Anderslej, my Slovenian layout

[Green_Elite_Cab]

The shop mentioned is the best one for black beetles in the uk, but yes, they are expensive. For EMU's the slightly cheaper Tenshodo 'Spud' should work well, have you searched for a supplier of those in the US?

I thought the spud was an older piece, is it quiet, and does it perform well? I'm also curious if you know if they match up well with the black beetles, since if one of my EMU sets run different from the others, it might be problematic.

Actually, the only American company that made anything close to a powered truck was Northwest Shortline, and they haven't made one in YEARS. While they have just started making new ones, they are all odd-balls for trolleys and other things. None of them match the various MU cars i own. none of the other distributors I'm aware of carry anything like a motor bogie. There was one Trolley outfit that bought up powered trucks (they had a HUGE bin of them), but i only saw them at a train show once, and their website doesn't mention HO powered trucks, and they have never replied to my Emails.

Yes, I also love electric railways, but we are spoiled for choice in Europe, and can see them anytime.

yeah, I live in the electrified region of the US, but even so, there isn't quite the variety there used to be. most of it literally looks exactly the same. half the locomotives and EMUs are based off each other. though they are clearly different, they all have the same carbody and general appearance (they are close enough that i'm sure most people don't know the difference). I suppose I'm bored of the same old stuff, though at the same time i don't mind watching it. Thats why i model back in the 70s/80s, since there is at least a reasonable availability of a wide variety of electrics.