Dear N Scale GN Fans: we just received this great photo from Micro Trains tonight of our Great Northern Rock Train.

It really turned out better than we thought.

Atlas has said the engines are shipping before the end of the month from China. As soon as they arrive we wil forward to M/T, and then ship out to customers.

Enjoy!

See comment below from Micro Trains Staff:

Hello PWRS 

We just completed processing the Great Northern Rock Train image taken on the MTL layout in the perspective of the original GNHS prototype photo (as close as we can get on our layout) – and what a good looking set it is!

Please see the attached high resolution

UPDATES…

Micro-Trains has just informed us that they are working on the final assembly of the cars, and sent us this photo of the weathered 2-Bay Open Hopper with the Rock Load. 

As previously announced, Atlas expects the Alco RS3 Engine to be delivered in September.

We anticipate that the project will be completed late September or early October. As soon as they arrive, we will begin shipping this much anticipated sets. If you haven't already reserved your Great Northern MOW Rock Train Set, we will have a limited stock available for late orders. But don't wait too long! Once these sets are seen, we don't anticipate that the available stock will last long.

— This is a one time run of only 54 sets. We will never reproduce them. —

BONUS…

PWRS will be adding, at no additional cost, Micro-Trains Rock Loads for all of the cars!

(load may not be exactly as pictured)

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It's not too late to order the beautiful Izaak Walton Inn, located in Essex, Montana, along the route of the GN Rock Train. This easily assembled Laser Cut Kit will make a great companion piece that will really set off your layout! Check it out by clicking on the link below.

Many years ago, I saw the photo of a Great Northern Rock Train but couldn't recall where I'd seen it. While at the Seattle Boeing Train Show in November, we asked members of the Great Northern Historical Railway Society (GNHRS) if they had any knowledge or images of GN Rock Trains.  The members were at the show to promote their new 2016 GNHRS Calendar.  As it happened, there were a few older calendars on their display table and one member pointed to the 2013 calendar "You mean this one?"

There on the front of the calendar was the train we had been looking for.  (Pictured below)  It was a beautiful photo of a GN Caboose, led by 18 open hoppers, and an RS 3 blowing smoke in the distance as it ran through Essex, Montana near the Izaac Walton Inn.  We contacted the person who took the photo for the 2013 calendar, Phil Webb, and he has given us permission to use it.  Phil had taken the photo while on a camping trip in the 1950's.

Micro Trains had available the correct prototype Caboose, and Hoppers, and Atlas had the RS 3. Micro Trains agreed to make the cars for us and Atlas, never having done a GN RS3, agreed to produce the engine for us in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2017. Readers will notice the RS 3 was just announced in Atlas's new catalogue. The one road number Atlas is doing for us will only be available as a part of the complete Rock Train. It will not be reproduced.

Expected Release: September 2017

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 As many of you are aware we will be releasing our model shortly of the Izaac Walton Inn.  These two items will make a great addition to any Great Northern Modelers layout.

Izaak Walton Inn

Click Here.

DGS