Great news for Canadian steam modellers!!!

[Green_Elite_Cab]

I salute the impressive program Rapido is undertaking, but I took the news as if they were announcing a "new" Big Boy or Challenger. Most of them are mantle pieces on steroids. And don't get me wrong, I perfectly understand the business decision behind that, they will sell like hot cake: brass-level models that runs like a charm.

However, I'd like to see more variety in term of locomotives, a not a 70% line up of passenger locomotives. Would have been nice if there was a few small steam engines to complete the array of operation type. A set of 2-6-0 and a set of 0-6-0 would be nice (CPR 0-6-0 with the rounded skirts are really sweet http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/ph...m/6304.jpg). Something very common but painstaking to model without lots of efforts and that would fit many needs.

That said, enough ranting, and thought I woun't probably buy any of them, I was overjoyed to see the pair of 4-6-0 and the CNR 2-8-0. Those will be very fine engines on any size layout, particularly the 4-6-0! If I were to switch my layout back into steam era, at least 3 models would find there way without alteration which, I must admit, is impressive.

Knowing how Jason is a passenger train nuts, I suspect we will see new passenger cars in the future to compliment those excellent models!

Mat

One of the main reasons I don't model the steam or transition stuff, is that unless it is PRR or famous, no one makes a model of it. Except fro brass that will cost you an arm and a leg.