We are going to the BTS tomorrow morning and I am going load Vader into the trunk with his RC Transmitter. I don’t know if any of the modular guys read these posts but I would imagine so. I know I am a little off center with that ducted fan powered loco but what the heck. I will attempt to talk to them after checking their layout first to see if a run is feasible or not. I think it would be quite an attraction but what the heck do I know.
Mike; Ducted fan railcars are fun. The biggest problem is that you run out of straight track WAY too soon. Mine is track powered and rated only to 10V, but I’ve never had enough straight track to get it up to 10V!
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/davemeashey/FastMail05.jpg)
Don’t know how to post a photo here, but if you copy the address above into your address line and hit Enter, it should take you to a photo of my Geneva & New Bern Railroad’s “Fast Mail” ducted fan car. It’s a little bit like Buck Rogers meeting Casey Jones. Best, David Meashey Oh Wow! It actually posted the photo.
Dave, SWEET! I made mine with a brake using a servo that the arm presses a pad on the inside of the rear wheel and since they are “live” axles, I have one wheel set out of four to stop with. It was real dicey when I got to run it at my brothers. Track was wet…Pucker time when going into the corners. Check out Vader Loco in Modeling Forum…
I’ll be there early in the AM. Lurking about as I’m mostly only interested in tinplate these days but I don’t expect to find much. We’ll see.
Phil Dippel will be there, as well as Jonathan Bliese.
Two of my go-to guys.
Tell 'em high for me.
(At least 2 “G” venders will be there) 
Heading out for the show in about an hour. Train geeks in vests covered in pins is always cheap entertainment.
Say hello to Phil Dippel for me!
IMO it needs some serious flames and sparks a la Flash Gordon to be believable.
I like it.
tac
Well the show was busy by the time I left at noon. It did reflect the state of the economy with what I thought were quite a few more modular clubs than I had seen before (I could be wrong). I was looking for Greg at the Z Scale group and didn’t spot him.
The AMS coal cars they had on display were very cool, a mock up of the GP60 would have been over the top.
I did manage to pick up some used wheels, rail clamps, paint and a locomotive in the process. My brother managed to get a real good deal on the stuff he is using to cast doors and windows.
Now I cannot wait for the Fall show at the fairgrounds, and we really would like to head out to York and see what you East coasters are all about…Rooster smashing LGB boxes might be worth the airfare.
You bought used paint?
Good show, I only stayed a couple of hours, but about 75-80% of the dealers were LS, the rest were mixed between HO, some N, and a smattering of N. I picked up an old Marx watertank for the Marxist layout, and on the way out I double checked what I thought was a misprinted price for a bag for4 LGB logging disconnects. I thought the price was for each pair, turned out to be for the bag, so I grabbed them. I was really hoping there would be more O dealers there, I needed a Marx handcar to convert an repro windup Paya streetcar for my Marxist layout. No joy there, oh well. Had fun checking out the display layouts, the Door Hollow had some cool additions, always fun to check out the latest works of wonder there.
One funny story, I was at Bridgemasters looking at a box of ball-bearing wheelsets but before buying I needed to check one vendor still unloading a bunch of O stuff when I came back the WHOLE box was gone…sold right after I walked away. Someone dropped some serious coin there.
Bart, please forgive me since I did use the incorrect term of “used” instead of “old stock”. However at five bottles for a dollar, if i end up tossing half out, I figured I am ahead of the game. An hour into the show, most of it was gone. (what does floquil and poly s retail for?)
Vic, I looked at those logging disconnects too, since I have an odd single LGB in my possession, I thought about it, but no Shay her, I passed. (if they were not matched pairs, drop me a note) I ended up cutting him a deal on that NW-2 that was sitting right behind those on the next table.
I entered the show Saturday AM – just short of the opening bell.
Bridgemasters clearly had the business mostly marketing the LGB products accumulated from buying collections. Prices appeared very fair – especially considering the majority were German mfg.'d locos and cars. The ball bearing wheels were repackaged two axles per plastic bag – at least ten bags were mixed in with a cardboard box full of assorted LGB parts – @ $39 a bag for the two axles. LGB Marklin’s booth found Ron Gibson sitting behind a table with some new LGB locos and cars on three tracks. No movement, all static. I spent some time with Ron, punctuated with attendees asking about whether specific LGB products will or will not be introduced. The Aristo booth was just that - a single booth with three locos running back ‘n forth on 10’ of track. The new 4-8-4 (?) was running. The time table for delivery was June. The mfg. booth capturing the most display space was a toss up between Bachmann and USA. Both right at the entrance to the hall. USA had the annimation award with their elevated circle of track and repetitive movement of diesel and passenger cars above eye level. Their usual stock of locos and colorful box cars were on display. The RR club Del Oro’s gigantic display drew viewers at layout curves to watch and interact with stationed Del Oro club members. Del Oro crew members were in force – nearly fifteen of them active in operations or in inquiry discussions.
The other scales were represented with modular layouts. It was worth the visit.
Wendell
Dang! I missed you there, was there pretty much all day…
The Aristo was the Consolidation, due later this year… I hope you met Navin there, he’s the guy to know!
Greg
Wendell, the reason the LGB booth was empty is that they have priced themselves right out of the LS market IMHO. When a small 2 axle plastic Kof costs close to $800 when I can get at the same price point 3 different brass museum quality model from Missouri Locomotive Works ($795 Falk, $895 Gypsy, $895 Betsy ), I have to wonder just what they think is so special about their product line anymore.
Vic, seems, that Maerklin wants to cash in on the good name, they bought.
…or recoup their investment.
I can’t beleive I’m saying this, but at least the Richters realized they needed to reach and encourage that entry level market. Marklin is like “We are MAERKLIN! We encourage no one! If you cant afford us, you are not Worthy…”
Victor’s observation (above) that the Richters encouraged the entry level market is accurate – at least any comparison is now so blatant. Further evidence of Walther’s apparent disinterest in promoting LGB products and large scale as a whole, is the fatuous contradictory claim on the cover of the June edition of the Walther’s Flyer, “Your Number One Resource for Model Railroad Product Information.” Check the 68 pages and find page 56 with the only, yes, the only item in “large scale” — a singular Bachmann Ely Thomas 20’ box car, on sale for 54.00. As the “Number One Resource”, there are no LGB products to sell? Ironic, considering Walthers is THE world’s distributor of LGB. So what is the strategy? Play your best hand with a company you don’t represent? Meanwhile, Ron Gibson, a key player in the long-time defunct Richter LGB San Diego management team, ponders what Marklin is up to.
Wendell