Hey everyone, i was just going through some o gauge catalogs and noticed that there aren't many European engines? i would like to see more of these, how do you all feel about the lack of euro engines?
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Originally Posted by Patrick Kazy:
Hey everyone, i was just going through some o gauge catalogs and noticed that there aren't many European engines? i would like to see more of these, how do you all feel about the lack of euro engines?
Have you checked out any MTH catalogs lately?
Originally Posted by Hot Water:
Originally Posted by Patrick Kazy:
Hey everyone, i was just going through some o gauge catalogs and noticed that there aren't many European engines? i would like to see more of these, how do you all feel about the lack of euro engines?
Have you checked out any MTH catalogs lately?
well Mth is out of my price range so i rarely look, i was referring to Lionel mostly but i will look!
MTH is the King of European locomotives here in the USA. Super nice stuff but they are pricey.
Originally Posted by Patrick Kazy:
Originally Posted by Hot Water:
Originally Posted by Patrick Kazy:
Hey everyone, i was just going through some o gauge catalogs and noticed that there aren't many European engines? i would like to see more of these, how do you all feel about the lack of euro engines?
Have you checked out any MTH catalogs lately?
well Mth is out of my price range so i rarely look, i was referring to Lionel mostly but i will look!
In my opinion, Lionel is much more "pricey" than MTH, plus Lionel offers no real SCALE European models anyway.
Realistically, how many people would buy models of European locomotives? Unless you have lived there and seen them running or in museums, they just don't look right to me. Yes they are interesting, but I would not spend money on them.
I do have a friend who does build some modles of British railroad stuff. Again it is interesting but not interesting enough for me to buy any.
ACE Trains, http://www.acetrainslondon.com/index.html
Originally Posted by prrjim:
Realistically, how many people would buy models of European locomotives? Unless you have lived there and seen them running or in museums, they just don't look right to me. Yes they are interesting, but I would not spend money on them.
I do have a friend who does build some modles of British railroad stuff. Again it is interesting but not interesting enough for me to buy any.
Not to mention that the European O-Scale stuff is NOT 1/48 scale, but 1/43 scale. Put a nice French steam locomotive model next to a U.S. steam locomotive model, and the European model will be, and look, much bigger.
I have the MTH Chappion and Orient Express Cars and are highly detailed.If you think MTH is expensive look at Italian and German O Gauge trains,they are made in Europe.
Follow the money. European 43.5 & 45 are hot. Stateside, 48 is not bringing in the numbers.
European engines and rolling stock does appear unique and somewhat unusual to US train enthusiasts but fascinating none-the-less. As already mentioned MTH has a big European model train presence in both the US and Europe. The European train market, which is quite large, makes it financially profitable for MTH to produce several examples of both British and Continental railroads. Model train anufacturers in Germany, Italy and Holland seem to have quite a large segment of the market with several beautiful models produced in several different scales and materials - i.e. brass and or plastic.
MTH does indeed have a few selections for European locomotives. The Taurus is probably the most popular, but by no means the only choice. Built in Germany and used by many countries in Europe, the Taurus is the quintessential example of European locomotives. I scale, it is a really neat looking locomotive. There are very accurate sound systems available for them which not only replicate the locomotives distinctive sound features, but also the train announcements as well. Usually a German female voice.
That and the level of details adds to the whole affair if one is interested in European rail. As for cars, there are freight and passenger cars available for these locomotives. Many being very highly detailed and with working features.
I did a complete modern European railroad in G and had 5 Taurus locomotives. Two running counter opposing. I went for the winter theme and boy that was some nice layout I had and all on the floor of my basement.
Anyway, there are many items available in O scale.
Pete
There are not many who care for the European Railroads or equipment on this side of the pond. I feel that this would be the answer to your question.
I have three more cars to finish and my three remaining Std Gauge sets will be complete. I'm going to give the English railroads a try. I can hardly believe my doctors are saying, "Slow Down!".
God Bless,
"Pappy"
I would say that even "pricey" Lionel makes some Euro O scale pricing look stratospheric.
For a real budget Euro project, maybe look for older Lima & Rivarossi O scale from the 70s. Lima for rolling stock and Rivarossi for the Euro-outline diesel. Lousy drives (same as their FM C-Liner I think) but a cheap body you could maybe put on a 3-rail drive?
For a real budget Euro project, maybe look for older Lima & Rivarossi O scale from the 70s. Lima for rolling stock and Rivarossi for the Euro-outline diesel. Lousy drives (same as their FM C-Liner I think) but a cheap body you could maybe put on a 3-rail drive?
"Real" engines have a cow-catcher, headlight, protection from the elements for the cab crew, and a deep sounding whistle. A inexpensive European train would be a Hornby wind-up, about $100.
By the way, I have both of the above.
Originally Posted by Joe Hohmann:
"Real" engines have a cow-catcher, headlight, protection from the elements for the cab crew, and a deep sounding whistle.
I imagine from the European perspective, "real" engines have buffers, screw-link couplings and high pitched whistles.
BTW, you have heard the Pennsy "banshee" whistle? (and I'm told the D&RGW had some pretty high pitch whistles on some of their locomotives...) They sound mighty European to me...
Rusty
Concerning European model railroading you have to make choices based on your preferences and budget and ask yourself...
- British or Continental (if Continental then Alpine or what other region?)
- analog AC 3-rail or DC 2-rail ?
- digital DCC, DCS, TMCC or Legacy?
- plastic mold or tinplate?
- exact or reduced scale?
- which era? (e.g. pre-WWI, 1920-30, post-WWII, Epoque III, IV,V,VI)
- which state line? (e.g. DRG,DB,DR,DBAG,NS,SNCF,RENFE,FS,SBB,OeBB,etc.)
- steam or diesel or electric?
- freight or passenger trains?
- New or 2nd Hand from online auctions?
There might be also other creteria for choosing the right European train set.
PLENTY of Euro O scale model trains made. Just open the wallet WIDE!! MTH locos and cars are on par price wise with Lionel. And as stated already there are Euro manufactures but they make the MTH stuff look cheap! (why MTH entered the market) Looking for cheap Euro trains is tough. But I find LIMA brand O scale Euro trains on ebay from time to time....but they often go for more than I am willing to spend.
EZ to find......but it takes $$$$$
Originally Posted by Patrick Kazy:
Hey everyone, i was just going through some o gauge catalogs and noticed that there aren't many European engines? i would like to see more of these, how do you all feel about the lack of euro engines?
In 3 rails, yes the choice is very limited..for new, modern release, basically to MTH (not great, 1 new engine every 2-3 years) and Hermann (Swiss models only).
In tinplate, the choice is better, with good offering from Ace, Merkur, ETS, Buco, Darstead, plus the availability on the used market of the PW models from Marklin, Hornby, Jep, Hag..etc.
In 2 rails, well that's a totally different story..the amount of products is just awesome...and continue to grow.
They are just sometimes very hard to get, as they sold out very quickly.
OK, I have an MTH Chapelon Pacific Engineering Version. Beautiful. Esthetically, er,
it's French. Not that I don't like that - it's very striking. I like the way that French design just goes its own way.
Sitting on a shelf underneath an old brass KTM NYC J3a Hudson one can really see the difference between 1:48 and 1:43.5.
But, on a layout, the difference pretty much slips away, unless you are one of Those Guys.
(You talk about different esthetics, Hudson and Chapelon - wow.)
I like them; I would like one of the MTH 2-4-1 steamers also, but they are not cheap, and I usually have to make a choice between something I like (SNCF 2-4-1 "Mountain") or something I love (NYC 4-8-2 "Mohawk"), and I know how THAT is going to go.
I was intending to order one of the DR/DB plain gray Decapods, but I passed. If they
are ever on Blowout... Yeah, sure, I'll hold my breath.
