In the last few years, we have seen the release of Maerklin's 39540 and last year's model of the updated RABe EC 37546 along with the reissue of the older Lima DC model under the Rivarossi banner. The AC version of the Rivarossi model has not yet been released.
In 2008, a full scale model was announced by RailTop in cooperation with LS Models. RailTop was to market the Swiss (Gottardo/Ticino) trainsets and LS Models was to market the French and Benelux versions (Cisalpin/Iris/Edelweiss) trainsets. Since the termination of cooperative production between the two companies, the future of this model was uncertain. LS Models did announce in both 2008 and 2009 that the model was still in planning. This spring, they revealed the first CAD images of the planned model, which can be seen at http://www.lsmodels.com/...es/General_F/Home_F.htm.
While I do not think that the trainset will be recommended for R1 curves, the trainset looks to be very well designed and LSM will hopefully find a workaround that avoids the design modifications that were deemed required on the Lima/Rivarossi and Maerklin versions.
The LSM graphics show no sign of having movable or removable skirting. I would be interested in seeing the gangway design in more detail, but I am sure that such photos/diagrams will be released in the coming months. The pilot coach and diner would appear to have bogies that appear to clear the bottom of the coach frame. The closeup of the motor unit bogie does not appear as it it would allow full rotation. Once again, additional photos/diagrams should provide more detail soon.
The site also features diagrams of the announced SBB Bm 6/6, the SBB Bpm/B UIC-Z and the final prototype models of the SBB UIC-X coaches.

Regards

Mike C

I have the Maerklin TEE Gottardo. I'm not too bothered by the moveable skirts, we have these on the SVT04 as well.
I am more bothered about the lack of flexible corridor connectors. I am surprised there has been no after-market solution to this from a third party.

Recently I was able to compare it with the Lima/Rivarossi offering. This has covered corridor conections, though they appear overly long. But, in my opinion, the lack of skirts around the bogies and the increased ride height make the Lima/Rivarossi model much worse to the eye than the Maerklin/Trix one.

As you say, it will be interesting to see how LS Models deal with these problems.

Edited by user 30 March 2010 21:54:36(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified