I'd like to see Athearn finish the D&RGW roster of SD50's. They've done all of them except 5510,5513,5514, and 5515.
Ideally, it would be nice if they were done in the Genesis line but I'd settle for an updated RTR finish; nose gyro lights require needing added.
Proto2000 ran a few numbers, and I have a few in storage for the time being, but as I recall they also lacked road specific details and the coloring was not correct.
Looks like Intermountain released some in the ATSF "Warbonnet" Super Fleet scheme, I'll take 3 of them.
Do the Intermountain ES44ACs run okay? Can they be paired with an Athearn RTR SD40-2?
I wish someone (preferably Kato or FVM) did an AC6000 in N scale, but Heritage Fever apparently is blinding everyone to potential sales of those modern engines. And how hard would it be for Kato to rework their C44-9W into an NS C40-9W? With something over 1200 examples on the roster, NS modellers probably would buy them by the crate. Scads of money to be made here, if anyone would notice.
Man the only "modern power I have is an MTHSD70ACe you guys are making me wanna update with the heritage units lol
Jordan, I sense your frustration, however, I'd like to share a different point of view. I think BLI is a making a great move in introducing their ES44AC for the following reasons: they are bringing to market very unique product, (smoke in a diesel model) representing a protype that many of us see rolling through our neigborhoods. I get what you are saying about not seeing the market as a consumer, but at the same time, you also have to agree that we are finicky bunch and there are not a lot of us to sell to. Companies like BLI have to get it right by bringing products to market that most of us will buy; broad appeal. In other words, if I were Bob Gruuba at BLI, and I'm thinking about the risk/reward scenario I am investing in, (ordering a substantial amount of product from a manufacturer in China who requires a minimum unit amount per SKU, while also taking the risk of introducing smoke in a diesel locomotive) I am going to take that risk by using a form factor, (the ES44AC) that is very recognizable and used by many of protype railroads that we model. The same for MTH, bringing a unique uncoupling/couping feature in a locomotive whose protype is ubiquitous. Taking this just a step further, each of these manufacturers sell us versions of these locos at various price points based on combinations of performance characteristics, levels of detail and operating features. I may get some flack for saying this, but the prototypes you are mentioning, Dash 8,9 and AC4400, are all very similar in appearance and in some cases, such as with CSX 9001, a 9-44CW, started off life as a Dash 8; point is we can use our imaginations, or modify to suite our own taste. In closing I would say that we are lucky that we have several different choices to make when we consider purchasing a popular locomotive and fortunate that we have companies like all that you mention willing to roll the dice and bring us great products.
tallcaptIsn't the ES44 line up to over 5,000 units now? I recall IM producing the UP unit with the 5,000th Gevo nose. I agree it's saturation of the market, but hopefully that will be a good thing for us consumers by plenty of supply, selection, and low prices.
Agreed - I picked up a pair of the MTH NS Heritage units (NYC, PC) for less than the price of one at MSRP via a major east-coast dealer's online sale. I never thought I'd pick up even one of these with DC and sound factory-equipped but I just couldn't pass up on that deal.
Now just hoping for a similar deal on the GE versions in LV and NKP paint! Of course, standard NS paint in either the EMD or GE models would be just fine as well.
Metro Red Line I'm an N scaler, and we have two manufaturers doing these (Kato and Fox Valley Models). I guess that's the equivalent of market saturation in the N scale world, comparatively speaking :) The GEVO and the ACE are the most common locos found on today's railroads, so I can understand why every manufacturer wants to get theirs out and market what they feel is the best version of the model. But six manufacturers is pretty silly. I can understand 2 or 3.
I'm an N scaler, and we have two manufaturers doing these (Kato and Fox Valley Models). I guess that's the equivalent of market saturation in the N scale world, comparatively speaking :)
The GEVO and the ACE are the most common locos found on today's railroads, so I can understand why every manufacturer wants to get theirs out and market what they feel is the best version of the model. But six manufacturers is pretty silly. I can understand 2 or 3.
Dan
Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA
ML
steemtrayn bagal Paul3 Six ES44AC's? Athearn, IM, Bachmann, MTH and now BLI...that's only 5? Overland? If Bachmann is not great, BLI not yet in production, MTH with DCS, Overland expensive, doesn't it come back to Athearn or IM? Bill What's wrong with the Bachmanns, anyway? For the price, maybe I can live with the faults.
bagal Paul3 Six ES44AC's? Athearn, IM, Bachmann, MTH and now BLI...that's only 5? Overland? If Bachmann is not great, BLI not yet in production, MTH with DCS, Overland expensive, doesn't it come back to Athearn or IM? Bill
Paul3 Six ES44AC's? Athearn, IM, Bachmann, MTH and now BLI...that's only 5?
Six ES44AC's? Athearn, IM, Bachmann, MTH and now BLI...that's only 5?
Overland?
If Bachmann is not great, BLI not yet in production, MTH with DCS, Overland expensive, doesn't it come back to Athearn or IM?
Bill
What's wrong with the Bachmanns, anyway? For the price, maybe I can live with the faults.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
blabride Wasn't Pennsy the only road to have the BP20? Also didn't the Pennsy hire Raymond Loewy to also design this to be a diesel version of the steam T1? Don't get me wrong I would have to have one, with my love of the diesel american diesel locomotive. SB
Wasn't Pennsy the only road to have the BP20? Also didn't the Pennsy hire Raymond Loewy to also design this to be a diesel version of the steam T1? Don't get me wrong I would have to have one, with my love of the diesel american diesel locomotive.
SB
blabride Wasn't Pennsy the only road to have the BP20?
Wasn't Pennsy the only road to have the BP20?
Yes, but since the centipedes sold so well for BLI, I's imagine the Pennsy fans would gobble up the sharks.
According to Diesel shop their are about 1150 left just on the big four. NS, UP, KCS and CSX. That is pretty amazing of course most have been rebuildt like the sd40 3 on the KCS.
How many SD40-2's
are there out there earning there keep 40+ years later? Including the -3 upgrades probably 2500+ working for not only the Class I's, regonals and shortlines, but alos in the lease fleets by th hundreds.
Ira
To answer you question about the six manufactures. Tower 55 came out with a version that didn't go over very well. So that would make six.
If we are looking for the esoteric, I would rather see these. This looks like another project for Broadway Limited.
If we can have this,
why not this:
I can sum up why there is a sudden influx of these two types of units in four words: Norfolk Southern Heritage Units
Everyone wants there hand in the heritage unit pie it seems
That is what I am hoping from Athearn. I have purchased 14 Genesis GP's of various flavors in the last year and not only are they accurate and beautifully detailed but they run very well too. Also of all 14 only one Mopac GP38 2 had a problem. It had a bad light bulb.
But I still will have to take a chance on at least two of the MKT SD40-2 from Intermountain as those don't come around that often. I tried to buy one of their CN SD40-2w but one came without a handrail and the other had a defective light board. They both went back. So I will cross my fingers on this run and hope they correct the qulity control.
From what I've read, the IMR SD40-2's haven't met the ultimage SD40-2 criteria either. IMR is still struggling to establish a quality line of HO engines. I agree, it may take Athearn to produce Genesis SD40-2's before you see the "last word" in that diesel in HO.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Speak and someone shal deliver-
http://www.intermountain-railway.com/currentflyers.html
There about four on here I am going to need. Let's hope the quality control is better this time.
Yes diesel. Steamers are a whole different kind of awesomeness.
blabride...but how many of us think the SD40-2 is one of the best looking locomotives produced.
For me - that honor would go to the NYC 4-6-4 Hudson. But...I'm guessing you are referring to diesel locomotives produced nowadays.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
2
Here is the glaring omission. Not only was it the second most produced up to now, but how many of us think the SD40-2 is one of the best looking locomotives produced. Why no one has jumped on this and produced a Genesis quality loco with Kato running abilities is beyond my thinking. Not only does this locomotive span a couple of eras but almost everyone had one.
I know we have the Athearn RTR, the Kato and the Canadian ones from Intermountain and soon Bowser but the first two are outdated and the second two are well Canadian.
BLI is going to be pushing their units and "new technology", because they contain smoke generators in the exhaust stacks. Something different to attract customers?
As for why, it's pretty simple. GE has cranked out something like 2900 of these in the past 10 years. That's a lot.
In the history of diesel locos, the top production numbers are:
Note that the ES44AC is the third most made...ever.
But the number one most important reason why so many manufacturers are making ES44AC's? Beause of the NS heritage paint schemes. I asked Athearn if they had sent NS a nice thank you card for making these, and they pretty much said that they had. :) Note that Athearn dropped the price on their heritage locos after they announced them due to the higher than expected demand. Other manufacturers want in on the money to be made, and they're going for it.
Paul A. Cutler III
Hi!
The mfgs are going to produce what they think is going to be sold - and make them a profit. They don't give a toot about much of anything else - especially market saturation. One reason for their attitude may be that their product is better than the competition, or falls in a price niche, or whatever..........
Like most of you, I would love to see other locos being built, like realistic looking IC mountains, ATSF Hudsons and Pacifics, and so on. But until a BLI or Bachmann or "whoever" feels like they can make money from such a model, it ain't gonna happen...........
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central