Here's my first report from The Amherst Railway Society BIG Train Show held in W. Springfield last January 27-28. I was only there for the Saturday but I got to talk to several very interesting folks. Here is what I learned from Eric Smith, CEO of Micro-Trains Line.

First things first...here is the latest photo of their upcoming GP9 locomotive...

As you can see, or not, there are no handrails as yet and the plastic colours are kind of yucky but the chassis is done and the unit is nice and hefty when held in the hand. This is a good-looking unit that will fill an enormous void in our NA motive power fleet. Delivery is expected in 2007 and I expect that the price tag will be comparable to the GP35.

Other news from MTL concerns the switch motors for their excellent Micro-Track switches. Eric says that motors are on their way from China where the switches are also made. I was very impressed with the switches. This is the very first time that I had seen them up close and personal.

The Tri-State gang had a set of switches installed on one of the modules under construction and they looked like they operated quite well. The only thing I found to criticise was the use of black plastic insulated rail joiners. They looked absolutely awful and definitely need a dab of paint to make them blend in with the ballast colour. I am curious to know who makes them...MTL or Marklin? Didn't think to ask.

Other news from MTL is their upcoming bul-end flat car. It looks very nice indeed. The underbody detail is terrific. They are probably on their way to distributors as you read this, or they will be very shortly. Next thing needed is a new caboose style!

Eric mentioned that Z is doing very well at the moment. The Micro-Track is a winner and he plans to complete the basic track programme ASAP, including crossings, various radius curves. Eric is always interested in hearing from model railroaders about suggestions for new products or improvements to existing items. Let him know your thoughts.

We talked about the relationship between MTL and Ztrack. Eric will continue to advertise with Ztrack but has plans to expand his media presence elsewhere in order to grow the hobby and the Z-N-Nn3 and HOn3 segments for MTL. Yes, HOn3... MTL has a reefer and log cars in stores now. Obviously, Eric believes that there is room for expansion for MTL in the niche scales. Eric seemed concerned about Ztrack's partnerships with competing manufacturers (i.e. AZL, SZL, etc.).

ASIDE: I believe that Ztrack is in a rather unique situation where it tries to fill the role of hobby press and hobby distributor. This can certainly raise questions in some circles. From where I stand, Ztrack is not really a member of the hobby press since the magazine is more a listing of new product announcements. There is nothing wrong with that. Rob has to pay the bills somehow and the Z marketplace is still very small compared to the rest of the hobby. I guess that the problem for the future of Ztrack is that advertising revenue might not be very strong since advertisers could see Ztrack as more of a competitor than a helper.

While on the subject of magazines, Eric spoke to me of their involvement with N-Scale Collector. This is an interesting and very dynamic organization that has grown up around MTL's N-scale line. The group publishes a bi-monthly, full-color magazine that covers the whole range of new N-scale items with a strong emphasis on MTL products. As you might have gathered, there is a large collector following for MTL products. The group organises an annual 4-day convention, usually in conjunction with N-Trak. At their last convention in Denver, CO, the group commissioned a pair of special-run Z-scale cars in honor of the Denver Mint. So Z does figure into their activities, if only in an off-beat sort of way.

MTL is the corporate parent of N-Scale Collector and Eric sits on the board of directors as secretary.

Eric gave me a copy of the latest N-Scale Collector magazine. There was a one-page piece on MTL Z by an obviously inexperienced and somewhat ignorant individual. The tone of the article was condescending and uninformed...much to my disappointment. There is a definite need for informed Z-scale coverage in this magazine since there appears to be growing interest among N collectors and runners for MTL Z items.

Eric will be at the NMRA National Convention and National Train Show in Detroit, MI next July. Other events are the N-Scale Collector convention, naturally / Trainfest in Milwaukee / and the MRIA Hobby Industry Show in Chicago. See the MTL web site for more info on their full line of products and upcoming public events.

NOTE: Micro-Trains Line is a Gold sponsor of the Val Ease Central RR international adventureZ.

BLOG entry #03: Miller Engineering

The first stop on my round of interviews was at the Miller Engineering booth where I met a smiling and enthusiastic Chris Miller. The booth was brightly adorned with an array of illuminated and animated signs and kits. Chris is well-known in the Z community for his line of etched-brass American-profile structures (Victorian houses, gas station, barn, etc.). His most recent and very successful line is comprised of animated signs for most scales including Z. I picked up a small electro-luminescent experimenter kit. I have a spot all picked out on the Val Ease Central for an industrial sign.

Chris Miller stands “behind” his new line of Desk Top Neon signs. Z modelers will enjoy his electro-luminescent experimenter kits.

His “Desk Top Neon” line is simply incredible in its detail and animations. Chis is very excited about this line which is being sold across the country via distributors and by direct sales. Chris has been in business for 10 years and is very upbeat about the prospects for further growth of the scale and for his business in the model-railroading and scale diorama hobby sectors. Miller Engineering is a recognized leader in innovative products and the new signs are truly ground-breaking.

Best regards,
Jeffrey