I wonder if N&W J Class locomotive models will experience a resurgence in popularity and demand since the 611 is back in steam? I was in Roanoke Saturday for the "Homecoming" and the turn-out was amazing! Wonder if there will be some "new offerings"?
Mike C.
wobblinwheel I wonder if N&W J Class locomotive models will experience a resurgence in popularity and demand since the 611 is back in steam? I was in Roanoke Saturday for the "Homecoming" and the turn-out was amazing! Wonder if there will be some "new offerings"?
Respectfully,
One needs to understand that this hobby is made up of lots of different groups with specifc interests and goals.
Some people just collect trains they like.
Others model a specific railroad, place, time in history, etc.
Many people in the later group only buy stuff that fits the theme of their layout. So in that group the N&W J is of limited appeal - I don't suspect that as a railroad, the N&W is at the top of modeler popularity in a nation wide survey.
That said, some people do a little of both, and "collecting" in HO is at an all time high in the last decade or so.
Still not enough to justifiy all the different brands who have made models of the N&W J over the last 10 years or so. I suspect there are plenty of NOS class J's out there for anyone intersted in one today.
I would not expect to see manufacturers tripping over each other to reintroduce their N&W J models.
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRAL wobblinwheel I wonder if N&W J Class locomotive models will experience a resurgence in popularity and demand since the 611 is back in steam? I was in Roanoke Saturday for the "Homecoming" and the turn-out was amazing! Wonder if there will be some "new offerings"? Respectfully, One needs to understand that this hobby is made up of lots of different groups with specifc interests and goals. Some people just collect trains they like. Others model a specific railroad, place, time in history, etc. Many people in the later group only buy stuff that fits the theme of their layout. So in that group the N&W J is of limited appeal - I don't suspect that as a railroad, the N&W is at the top of modeler popularity in a nation wide survey. That said, some people do a little of both, and "collecting" in HO is at an all time high in the last decade or so. Still not enough to justifiy all the different brands who have made models of the N&W J over the last 10 years or so. I suspect there are plenty of NOS class J's out there for anyone intersted in one today. I would not expect to see manufacturers tripping over each other to reintroduce their N&W J models. Sheldon
I would slightly disagree with this statement. Manufacturers are already tripping overthemselves promising releases of UP 4014 and its not even done yet (Incidentally the Big Boy is manufactured by at least 3 manufacturers at this time: Athearn, MTH, BLI). You didnt mention prototype modelers who may wish to add the realistic bottleneck of a steam excursion running 40mph or slower on the main. So it would fit 1950-1959 (N&W), 1983-1994 (NS), and 2015- (NS). Also there are some who grew up in the late 80s/early 90s and got their first cinder in the eye riding behind 611 and may now want one for nostalgic reasons. Then there are the estimated 70,000 people who turned out just to watch 611 return home to Roanoke under steam. You also didnt mention those who are in modular model railroad clubs who don't necessarily have a prototype, have multiple prototypes (home layout, club module) or choose to run equipment of what era suits their mood at that particular moment. Some of these groups overlap, but I would say that based on the fan base of the locomovtive you would see more demand than you would expect. You may also be correct that the market is saturated at the moment.
We have an older model of one at the History Center in Anderson IN. It has been sitting on a display shelf, but I am now consideing putting it back into operation as a special run.
So, yes, it does apply to many people who are not into NW.
Roger Hensley= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html == Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Still not enough to justifiy all the different brands who have made models of the N&W J over the last 10 years or so. I suspect there are plenty of NOS class J's out there for anyone intersted in one today. I would not expect to see manufacturers tripping over each other to reintroduce their N&W J models. Sheldon
Though I'm not in the market for a model of the N&W 611, we've had a Bachmann Spectrum model since 2005, I'm sure there are many out there who would like to have one.
The idea of a steam excursion to foul up operations is appealing. Our 611 happily operates on the BRVRR and now that it is active again, I'll bet it will get even more running time.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
A quick check of BLI's site shows that they have no public plans to issue their version of the J Class before the spring of 2016. Essentially, that would be a miss by almost a full year if they had any real interest in capitalizing on the Return of 611.
selector A quick check of BLI's site shows that they have no public plans to issue their version of the J Class before the spring of 2016. Essentially, that would be a miss by almost a full year if they had any real interest in capitalizing on the Return of 611.
Not by a year, but by 3months Christmas (or holiday or whatever your religion calls December 25th) presents.
If you're looking, eBay has a few, and I know my LHS has a bunch of BLI or MTH ones, as well as a bachmann spectrum one (for list price!)