TCA Fall ‘06 Open House - Recap Part 1

I never tire of visiting the TCA Museum.  I could spend hours examining all the fine models on display and the great layouts.  Today the TCA held it’s bi-annual open house at the museum.  The open house is always held the day before the Spring and Fall TCA Eastern Division train meets in York, PA.  If you’ve never been to the open house you need to attend at least one.  It’s a great event because most of the influential leaders of the O Gauge industry present their "wares" to the their core demographic and plant the seeds of anticipation by showing pre-production models and hinting at things to come. 

Compared to the Spring ‘06 open house (my first) I thought the attendance was about the same, maybe slightly lower.  Sunset Models/3rd Rail, Weaver Models, MTH, Atlas O and Lionel were all represented as well of Marklin (HO).  In my opinion, the presentations at the Spring open house offered up more interesting and new information.  Nonetheless, there was still some good info to be had.

Click on the link below to read on

First up was Scott Mann of Sunset Models/3rd Rail.  Here are the highlights:

  • 3rd Rail’s Canadian National Selkirk 2-10-4 with TMCC and RailSounds 4.0 has been a great seller and there are only 10 left so order now if you want one.
  • Golden Gate Depot will be producing heavyweight coaches with die cast sprung trucks (November ‘06 delivery).  They will also make sleepers (January ‘06 delivery).  Minimum radius on both is O-42 but not recommended because of the non-prototypical look of the coaches on O-42.
  • Golden Gate Depot will release a line of O-27/O seated people for use in passenger coaches.  The pack of 40 seated figures are painted, will retail for $30 and be shipped in November ‘06.  They will also be releasing standing figures in the future.
  • Sunset also will sell a new 1/29 scale K-4, made by a company called American Mainline.  Cars to accompany the K-4 will be available shortly.  Retails for $2,000 but Sunset will be selling them for $1,400 (without sound) at their table in York.
  • Sunset doesn’t expect that Lionel will release TMCC Legacy to other manufacturers for some time so they will continue to use TMCC.
  • Their RDC2 is expected for February or March of ‘07 delivery.
  • Empire State Express locomotive will be made after some manufacturing issues are worked out.

Next up was Anna Hartman from Weaver Models.

  • Spring ‘07 catalog was distributed at the open house
  • Anna discussed the benefits of joining the Weaver club, which is $60 per year.  See my post here.
  • Real wood decking will be available as an add on for Weaver’s 50ft flat cars.  The decking can be painted or stained.
  • "Graffiti" series was announced.  The first in the series will be a 57ft mechanical reefer.    MSRP $41.95 with plastic trucks/couplers, $51.95 with die cast trucks/couplers.  The reefer will also be available with sound and lights simulating the refrigeration units on the reefer.  Weaver will add one to two cars in the series per catalog.
  • Anna showed a weathered die cast 2-8-0 consolidation, which is being re-introduced with EOB cruise control and fan driven smoke.  With sound locos will have TMCC and Railsounds.  It will be available in 2 and 3 rail versions with or without sound.  25 different road names will be produced.  The 2-8-0 will negotiate O-31 curves.
  • The U4A Canadian National Royal Train from the Fall ‘06 catalog was shown.  Matching coaches will be available in 6 road numbers for MRSP of $110 per car.    The locomotive is to be delivered the end of 2006/beginning 2007.
  • A brass New Haven I-5 Hudson was shown.  Two versions will be offered with different New Haven heralds.  It will be available only in 3-rail and will be a short run.  Features EOB cruise control and fan driven smoke and scheduled for early 2007 delivery.
  • ETS and Weaver entered into a joint venture where Weaver will be selling ETS products.  ETS produces fine scale European trains and ETS will have a table at York.  ETS products will be listed on Weaver website.
  • Brass switch towers continue to be big sellers.  The switch tower will be joined by 3 new brass structures that include a 55K gallon water tank with MSRP of $119, an interlocking tower MSRP of $71.95 and a watchman’s tower with MSRP of $63.95.  They will be available in a few color combinations.  Pre production models should be available by the Spring ‘07 York show.  Delivery should be middle of next year.
  • Pre production RPO cars shown. ABS plastic, die cast trucks that will negotiate O-42 curves. Delivery scheduled for Feb 2007.  MRSP $84.95.  6 road names with 4 road numbers per name.  Available in 2 or 3 rail.
  • Pre production B60b baggage, ABS plastic, die cast trucks, O-42 curves, 7 road names (5 Pennsy versions), lighted interiors, marker lights on each end that are controlled by a switch on the bottom of the car.
  • Canadian Pacific Empress brass steam locomotive (pictured on cover of catalog) was announced MRSP $1095 with sound (EOB cruise control $50 extra) and fan driven smoke.  Delivery expected fall/winter 2007.  Matching coaches will also be available for MSRP of $110 each.

That’s it for Part 1.  Part 2 will cover MTH’s announcements.

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