The 1934 Pioneer Zephyr

[Anonymous]

If you've already gotten the June issue of MR, on page 93 is an ad for Con-Cor stating their intention to produce the above named train. Now I'm sure all of you remember last years blunder with Con-Cor. Let me refresh your memory. Con-Cor was going to produce the ELECTROLINER, hands down, one of the most beautiful commuter trains of all time and very collectible. After a whole year of hoopla and buildup, they pulled the plug on the whole project, citing a lack of preproduction orders as the reason, much to the dismay of many MR's. Now, it seems, they may be embarking down that same path again with another equally beautiful piece of history. I'm wondering if I should get my hopes again or not. I think not. Companies like this can only do this once and get away with it, do it twice and no one will ever trust you again. What say you, the Model Railroading Community???[V][V][V]

[Anonymous]

There's a lot more Q fans out there than juice fans plus I think the real one is still over at the MSI.

Won't be to difficult to fit in multi year eras. Perhaps they should have tried the Z first. If they fail again, no biggie, Con-Cor isn't a major player and as now they are not even on my consideration
list.

[cacole]

Unless ConCor has drastically changed their drive system I will never even consider buying one, no matter what it is. I have two of their MP15 diesel switchers that have the cheapest, worst running electric motors ever made, and they cost almost as much as a good Kato model -- never again!

[CNJ831]

Odds are that the demand is too small, because of the uniqueness factor, and the end priced would be too high per unit for the project to really succeed. Do we really what to encourage plastic models with brass-like prices (or perhaps haven't we already)?

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

It could pull through, I want one. I think it has a chance, because with the same tooling and extra cars they can also do the Original Twin Cities Zephyrs, the Nebraska Zephyr, the General Pershing Zephyr, and with a slight amount of tweaking, can get a jump on the Qs Shovel nose Diesles.

If they release it I will definatly pick one up.

James

[Anonymous]

I have to agree with James.

The later Zs were very very popular and I use to see those babies highball thru the
Chgo/Burbs.

This is one that I may yield to temptation.

[ndbprr]

The Zephyr is one of those trains that many people will probably want due to the historical significance beyond just the Q fans. It did barnstorm the country before going into service so it can be justifed on many railroads. There also was a similar version for the B&M called the Yankee Clipper so it is highly possible. They could probably sell several thousand at the Science and Industry Museum in Chicago alone.

[dknelson]

I guess I was part of the problem -- I was definitely going to purchase an Electroliner when they came out but because I did not preorder or reserve I was part of the lack of response that killed the project
I would probably buy a Zephyr if they came out with it and I would put it on display, so the lack of a good motor would not be much of an issue. In fact if I was "lucky" maybe a defective one would turn up at Walthers' Milwaukee showroom bargain shelf cheap ....
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Think the Yankee Clipper is still with us. At least it was at Edaville in "Kerry-land" about 20 +years ago. How similar is the Yankee Clipper to the Zepher? Seems to me that Con Cor could have far greater success if they offered both since there are a lot of B & M fans.

My wife even wants one to place on the wall in a shadow box type display case. I

[CNJ831]

The real "Clipper" is under restoration in southern New Hampshire (this must be very near completion by now). Indeed, I think Con Cor could sell a lot more units if both the Zephyr and the Yankee Clipper were modeled at the same time.

With regard to ndbprr's statement that, "They could probably sell several thousand at the Science and Industry Museum in Chicago alone", at a list price of $340 a shot, I doubt they'd be a very fast seller (Con Cor gives $290 as the pre-ordered introductory price, $340 thereafter)!

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

$340 for a Pioneer Zephyr? WOW. I think I will save myself some trouble and go get a couple of Athearn Shorties and kitbash one following those 1980s MR articles. Would rather not have to go to the trouble, but I dont have that kind of cash.

James