08/10/2026
Most of the way through summer? Sheesh! That didnt take long at all did it? Well, with the hot weather here, we've been sweatin' our rear ends off getting things moved through the shop. Here's an update!
In the shop right now is a "1 of 2" GMD1 locomotive that was built in Canada by Shane Carr. Its an absolutely stunning model of the infamous Canadian prototype. We are currently re-wiring it for use with the LCRC100 locomotive controller and have also added new batteries and and 8" powered subwoofer for bigger sound too! It's going back together now and should make its US railroad debut at The Mill Creek Central Railroad in Ohio for the Labor Day Meet. We'll be there all weekend if you want to come out and see the locomotive or the control system in action!
Speaking of the control system, we have some LCRC100 units in stock and ready for programming and shipping to you. We're about half way through batch #2 (so about 45 units in total!!!), so if you want one, dont wait too long. We will have more available when we sell out of this batch, but it may take a little while to get back in stock. Also on the controller front, the crew at Integral Circuits is almost done with debugging the MU code and has tested it both on the bench and also at a track in the Dayton area. There is still a little to go, but we're hoping to try out a bigger consist over Labor Day, so stay tuned. If you have an LCRC100 system already, we'll be sending you an email when the final MU code is ready to discuss options for the software upgrade. If you never intend to MU, there's nothing you need to do.
Now on to freight cars! Our basement riveting shop is bulging at the seams with Sprayberry Hoppers! Our guy Brandon has been hard at work getting them together over the last 2 months (he works at a school and was going to be bored over summer break) and now theyre heading to powdercoat. Many are sold customer cars, but a couple (2 offset and 1 USRA) are available, so if you're interested, reach out to us.
The Northeastern cabooses are almost all with their new owners, with just a couple left to ship out. If you haven't gotten yours yet, stand by as they'll be shipping shortly.
Next, we've got 3 new cars in the pipeline! Closest to going live is the USRA 42' riveted flat car. These cars are a great 1930s->1960s car and will be an inexpensive yet well detailed car to fill out your train. The 1st prototype car was delivered to a customer in New Hampshire along with a custom built crate load. A little further behind that is the PS2003 covered hopper for which we have most of the steel for the prototype car. These cars will feature a removable roof and flat floor so they'll make great tool cars for your train! Finally, we have several other customer's cars in progress including some PSC flat cars, a couple boxcars and we're close to wrapping up CAD for the C40-8CM locomotives. (Still 1 available for pre-order until we start cutting steel!). Stay tuned for that fun!
Well, thats about it folks. Stay tuned and we hope to see you at Mill Creek for Labor Day, The Silver Lake & Ossipee Railroad for their invitational meet, and we're planning to be at Ridge Live Steamers in Florida in February for their big meet. Enjoy the remaining summer and we look forward to seeing you at the track!
Russ
