I'm Curious

[TrainFreak409]

This has nothing to do with anything, but, I was wondering. They say curiosity killed the cat. What would happen if a name brand company would try to introduce a new scale into the model railroading world?

I know the chances are slim, but, you never know what might happen. Some money hungry company just might try it in the future.

~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~

[lupo]

I think the companies selling plastic Around-the-X -mas-tree-trains do that all the time, but the models they make are hardly prototypical,
If you try to establish a new standard by introducing a new scale one better have a very good marketing department and have a huge capital to spend on advertising in order to convince people that their new scale is better and adds to the pleasure of model railroading, or make the potential buyers think the NEED a new scale.

[Anonymous]

Most likely it may or may not work. If a company introduces a different scale to their product line it may take a while for others whom model the scale to realize what the company has to offer.Then again maybe the company wants to expand their lines to accommodate other peoples interest.It basically is making the company stay afloat in this area where there is alot of competition and what certain people are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Scott, I guess all that would happen is people would like the scale, or not! As it is, I think there are enough scales for all interested parties. I think, given this, it would be a poor financial risk for the company attempting to develope the new scale.

[orsonroy]

It's already happened at least three times in my lifetime:

Marklin introduced Z scale
LGB introduced G scale
Bachmann introduced On30

OK, all of these scales were around before the companies in question introduced them, but with a bigtime, name brand company supporting them, these scales went from scratchbuilder's niche to mainstream in a matter of months.

So it is possible, but not common, and usually prety risky. No one's going to be mass-producing high-quality plastic American steam in TT anytime soon...

[darth9x9]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cnwfan11

Most likely it may or may not work. [snip]

I will have to remember this quote!

BC

[railman]

I think while interesting, the sizes have been pretty well filled out- from the smallest Z to O scale and above, but maybe, who knows.