Last year, Robert Allbritton’s Z scale Gotthard layout appeared on the PBS show Tracks Ahead, episode #714. This episode is now on You Tube! Check it out! The segment on Robert’s layout starts around 8:30 into the program. Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PzC__PX2II

By the way, look for two cameos of yours truly in the segment.

Rob

NARP’s October 13 letter to members of Congress’s Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction demonstrates why we can’t afford to sacrifice 21st-century transportation investments at the altar of shrinking the national debt.

More…

LATVIA: On show at Riga’s Central station in conjunction with the 1520 Strategic Partnership meeting are two prototype locomotives rebuilt by the national railway’s rolling stock services subsidiary LDZ Ritosa Sastava Serviss to comply with European Stage IIIA emissions standards.The more powerful of the two is a CME3-M Co-Co shunter rebuilt with a Caterpillar 3512D engine rated at 2 000 hp. LDZ RSS has a contract to deliver a further 13 of this type to LDZ Cargo by the end of 2013. The prototype has been tested at Daugavpils marshaling yard, where it proved able to move an 80 wagon train grossing 6 300 tonnes over the hump. LDZ Cargo currently uses twin-unit ex-Soviet diesels on such duties. The second locomotive on show is a TGM23BV three-axle diesel-hydraulic for trip freight and industrial branches. This has been equipped with a 540 hp Volvo Penta engine, replacing the original 400 hp prime mover derived from a Soviet tank engine.

More…

USA: GE Transportation has announced plans to expand production facilities and invest $58m in research and testing technology to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions from large diesel engines used in locomotive, marine and stationary power applications.The investment announced on October 18 includes equipping laboratories at its Erie, Pennsylvania, plant for testing to ensure locomotives meet the EPA Tier 4 emissions standards coming into effect in 2015. An additional $38m has been allocated to modernising locomotive and mining truck production equipment, while $40m will go on other facility upgrades, including offices and a Customer Showcase Center. GE said production at the Erie plant is currently equivalent to the peak production levels last achieved in 2008. The locomotive plant which is scheduled to open in Fort Worth, Texas, next year will be expanded to produce wheels with AC motors for off-highway vehicles.

More…

I know this is not really z scale and is only DCC related but some would like to know. I got the PR 06R about two weeks ago, and have been trying it out. First of all, it did come with an updated eprom chip (version 2007C) which is quite easy to switch out on the Power Pro command module. I installed the new chip and everything went just fine. The only thing lacking is the throttle setting on the screen, which would be nice, but is easy to adjust to. This unit was designed to be an engineer cab – just run trains, no programming capabilities. That’s why it costs less and is much smaller. Getting used to the pushing of the "shift" key to access other features of the limited key pad. The full 28 functions are there if needed. No momentum button. And to help remember all the key presses, they are printed on the back. The display does tell you how many times the shift key has been pressed so you know you will do the command you want.
I downloaded the directions to add the parts to trickle charge the rechargeable batteries when it is plugged into a panel. That should make it easier to keep the batteries charged. The parts are coming next week and there are places already set up on the circuit board to easily solder the added parts on the board. I don’t know why NCE went to the trouble to put this on the circuit board, and then say this could void my warranty. CYA?
Anyway, I like the PR 06R very much and will share it at the upcoming shows with the ZoCal guys. The more throttles you have, the more trains you can run!