Many years ago, some models we see today where thought of to be only the domain of brass models. Such as GP10's, UP Turbines ect. Now in 2021, what engines do you think we will never see in mass produced RTR plastic. I will start out with one I would like to have. The C&IM EMD RS1325 roadswitcher, and even while done in brass, they are a coffee grinder/poor runner.
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Ingalls Road Switcher, only one ever made. A brass model was done a few years ago.
Also the MLW RSC-24 only 4 ever made for the CN. Squashed road switcher body put on a switcher frame with A-1-A trucks.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Ingalls Shipbuilding
EMD NW3
Since we've got an SDL39 coming, I'll keep off that list the NW5, which would be a big seller.
Wouldn't mind being wrong about the NW3. Might even pop for an Ingalls--only a mother could love.
Ed
I see we have TWO votes for the Ingalls.
Bring it ON!
Never in plastic, unless Jason starts to get dementia.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
BATMAN Never in plastic, unless Jason starts to get dementia.
Hmmm. I believe you've discovered an upside to dementia.
But couldn't you make your own by glueing a hot dog bun on top of a regular Selkirk?
7j43kI see we have TWO votes for the Ingalls.
In a world that did not suffer the ICC order of 1947, and the consequent stifling of fast streamliners on dubious track with dubious signal and train-control effectiveness, there was a very real place for a locomotive of lower weight than any contemporary, with no issues of nose-suspended motor effect, no birdsnesting or brush limits on top speed, and engines running all day on the smell of an oily rag that were designed for reasonable maintainability. All sorts of prospective roadnames and possibly very distinctive liveries. Suspect it might even be reasonable to synthesize the 'appropriate' sound effects for running...
7j43k BATMAN Never in plastic, unless Jason starts to get dementia. Hmmm. I believe you've discovered an upside to dementia. But couldn't you make your own by glueing a hot dog bun on top of a regular Selkirk? Ed
Already on it! The bun on my Weiner mobile model has already been surgically removed.
Lima centercab. Although if a quality model is produced, I would by one.
An "expensive model collector"
While there are always exceptions, I think in general terms any road-specific locomotive where only a handful of them were produced and/or were limited to very specific usage - e.g. hump yard engines.
Here are several NYC locomotives I don't ever expect to see in plastic. Some I have in brass (1-5); some I don't have at all (6-11); the FTA-B & F2 (12) I'm attempting to kitbash:
The H-5 Mike and the "cat-whisker" FTA-Bs & F2s could be possible candidates for plastic but I think that's a long-shot. Most of the other ones above either have considerable heavy piping (e.g. the heavy Mikes, L-2a Mohawk, 2-6-6-2 Mallet), or are just are too funky looking to have much appeal to the general modeling community - even NYC fans.
Sorry, Mike, I guess I mentioned more than one locomotive...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Since steam locomotives came in MUCH bigger variety than diesel, I propose that the rules change to diesels (and maybe electrics) in plastic, and steam in brass.
My nominees for steam never being done in brass is D&H 1403, the L. F. Loree, a triple compound 4-8-0.
Following up the Selkirk idea, it strikes me that the above could be built based on a meatloaf.
And the very first (American) cab forward, NPC 21:
I would like to see the GE E-44. Alco Models made it in brass. Alpha Models did the E-44A. Bachmann did the E-33 in plastic. If they came out in plastic, I would get a few, that's for sure!
Neal
Looks like I MIGHT have to withdraw one of my candidates.
I found this, sold by Wiseman:
It's not brass. Which isn't really a problem. But it's unpowered, and that IS a problem. Might be a candidate for a two motor tender drive. Sound and DCC might be a problem, though.
That's a cool & funky model, Ed - I like it!
I bet you could get a Lok5 micro decoder in either the boiler or the cab. And, if sound displacement wouldn't bother you, those two cylindrical containers on the tender platform could house a speaker baffle and the decoder. A speaker might also fit in the forward portion of the boiler. That would be contingent, however, on the length of the motor you installed.
EMD NW5 only like 13 Ever built.
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
UP 4-12-2. Turning radius would be prohibitive
Don't give up hope!
If someone would have told me 12-15 years back that we would see plastic HO scale models of:
EMD FL9, the Lima 4-8-4 C&O Greenbriar, Whitcomb 65T Centercab switcher, Budd Metroliner, GE U18B, GE U36B, and the EMD SDP40F............I would have replied "Nice, but keep dreaming!" Yet, here we are.
I remember, on this forum, fellow modelers scoffing at the idea of some of the mentioned models ever being produced! Imho, the biggest "shocker" was Athearn doing a 180° turn in attitude and producing the SDP40F......a unit in which some were convinced would never sell due to the prototype's issues. Yet, they sold very well.
So keep putting in your ideas and requests and if you know fellow modelers or historical society members that are interested in the same units, join forces with them.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
My One of my all time favorites is the Southern Pacific Yellowstone AC-9, there were only 12 built. I couldn’t afford one of the brass at over $900+ new. I kitbashed 4 Rivarossi Cab Forwards into AC-9s. The Mel Kitbach AC-9 is the is the top locomotive.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
The one-off Cummins center cab. So they only made one. In our little world of what-if...alternate history, I think that they'd sell. I'd want one.
Like Mel, I like AC 9s too. Even more than cab forwards. Too big for my layout though. Dan
dti406Also the MLW RSC-24 only 4 ever made for the CN. Squashed road switcher body put on a switcher frame with A-1-A trucks.
Those are among my favourite MLW locos...they always reminded me of a small kid clomping around the house in his dad's shoes.If I weren't modelling the late '30s, I'd be tempted to buy one of Bowser's big ALCos, and kitbash it into an RSC-24.
Wayne
The Baldwin DT6-6-2000, only 45 ever produced or the Baldwin RT624 with only 24 produced. Does 3D printed models count as mass produced, since 3D printing of models is so common?
Milwaukee Road EF1 box cab electrics... (I believe Suydam had it in brass many years ago).
7j43kBut couldn't you make your own by glueing a hot dog bun on top of a regular Selkirk?
ndbprr UP 4-12-2. Turning radius would be prohibitive
Nope. My brass one will do 48". No reason to assume a plastic one couldn't match that.
tstage That's a cool & funky model, Ed - I like it! I bet you could get a Lok5 micro decoder in either the boiler or the cab. And, if sound displacement wouldn't bother you, those two cylindrical containers on the tender platform could house a speaker baffle and the decoder. A speaker might also fit in the forward portion of the boiler. That would be contingent, however, on the length of the motor you installed. Tom
Moi, aussi.
But those "cylindrical containers" already house the two motors that drive this thing. Somehow.
THIS one is a challenge--HOn3!
JDawg EMD NW5 only like 13 Ever built.
That MAY not be what we lead off with when we pitch this thing.
Think GN! Think BN! Think Southern! Think all the folks lucky enough to own these later!!!
And SO CUTE!
Keep hitting that one!
(Say! Didn't more railroads own NW5's than SDL39's?) See where I'm going?
And the RS1325's live on, one in G&W corperate colors, now in the IRM collection and operational last I knew. Many engines lived on after the class ones were done with them and some Mfg's ignore that. I will add another one. BN's version of the GP10, the 1400's. 1410 and 1416 worked the local shortline in Indiana for many years. I have the beacon and number glass off 1410 when she was renumbered. The BN version is different from the Padauch(sp) version as they have big fuel tanks and air tanks above the tank like a GP38, along with the 4 stacks, winterization hatch, Horst "ox yoke" air intake, chop nose with a non sloping top to it. To me one of the best reworks of the classic GP9. Give me this in BN colors, with the nice LED Prime beacon like Rapido is using now and I will patch it out just like pictured below. Are we listening Athearn! You have the state of the art GP9 tooling, it is possible!
I certainly agree about the BN 1400's. I have a feeling there will be a BN/PNW dry spell from Athearn, though.
Athearn owns the F's and the GP's. Been awhile, no? How about some BN ABBA F9's? Or the above mentioned 1400's? They DO sell. Or maybe some BSB Geeps?
Most all the 1400's and similar 1300 series BN GP's found homes post BN, from the Bloomer line in their CB&Q colors to other shortlines. Intermountain proved that shortlines sell with their IC style GP10's. Small 4 axle EMD's are the bread and butter of small shortlines and ones that cannot afford GP38's go with GP9's and the rebuilds they became, and most are chop nosed by this point. I have pics of 1410 in the PNW, Minnesota, Chicago. She saw most of the BN system thru her years just as the 1410, let alone her years as a high nose GN GP9.
emdmikewhat engines do you think we will never see in mass produced RTR plastic.
I am going to be a big downer here, but I think at this point, any road-specific medium sized, non-flashy, steam locomotive will never be made in RTR plastic.
Union Pacific 2-8-0, Santa Fe 4-6-2, N&W 4-8-0, and so on... never to be made in RTR plastic.
The flashy rarites like Royal Hudsons, Big Boys, Class As, EM-1s, and so on will continue to sell well. However, the workaday locomotives with road specific spotting features that were much more common will not be seen.
I think only the PRR will have road-specific medium steam mass produced from this point forward.
Southgate 2The one-off Cummins center cab.
Everyone missed their chance to sell me that model. It is off of my "buy" list.
-Kevin
Living the dream.