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Thank you Lionel and MTH.  Besides Lionel and MTH going a new direction in S, I’ve had thoughts of a new direction myself.  Plans were for a shelf layout, point to point with industries to switch and an inter change yard.  Now with two U33C’s and an SD70ACe I’m toying with a continuous run layout to show off these new engines.  Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Lionel’s U33C’s will have a fair amount of rolling stock to pull with RBOX era cars, AM’s covered Pullman hopper, AM’s tank cars, AM’s gondolas and 4 bay open hoppers.  SHS flat cars, covered hoppers (2 and 3 bay), EV caboose and ore cars which still can be found on dabay site.  Pacific Rail Shop’s ACF covered hopper and 50’ box cars need to be included.  I almost forgot AM’s bay window caboose for variation on the rear of the train.  Funny how one new engine can bring out the need for late 60’s through the 70’s freight cars.  Also I hadn’t really sat down and started compiling a list of what would work and what I already have squirreled away.  Really only two cars are missing from my collection that would fit in nice and that’s a Railgon gondola and OTTX 60’ straight side flat car, think of Atlas Trainman car in O. 

 

Yes I know about AM’s spine car set for piggy backs and Des Plainesdouble stack car but those would be better served with the SD70ACe.  At least on the Espee the U33C was all but gone by the time those cars came on the scene. 

 

Greg Elems

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So far I found one scale wheeled UP SD70ACe.  Wow!  It changed my era slightly and my attitude.  I'm thinking at least mid/late 90's as opposed to late 80's.
The great thing is my road connects with UP, which allows them to bring in the modern monsters while my little nearly bankrupt road runs ex BN F's.  Just like today, where into Peoria the KJ runs F7/9's on their freight.  Works for me.  I am going to have to scuttle a car or two or put them in MoW service. 
Believe it or not, I had a friend fashion an AM Budd coach into a cab car cuz I needed push/pull capability!
Originally Posted by Greg Elems:

Thank you Lionel and MTH.  Besides Lionel and MTH going a new direction in S, I’ve had thoughts of a new direction myself.  Plans were for a shelf layout, point to point with industries to switch and an inter change yard.  Now with two U33C’s and an SD70ACe I’m toying with a continuous run layout to show off these new engines.  Has anyone else had this problem?

 


Greg Elems

My original S Scale railroad was point-to-point, based on a much expanded "Gum Stump and Snowshoe" from an old Model Railroader.  I was fun to operate, but I did sort of long for some continuous running.

 

I had to tear part of it down for what I thought was going to be installation of a second sump pit in that corner(which didn't happen.)  That gave me the opportunity to rebuild with a round the walls loop. 

 

I salvaged what I could, my yard was transplanted in whole and most of the switchback became part of the mainline.  There are some operational possibilities, but I find myself enjoying loop running mostly.

 

Seeing my time-frame is a somewhat elastic late 1950's-early 1960's, I have to rely on time warps and wormholes to justify the SD70's and U33C's. 

 

Fortunately, I live just past that sign post that says "You are now entering the Twilight Zone."

 

Rusty

 

Last edited by Rusty Traque

The conclusion that I have come to is that if I want to model in S at all I need to adopt a take it as it comes attitude. Personally, I prefer the transition era and certain lesser modeled railroads so is a tough way to go right now. Perhaps things will change in the future as more becomes available. That would be a good thing. But for now, I'll just take what I like the best from what is available. Example: I ran my new CSX scale wheeled SD-70 on my switching layout under DCC tonight. Even though I'm not a big fan of this prototype I must say that Lionel keeps putting out better models one after the next in S. This SD-70 is so much better than the U33 it's not even funny. I am very impressed by Lionel and their efforts so far in S. They just need to pick up the pace ;-)

 

Back to the original question that Greg asked... Yes, even though I wouldn't have chosen the models they have made to date they are getting so good that it is hard not  to buy them and let them roll. If there is a Hudson, Berk, Northern, Mountain, etc... in the next catalog I may just design a brand new layout just for display in my office. It is slated to be HO right now, but one catalog could change all that ;-)

Originally Posted by John Albee:
I do have one question for youse guys since we're talking about the SD70s.  In DCC mode can you enable/disable crew talk?  I kinda like it for now...
Greg, I would love to see them do a WP heritage unit!

I agree with you on the WP scheme for the SD70... I'm mainly into transition era but I have family ties to Western Pacific so that would be a "Must Have" for me.

Yeah John the WP heritage unit would be nice.  If it had been offered I'd have bought it instead of the KCS.  I suspect they will offer it since they offered the SP unit, which looked really good. 
 
Greg
 
 
Originally Posted by John Albee:
I do have one question for youse guys since we're talking about the SD70s.  In DCC mode can you enable/disable crew talk?  I kinda like it for now...
Greg, I would love to see them do a WP heritage unit!

 

Originally Posted by Greg Elems:
Yeah John the WP heritage unit would be nice.  If it had been offered I'd have bought it instead of the KCS.  I suspect they will offer it since they offered the SP unit, which looked really good. 
 
Greg
 
 
Originally Posted by John Albee:
I do have one question for youse guys since we're talking about the SD70s.  In DCC mode can you enable/disable crew talk?  I kinda like it for now...
Greg, I would love to see them do a WP heritage unit!

 

I strongly suspect we'll see the WP and MKT hertiage units in the next catalog.  It makes no sense not to conclude the series.

 

As far as crew talk operation DCC, as I recall, it's controlled by function keys, the only "automatic" crew talk is F5 for shutdown.  I can live with that.

 

Rusty

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