It is time for one of the manufacturers to produce a quality N scale 2-6-6-6. The only one ever produced was a brass model made by Key and imported by Samhongsa in 1994. Good looking but not a very good running engine.
Didn't only the C&O and VGN have those?
Honestly, we are pretty lucky anyone ever made this in N scale.
Don't hold your breath.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Kevin:
You are correct, the C&O and the Vgn were the only railroads that had them. A total of 60 were built. They were the most powerful steam locomotives ever built rated at 7500 horsepower. They were not as fast as a Big Boy with a maximum speed of 45 mph but were built for a single purpose to haul coal over the Alleghenney mountains. One 2-6-6-6 hauled 11000 tons of coal over the mountains which is impressive.
caldreamer It is time for one of the manufacturers to produce a quality N scale 2-6-6-6.
It is time for one of the manufacturers to produce a quality N scale 2-6-6-6.
Why?
Which has no bearing on whether a manufacturer would spend a ton of money to set up production. Look, I like the C&O and Virginian, but they are very much niche markets compared to UP, SP, NYC, PRR, ATSF, etc. Besides you, who else would buy one (it won't be cheap)? What market research do you have to back you up?
Here's what you do
1) Contact the manufacturers to see if anyone would be interested in a special order, an estimate as to cost and minimum order size for each (remember the C&O and VGN examples are not identical, just look at the tender height)
2) Work with the C&O and VGN societies to see if there is enough interest
3) If you meet the minimum number, collect down payments from buyers
4) Write a check to the manufacturer
5) Wait a couple of years
6) Get your locos
If this is a "must own" for your collection, you should buy the brass model instead of waiting for something that will most likely never be made.
If it ever does get made in plastic, and the new model suits your needs better, the brass model will still have value on the secondary market. Brass is never worth zero.
Maybe try sending a product suggestion to Athearn: Contact Athearn Model Trains | Athearn
If there's any possibility of a 2-6-6-6 in N, I think they'll be the best bet since they already have the Challenger chassis in N. We've already had ready to run HO models from Rivarossi and MTH, so I wouldn't say an N scale model isn't possible.
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Sure, I would buy one. I would like to see more steam in N scale overall.
I will add my voice to the calls for such a great locomotive!
I used to actively model the C&O in H0 scale but I no longer have the space for it so if I could get this signature loco in N scale - it would be awesome. As has been stated before, build it and they will come.
Bachmann did one under thier spectrum line. In N scale. I have the boiler and other parts To one In n scale. Been probably ten or more years since it was done
shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
BEAUSABRE Which has no bearing on whether a manufacturer would spend a ton of money to set up production. Look, I like the C&O and Virginian, but they are very much niche markets compared to UP, SP, NYC, PRR, ATSF, etc. Besides you, who else would buy one (it won't be cheap)? What market research do you have to back you up? Here's what you do 1) Contact the manufacturers to see if anyone would be interested in a special order, an estimate as to cost and minimum order size for each (remember the C&O and VGN examples are not identical, just look at the tender height) 2) Work with the C&O and VGN societies to see if there is enough interest 3) If you meet the minimum number, collect down payments from buyers 4) Write a check to the manufacturer 5) Wait a couple of years 6) Get your locos
or you could see if there is a 3D file floating around & down size it to N SCALE & have someone who does 3d printing & have them print the file . drivetrain would be the next thing to tackle
Remember the big "ifs."
IF a manufacturer thinks there's enough interest in it and IF they can make money on it and IF getting production up and running on it without too many headaches is do-able then you may just get your wish.
And keep in mind any one negative "if" is going to cancel out the other two, even if the other two are positive. The manufacturers are most likely hobbyists themselves (Why would they be in this business if they weren't?) but when all's said and done it's still a business, they've got to make money at it or they don't last very long.
Flintlock76 The manufacturers are most likely hobbyists themselve
BEAUSABRESeveral people have told me that, based on bitter experience, the best way to ruin the hobby (fun) part is to go into business because it takes over the time that would be devoted to the hobby
Yeah, when the hobby becomes "work" it's not a hobby anymore.
A hobby's supposed to be about relaxation, not conniptions. Still, there's some who manage when the two become one. Thank goodness for it!