The so-called Beep (current name) was actually from Kusan, I believe. Williams

bought the tooling.

The Buddy (current name) was indeed Marx - but only the body has any Marx DNA

(the Bang S-4 -body - was also Marx). 

I have a Kusan  from the mid 1950s  - the body will slip right on a modern BEEP.  I can see no difference in the the body.  Totally different running chassis.  It goes back at least to 1954.

Nifty little engine, too. I hope Walter Matuch will produce some new roadnames. I'd be up for either a Northern Pacific or a Great Northern.

Interesting.  Never made the connection to Kusan.  I wish RMT would make a repro Marx and Kusan set with all of their tooling.

Mike W.

Interesting idea, but the RMT versions of the Beep and Buddy are far superior to the originals in both level of decoration, add on details, and, especially, operating innards.

I believe that repros of the original decoration of both units would not be appealing to most folks. Seen the originals and own one original; "Beep" shell.

As an operator, the RMT look is the way to go. Walt Matuch's improvements/refinements of the old designs is part of what have made them so successful in the marketplace.

Ed Boyle

Both of my BEEPs have TMCC and sound, one has Cruise and RailSounds 5.  Maybe someday Walter will start using ERR electronics in some "upscale" models.

I have one with TMCC in it.  Could not fit in sound with the older boards.  New boards and sound in a Beep. Interesting idea.  Nothing like taking a $60 loco and putting a couple of hundred dollars worth of electronics in it. Heck, why not? Who said our hobby made financial sense?

Ed boyle

One of my first purchases off this forum was an RMT beep that ERR had installed TMCC in. The board is unique and pre dates the Beep Commander. It has the receiver and motor driver on a small single board like the current Mini Cruise board but has neither cruise nor serial output for sound.

Pete

Also hoping for some new road names - Kansas City Southern  is at the top of my list.

I put the new Cruise Commander Lite into one, maybe you missed this thread?

Cruise Commander Lite Beta Test, Part Deux

I also put a RailSounds Commander with the new enhanced audio, and then finished it up with expanded lighting options.

The Kusan I have is a truly terrible toy locomotive.  I think it is in good shape despite its age.  It was just a cheap toy when new.  A BEEP is far, far superior.  Walter has improved the breed quite a lot.

I've seen the Kusan, and I wasn't impressed.  I agree with Lee, the RMT BEEP is much more desirable.  Lee should know, he must have about a dozen or more!

Not to skew off-topic, but I keep looking at my NYC cigar-band S-4 (Marx) RMT Bang

and imagining a Cruise Commander (to make up for the zip-zip gearing) in it...

Beautiful little loco, but I won't buy another until it shows up in GM&O.

There are better models out there of Alco switchers, but this Marx/RMT hybrid

is just so appealing. Waiting for GM&O...

I have a Conrail BANG with a MiniCommander 2 in it.  It actually does pretty well at lower speeds, somewhat surprising as I agree, the gears are pretty tall.

While some of you are being so hard on Kusan, remember that Kusan was designed to "cheap" in the early fifties so parents could afford to buy an "electric train" for their kids! My Mom brought me a Lionel 2023 silver diesel from Ray's Hobby Shop in Long Beach, CA back in 1951. It cost her a week's pay. That is why Kusan and Marx were in business. I have at least eight operable Kusan ALCOs. They are a pain in the a-- but they run and they are simple. Give them a break!!!!

I'm really hoping Walter will produce an Nickel Plate Road S4 BANG. We have a picture in our family of my Great Grandpa working in the NKP shops in Canton, Ohio with an Alco S4 in the background. Would be a real treat to have something like that on my layout given the connection to my family. 

I do like the RMT products and have purchased a few recently.  It would be cool if RMT could pick up the tools for the Marx playsets. They could have a lot of fun with those.   They were last used by the firm in Miami and wonder what ever happened to that venture and the tools.  

Regarding the RMT depressed center flat car.  I know this is Kusan but did Kusan also make the shorter version...or did RMT alter the tool?

 They did make a standard flat car.

Steve

Ahh I just found the description of the smaller RMT depressed center flat car..its Marx.

Also, is RMT going to offer a Marx based steamer?

Oh, that would be superb!  What memories that would bring back!

Not really being hard on them, just stating that the RMT products based on the old Kusan designs are a far superior product.  If you disagree with that, by all means speak up and tell us why.

Kusan was inexpensive, but not cheap.

Rusty

I think we all agree the new RMT stuff is superior in terms of graphics, detail, and operation.  But the charm of the old Kusan and Marx is also appealing..given the context of those products being the underdog to Lionel.  As a collector..I often like the crude inferior competition just as much as the leader.  But the RMT stuff is outstanding.  Maybe they will box a set sometime.

Steve, K-Line had three lines of steam engines. Scale, semi scale, and starter set.

Did Walter indicate he would be doing the starter set version which I assume was Marx or the semi scale version?

Pete

Not being "hard" on any of the O-gauge/scale Forefathers; I admire Kusan, Marx and

early Williams very much. But the new stuff is just better, evolutionarily.

Actually, the fact that a lot of this old stuff - at least the body shells and so forth - is

still being made is just really great. I have an early Williams "beep"; it's part of my collection - not part of my layout.

I'm still sorry that the "New Marx" company from the 90's - early 00's did not

ultimately make it. I went to York once, and I was standing there with my new

Super-Scale, Big-buck, TMCC/RS, die-cast, 2-8-8-2 in the box - and watching the New Marx train do a figure-8 - and I liked it. Didn't buy it (wish that I had), but you can't explain this train-thing, really. 

Will some one please explain 'beep"," bang", & "buddy"to me.

Is this a size term?

Thanks

JOHN G

Yes, someone please do as I get them mixed up all of the time....

Beep: (as in Geep, like GP7 GP9)

Bang: (according to RMT's website, the sound that cars make when coupled together)

Buddy: (as in Budd car)

Size difference as opposed to what?  They are all semi-scale, or in the case of the Beep, a fictional road switcher engine that has a passing resemblance to a real one.

Thanks John, I have buddies, and now a Beep and have always gotten them mixed up! Hopefully, the pictures will assist this old _art!

Maybe I will post the pictures on the ceiling and maybe I can get it into this thick skull by osmosis!

"Size difference as opposed to what?  They are all semi-scale, or in the case of the Beep, a fictional road switcher engine that has a passing resemblance to a real one"

This would   have been a much better answer than the sound one.

I know some of us don't know all of the answers --- me i've only been playing with

trains for76 years and i'm still learning

You asked someone to explain what a Beep, Bang, and Buddy are.  You didn't originally ask about size differences, you asked if they were size terms.  I answered with pictures, along with an explanation of what the names meant.  I figured it would be a foregone conclusion that combined it would also answer your other question about the names being a size term.

I have had my eye on a PRR Bang for many moons- one day I will pull the trigger...

If RMT were to produce a saddle tank switcher, would it be called a 'Burp'? 

Not unless it had a badly machined gear and had a burr under its saddle!