ToyTrains1's Blog

The most popular video I ever posted, by far, is "The March of the Atlas Reefers" which, since its debut in September 2004, has been viewed over 10,000 times.  It was the first one that I shot with my then-new DVcam and was also the first that I made available in the MPEG-4 format.  In looking it over the other day, I noted a lot of things that I could have done to improve the quality had I known then what I know now.  Fortunately, since it was shot with the DVcam, it was just a matter of finding and reinserting the tape and, using modern software, recapturing the video and then doing the editing and encoding as I do now.  It's done, and the newly rendered "March of the Atlas Reefers" is available for your viewing pleasure on the Multimedia page of my web site.  The quality is much improved over my efforts of two and a half years ago.  Enjoy!

The older train videos that were shot with the old camcorder have always bothered me. I don't know if it was the camcorder itself or the primitive digitizer that I used to capture the video to the computer, but those videos don't compare well to the ones that I've shot since I got the DVcam. One of the ones that bothered me most was of the MTH Premier NYC A2 Berkshire. The color was off, the aspect ratio was off, and every time I saw it, I shook my head and promised myself that I'd redo it some day. So, since it's snowing outside and wanting something to take my mind off the snow and my health, I reshot the A2 video using the DVcam and the new software. It came out very nicely and I've posted it on the Multimedia page of my web site. I've also been experimenting with putting a few videos on Youtube (even though I don't care much for the quality after they've processed it) and will probably put this one up there too.

While you may never have seen this in the real world, there have to be a few perks associated with owning your own railroad! I've teamed up the FF1 with the FF2 boxcab as a pusher.  Sandwiched between them are seventeen (!) heavyweight passenger cars.  Now, either one could pull that massive load by themselves, but given the state of O-gauge couplers, it's best to have one on front and one on back.  Besides, according to my 1925 PRR rule book, with twelve or more cars, I need two locomotives! The video, in your choice of formats, is available on the Multimedia page of my web site.

Back in January, I mentioned that MTH was considering the cancellation of a number of Premier steam locomotives due to insufficient orders and that they were extending the ordering deadline.  I received an MTH newsletter that states that they have now received sufficient orders and that all of the locomotives will be produced.  This includes the Great Northern Z-6 Challenger that I ordered.  The newsletter also noted that the upcoming PRR L1 Mikado and the USRA 0-6-0 switcher will also have the new wireless tether.

Since things were still set up on the layout from shooting the FF1 video yesterday, I put the new Atlas Reefers on the track, hitched them up to Big Liz, and had her haul them around for the camera.  The new video is posted on my Multimedia page.

If you peruse my web site, you'll find that I collect the billboard woodsided reefers made by AtlasO.  They are exquisite models of some of the most colorful rolling stock ever to exist.  Today, Mr. UPS dropped off three large boxes containing eleven new reefers, a very welcome surprise! They all appear on my Atlas Reefer photo catalog page.  Here's a sample:

I've now shot and posted a video of the Model PRR FF1 in action.  In the first half of the video, you see it hauling a twelve car heavyweight consist.  In the second half, you get to see the automatic pantographs in action and can hear part of the sound set that was recorded exclusively for this model.  The video, in your choice of Real Media, Windows Media, or MPEG-4 formats, is posted on my Multimedia page.

It's been a while since I got a new locomotive so I actually got dressed and ran over to the train store when they called at five this evening (even though I'm not feeling well) to pick up my new MTH Premier model of the PRR's FF1 electric locomotive. She's a real beauty, a die-cast model of a very large, very powerful prototype built in 1917.  She's a heavy model and I've set her up pulling a dozen scale heavyweight passenger cars which is a not inconsiderable load.  I've got pictures of her on my Boxcab Electric Locomotives page and I've reviewed her on my Train Reviews page.  I'll try to get a video of her in action posted this weekend.  Here's a teaser of what you'll see on the photos page.

MTH has made their new set and accessory catalog available online.  It contains their ready-to-run sets and their line of accessories, including a few buildings with "interesting" names!   You can view the catalog at this link: MTH RTR Catalog.