Pennsy modeler, but too big for me. Give me the M1,K4s,the Atlantics,H8, L1s etc. Of course I had to buy a T1 just because of how distinct they are of a Pennsy loco.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Pennsy. Yawn. My interest in another east or west coast model would require an elecron microscope to find.
Sir Madog I am still surprized that none of the importers has yet "Attacked" the challenge to bring out an 1870´s 4-4-O, with decent detail and running well. This is the loco which built a nation, and I am sure it would sell well.
I am still surprized that none of the importers has yet "Attacked" the challenge to bring out an 1870´s 4-4-O, with decent detail and running well. This is the loco which built a nation, and I am sure it would sell well.
Actually, big steam sells much better (in the US at least), and brings a much higher profit margin. An articulated or a large 8+ coupled drivers at $300-$400 seems to many casual buyers to be fairly priced; a 4-4-0 priced $50 less, - not so fairly priced. Yet development and manufacturing costs are not proportionate to the locomotive's size. In fact, a model 4-4-0 takes considerably more engineering and care during assembly to run and pull well than a 4-8-4 does.
The other point is that large steam was well represented during the heavily-favored transition era, 4-4-0s were not. The 50 or so HO modelers actively modeling 1870s to 1900 aren't a big enough market for mass production RTR locomotives. The Civil War era actually has bigger numbers and more of a market than the next 30 years. Even the majority of narrow gauge and logging modeling are focused on the 1920s through 1940s, rather than the heyday of narrow gauge and the early logging era.
Part of the choice of eras comes from the prototype documentation available. The Civil War has been heavily researched, and was surprisingly well documented and photographed on the Federal side because of the military control of many of the railroads. These records are now in the Library of Congress for the most part. Similarly, railroads became better documented after the Safety Acts came into full force starting in 1903, and proceeding onwards. About the same time, states started regulating (and taxing) the railroads, and this demanded even more documentation. Creation of the USRA for the US entry into WW1 provided yet another spike of government documentation, as did the War Production Board of WW2. This leaves a hole from after the Civil War to after the turn of the century where available records and photographs are often hit or miss.
Just my thoughts on the issue. I'd love to see somebody besides Bachmann do some smaller (and earlier) locomotives. Cars are becoming more available and less generic through low rate production - mostly resin and wood - kits. But nice-running straight- and wagon top- boilered 4-4-0s of reasonable size for the 1870s and 1880s (the heyday of the 4-4-0) have yet to be mass-produced.
Fred W
Depending on funding, I may pick up one fo the 4-6-2's but still no GN S2...
I'm looking forward to the T&P 2-10-4. Coming from BLI I'm sure it will have everything the beautiful Sunset import has except price! A smoking I-1 will be a great addition to the motive power roster. I model Western Maryland but I worked on the 610 in Ft. Worth prepping her for the American Fredom Train and just fell in love with her looks, sound and the way she moved.
Trying to answer WHY PENNSY seems to be obvious and no answer is required to me or most people but for those who can't figure it out........THE largest railroad with the most mileage, most locomotives and most trains plus the most model railroad followers is an obvious target for a manufacturer to recoup his investment. Duh!
Still waiting for an L1s 2-8-2!
Roger Huber
The PRR S2 was an impressive loco and I am sure, BLI will also turn out an impressive model of it, which will certainly find its buyers. If I were into modeling the PRR and had a layout of a size that would justify running a behemoth like the S2 - heck, I´d buy one. I am afraid, however, that most will end up in a showcase...
ndbprrWhy so much Pennsy? PRR modelers have supported the offerings to the tune of multiple sold out runs. A huge number of people have bought multiple engines when offered. What a terrible business model to fill a high demand market and make money.
selector Hmmm...I get that there's a large market for things Pennsy.
Hmmm...I get that there's a large market for things Pennsy.
Yeah, I don't quite get BLI's love affair with Pennsy. GG1; J1; K4; Q2; I1; Centipede; soon to be Sharknose and H10...did I miss any? Recently they have been playing up their association with the PRRTHS, and I think that's a good thing since we all want as much accuracy as possible. So perhaps that's why they offer so many models that are "strictly" Pennsy. They seem to have NYC in second place, then maybe SP, UP and New Haven now as well.
Seems like modelers have been asking for smaller steam and, myself, I'd like to see B&O, Erie and maybe a few other NYC engines represented and I'm sure others have their preferences, too, but I guess the marketing end of the business will forever be a mystery to us mere, poor mortals.
At least BLI is making enough return on investment to introduce new products and along with Athearn, Walthers, Bowser, Bachmann and a handful of others there's at least some chance one of our beloved favorites might be produced.
Happy modeling, Ed
Hmmm...I get that there's a large market for things Pennsy. It's just business. I might even end up with one of these, but it's not a safe bet. I have been waiting for the UP 4-12-2 since 2010, though, and it is still on their "wait-for-it" list as due this summer. Will BLI produce a 2-10-4 from the ATSF, or maybe an ATSF 4-6-4? Or, how about the Jawn Henry or a K2?
Pennsy modelers win big again!!!
In the latest BLI "Sneak Peek" at the 2014 catalog...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYIxVdTfFQo
Looks like the T&P 2-10-4 might be new as well?
Just thought I'd pass it along... Enjoy, Ed