"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson Athearn (and all mfgr's) produce in batches - or 'runs'. Demands for the FP45 and F45's have slowed down, and will probably be re-issued when the demand builds back up - otherwise someone else will beat them to the punch. Don't be surprised if it takes 7 years.
"No soup for you!" - Yev Kassem (from Seinfeld)
QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp [... How does Athearn determine the demand for a particular product? Do they do surveys occasionally?
QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp [... How does Athearn determine the demand for a particular product? Do they do surveys occasionally? 1. Dealers stop ordering.
QUOTE: Originally posted by wt259 QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson Originally posted by ericsp [... How does Athearn determine the demand for a particular product? Do they do surveys occasionally? 1. Dealers stop ordering. Except if the item isn't listed as being available, no one tries to order it. [V] If people know it isn't being produced, they won't even try to order it. Then Athearn/Horizon won't know that people want them, preferably updated. The old "supply and demand" scenario. But I have noticed that the interest in cowls is inching up again, especially with new pictures of FP45s popping up on railfan websites. Plus 3 "retired" Chicago METRA F40Cs had to be temporarily re-activated as a couple of the new commuter locomotives had some problems. (For those not familiar, the F40C has a modified FP45 body that rides on an SD40-2 chassis) [;)] "I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!" Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 2:01 PM Antonio, Athearn should jump on the wagon and and make an F40C, too! F40Cs are almost as beautiful as the FP45. Reply Edit AntonioFP45 Member sinceDecember 2003 From: Good ol' USA 9,642 posts Posted by AntonioFP45 on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 2:17 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy Antonio, Athearn should jump on the wagon and and make an F40C, too! F40Cs are almost as beautiful as the FP45. I hear you BigBoy, but one thing that has to be considered. Is there a demand for it? There are modelers that model METRA, but most likely not enough, in Athearn's view, to justify the expense of retooling. The F40Cs generally hauled the METRA commuter trains, saw no freight service, nor were they used in "pool arrangements" with railroads like KCS, Santa Fe, or UP. They were "home based" locomotives. So again, the appeal may be quite limited. The best solution would be to use an FP45 or purchase an AS Models SDP40f ($225) and make the modifications. A model manufacturer's main concern: Recouping in the investment. If there are too few buyers, the company either loses money or barely breaks even. The thing that can make a difference is if modeler "bombard" the LHS and manufacturers with demands for certain units. For example: We laugh and criticize everytime someone else produces AN F7! Yet, if it's produced modelers will buy it! 60 years later it's still a popular unit. "I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!" Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 3:30 PM True, Antonio, but F40Cs also operated on the Milwuakee Road. So there's 2 road names for it to increase the demand.......... yet, PRR K4s only operated on PRR, as did the M1As and T1s. Why not a METRA F40C? Same thing, only ran on 1 or 2 roads! Why do the darned Pennsy modelers get all the locos? Makes no sense.......... Reply Edit Subscriber & Member Login Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more! Login Register Users Online Leo_Ames see all » Search the Community ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Model Railroader Newsletter See all Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox! Sign up
QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson Originally posted by ericsp [... How does Athearn determine the demand for a particular product? Do they do surveys occasionally? 1. Dealers stop ordering. Except if the item isn't listed as being available, no one tries to order it. [V] If people know it isn't being produced, they won't even try to order it. Then Athearn/Horizon won't know that people want them, preferably updated. The old "supply and demand" scenario. But I have noticed that the interest in cowls is inching up again, especially with new pictures of FP45s popping up on railfan websites. Plus 3 "retired" Chicago METRA F40Cs had to be temporarily re-activated as a couple of the new commuter locomotives had some problems. (For those not familiar, the F40C has a modified FP45 body that rides on an SD40-2 chassis) [;)] "I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!" Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 2:01 PM Antonio, Athearn should jump on the wagon and and make an F40C, too! F40Cs are almost as beautiful as the FP45. Reply Edit AntonioFP45 Member sinceDecember 2003 From: Good ol' USA 9,642 posts Posted by AntonioFP45 on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 2:17 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy Antonio, Athearn should jump on the wagon and and make an F40C, too! F40Cs are almost as beautiful as the FP45. I hear you BigBoy, but one thing that has to be considered. Is there a demand for it? There are modelers that model METRA, but most likely not enough, in Athearn's view, to justify the expense of retooling. The F40Cs generally hauled the METRA commuter trains, saw no freight service, nor were they used in "pool arrangements" with railroads like KCS, Santa Fe, or UP. They were "home based" locomotives. So again, the appeal may be quite limited. The best solution would be to use an FP45 or purchase an AS Models SDP40f ($225) and make the modifications. A model manufacturer's main concern: Recouping in the investment. If there are too few buyers, the company either loses money or barely breaks even. The thing that can make a difference is if modeler "bombard" the LHS and manufacturers with demands for certain units. For example: We laugh and criticize everytime someone else produces AN F7! Yet, if it's produced modelers will buy it! 60 years later it's still a popular unit. "I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!" Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 3:30 PM True, Antonio, but F40Cs also operated on the Milwuakee Road. So there's 2 road names for it to increase the demand.......... yet, PRR K4s only operated on PRR, as did the M1As and T1s. Why not a METRA F40C? Same thing, only ran on 1 or 2 roads! Why do the darned Pennsy modelers get all the locos? Makes no sense.......... Reply Edit Subscriber & Member Login Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more! Login Register Users Online Leo_Ames see all » Search the Community ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Model Railroader Newsletter See all Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox! Sign up
Originally posted by ericsp [... How does Athearn determine the demand for a particular product? Do they do surveys occasionally?
1. Dealers stop ordering. Except if the item isn't listed as being available, no one tries to order it. [V] If people know it isn't being produced, they won't even try to order it. Then Athearn/Horizon won't know that people want them, preferably updated.
QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy Antonio, Athearn should jump on the wagon and and make an F40C, too! F40Cs are almost as beautiful as the FP45.