I guess I just didn't realize how much difference there was between the engine and the cars.  Unfortunately the AMS/Accucraft will just have to wait for now with the price they are at now.

The other question related to the cars I have now vs the Bachmann J&S as to differences.

I was recently looking at my Spectrum SPC 4-4-0 which I have not used in a while and had it next to my 2-8-0 and Shay.  It seems kind of small.  I know they were old engines and were not as large in the real world, but I'm talking about comparing the windows and interior cab height.  Is it just my imagination or is it not really 1:20.3.  The reason I was comparing is that I have my son's old passenger cars (with plastic hand rails 97218) that came with his first standard 4-6-0 Deadwood (probably from 1995-96)  in storage and trying to decide on how they would look behind both vs the AMS/Accucraft ones which are A LOT MORE $ vs getting the Bachmann J&S. 

Also, are the cars with his old set the 1:20.3 or 1:22? And how do they compare to the current J&S cars?

As I recall I found them on utube.  But if you send me an email I'll send them as an attachment to you.
Mickey@dilloware.com

Do like my oldest used to do at Christmas and carefully open it to look then resell it. And she thought we didn't know at the time.  . So just be careful.

Thank goodness we now live in an era that companies don't do that sort of thing.  . The more things change the more they stay the same.

5 ft radius = 10 ft diameter which most things run pretty easily, as I understand it. Threads where people constantly flip between radius and diameter tend to become confusing. Most engines claim 4 ft diameter (Christmas tree ring) compatible but may not "look" good to some individuals, so you need to see where you fall on that perspective. But if you stay with 8 foot diameter or greater, you should be fine for most things.  Hope this helps.

I have a Connie and had on my list to do the upgrade. Are they still available by sending check?

So mostly engines......but few cars and no passenger stuff?  Why so many engines if they aren't doing the cars to match?

I just assumed these would be 1:20 and was getting ready to order but now I'm rethinking. Besides the various spectrum engines, what cars are 1:20?

 

The current catalog also shows a yellow one along with the grey.

I know this is really part of the Thomas series, but how does it look with the Spectrum Climax and Shay units?  Cartoonish or regular?

We have 2 trees in different rooms but adjacent. Train runs around kid tree through cabinet in wall to other room and around grown up tree (more formal and with glass, etc).  I have all the pieces from the animated new bright Christmas train. Been doing it for probably 12+ years by now. Youngest (and last at home) is now 14 and still wants it up every year. Doesn't get as many laps but still sees some action.

Definitely need retrofit to older Climax. I would purchase.

It's so top secret that they could tell you, but then they'd have to kill you.  So is it really worth it??  Or just enjoy the anticipation???