Large Scale Central

Did i miss this before-UP 4-8-4 in 1/29th?

General Discussion
#1

I received my 2016 November issue of Garden Rail magazine from the UK and saw an advertisement for USA Trains FEF-3 UP Northern in 1/29th scale, as coming soon and final specifications and pricing to be confirmed. The ad suggest reserving yours now… It is in an ad for Garden Railway Specialists, my favourite hobby shop in the UK on the very rare occasions that I get there. I did try to search it at USA Trains website but nothing found. So was this previously known? Despite being a 1.20.3 guy, I have a weakness for 1/29th…

Myron

#2

That would be news to us!!!?

#3

A year or so ago USA did flyers on proposed future releases and asked people to vote on them. Could it be that they are planning on doing that one? Or, could it be a snafu, and one of those flyers was submitted instead of the flyer that should have been submitted?

#4

The reservations do not seem to be official USAT policy… looks like the distributor is going to try to get some reservations for himself.

That would not be highly thought of over here in the US.

Greg

#5

" Rooster " said:

Another blank post by David Russell.(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)

#6

Joe Zullo said:

" Rooster " said:

Another blank post by Davis Russell.(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)

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#7

If this is true I only hope USAT was smart enough to make it a Northern locomotive and at least do multiple road names and not just the UP one. With market being what it is they should be producing engines and multiple road names that appeal to a broad audience.

#8

Joseph, like the NYC Hudson that they did? Or the PRR GG1?

Actually I agree with you. But the history of USA trains, on some models, tends to suggest that they won’t do that.

#9

David I hear you, but when they complain about the lack of a market right now you should be creating loco’s with multiple road names to appeal to a number of buyers. I know I am trying to make sense and I should stop. Not that the FEF is a an iconic engine but at least with the Nothern other railroads did use them not just UP.

#10

I agree. If I were to start a company making model steam locomotives, I would start with the USRA designs. With minor detail changes, and a paint job, those locomotives would "fit’ on almost any mainline US railroad of the era.

#11

The thing that would greatly benefit USA Trains in sales of the FEF-3 is that you can actually still see the real one in action, and that the railroad runs it quite often (barring the time it just spent on major overhaul). The exposure to the real thing will greatly help sales. Everyone has their locomotive that X Manufacturer should build for X Railroad, and reasons for it. But unlike diesels, steam locomotives were generally unique to the RR that owned them. Even the USRA locos had minor differences between owners.

#12

Chris, yes the USRA locomotives did have minor differences, and I said that with minor detail changes they would “fit”. Besides, a train watcher like me, doesn’t know all the minor differences between one URSA light Mikado and another.

I do agree that many folks have their dream/wish locomotive, that may be too specific to one railroad to garner a lot of sales. But a base model (bare boiler design) could be adorned with the suitable appliances in the proper locations to look like a certain locomotive or another.

Yes, being as the FFE is still running, that does increase its sales potential. The Big Boy models (in all scales) have enjoyed a resurgence, since the UP started the monumental task of restoring one to service.

#13

I compeltely agree with you David. Most of the changes in the USRA locomotives would be something a lot of people wouldn’t pick up on. There would (shouldn’t be) anything big as that was the point of them. Most of the time it was a bell location, different whistle, maybe different number boards and class lights. The biggest change to them I can think of is I believe the Union Pacific changed the stacks on some to a larger design. But then which one do you choose? To me the USRA locos are just bland. I would think either the 2-8-2 as you mentioned or the 4-6-2 would be the best. I would prefer the 2-10-2, but how many RRs would handle that?

I am just glad to see a new product, even though it doesn’t fit my RR in particular. But as much as I’ve seen 844 come by my house (twice last month) I will probably get one anyways.

Chris

#14

Chris, I am not in a position to start making locomotives. But, if I were to, I would start with the Mikado, light and heavy, and the Pacific, light and heavy. They do seam to be popular in the smaller scales. Then I would eventually branch out into Consolidations and smaller switchers/local run locomotives, like an 0-6-0 and 0-8-0. Doing the main casting as just the boiler, and adding details for each locomotive, the manufacturer, or end modeler, could customize to fit whatever individual unit is being modeled.

But, right now, its just a Devoning, I mean, day dream of mine.

#15

David, I know what you mean. BTW when you finally stop daydreaming and get to work make me a 4-12-2. Thanks in Advance (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-sealed.gif)

#16

a 4-12-2? What kind of curves would one need for that? Or is that a prairie kind of thing, that ran on dead straight track for hours on end?

#17

Worked the mountains before the Challengers and Big Boys, then moved to the Kansas & Nebraska divisions. They were 3 cylinder locos too. Don’t worry, if (when) you make them I will buy both neighbors so I can build big enough curves.

#18

The 4-12-2 sure was a beast! The only remaining locomotive of that type is preserved in Pomona.

The longest non-articulated wheelbase was the Soviet’s 4-14-4, which was much less successful:

#19

I seriously doubt you will see the Union Pacific put the 9000 into excursion service, but that would be cool.

#20

Only if they only want to run her on the dead straight track out west.