Predictions for 2006

[elauterbach]

Well, we are in November now, so how about some predictions for 2006. Here are mine:
1. Pecision Craft Pennsy 2-10-0 I1sa will not come out until June, but will be worth the wait.
2. Bachmann Spectrum newly announced modern 4-4-0 will be not be seen until early 2007.
3. Walthers will do another famous passenger train like the did the chief.
4. Con-Cor will do an add-on passenger car for the HO scale Zephyr.
5. I will spend more money on trains than I should and manufactures will be wrong on delivery dates.

Eric

[canazar]

I will throw my hat into the ring on this. I admit, mine is abit more generalised than yours, but I predict: Sound.

I bet you see a race for the next year or two with the companies putting sond in everything. I think "sound' is the next frontier so to speak for engines. First, it was detail, now everyone seems to have great details. Sound I think,is great andcant wait for more.. I have all ready seen some of the prices come down from competetion. Woo Hoo.

And, I will to as well, spend more money than I should. but that really isnt a prediction. Should just be considered a fact of life hehe[:D]

[bikerraypa]

Ahh, the yearly predictions post, where all we aspiring Casey Jones' can set aside the engineer's hat and become Jeanne Dixon for the day [:p]

Listen to the wisdom of Sen Say Ray. My MRR predictions for 2006 are as follows:

1. availabliity of sound: just as canazar said, sound is the next big thing. We'll see a lot of new sound developments, but unfortunately, most of them will be crap. Digitrax and Loksound, however, will build more quality stuff and not increase prices by much. Tsunami will be delayed. Tyco will reenter the market with a sound locomotive featuring "REALISTIC ACTION SOUNDS - grind, whine, fizzle and pop. WITH SMOKE!!"

2. TOTALLY prebuilt layouts: with the success that Woodland Scenics has had with their layout kits, you'll see an RTR version...Just plug in the trees and go. It will probably be modular, so that "your railroad can grow as you do." And that'll be the ad catchline. They may partner with someone (Walthers/LL??) and even include the trains.

3. stuff for other folks: from DL-109's to Dash-9's to the Best Friend of Charleston, from centerbeam flats to logging splines to tri-level autoracks, the manufacturers will continue making an infinite number of items that don't fit my layout at all. [8]


Ray out

[tstage]

Eric,

I'll go one step further than canazar...but in another direction. Maybe in 2006 - but most likely in subsequent years - we'll start seeing track side industries (i.e. working sawmills, assembly lines, stock yards, forklifts, cranes, etc.) realistically run using decoders and DCC. I think, in addition to sound, this will open up a whole new venue for DCC technology for those you want to add "controllable" animation to their layouts. Actually, I think this will be used more in conjunction with a computer, rather than a handheld throttle.

Tom

[icmr]

I know I will spend more money on trains than I should but I will still do it.

[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome] to the forum elauterbach.



ICMR

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

[howmus]

Shouldn't this be about predictions for 2005? Oh, you are not a member of the procrastinators club. I'm not either, haven't quite gotten around to join.... I predict for 2006:
1. The tzunami will finally have an anouncement that the long awaited product may finally be released sometime in 2007! Maybe?
2. Polls about other people posting polls about stupid polls will again be a part of the forum.
3. People with dial-up will still complain that it takes too long to download posts.
4. SpaceMouse will perfect the "Under the Layout" Subwoofer system that will finally make realist sound a reality. Then a Diseasal will actually sound like RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE instead of tinkle, tinkle, tinkle.
5. I will find out that one of my best friends was the person in Geneva who won the 13 million dollar lottery a few days ago. (more of a wi***han a prediction as I know most likely it will be someone who I had in School as a Student and hated my class..... LOL)

[doctorwayne]

If everyone's predictions about sound come true, then I predict that I will be spending way less than ever.
Wayne

[Amtrk14]

I'm hoping for:

1. HO Scale Amtrak Surfliner and California Cars
2. HO Scale Amtrak Pacific Parlour Cars
3. HO Scale Kato AMD-103's and SD70M's w/ Flared Radiators and Phase ll Cabs
4. HO Scale Atlas Articulated Enclosed Auto Carriers(Just their N and O Scale Models)
5. More Walthers Built-Ups
6. HO Scale Amtrak Phase IVb Equipment..Superliners, Amfleets, Horizon Fleet, and Budd Series

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head.

Sean

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by doctorwayne

If everyone's predictions about sound come true, then I predict that I will be spending way less than ever.
Wayne

I predict we are usually bad at predicting future events.

I am safe in my prediction that we will not see a live steam z scale Big Boy???

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by canazar

I will throw my hat into the ring on this. I admit, mine is abit more generalised than yours, but I predict: Sound.

I bet you see a race for the next year or two with the companies putting sond in everything. I think "sound' is the next frontier so to speak for engines. First, it was detail, now everyone seems to have great details. Sound I think,is great andcant wait for more.. I have all ready seen some of the prices come down from competetion. Woo Hoo.

hehe[:D]

It would seem that your prediction of putting sound or sond in everything has already come true. It is a great market and it would be interesting to know the marketing numbers for the percentage of sound compared to the regular models. BLI seems to be offering both silent and sound in new models and issuing silent models for the first ones that were sound only.

That might be a clue that the silent models will continue to be in demand. Sound to me is great and should be standard, but not generic sound like the Genesis Challenger. It has cost me to buy replacement sound for the installed sound. Does that qualify to be called the first HO Sound on Sound??? Just kidding.

If anyone wants a really poor sound module from the Genesis Challengers, write and let me know. You will have to pay the shipping but the junk is free.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bikerraypa

2. TOTALLY prebuilt layouts: with the success that Woodland Scenics has had with their layout kits, you'll see an RTR version...Just plug in the trees and go. It will probably be modular, so that "your railroad can grow as you do." And that'll be the ad catchline. They may partner with someone (Walthers/LL??) and even include the trains.

Ya don't have to predict that one. Well maybe for Naorth America yes, but such things have been a reality in Europe and Japan for some time.

John

[elauterbach]

I have modeled in both HO and O for a number of years. Speaking from experience with O gauge which has had sound for a while, having engine sounds is great. [:D] Other sounds are just anoying[xx(]

Eric

[canazar]

Yeah, I think sound will be the next big thing, and most likely become the norm. All though, I know that "regualr" or no-sound power will always be there. Some folks dontlike it, or dont need it, or dont want to spend the money on it.
I kind a liked the idea of the buildings with DCC set up in them with some kind of fucntion or animation. Heck, you can program turnout and now, not such a stretch.

John k

[cacole]

I was going to predict that the SoundTraxx Tsunami will finally be released, but according to Tony's Train Exchange it has just been released in a steam version.

I'm not sure if that means that Tony actually has them in hand, or expects to get some this week, or maybe next week, or next month, or next year.....

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bikerraypa
Tyco will reenter the market with a sound locomotive featuring "REALISTIC ACTION SOUNDS - grind, whine, fizzle and pop. WITH SMOKE!!

if sound takes off hopefully non-sound loco's prices will go down[:D]

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