Predictions for 2005....

[Anonymous]

I saw a thread like this on the Atlas forums, so I decided we might as well have one too...

Just post your predictions as to what will happen or what will be released in the model railroad world in 2005.

Examples:
Atlas will finally release an HO scale steam engine in 2005. The prototype will be CB&Q #4960. Chance of happening: [:(]

Some other rr will start licensing agreements.[}:)]

Intermountain will release an HO version of the SD40-T2.

[Anonymous]

Rivarossi will be back on the HO market again with a UP Big Boy as their new model (I can dream, can't I[;)])

MTH will do horribly in HO sales and exit the HO market.

Trix will reduce the MSRP of their Big Boy (pleeeeeease![:D])

BLI will produce a UP 3 unit Gas Turbine in HO

I'll finally get a layout set up.

[CP5415]

Horizon Hobbies will buy out Lionel.
Kato & Atlas merge.

& I might buy a Kato & or Atlas locomotive

Gordon

[PennsyHoosier]

MTH will sue every HO manufacturer.

I will buy more K4s (even though I say I won't).

[ckape]

I predict that as soon as I get any significant amount of work done on scratchbuilding one of those white BNSF reefers, an HO manufacturer will announce that they're coming out with highly detailed models of them. Then I will give up working on them and wait for the models to come out, only to find out later that production is cancelled.

[krump]

I will still be interested in TRAINing[:D]

[tatans]

Hopefully there will be more than 2 or 3 non-brass locomotive manufacturers ,and maybe make other engines than ANOTHER big boy or 25 of the same engine and only change the number on it. Strange that all electronics are dropping in price, but not model railroading equipment ??????

[GDRMCo]

A RTR QR Tilt Train from Bachmann will become available plus a wrecked one to model the Bundaberg crash.

[AntonioFP45]

Well I can't and won't make predicitons unless I have good info.

But I can hope!

I hope the Soundtraxx's Tsunami decoder will be on the market and selling so well that its price will drop.

I hope that MTH loses the QSI lawsuit! No ill-will towards Mike Wolf, but if he loses then WE ALL WIN. And as I've stated, so does he in the long run.

I hope that Atlas or LL (P2K) comes out with an HO U36B!

I hope that LL (P2K) re-introduces the E7, but this time with the larger "box" numberboards on the nose.

[Anonymous]

Organized boycott against MTH starts and grows beyond all expectations....MTH sales fall and continue to fall due to the ill feelings that most O scalers feel for them. They drop HO and suffer huge losses due to reduced sales revenue.

On30 soars in popularity, and spurrs new O scale narrow gauge accessories and building kits.

[simon1966]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

Strange that all electronics are dropping in price, but not model railroading equipment ??????

Based on the fact that entry level DCC systems are well under $200, in fact closer to $100, and that decent decoders can be had for $12-$15, I would say that the electronics part of Model RR is dropping in price. Just as in the consumer electronics world, don't expect new hot innovations to be cheap!

[Anonymous]

1.) The product manufacturer Atheran finally decides on a unitized way of spelling its' name, after many years of spelling it many different ways, that way shall be Athearn, as announced by company president Erv Athearn, whom arose from the grave to make the declaration.

2). MTH owner Mike Wolf has an epiphany and determines producing product is a better method of gaining market share than "Litigation"!

3). The world, per the 1967 Beatles song, determines that; "All you do need, is LOVE"!

[IRONROOSTER]

S Helper finally releases its 2-8-0 steam locomotive. HO market collapses as everyone rushes to switch to S scale. [:D][:D]
Enjoy
Paul

[FThunder11]

NCE will lower the MSRP of their DCC systems. And Athern's P42 Amtrak phase V will also be cheaper.

[BNSFNUT]

I predict that I will buy more freight cars and locomotives that I don't really need.
I will get around to adding the second staging yard that I planed 3 years ago. (don't bet on that one)
We will all get another year older [sigh]

[Anonymous]

In 2005 I predict more lhs's closing. I see this as good as the ones that are able to survive will have more business and will be able to have more stock and lower prices.

I predict I will move and lose my dream of ever finishing a layout.

One last prediction the last number of pi will be found quelching all theorys that it is an infinite number.
Andrew

[willy6]

IHC gets bought out.

"The Coffee Shop" thread will surpass over 7000 posts.

MRR will seek a price increase.

you'll be able to operate your DCC with your cell phone.

[AggroJones]

MTH withdraw all suits, people give their products a chance, MTH suceeds in HO by making a series of small steamers.

Trix announces dicast SP AC-12 with sound.

N scale becomes more popular than HO.

HO steam manufactures all lower prices to reach of common man.

Shortly after Aggro Jones's death, BLI announces Platinum series DM&IR M-4.

[Anonymous]

IRON I don't know about the collapse of the HO train market. I think thats a little far fetched, but I wouldn't mind seeing NCE lower the cost. I just might have to make the move from DC then. I look for the year 2005 to be another year of cost increases which will keep some from entering this hobby.

[ndbprr]

MR will write a bad review of a Walthers product. The world will end one week later.

[rtstasiak]

In the year 2005:

Stuck-up proto nitpickers, proto paperhangers, and other members of the Train Taliban will bump their heads on the benchwork, see the light, and start having fun playing with their trains...and encouraging others to do so as well.

God Bless Sam Posey!

Rich

[PennsyHoosier]

Another prediction: I will spend more money than I should on MR stuff.

Bet this one will come true.

[twhite]

MTH will suddenly see the light of day and come out with a UP Challenger in HO that will sit on the hobby-store racks until they rot because the market is flooded with the things.
Walthers will come out with a tall steel viaduct that doesn't take thirty hours to build.
BLI will release both a Platinum Missabe M-4 and SPAC-9 2-8-8-4, PLUS a Rio Grande L-131 2-8-8-2. And will promise a Rio Grande F-81 2-10-2 for the coming year. BLI will also stop pushing back release dates.
Athearn will offer new and improved 'old' metal reefer kits as 'craftsman models.'
AggoJones will not die, however he will be seriously injured in a scuffle with another model railroader (me) in an attempt to buy out BLI's complete stock of M-4's.
Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: MR will write a bad review of a Walthers product. The world will end one week later.

[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[Anonymous]

My predictions?

DCC and sound prices will continue to drop and get smaller in size.
The merger between Stewart and Bowser will result in Bowser locomotives being more widely distributed those lowering their prices.
BLI will move towards the smaller steamers for HO. 2-8-0, 4-6-0 etc.
On30 will continue to increase in popularity. Athearn or Roundhouse will test the water with some On30 rolling stock and Atlas will produce On30 track.

Year end 2004 prediction?

On Christmas Eve Mike Wolfe will be visited by three ghosts and upon awakening will give the DCC/Sound manufacturers a phone call and say "hey if we share technology we all can sell more products at a lower price to the modeler!" and then he'll call Lionel and say "hey Lionel, let's talk about our problems and see if we can work out a better deal for everyone."

My 2005 wish?

Life Like Proto introduces some MP54's in their P1K line.

[Anonymous]

very amusing replies![:D]

Here's a few more from me:

1. MTH loses all the lawsuits it filed, HO and O modelers will boycott MTH, the company goes bankrupt, then is bought out and liquefied by all mfg.ers!

Yessss![;)]

2. BLI moves their production to Germany, and produces a large amount of CB&Q, Rock Island, and Milwaukee Road steamers. (Wishful thinking but we can dream...)

3. manufacturers start putting straight-AC motors in their locos, making DCC simpler yet.

4. MR's January issue will be a full tribute to the CB&Q, celebrating their 150th anniversary. (Reading this, Terry Thompson?[:D])

[Anonymous]

The Arabs have a revalation announce free oil for the world.gas prices drop to the point I can actually afford a sat,road trip to some distant LHS.A great surge in the number of model railroaders all scales so that all manuf.must heed and cater to our combined opinion. The great Brass God falls from favor price of brass plummets. Kato and Atlas both re issue first generation diesels sound and smoke.Well back to reality i predict 2005 will have 365 days in it.

[Anonymous]

1. Walthers will team up with a fantastic never-before heard of manufacturer that will offer rtr models of Pennsy MP-54's, South Shore Line interurbans, generic Niles wood coaches and combines and since they will be exclusively distributed by Walthers, you'll never be able to buy them, just drool at the "reference book" because they'll be out of stock like everything else.
2. Sam Posey will be the next NMRA President.
3. In a bold move, David Barrow will thrust forward with his minimalist modelling and convert his "layout" to BRIO trains.

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CPD95
3. In a bold move, David Barrow will thrust forward with his minimalist modelling and convert his "layout" to BRIO trains.

[(-D] [(-D] [(-D] I needed that.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

MR will write a bad review of a Walthers product. The world will end one week later.

This happened, quite deservedly several years ago when the 1st run of Superliner cars came out.....
The sky over Waukesha was dark for 7 days.[}:)]