What if Tower55 were to produce 2-Rail O Gauge modern Diesel Locomotives?

[Anonymous]

What are your thoughts if Tower55 were to produce 2-Rail O Gauge modern diesel locomotives? The SD70ACe’s would make a dynamic entry. MTH and Lionel are not licensed with the Union Pacific. AtlasO’s market appears to be in older diesel locomotives outside the Geeps. I serious doubt that MTH, Lionel or AtlasO will ever produce the Union Pacific SD70ACe’s or the Heritage Units! With that in mind, now is the time to act. Tower 55 is the plastic division of Overland Models, Inc., currently they produce HO diesel locomotives.

As you are aware of, the SD70ACe's and SD70M-2's will be working the rails on Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, Union Pacific, CSX, Montana Rail Link and the BNSF. The SD70ACe's and SD70M-2's demos have very striking color schemes as well.

And added bonus, with the unveiling of the Union Pacific Heritage Series SD70ACe’s, the Missouri Pacific, Western Pacific and MKT (Katy) will be followed in coming months by locomotives painted in the style of the Chicago & North Western, Southern Pacific, and Denver & Rio Grande.

Tower55 in 2-rail O Gauge could provide a medium price point that could attract buyers other than Overland Brass.

[tsgtbob]

Yes, I would, if they would make common (ie, GP-38-39-40 series EMDs B-7 GEs) locomotive, not the unique stuff, of the stuff that takes 900 foot radius curves to look reasonable.
What the O scale market needs is a unit like the old Atlas F-9, common to a LOT of roads (yeah, I know that the F-9 was not a common locomotive, but the f series WAS)
One thing about the O scale world, is that not a lot of locomotives are needed for a layout. I currently roster about 10, and that is a,most TOO many!
Another thing, this thread would be better served on the Model Railroader forum, being that the focus is in a scale size, not 3 rail. (please don't take offense to this comment)

[Bob Keller]

Who is Tower55? Never heard of them.

The market is too crowded for any new players, and two-rail is a pretty small market.

[tsgtbob]

Bob, Tower 55 is a division of Overland, they have entered the HO market, competing aginst BLI, Kato and Atlas.
I agree, the 2 rail market is small, but, with the scale sized stuff coming from the 3 rail manufacturers, it is gaining a little more fans.
I switched about 5 years ago, I wanted a challenge[banghead]
Little did I know...[:-^]