New Chessie System Products for 2013

Hi everyone, I would like to let you in on a few new products in HO scale for 2013. I will be letting you know about my favorite road, so don’t go out and buy all of them. So I can get them too. I am joking, if you buy them up the company might make more. If you are a modeler or collector of model railroad models then you will understand. If you were not a modeler you would think that there is an endless supply of the models out there. I am here to tell you that is not the case. Chessie System models are some of the hardest to keep on the selves.

As you all know I am a big Chessie B&O fan. I have had lots of trouble getting the models that I would like to have. In 2013 there are a couple of great new Chessie models coming out. At least two companies have new Chessie System locomotives coming out this year. So lets get to it.

First, Athearn has come out with its first catalog in over a decade and it is not just a catalog it has prototype information in it too. I remember in my youth Athearn locomotives were about 75% of my motive power. They produce a great product; since the addition of sound, and DCC control they are even better. The first new CS model is an Athearn Genesis GP9 Phase II locomotive in Chessie paint. It will be available in March. There are several road numbers and it comes with or without sound. These units will be B&O and C&O with proper details.

The next new locomotive will be also a Genesis, a GP15T. These will come in 3 road numbers and will all be C&O locomotives. They will be all prototypical in detail. This locomotive is great for late Chessie System modelers. The locomotive was delivered to the C&O in late 1982. This loco would not work on my layout it is to new. These engines will come in DC or DCC also. 

The next company putting out some really nice CS locomotiveis MTH. We have a GP35 in CS paint that is in DCC/DCS and DCC ready. These locomotives look great, very realistic. MTH is known for its large-scale locomotives more then their HO, but these are amazing. These come in 3 road numbers and they are my favorite road name B&O. I wish that I could buy a fleet of this one. They also have a C&O and B&O GP35 in the classic blue paint schemes 

Both of these companies offer many other locos. Athearn has a number of Union Pacific heritage units for sale that are popular right now. In addition both companies offer some C&O and B&O EMD locomotives of the early diesel units, like the F7 or E8. The F7 C&O from MTH is greatly detailed. So go check them out.

Thank you, 

Robert   

Bringing Up the Next Generation Of Model Railroaders

This month I am studying Product and Artist Management. I thought about many people saying, that this hobby is dying. I don’t agree with that at all. I think things are just changing, and many fear the changes. I was thinking; how do you manage a product if there are no people to buy the product? This would be hard to do. So, my blog post for this addition of the Trackage Video Blog will be about ways to get youth into the action.

You all know my story. My grandfather was an engineer on the B&O, and he started buying HO scale trains for me when I was in the womb. He took me to see the famous 2101 Chessie Steam Special in 1978, and gave me a few up-close looks at a few GP units. I even got to operate a B&O GP unit once, and a powered Budd car too. This is what started me off on loving trains.

I have started to do much of the same with my son, and three girls. I took them to see engine 765 Nickel Plate Road Lima Locomotive built Berkshire in action, and have taken them to see the sister of the 765 the 779 in a park in Lima, Ohio. I also got to take my son to see the Amtrak 40th Anniversary Train. I also show him videos, and let him see what I am doing in the hobby. I don’t know if it will be his thing; or not, only time will tell.

Now: let us take a look at some of the products out that will help to get new modelers in the future. Kalmbach Publishing Co; has a great idea to reach children that will one day be the model railroad modeler, a magazine called Trains 4 Kids. This magazine has pictures of prototype trains and model trains. The magazine has games and puzzles to play. It is much like a Highlights magazine that is about trains. I think this is a great way to get some junior engineers started.  

There are a few kid friendly shows for the train-loving child now. First you have Thomas and the Chugginton shows. There has been a great Christmas movie done in the last few years too, called The Polar Express with Tom Hanks voice as the conductor. My son loved the movie a lot. My grandchildren like Thomas, Chugginton, and the Polar Express a lot too.

In the May 2012 issue of Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine there is an article called Kids and Model Railroading that may give some tips on how to get kids involved in the hobby. Many train shows are now offering small clinics for teaching children about modeling. There is now an organization called Youth in Model Railroading that is just for kids. YMR is a bit like the National Model Railroad Association for kids. I think that this is a great idea.

Without bringing kids into the hobby there is no future for it. It is a good idea for the model railroad industry to do what it can or the hobby will disappear. This will be bad for modelers, and bad for the companies that make model railroad products. If you are a modeler, railfan, or railroad worker get involved with some kids, yours or someone else’s maybe both.

Until next time, thank you

Robert Reynolds