Trains.com

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!

New loco and rolling stock ideas

1694 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 7:51 PM
Wow. You guys thoght of some stuff that would make the companies rich! But I think flyingscot has a great idea, streamlined train sets. A great one would be the 20th Centery Limited with a streamlined hudson and 3 or 4 coaches.................
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 5:13 PM
OK, now here's my list with their prices (the realistic, not proposed ones)
- early E untis (starting at $120)
- streamlined train sets (over $200)
- HOn3 equippment (the classic K-27... $150)
- More streamlined steam (see "streamlined train sets")
- Steam Turbine engines (well ove r$300)
- Experimental and proposed (but never built) locos (these would be a very limited edition of course... and ranging from $100-$200)
- D&RGW's imported Krauss- Maffei (at least $90)
- circus equippment (don't get me started on that one)
- mid 19th century rolling stock and engines (........)
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 3:40 PM
Kudos to previous posters on this topic! Excellent suggestions! All of them!

WARNING!!! RANT FOLLOWS!!!

Realistic prices for realistic rolling stock. What we thought was realistic back in the 70’s has been surpassed by recent releases by many manufacturers, Take the new cars by Atlas, really nice pieces, but the prices are a tad high. Or the “standard” by Walthers, gads! Do people really pay that much for skeleton log cars? $29.95 for two on sale! There’s like nothing to them except for a few castings! And the Heisler, $299.95! I would expect brass for that price. (I thought a similar thing was the downfall of Lionel? Handsome display box! Yea right, for what?!?!) Ok, so things are more expensive now, and realistically speaking the equivalent cost of a piece (with better detail) is lower compared to what would have been back in the 70’s based on what we earn per hour then and now. But Still I think with more modern manufacturing methods and materials, it should be about half the prices they are asking. I don’t believe the bull about the cost of making moulds, they gotta pay the people on staff if they work on moulds or sit on their butts. And further more, how much of this stuff is imported?

BIG THANKS for the small time innovative companies for trying their best to fill the huge spaces in what should be available from the larger companies. It always returns to this.

Personally I’d like to see some of those old time “steam” shovels in a modular format like was attempted by one company, Vintage Vehicles. Same body, use either a crane or shovel boom, maybe should have had wheel instead of track option, or a way to make a rail mounted steam crane/shovel. I fully understand the reasons the production was stopped, and want to sincerely thank them for the brief extension of the run. But there are OTHER prototypes that can be produced. Future manufacturers that pick up on the idea, PLEASE TAKE THE HINT from Vintage Vehicles about their HONEST PRICING.

Thank you MDC for the “Critter”, but at $82.50? Sorry guys, even though I worked with you on projects in the past, I won’t buy one for over $49.95. In it’s day, a Lionel “Hustler” (HO scale), comes to mind, wasn’t it around $9.00? On the other hand, MDC, your twin pack log cars are very nice, I plan on buying more, but you have to follow it up with other cars used by logging and short line companies. If you don’t another small niche company will.

IHC, your Barnhart at $13.98 is a bargain, at $19.98 I think it’s reasonably priced. How about you and MDC doing a joint venture on 10 yd side dump cars? One company make steel versions one make wood and get your minds together on a DCC controlled dumping mechanism if you really want it operational. I could tell you how to design the mechanism… (sketches in hand)

And all of you, get realistic about wasting efforts on silly specialty train sets. They don’t sell much except for collectors and they are NOT your bread and butter! Ok, make a few more “Thomas The Tank Engines” but the sale prices you’re offering them for now is what they should have been priced at in the beginning.

RANT OVER….

(Getting ready to duck and cover.)

Smile Guys, this is a fun hobby! Cordially,
Gerry
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Culpeper, Va
  • 8,204 posts
Posted by IRONROOSTER on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 5:21 AM
An S scale doodlebug.
Enjoy
Paul
If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 13, 2003 4:48 PM
(all plastic)
- early E untis
- streamlined train sets (zephyrs, M-10000)
- HOn3 equippment (especially for the god ole D&RGW)
- More streamlined steam (a streamlined K-4 pacific would be nice)
- Steam Turbine engines
- Experimental and proposed (but never built) locos (these would be a very limited edition of course)
- D&RGW's imported Krauss- Maffei
- circus equippment (everyone likes the circus.... right??)
- mid 19th century rolling stock and engines (I've never seen a layout set in the 1850's)
and in the structure department:
- parts to build a big city terminal (DPM would do a swell job)
- more interior details
...and I'm spent!
  • Member since
    July 2002
  • From: California
  • 3,722 posts
Posted by AggroJones on Sunday, October 12, 2003 7:22 PM
All in HO :

Santa Fe 2900 class 4-8-4
Southern Pacific F-5 2-10-2
USRA 2-10-2B
D&RGW M-78 4-8-2
Southern Pacific P-8 4-6-2
Santa Fe 3800 class 2-10-2
D&RGW 2-6-6-0

"Being misunderstood is the fate of all true geniuses"

EXPERIMENTATION TO BRING INNOVATION

http://community.webshots.com/album/288541251nntnEK?start=588

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Sunday, October 12, 2003 4:56 PM
An 1890's 4-4-0 that runs well.
A hopper bottom gondola in plastic (such as RDG class HP or HK that would also work for several other NE RR's).
A replacement boiler casting for an Rdg I-8 camelback (can also be used on a 4-4-2 and 4-6-0 frame).
A 1950's 52'6 gon other than the LLP2K model, with a steeper slope on the sides.
A Pennsy GG hopper in plastic (like the one at Strasburg).
A SSC twin hopper in pre and post 1911 versions.
A Cline horse car.
A USRA 2-10-2 in plastic.
A 1880's era 0-6-0 or a replacement boiler for a MDC 0-6-0.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 12, 2003 1:21 PM
I guess my thought is.......you most of the time get what you pay for. I would just as soon pay a bit more price wise and get it right the first time.......then have to spend dollar after dollar to keep fixing (reworking) something that was a bit cheaper.

As far as what would I like them to make......just keep bring out new and interesting things. Im getting to the point in the hobby where if I can't find it.....I'll make it. It sure makes things somewhat difficult.....but it sure is fun :)

Craig
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
New loco and rolling stock ideas
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 12, 2003 1:10 PM
Thease days they make some really nice models in every scale. But don't you ever feel like you want more? How about a more affordible Big Boy loco? Or say O scale locos and accesories for other scales? What would you like the manufactuers to make?

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!

Users Online

There are no community member online

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!