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The Top 10 Coolest O Scale Things I Saw at York
“HiRailer Heaven” is probably the best way to describe the
TCA Eastern Division’s York train show. Nowhere on Earth
can one spend a couple of days simply seeing more trains,
more people, more manufacturers, and more hobby products
on display, all in one location. The show normally draws 18-
20,000 attendees who are all members or guests of members
of the TCA. This show is not for those who have a casual
interest in trains. This is SERIOUS stuff. Although it is known
primarily as a 3-Rail show, you will find several dealers with
2-Rail scale offerings and lots of O Scale items that are really
cool. This column is about my observations as my modeling
moves in the direction of scale. That pursuit would not be
complete without the York experience.
Here is what I found to be the top ten hits of new products
and ideas displayed at York this April. My observations are
provided for your information. Starting off my top 10 countdown
is:
#10 M.T.H. ELECTRIC TRAINS displayed their new N&W
Class A’s in both #1218 and #1242 cab numbers. These are
two totally different locos with lots of new details, new drawbar,
scale smokebox hinges, and new sounds. Each locomotive
was carefully modeled after the prototype, and each
model has the correct and unique details right down to the
tender trucks. They will be available with traditional 3-Rail
and scale 2-Rail wheels and coming to a dealer near you on
May 10 in a very limited production.
#9 WESTPORT MODEL WORKS continues their great
line of model detail parts for architects and model builders.
Scale mailbags and mailroom fixtures, several new industrial
smokestacks and chimneys, and a new line of highly detailed
resin building modules that allow you to design and build
your own brick buildings. Gorgeous details!
#8 JOE'S MODEL TRAINS had available the newlydeveloped
“Rusty Rail Painter” that allows you to apply paint
to the rail sides of your track with a scale roller. A tiny needle
dispenses the paint from a small jar, and makes painting the
rails a dream. With a little practice, you will be saying goodbye
to dipping and brushing the rail. This new technique is
pretty cool! Special boxed sets of his weathering stains were
also really cool for those who want to get started into serious
weathering. All of Joe’s products are environmentally friendly.
#7 ATLAS O, LLC, had on display their soon-to-be-delivered
first steam project, the USRA 0-6-0 switcher. It features
loads of details, include a hinged apron between the loco and
tender and wire connections between cab and tender that
simulate water and steam piping. Awesome! They also exhibited
their highly detailed express refrigerator cars and the new
F-3 Diesels. Their products can now be broken down into
three main lines, Master, Trainman, and Industrial Rail.
#6 ST. CHARLES MODEL WORKS exhibited at York for
the first time, and had a tremendous response. Their highly
successful and realistic freightcar loads feature everything
from several grades of coal, ballast, and ore, up to bales of
scrap metal. Available for every type of car manufactured,
these scale loads are considered to be the best available on
the market. Just wait until you see ’em!
#5 SCENIC EXPRESS wins hands-down for the “Best in
Show” with the most eye-appealing display. Can’t see the
trees for the forest No problem! No excuses! Their trees and
groundcover will make a big difference on your layout. Providing
details for scenery is their specialty, and the new larger
O Scale trees (available in both pine and hardwood) are simply
gorgeous.
#4 CUSTOM SIGNALS had another great display, and
featured their soon-to-be manufactured Pennsy-style roundfaced
signals that will be produced in conjunction with Atlas
O. They are simply the finest O Scale signals available today.
Watch for new item announcements as their offerings continue
to expand!
#3 ARTTISTA ACCESSORIES features their line of almost
400 superb hand-painted figures for O Scale. Lots of new figures
and detail accessories were on display, including a scale
clothesline with clothes, new construction workers, checker
players complete with checkers, and more hobo figures!
(Hobo figures are becoming very popular!)
#2 MILLER ENGINEERING had several new releases,
just in time for the show. Animated and lighted signs for
Goodyear, Breyers, Western Auto, Dr. Pepper, and Rexall
Drugs are very unique. More animated signs are in the works
and a special anniversary sign will soon be announced. These
signs add a lot of character and look great on weathered and
detailed buildings.
And the number one coolest thing I saw at York was…
#1 AAA PRECISION TURNTABLES is known for its solid
cast-aluminum model turntables that perform and operate just
like the real McCoy. Built by professionals in the engineering
industry, these tables really perform with precision. Each
table is custom-built to the owner’s specifications, and they
offer several detail options ranging from the basic turntable
up to a museum-quality masterpiece. AAA also demonstrated
their new coal dumper that allows ”Coal-Porter” cars to flip
and unload, just like the real thing. The dumper is manufactured
with the same precision as their turntables. If you like
machinery and operating accessories that perform just like
real, and are built to strict specifications and rigid tolerances
so they work right each and every time, one of these may be
in your future.
That’s all for now. I hear a long coal drag coming this way.
Hobo has left the building!
u
July/August ’07- O Scale Trains • 23