Regarding "whining" by those of us who run AF
Well, back in the "dark days of S" after Gilbert stopped producing AF and when Lionel started producing it again, there really ONLY was "scale", and those of us who wanted to run AF had to convert Scale items, or put AF trucks on undersized O gauge Marx or Lionel products . (or repaint and decal junker AF).
Scale Engines were pretty much a "no go" as there were not a reliable source of wheels but you could still get 'junker" AF trucks and put them on the scale kits that were available (you simply did not install the bolster or the coupler pocket) or bought ACE trucks that had "Hi Rail" wheels and used the ace conversion that was screwed on to the trucks to allow the use of AF couplers.
When American Models first produced cars, they were exclusively scale kits, and I removed all the wheels from the scale axles and filed down reproduction AF wheels so they would fit into the trucks and installed them on the AM axles. I fabricated my own mount for AF couplers.
I really don't remember any whining back in the "dark days". Scale was all that was available and we dealt with it. The big difference was that, before Lionel made AF again, and before American Models and SHS made AF compatible engines and rolling stock, I had 4 locomotives and 18 cars, (some were scatchbuilt and some were converted scale kits or repainted AF). Now I have 35 engines and 600 pieces of rolling stock. My roster would not be so extensive (especially in terms of motive power), if I had to convert all the engines and rolling stock .
I remain in favor of the SHS model, making engines and cars that can be easily convertible to Scale or AF compatible, and I, for one, am willing to pay a little more to have an AF compatible engine (there is, after all, additional circuitry to get a DC motor to run on AC) .
In any case, I hope everything Jonathan wants will be produced and I want to reassure him that I take no pleasure in his disappointment.
LittleTommy
