The show is over. The booth has been torn down and stored for the next time, and dinner has now been eaten. My laptop continues to encourage me to replace it...

But ScaleTrains.com  released the GE C44-9CW, aka "Dash-9" yesterday, and from all reports it is an extraordinary locomotive. I got to run one briefly over at the ProtoThrottle demo, and the rivet counter version of this loco has lights where most of us had no idea that lights existed... and it was a very smooth performer. It is the first locomotive to be released with the ESU/Loksound 5.0 decoder installed.

Both HO and N scale Rivet Counter and Operator line versions were announced, with two of the HO scale Rivet Counter locomotives, BNSF 4313 and NS 9692 currently in stock.

Here are the N scale production samples -

This HO scale BNSF Dash-9 rather stood out, with it's vermillion (practically pink) walkways and stair treads. I thought at first it might be a leftover from when the unit was repainted from ATSF warbonnet, since their walkways and treads were the same color, but Mike from ScaleTrains.com assured me that for whatever reason, some of the BNSF units came from the factory in this paint scheme - 

Here are Chicago & Northwestern & Union Pacific units, either Operator versions, or just pre-production samples missing some of the details:

Some of the last ATSF locomotives, delivered in the red & silver warbonnet of the Superfleet. Some of these were delivered with gullwing cabs:

Note that the UP units have two different paint schemes, with one of them dressed in a lightning stripe:

Here are more BNSF units, including the 4313, which is shipping. Note that their walkways are the more expected green color. I was told that a 4313 was shipping to Joe, so I hope we'll be able to provide our readers with more detailed photos soon:

This appears to be a standard cab C40-9, of which Norfolk Southern has some (being rebuilt into AC traction units and given wide cabs at this time), but I don't actually see it announced on the ScaleTrains.com website, although the menus and the "Choose a brand" page both refer to the models as Dash 9-40CWs until you get to the actual pages for the models, where they are all referred to as Dash 9-44CW - without any standard cabs or Dash 9-40's in evidence. I didn't actually make the announcement at the show, so I don't know if this model was mentioned or not. Edit: Yes, this is a C40-9 "Top Hat" version that will be in the second run according to Shane at the announcement. #9598 is a Dash 9-44CW, part of a series built in 2000-2001:

Here is the N scale NS Dash 9 in front of it's HO scale counterparts. With the antennas, mu cable, and mu hoses, these are Rivet Counter units:

I expect we'll be seeing a lot of highly detailed and excellent running (and sounding) Dash-9's from ScaleTrains.com for many years in the future.

River Point Station, which has been releasing a steady stream of HO scale Ford F-series pickup-based vehicles over the past few years.

Now they are showing pre-production samples or  N scale Ford F-series utility and crew cab trucks:

The flyer:

Sun, 2019-01-27 11:27 — AzBaja

Talk about of price outside of reality.  Over $20 for the roomettes,  are you kidding me.  Anyone with a quality printer and a little knowledge of a photo editing software can make those.  

No, they're not kidding!!!  I have enough experience with 3D printing to know their price is right in line with what those little detail sets cost after you print them, add the printed walls, the instruction sheets and then box it up in commercial packing  Yes, a little over $20 IS RIGHT IN LINE WITH OUR CURRENT PRICING!!!

Any less and it wouldn't even pay for the materials to produce the kits.

True to the Northeastern nature of the Amherst Railroad Hobby Show, Rapido showed  up with a very appropriate locomotive - a hand painted and assembled sample of their upcoming EP-5 Jet electric locomotive. This is the New Haven version, I wasn't told until late Sunday that there was also a Penn Central one somewhere in the display:

And just because I am drawn to the sight of raw plastic, the SW1200:

Okay, it's after 11pm here and I just tried to upload a Camera Raw file. That means it's bedtime. I'll see if I can get any more uploaded tomorrow morning before I get on the plane, if not, I'll try and edit as long as my battery lasts on the airplane and upload when I get home.

Dear Az,

Those who can, and have the necessary Photoshop skills, do.
Those who can't, won't, or prefer to have someone-else do the work for them, pay...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Dear Jeff,

Any indication from Rapido of change-of-approach to their Locomotive Service Manual writing?

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

How is it that a bunch of boring ol' diesels can get folks so excited?
;)

I really REALLY need to go to a show some day.

I didn't even know that was a question to ask Rapido...  I take it you aren't into Jason's warped (appropriate for a Star Trek fan) sense of humor?

I don't actually own any of their locomotives, although I wouldn't mind an RDC, so I've never seen one of their manuals personally.

Shows are fun - realize that this is one of the largest out there - something like a combined 400,000 square feet of floor space, and that manufacturers show up for this show that you'll only see here, Trainfest in Milwaukee, and the National Train Show.