SoundBytes XXXIIX

Happy Fourth of July!! Please have a safe and fun weekend. This weekend, take time to remember why we celebrate this day. The United States of America is a beacon of freedom around the world, and without freedom, we would not be enjoying the world’s greatest hobby!

On a short post this time, we start off with a talk of the big upcoming show, NMRA Convention and National Train Show in Sacramento, CA. Also, George just returned from the N-Scale convention and we’ll talk about news related to that. Next, we will take a sneak peek at the upcoming Blackstone Models EBT Hoppers. Last up will be our next dealer spotlight, Hobby Smith Hobby Shop in Portland, OR.

NMRA National Train Show

NMRA and the National Train Show are just around the corner. This year, it is in Sacramento, CA at the Sacramento Convention Center July 8-10th in conjunction with the NMRA National Convention the preceding week. We have been working hard to get ready for this show. We will have a few announcements in both SoundTraxx and Blackstone Models, so be sure to come by and see what we have new for you and your layout.

National N-Scale Convention

George just returned from the National N-Scale Convention in Hershey, PA this past weekend put together by the N-Scale Enthusiast. He went there to promote and officially kick off shipping of the much-anticipated SurroundTraxx system.

This is a revolutionary sound system to give full surround sound to your layout, be it a small home layout, or a large club. George gave a clinic about the SurroundTraxx and its features to about 35 attendees. Overall, it was a fun weekend. We would like to thank the N-Scale Enthusiast and all who worked hard to put this convention together.

East Broad Top Hoppers

We have been working on this model to ensure the most accurate representation of this model as we have built a reputation on. We have been given the newest CAD drawings that we can share with you. These models will be produced to arrive just after the first of the year, so be sure to get your orders in for these cars before the deadline passes to prevent being left out after they sell out, as has many of the most recent Blackstone releases.

On another note C-19s are selling out, so be sure to get yours before they are all sold out. We have only the 347 with the black boiler and the 345 in the Bumble Bee scheme left. These are selling out quickly.

Dealer Spotlight

Our Dealer Spotlight this time is The Hobby Smith, located in Portland Oregon.

The Hobby Smith is a full line model train store that carries HOn3, HO, N, Z and Lionel. In their store you will find a great selection of SoundTraxx DCC products along with brass, books, DVDs, consignments and used equipment along with HOn3 products including Blackstone, Micro Engineering and more. The Hobby Smith does DCC decoder and sound decoder installation in all scales plus repairs. They do offer reservation discounts, terms and ship products anywhere. Located 17 minutes from the Portland airport and right off I-84 this is truly a friendly model train store that is open everyday except Monday.

You can find Ron and his crew at 1809 NE Cesar Chavez Blvd. Portland, OR 97212 on the web at www.hobbysmith.com or call them at 503-284-1912. Toll Free 1-877-284-1912.

SoundBytes XXXVIII

Wow, does the time fly! We are now entering June and it seems like we just came back to work from the Christmas break! In this edition of SoundBytes, we will share some good news regarding C-19s. We will also take you along on a recording trip to Arizona. Last, in lieu of our Tech Tip, we will introduce a new regular addition to SoundBytes, a Dealer Spotlight!

C-19s are here!

We have received the much-anticipated C-19 Consolidations here in our facility in Durango. These models are packed with incredible detail. Because of this, they are going fast. We are now starting to sell out of the non-weathered, sound equipped locos, so be sure you have yours reserved at your favorite hobby shop. They have been inspected and being organized for faster packing and shipping. They will begin shipping out to dealers first thing next week!

Recording Trip!

Jarrette and Dan took a couple of days to go to Globe, Arizona to record some locos for potential upcoming projects. Some of the locos we were given access to were a GP-20, a B39-7 and an E-8. The GP-20 is equipped with a 567 Turbo prime mover, a popular sound we have not yet been released to a decoder. The B39-7 is equipped with a FDL-16 prime mover, but with more modern exhaust and the famous electric “Whoop” air compressor! Lastly, the E-8 has the original dual 567 prime movers.

This was a fun trip as they ran the locos up a grade pulling cars, while Jarrette and Dan rode in the cab along with the train crew.

We want to express our many thanks to the Arizona Eastern Railroad in Globe Arizona for their accommodations they made for us.

The staff was fantastic and a special thanks to Gary Hernandez and Earl Knoob. For those located in the southwest, come ride behind the E-8 on their Copper Spike Train from December to April. You can find out more by going to http://www.copperspike.com/. Be sure to watch for new announcements with these new sounds!

Dealer Spotlight

This is a new segment to SoundBytes. We have many great dealers out there and we want to promote these fine dealers. For this column, we will start with Arnie’s Trains in Westminster, CA.

Arnie's Trains was started by Jerry Arnold and Greg Arnold (Son, aka "Arnie") in 1975 on Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CA. Jerry worked the store full time and Greg worked part time. The original store was 800 sq. ft, which quickly grew to 2400 sq. ft. In 1985 Arnie’s Trains moved to the corner of Edwards St. and Westminster Ave into a brand new larger space. In 1997 it was time to expand and move to the current 3600 sq. ft show room on Industry Way. Unfortunately Jerry passed away just as Arnie’s Trains was opening the new location. Greg continued doing business in the manner Jerry had always believed. Arnie’s has always and will always give the customers the old fashion honest and courteous good service. The business took off immediately being again blessed with the help of employee Dave Rickhoff and his wizardly knowledge of model trains. Greg’s good fortune continued when a young man by the name of Matt Haynes joined the Arnie’s team with youthful enthusiasm as part owner.

George and Nancy visited Arnie’s in October 2009 to recruit this great establishment as a direct SoundTraxx dealer. The SoundTraxx DCC has taken off at the store since. As a result, Arnie’s recently hired Kevin to help with SoundTraxx Tsunami installs and general DCC questions.

Greg gives thanks everyday for the opportunity to make a prosperous living selling model trains to a wonderful customer base.

Arnie’s Trains is located at 6452 Industry Way in Westminster, CA. The web address is http://www.arniestrains.com/ and phone number is 714.893.1015.

Thank you for supporting our dealers.