March Show April

@GG1 4877 posted:

As a plug for the Dash 9s, I think there is a misconception that these locomotives will be just like the brass ones of 1999.  The reality is that they will be all new tooling and with the current Sunset drive, a vastly superior locomotive in both prototype fidelity and running qualities.

I know you know this Richard!

Not surprised about low reservations, the Atlas-8 really took a big share of the market especially the 2-rail buyers like myself. I believe Scott would do much better with a newer GE model especially at current price points ES44 or ET44 most common on todays RRs. JMO

@Purplepapa posted:

I am with you bob2, except I go from 1890’s to around 1957ish when the ACL repainted their purple diesels black. True confessions-I did order the Sunset black E6 in Scott’s rerun. ACL referred to them as Black Cadillacs I think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9TAqNPktyw

@rdunniii posted:

Make sure you let Scott know if you're interested especially in an ET44.  Both MTH/Atlas and Lionel make ES44s.  Both also made an AC4400 but both are less than stellar.  The Dash 9s are not too far from being cancelled due to lack of reservations.  I had a bunch reserved as I want the chassis to replace the ones on my Lionel ES44s.

I would reserve either a ES44 or an ET44 in CSX paint scheme.

@rdunniii posted:

For all the Atlas stuff that was there for sale there was not a single Atlas contemporary freight car to be found.  No Gunderson 53' stack cars,  no 5161 hoppers no 25K tank cars, no containers.  Just lots of older cars, most of which were still there when the show ended.

Well, I know there were at least 15 less "older" Atlas cars by the end of the meet. I picked up the first 12 for anywhere from $35 to $45, then the last 3 for a special price of 3 for $75. 5 40-foot reefers, 5 36-foot reefers, 1 70-ton covered hopper, 2 8000 gallon tank cars and 2 11000 gallon tank cars.

Also found an Atlas SF F3 that I had been looking for, but the seller didn't want to break up the set. Similarly, found one of the few remaining California Zephyr cars that I'm missing, but the seller would not break up the set.

Also got a nice figure for my tractor, got a set of Golden Gate Depot little people for $10, and a few wheel sets for 3-rail to 2-rail conversion.

Here's a walk through of the hall I shot on my 4th or 5th lap around all the tables, just to give an idea of the volume of items available.

My favorite of the model contest was this little 25-tonner.

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Ted Schnepf's layout. Multi-level, multi-room, seemingly endless layout!