my budget. I understand the want for electric versions, but have you tried the 0-6-0 in live steam? You might be surprised how well it runs!
There’s also a way to give a LS engine a little more consistant power and speed through the curves and hills…diesel helpers! Surely the B&M would send along a gp-7 or two on such an important special?
Don’t worry about me gentlemen. There is no power in my aluminium rails for a reason. I myself, would never participate in such an act of cannibalism. At least is sparked some talk about live steam here. 
(excuse the pun)
Joe, I test my home built pressure vessels (butane tanks too) hydrostaticly. I built a testing unit from a water hand pump, a shutoff valve next and then a pressure gauge. This is the important part, all of the air is evacuated from the vessel, and testing unit. Once the air is all out and the water is in, seals are tightened and the pump is used to raise the pressure. This happens very fast since water does not compress. Once the pressure is reached, I throw the valve and see that everything holds. A catastrophic rupture during testing is contained by the use of water. By the time a rupture occurs the stored energy in the water and tiny air bubbles left is spent so there is no more stored energy left to fling tiny bits of metal. I’ll post a pic later when I’m home.
I would love a Dreyfus…but that aint happening. But its nice to see the market is still there for them tea kettles.
Rockwall Canyon Jeff said:
Looks like a happy new year for 1:29ers…potentially. http://www.americanmainline.com/modelc/1menu_29_ls.htm
I also see a Dreyfus Hudson back in the estore for pre-order.
Sheesh. I was told my order for a live steam Dreyfuss was not happening, and they refunded my deposit. Now they are taking pre-orders - again ???
I have a GP60 on pre order that was supposed to happen years ago…it resurfaced last year…and while it hasnt happened yet, I have a feeling this will be the year! Maybe the Dreyfus is the same way?
It is frustrating sometimes, but I would rather see them do this than to produce trains that dont really sell. Although the poor sellers lead to good deals for us, it must be a big finacial hit to them.
Rockwall Canyon Jeff said:
I have a GP60 on pre order that was supposed to happen years ago…it resurfaced last year…and while it hasnt happened yet, I have a feeling this will be the year! Maybe the Dreyfus is the same way?
It is frustrating sometimes, but I would rather see them do this than to produce trains that dont really sell. Although the poor sellers lead to good deals for us, it must be a big finacial hit to them.
Jeff,
I’m not trying to be rude, but I don’t understand your " I would rather see them do this than to produce trains that dont really sell." They already announced all these items and took orders - but the Dreyfuss in particular didn’t sell. They had less than 25% of the number needed to start production. Heaven knows why they resurrected them.
Usually, when an Accucraft item is late (years late, as opposed to just a few months late,) it is because they don’t have enough orders. Maybe your GP60 is in that category?
tac Foley said:
Uh, right, so you’d buy a $4500 live steamer to convert it into a $3000.00 electric model…
This makes sense?
tac
OVGRS
TAC,
The electric AML versions are usually almost the same price as the steamers. EBT #12 electric is $2,995 versus the live steamer which was $3,500.
I think the original price of the Dreyfuss Hudson in electric was close the $3000. The steamer is only $3,695 (although it was $3000 when first announced.)
Converting to electric seems practical, if you really can’t stand live steam!
I took a look at my old video and ‘improved’ it a little. Very short:
Pete,
All I’m saying is that I agree with their strategy of using pre orders. The 1:29 diesel market has limited demand in the current economy. Twice now, its looks like the other manufacturers have responded to the GP60 with similar locomotives…the first time being the Aristo GP40, and now, most recently, a re-run of the USA GP38-2.
I also, keep in mind the reality that the 1:29 market is not used placing pre orders on new items. Most of us like to to see the products show up in stores or at shows before deciding to buy. Until now, the only loco I had ever preorded was the USA S-4. I knew what the power blocks were like (same as NW2), and I really wanted to make sure I had an undecorated version. In the case of the GP60, I actually have a couple roadnames I like, but I’m totally blind about the powerblock performance. Still, I find myself preordering in order to make it happen.
I suspect the Dreyfus faced similar philosophical challenges. This was a pricey engine compared to the K4 Pacific, so perhaps folks assumed that the prices would fall for non-prebuyers? Now it seems that AML is holding firm.
Pete Thornton said: They already announced all these items and took orders - but the Dreyfuss in particular didn’t sell. They had less than 25% of the number needed to start production. Heaven knows why they resurrected them.
And 25% of the fifty that were talked about means that it’s really not worth even getting out of bed for it.
Can I be brutally honest and make a couple of points that are surely going to offend some here, but hey, if you can’t upset your friends once in a while life just ain’t worth living.
-
For the VAST majority of modellers in this region of scales, it’s Gauge 1 - that is to say, 1/32nd, or nothing. Nobody here in yUK that models North American steam, and I can count among my acquaintances who have EVERY single US steamer ever built, from Aster and AccuCraft, has shown the slightest interest in this model. And there are well over a hundred of us, too, whose main love is BIG North American steam.
-
I suspect that the low demand was evidence of a lack of overall interest in what really is/was a highly localised loco in the fust place. It looks great strutting its stuff - no doubt about it, but it’s just not my cup of soop. And I proved it by leaving my name off the sparsely-populated ‘want one list’. If it ain’t black or it ain’t grey and maroon it ain’t on this boy’s wants list.
I am wearing my flame-proof hat.
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
Tac, Interesting that you and those in your circles across the pond do not feel that the Dreyfus fits into the rest of the beloved American steam. Do you guys feel similar about the NW 611 J ? People seem to like the Dreyfus over here at least in the smaller scales any way. I’m not a lover of stream line locos my self. (not that I don’t appreciate them) I like to see the business end of things.
Joe, Sorry about the lateness of this. Here is my testing set up. This is the new butane tank for my ruby bash.
tac Foley said:
. . .
- For the VAST majority of modellers in this region of scales, it’s Gauge 1 - that is to say, 1/32nd, or nothing. Nobody here in yUK that models North American steam, and I can count among my acquaintances who have EVERY single US steamer ever built, from Aster and AccuCraft, has shown the slightest interest in this model. And there are well over a hundred of us, too, whose main love is BIG North American steam.
. . .I am wearing my flame-proof hat.
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
Tac,
I’m not offended - if you read the threads when the 1/29th engines were announced, there was a lot of bitter comment from the 1/32nd crowd.
However, despite Aster’s NYC Hudsons already produced in 1/32nd, and a vague promise from Accucraft to produce one - there still isn’t a Dreyfuss Hudson model with Scullin drivers.
I’ll bet when Accucraft finally produces a 1/32nd NYC Hudson it will be the unstreamlined J1e or some such.
And finally, as you know, in the yUK everyone models OO scale on HO track, which is a bigger discrepancy than 1/29th models on g-1 track !!! So what’s the big deal ? I figure if you want a Dreyfuss Hudson, this is the only one around. And coaches to go with it are readily available.
(I appreciate you don’t want one. I have BR green A1 on order too. . .)
Randy Lehrian Jr. said:
Tac, Interesting that you and those in your circles across the pond do not feel that the Dreyfus fits into the rest of the beloved American steam. Do you guys feel similar about the NW 611 J ? People seem to like the Dreyfus over here at least in the smaller scales any way. I’m not a lover of stream line locos my self. (not that I don’t appreciate them) I like to see the business end of things.
Randy - don’t get me wrong - I HAVE the Dreyfuss AND the 611 in H0, but given the dearth of Gauge 1 live-steamers of the USRA-type, that could and did fit in anywhere, it goes agin the grain to pay the price over here for a one-off and very specialised model.
You seem to have overlooked that the upcoming |ZccuCraft N&W 611 - and I’ve seen it, picked it up and given it a hug - is 1/32nd scale.
Folks here, paying $8000+ it, want it in 1/32nd scale, NOT 1/29th.
End of.
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
talking about Dreyfuss Hudsons, did you know Thomas & Friends has one ?
That’s “Connor” on the left, and “Caitlin” on the right (B&O P7 4-6-2.) The mind boggles. . .