Despite the drizzle, there's now tulips flowering in my garden so I think I can use the title 'spring' for this newsletter. It's been a long month.
A few things to say, with a bit of a North American theme this time.
Showtime:
I've started preparing for the York Model Railway Show, which is happening in just over a week over Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Easter weekend. The Train Trax stand will be a bit bigger than I did at Leeds or Doncaster, so what would you like me to bring? If you've already started writing a shopping list then do let me know and I'll try and bring everything you want. If there's something that you'd just like to have a look at 'in the flesh' without any obligation to buy it, then again just drop me a note here or email to sales@traintrax.co.uk
York is a great show to visit - always a good variety of subjects modelled and always to an inspiring standard. In total circa 120 stands expected at the show. Catering isn't bad either once you've found it somewhere upstairs!
New KatoUSA UP FEF
One of the most recognizable and famous UP Steam Locomotives, the FEF (Four-Eight-Four) is returning for 'Fall' 2023 from Kato USA! Featuring a number of revolutionary design innovations, including a coreless motor with dual flywheels for silky-smooth side-rod operation at any speed. Inside bearing wheels (where appropriate), and a special articulated undercarriage features on the unique, 14-wheel Tender to allow the locomotive to navigate 11” (282mm) curves.
FEF-3 Steam Locomotive Union Pacific 844 (DCC-Fitted)
The Water Tenders are Kato's most recent design and will be sold as a two-pack for modellers to supplement their FEF-3 or other UP steam locomotives, such as the 4-8-8-4 Big Boy. Just like the prototype models, the two tenders are not identical, having (in addition to an externally mounted American Flag plate) different weld mark details which will be replicated on the models of the two cars, ensuring that their unique spirit is preserved when translated into model form. An optional DCC-friendly headlight PCB will be available to allow the tender’s lights to be illuminated as well!
Union Pacific Water Tender Set (2) - IN STOCK NOW but more to come in autumn.
The third component of this Union Pacific re-release will be the 7-car UP Excursion Train. This set features the latest tooling for the Power Car (a modified/rebuilt Baggage Dormitory car prototypically used for providing head end power to the trailing cars) and a UP Business car "Kenefick." These will form the form the head and tail of the excursion consist, which will also include notable cars like the vibrantly decorated Promontory Museum car, with its full-body American Flag wrap, and a pair of Dome cars.
Following feedback from Facebook followers, over the last week I've arranged a few tweaks to www.traintrax.co.uk
You can now find the ranges of KatoUSA DC, DCC and DCC Sound locomotives each in their own category. Once you've clicked the category you'll be able to narrow the list of locos down by using the filters on the right have side of the screen (or the little search icon if on mobile). Do have a browse and see if you can discover something extra to add to your collection. To encourage you all to give it a test there's 5% off locos in these categories (excluding pre-orders) with the coupon 'loco5' until Easter.
I expect I've got something wrong with the categorisation, as I'm no expert in North American stuff. If you can spot something that doesn't look right then let me know and I'll send a 10% coupon code just for you.
