Who Is Buying The OGR Beep?

[Anonymous]

Not me. The colors look like the SOO line. I'm surprised it's not purple for MTH's benefit.[:p]

[Anonymous]

I'm sure we're all very happy for you!

But you would, of course, buy one if it was in blue and orange. Oops. . . wait! There already is a blue and orange Lionel BEEP. Toy Truck Collector made that one a couple of years back. I have one in my ever-expanding BEEP collection.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller
But you would, of course, buy one if it was in blue and orange.

Yes, those are my favorite colors. How did you know?

[Anonymous]

I know OGR will be serving purple koolaid at their York booth.

[brianel027]

Okay gang, before this turns into a bashing [B)] you-know-who thread... let's be nice. [:)]

I think's what's really cool here is that, overall there seems to be this jist in the hobby for bigger, more feature loaded, more detailed, more scale proportioned and thusly more expensive locomotives. Almost every time one of the companies announces some big new diesel or steamer in their catalog, there seems to be a thread someplace asking who is going to buy this or that locomotive?

Again, from reading the various train forums, one could easily get the impression the majority of the hobby is operating TMCC or DCS. Yet reality says it is a LONG way off that mark. The majority of modelers do not use TMCC or DCS or run exclusively scale proportioned stuff. My own numbers show non-scale 027/0 operators are the overwhelming majority. Even though they may not post threads about it or spend as much money on trains.

So along comes the RMT Beep. I wonder if any one initially thought it would be such a hit? It's not really full scale, though I guess it's close for something that doesn't exist. It's not even prototype. It doesn't come with TMCC or DCS. It doesn't come with sound. YET it is a pleasing little diesel that has room for improvements (should one be so inclined) in lots of road names (both new and old) and all for a very affordable price that some of the other companies (with purple, orange and blue and black boxes) have yet to match.

I've been saying for years the hobby needs more less expensive non-scale trains in road names other than PRR, ATS&F and NYC, without all the fancy electronics and at an affordable price. Some laugh at me. Some think I'm a know-it-all. Well guess what? I am. The Beep is a big hit and I knew it would be from square one. I saw a Williams version years ago at a show and wondered out loud to friends why no one was putting this engine out. I said it almost 10 years ago to friends that if this engine was made right and issued at an affordable price, it would be a big hit. Sorry to say, but I was right on the money.

Too bad I didn't bet $1M on it. I'd be laughing all the way to the bank instead of writing here. [:D]

[Anonymous]

". . . from reading the various train forums, one could easily get the impression the majority of the hobby is operating TMCC or DCS. Yet reality says it is a LONG way off that mark. The majority of modelers do not use TMCC or DCS or run exclusively scale proportioned stuff. My own numbers show non-scale 027/0 operators are the overwhelming majority. Even though they may not post threads about it or spend as much money on trains.
----------------------------

I agree 100%. While it's true that increasing numbers of hobbyists enjoy the scale models and command control features, the overwhelming majority--most who do not participate on any on-line discussion forums--are still involved with more simple toy trains operated by conventional control systems (meaning an AC transformer).

The BEEPs are great little engines, and sure attention-getters on any layout. They provide the most affordable motive power in O gauge, and are very well made; available in a vast array of roadnames; and very nicely detailed. Are they scale? Well, if you're Lionel or MTH GEEP bodies are made to scale, then I guess it's safe to say that your BEEP bodies are, as well, since they are almost identical, albeit much shorter.

I had one of the early Williams versions of the BEEP, which had its origins as a Kusan model. There's no comparing the early Kusan or Williams versions with today's BEEP, aside from the general size and appearance. The new models from TTC and subsequently RMT have a wealth of features not seen on those earlier items, including twin motors, window glass, metal handrails and metal chains, beautifully executed paint and graphics, and a variety of other things.

BEEPs may not be for everyone--no single locomotive is. But their popularity cannt be disputed, and they have arguably made more of a mark on the overall O gauge market than any other O gauge locomotive released in recent years.

[underworld]

Whatever color I think the beeps are pretty cool.

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Who Is Buying The OGR Beep?

Probably people on the OGR Forum. Ask who will be buying the CTT Beep on this Forum otherwise you're just looking to slam people for their choiice.

[Frank53]

is there a CTT Beep?

[Anonymous]

Now, that’s an interesting question. But why not ask it over on their forum?

This may be a good lesson in marketing. Perhaps, we may then learn the reasoning behind all the “gushy” comments about a Beep that has such amateurish red and white graphics.

BillFromWayne

[waltrapp]

I've been participating in both the OGR and CTT forums for about 4 years now. I visit both daily and find both are good. I really don't understand the attitude on this forum about the OGR forum, and to avoid bashing, vice-versa. By some, not all. I guess I missed something along the line.

There are MANY people that contribute to both. Some use different handles for whatever reason. I daily see many of the same threads on both forums.

OK, I got that bit of confusion off my chest. To answer the question: I'm not getting one but the reason has nothing to do with the fact that is has 'OGR' written on it.

- walt

[Bob Keller]

I think the good Colonel was just trying to fan some flames, but I sure can't understand why. I fail to grasp why some people in this hobby want to make it an "us or them" environment - whether it is Lionel v MTH, Scale v Toy, or CTT v OGR.

Give it a rest, will you?

[Anonymous]

I don;t care who makes them, I personally think they are ugly and will stick to scale.
Dave.

[Anonymous]

Bob:

If you figure out the answer to that one, please let me know! It's one aspect of O gauge model railroading in the modern era that I've never been able to figure out. My regards to Roger and Kent.

[GregM]

My wife of nearly 33 years is buying me one for our upcoming anniversary. I think it a great way to support the folks at OGR. I sometimes think the "fun" is being driven from this hobby.

Edited to correct spelling error.

[Frank53]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GregM

I sometimes think the "fun" is being driven from this hobby.

every once in a while, someone will lob you this slow hanging softball. It looks as big as a beachball, and you can knock it out of the park with your eyes closed.

such as that above.

but I will resist the temptation. [}:)]

[brianel027]

Hey, I don't want anyone to misread my thoughts above. The new push in the hobby towards full-scale and new electronic features has helped make the hobby more fun, more exciting and has undoubtedly brought new people into the hobby.

That said, there's also another side of the train buying market. And although the RMT Beep is certainly not from new tooling, it has been upgraded enough to make it seem like a brand new product. It is reasonably priced enough so that nearly anyone in the hobby can afford it.

And though there are folks like northern1 who obviously aren't interested, there is also no shortage of new products for others to choose from if they are interested in more scale proportioned, feature loaded locomotives.

In my mind, the Beep is a very welcome addition to the hobby, scale or not. It fills a void that up to very recently has been pretty much overlooked. On a quality level, price-point and road name availability vantage point, the only other company that comes close is Williams. [:-^]

Hey, the more, the merrier. And the more variety of product at a wide range of price/feature options will go a long ways towards that goal.[:)]

[Frank53]

personally, I like the beep. and although there has been considerably bashing of the color scheme of the Beep in question - I like the red with the black white stripes.

The logo however, has got to go.

I am assuming I can get a non-censored Beep somewhere?

[Anonymous]

OGR simply elected to produce a BEEP in their (OGR's) customary colors. Seems reasonable enough to me. After all, it's a fantasy paint scheme on a fantasy locomotive (and a darn fine little locomotive, at that).

[Dr. John]

While I personally don't plan to purchase an OGR Beep, I think it was a smart marketing move on their part - anything to get your name before hobbyists.

My understanding is that RMT has done several custom runs for clubs, etc. although usually in prototype schemes. (Before anyone jumps in, I know that the Beep does not represent a prototype engine).

I own one Beep and will probably buy more. I think they are handsome little locos and are a natural for a toy train layout. When RMT gets more of the Brooklyn Navy yard switchers in stock (and matching caboose!) I will have to get one to go with my Lionel U.S. Navy NW-2.

[cnw1995]

Alan, what was the old Kusan or Williams Beep like? Dr. John, which one do you have? I would like to get one of the new Chicago and North Western Beeps.

[Dr. John]

Doug, I have one of the Tucsan Red Pennsy Beeps.

[csxt30]

I want the NYC one!! [:p] Thanks, John

[Anonymous]

I think that it is too bad that Kusan didn't make the Beep mold longer with an 8-wheel chassis. The resulting locomotive would be about a foot long and would look good with such 027 rolling stock as 6112 gondolas and 6014 boxcars. This would plug a huge hole in the 027 line up. There are NO small 027 hood type road units at all. I like my scale stuff but not everyone has a basement to railroad in.

[Anonymous]

"Alan, what was the old Kusan or Williams Beep like?"
----------------------

Doug:

I never had one of the Kusan originals, but did have a couple of the Williams models back in what must have been, as I recall, the late 70s or early 80s. I had two Pennsy models, which I repainted in red and lettered for my own roadname at the time.

The Williams models had the basic shell of today's BEEP (Williams called it a "Mighty Mite" or some such), but there the similarities to today's models end. They had rather flimsy plastic handrails, plastic non-operatng couplers, no window glass, a single motor, and spartan detailing. Certainly they were no match for the current models in terms of both appearance and operation.

[Anonymous]

I do agree about the cabooses not having the level of upgraded detail evident in the BEEPs. I haven't ordered any of the cabooses, and probably won't do so because they remind me too much of the early K-Line cabooses with those thick handrails and the like. I'm sure the BEEP cabooses are fine, and it's very nice to have cabooses that match their respective locomotives, but they're not quite what I would have expected them to be. On the plus side, they, like the locomotives themselves, are very affordable.

[lionelsuperotrack]

Two Beeps for me. One of each number. Fanciful and fun.

Mike

[Jim Duda]

Personally, one's enough for me. I'll run it at Christmas time, but that's about it...

[dougdagrump]

TAS is doing TMCC and Beep Sounds with electro couplers, I mite just pick up two in B&O colors so I can run a lashup. [:D]