Page 19 - November December 2007
P. 19

N Scale Locomotive Reviews – Model Power’s latest releases
To many N scale fans, Model Power had a reputation for cheap and cheerful locos, such as Mehano-made diesels which ran poorly, though they also imported Minitrix American N scale.
Recently they have imported new higher-quality steam locos with five-pole skew-wound motors and flywheels. They have diecast, nicely detailed superstructures and run well up to the standards of Bachmann and Kato.
To date they have released USRA light Pacifics, both standard and semi-streamlined, and also USRA light Mikados in many roadnames.
The latest steam locos are another step ahead. The 4-4-0 and 2-6-0 are amongst the first N scale small steam locos to feature road-specific details for each road issued. The basic models are of moderate size for their wheel arrangements, about the 1900– 1910 era. They also have diecast boilers and five-pole skew- wound motors with flywheels, but details such as cabs, pilots, cylinders and headlights come in at least two different styles and are applied appropriately to each roadname.
I recently bought a Southern Railway 2-6-0 and a 4-4-0. They had correct arch window cabs, slide valves, centred headlights and road pilots. Consulting one of my Southern Steam books I found that, although not exact, the locos were very close to the proto- types they had been numbered for.
Separate small details such as handrails were fitted – the locos look very nice indeed. Performance is excellent, smooth starts
John Spratley
and good slow running straight out of the box. Pickup is also excellent – almost every loco wheel is used, and one truck on each side of the tender.
Haulage is reasonable for these relatively small locos, the 4-4-0 a little less so, but in keeping with what the prototype would pull. All told they are excellent value and fill a gap in the N scale market.
Also recently released by Model Power is a new EMD FP7 cab unit diesel. The 4 ft longer (than the F7) body of the FP7 accom- modated the extra equipment, fuel and water tanks for passenger train heating equipment as the loco was for dual service.
Model Power has captured the prototype beautifully with a nicely detailed diecast bodyshell, painted in correct livery for my Southern version, clearly lettered and numbered.
The chassis too is diecast, giving more traction weight, and fitted with another five-pole skew-wound flywheel-equipped motor. Well-detailed trucks of engineering plastic are fitted with plated metal wheels, all of which are driven and pick up current. Performance is excellent, with smooth slow starts and acceler- ation.
Top speed is not excessive, probably within the prototype range, and haulage is slightly greater than the prototype!
To sum up, another great model of a never-before-offered prototype, built to high standards and excellent value for money (mine was purchased from ‘TrainWorld’).
Canadian Themed Meet at Crewe – Sunday 7 October
On behalf of the organisers and Calder Northern Division (or Group) committee, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the trouble to come along to our event.
I am pleased to report we registered 93 NMRA members in attendance, although we do know a few people did not sign in, so we think we can guarantee member numbers topped 100. That is great support for a group meet, and to think members came from Scotland, South Wales, Essex and from the very south coast of England and no doubt all points between is very encouraging and we are very grateful to them all. Hopefully, attendance of this level is something we would like to see in the future at other events in Crewe and at other similar events. For information, the total number of people through the gate was a handful short of 300. I honestly think we may have gone above the 300 mark with a few people (especially those with youngsters!) slipping in without paying whilst others stood at the pay window!
CN enjoyed putting on this event even though we all ended up rather tired. However, if we can get this kind of support from members and general public I think we might start to attract more members into NMRABR. We know five people took away application forms and each indicated their intention to complete and forward their cash. Let’s hope this scenario continues. So again – thank you very much for coming.
I must also thank everyone who offered to be stewards for their help during the day.
Terry Wynne
I also wish to thank the guys (and gals) who brought layouts to operate and from comments overheard during the day, local people thought the layouts were wonderful and the show was a great success. Special thanks to the guys from Sussex who made a very long round trip to Crewe. I urge everyone to take a peek at their website and see the progress of Romulus AB.
Thank you also to the traders – John, Terry, Brenda, Ken and John – who it seems had a better day than at the Spring Meet. Thanks guys, and for the donations for the raffle.
Thanks also go to Trevor Jones for his demos on tree-making which proved to be very popular and to Alan Corkill, Paul Warden, Eric White, Richard Gowing and Les Herriot for their displays on various aspects of Canadian railways.
Last but not least, thanks for the help of the ladies who made and served drinks all day – Sue, Wendy, Joan, Noleen and another Sue. I understand that the free teas and coffees trade was hectic at times, and many members and public kindly gave donations on the day. These ladies also sold raffle tickets as well.
The raffle was a great success, raising almost £200. I am sure this would not have been as high but for the generous donations by Athearn, Walthers, Intermountain, Kadee, Digitrax, Rapido Trains, Rocky Mountaineer and Port of Vancouver.
We are indebted as well to the 13 Canadian Provinces/Territories’ Tourist Boards, Canadian Wheat Board, Port of Vancouver, Amtrak, VIA Rail, CP Rail, Rocky Mountaineer, CN, Algoma Central and Bombardier for sending display materials of every kind.
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