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Rapido Flexi Flow PDF with paint schemes, etc. https://files.constantcontact.com/b02e8bb6001/e6eefb3c-f7a9-4f05-a7b4-5b432ce409e6.pdf Full announcement to come in the next newsletter, and they are also interested in any high resolution photos that people may have. Also, an update on the B36-7. The order deadline is February 11th. 3 of the roadnames were conditional on sufficient pre-orders. BC Rail is safe and is definitely being made. For Transkentucky Transportation and Minnesota Commercial Railway an announcement will be made on Rapido's website by February 18th if they don't get made, and if you had ordered one of those 2 you will then have a couple of days to change your order if you want.

Rapido just sent out their latest North American newsletter to subscribers (not yet available on their website), in their Delivery Schedule section is says the first part of the J70 arrives next week with the rest of them arriving sometime in March.

Some general comments. The new look is largely the result of Google and the changing nature of the Internet. As more and more people use mobile devices (either phones or tablets) as their only way of accessing the net Google has responded and tweaked their search algorithms to take how mobile friendly a website is in the search result rankings. This in turn means the software that RMweb runs on, like most, have changed to reflect this reality and thus default to a more mobile friendly format. While not necessarily ideal for those still using a normal computer with a large screen, it is what it is. Staying with old software is simply not an option as unmaintained software is a security nightmare and just asking for trouble. Overall well done not just to Andy but everyone else involved in what was a very large effort, and the layout like any other change in life will become less of an issue as not only do we all get used to it but the site settles in and the rest of the features gradually become available.

Atlas released PDFs of their 2 pre-announcements at Springfield. Master 5250 Covered Hopper - http://download.atlasrr.com/Images/Blog/HOACF5250HopperPoster2019.pdf Master Multi-Max Auto Rack Car - http://download.atlasrr.com/Images/Blog/HOMultimaxPoster2019.pdf

But more orders results in more money for Dave, and thus more funds to try and move back to producing his own products instead of relying on crowdsourcing. Regarding the current issue regarding the embargoes, it is certainly an option to give people who have put up money an exclusive period as a "reward", though I suspect most of them would happily give up that reward if it meant the difference between a model going ahead or having to be cancelled due to the inability to meet the minimum numbers. But even if you maintain the reward you have to put up the post on your website when that exclusive period ends. I would also argue that 2 weeks is far too long, and it should be around 2 days so that the subscribers are still interested in the news when it can be discussed publicly.

Walthers has launched their own line of track this month.

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/137014-shinohara-closing-down/ In addition to that there are a bunch of sites that were discussing it around May of last year.

ScaleTrains Dash 9 video

Can't find the link now but after Shinohara left the business Walthers eventually made a public statement about bringing out a replacement I think I recall, perhaps as part of that they purchased the tooling / drawings.

Rapido has more info at Springfield on their upcoming ACF 3500 cubic foot Flexi Flo hopper. Official announcement soon but roadnames will be SHPX, PC, SYSC, NYC, CR, MOTX, NAHX and their will be 3 different versions.

ScaleTrains has just announced the GE Dash 9-44CW (or maybe Dash9-40CW, the website is inconsistent). Operator - BNSF Heritage I, CNW, NS, UP Rivet Counter - NS, UP, BNSF, SF Warbonnet https://www.scaletrains.com/pages/n-scale-ge-dash-9-40cw-diesel-locomotive

The Tangent model is the GATC 4180 Airslide and the new paint schemes being offered starting today are: Boston & Maine B&M (Prince Spaghetti 1984 / 1980 Paintout), GTW (Original 1978), WM (Original 1971) They can all be found here https://www.tangentscalemodels.com/new-release-ho-gatc-4180-airslide-covered-hopper/

ScaleTrains has just announced the GE Dash9-40CW, available now (or it may be a Dash9-44CW, the ScateTrains website is inconsistent) Operator - CNW, NS, UP, BNSF Heritage I River Counter - NS, UP, SF, BNSF Heritage II https://www.scaletrains.com/search?type=product&q=dash+9

Maybe even perfect for a Cakebox challenge.

No idea what happened to the plans but it hasn't started and I believe the RDC's are stored at the Toronto Maintenance Centre. It may be that they needed the units they bid on to have enough to implement the service, or it may be as simple as they decided the passengers would object to changing trains and thus the loss of customers would exceed the benefits of using the RDCs.

The Canadian is operated by VIA Rail, a crown corporation (aka government owned), who took it over from CP when both CN and CP got out of the passenger business in the late 70s. In 1990 budget cuts from the government resulted in the cancellation of the former CN Super Continental, and the move of the Canadian from CPR tracks to essentially the former Super Continental route. It continues to operate with the 1955 Budd equipment, which has undergone (and continues to) various upgrades over the years.

Following posted to their Facebook page today:

Rapido video featuring their GE B36-7 - preorder deadline is Feb 11 [edit to add preorder deadline]

Lionel's 2019 catalog is now viewable online http://www.lionel.com/catalogs

Exactrail has announced an all new Berwick 7440 Appliance Boxcar, built in the early 1970s and designed to move kitchen appliances. Price: TBA Expected Spring 2019 Penn Central (1973 As-delivered), Illinois Central Gulf (1973 As-delivered), Rock Island (1973 As-delivered), Conrail (1980 Repaint / 1985 Repaint, Kit - Undec. https://exactrail.com/blogs/announcements/coming-soon-the-all-new-berwick-7440-appliance-boxcar

Deferred - https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/141095-Bachmann-announce-deferment-of-prestwin-and-j39-update-in-oo-and-j72-and-dp1-in-n-ahead-of-2019-announcements/

A CN freight train derailed at a grade crossing north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan this morning and it was caught on a dashcam (derailment starts shortly after the 35s point): https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/dashboard-video-captures-moment-52-car-train-derails-near-saskatoon-1.4264158 One of the mid-train helpers ended up in the middle off the pile up and started spilling fuel which caught fire, there is footage at least on Facebook from the other side showing the mid-train helper pushing into the wreckage.

Actually, they would need to ship this week, and better yet have shipped last week. While Chinese New Year is Feb 5 this year, and apparently the entire week of the 4 to 8 is a holiday, pretty much everything (based on numerous websites) will be shut down next week to allow everyone to begin the mass migration home. Further, the advice on many websites is to not try and be shipping the last week before shutdown (this week) because of various issues arising from everyone trying to ship out before the shut down which can include increased shipping costs due to the higher demand. (and for those wondering, it then takes another week for everybody to return after Feb 10th Then factories get to find out which employees aren't returning, etc. and thus possibly add another week or more to get everything up and running again, for a total of a 3 to 4 week shutdown beginning next week).

The thing that needs to be remembered if attempting to convert a narrow gauge layout plan to standard is that the narrow gauge, as a result of its sharper curves, has shorter rolling stock (and likely also fewer passengers / less goods). Thus given the somewhat caricature nature of a narrow gauge layout that passenger station is likely perfect for fitting in, and would likely have 2 "short" coaches comfortably fitting at the platform.

Nice to have a manufacturer's perspective. I agree that GWR was the wise/logical choice when creating an O RTR market for steam, so it will be interesting to see what happens next. As you say, the low-hanging fruit has been done which means either moving up to the larger GWR steam (with the attending issues of using in a realistic manner in a small space) or moving to other railways. What might end up swinging things is the collectors market maybe preferring a display GWR Castle / King, and that market being more influential in £'s than the market who want to operate a small layout. I agree it would be a gamble, as anyone contemplating the market may well need to announced a loco and some wagons at the same time to create the market and that would be a large initial undertaking. I suspect despite the niche of a niche issue it could be successful, but then again I don't have any money at stake.