While there are plenty of great models out there, there’s still so many reknowned prototypes that have either never been modeled at all or have not been mass-produced. You can sometimes find brass versions but those can get incredibly expensive. So what prototypes (locos, rolling stock, etc) do you wish were easier to find in model form?
I know one I wish was modeled more is the Timken 4-8-4 demonstrator. Absolutely beautiful locomotive with an interesting history!
I would like to see Con-Cor do another run of Pioneer Zephers so I can convert one to a MEC/BM Flying Yankee
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
I'm still waiting for a small-drivered Mogul in HO scale. From around 1890 through 1920, small 2-6-0's were common in logging, industrial, and short line usage, and were offered by Porter, Baldwin and other manufacturers such as Glover. Ken Kidder imported a small brass mogul many years ago but even after a remotoring mine runs poorly (gear alignment design not great). With the advent of smaller quality mechanisms for the smaller scales, it seems that someone could produce a relatively generic small-drivered 2-6-0.
Bill
Believe it or not, I am completely satisfied with what is available.
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I am sure there will be new items I just have to have, but there is nothing I am wanting for right now.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I'd like to see more western steam, NO UNION PACIFIC, maybe some SP 4-10-2s or AC-9s, anything big SP that's not a cab forward would be great.
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Well, I finally knabbed one of my "wish list" locomotives off eBay recently: A NYC H-10a 2-8-2 Heavy Mikado:
This one was manufactured by OMI "Ajin" back in '88. I've been wanting one for the longest time and decided to pull the trigger on it. While it wasn't inexpensive, it was a reasonable price given it's current market value. And the fact that it had never been out of it's original wrapping made it a worthwile purchase. A bonus was finding out this particular version of the H-10a operated on the NYC's "Big Four" Division.
Other locomotives on my NYC wish list:
#4 & #5 I can find in brass but they won't be cheap. #1 & #2 I'll have to paint/re-detail myself but they would be the least expensive path. #3 I have already kitbashed a prototype version of it. Now to make a finished model of it.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
For loco's, I'd like to see ScaleTrains do a GP30/35 rivet counter series.
For rolling stock, I'd like to see a modular International Extended Vision caboose done which can match many prototypes (of course I want a prototypical D&RGW EV caboose manufactured in the mid 1960's). They were due out pretty soon but are now delayed by the chinese factory closing but with the Arrowhead and other new releases, the delay will give me a chance to catch up on some existing models I can't afford to buy in such a short period.
For freight cars, it's getting to the point that I'm running out of idea's seriously. I'm looking forward to the evenual release of the Trainworx 40' trailers and Wheels of Time straight taper SP ACF bulkhead flat cars.
We really could use an high fidelity series of 1970's bulkhead flat cars to replace the generic MDC based bulkhead.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Viewliner bags and diners in HO. Heck, the Viewliner sleepers are so rare that they might as well count as "never produced."
NittanyLion Viewliner bags and diners in HO. Heck, the Viewliner sleepers are so rare that they might as well count as "never produced."
What is a Viewliner bag?
Anyway, the problem is Walthers; they are like that with some models; make some and then maybe someday, maybe never?
Another suggestion for the folks at Scale Trains......a Rivet Counter version of the EMD SD70acu. Norfolk Southern acquired 100 UP SD90/43 locomotives and the conversion/rebuild is being handled at the Altoona PA. locomotive facility.
Canadain Pacific steam locomotives. I have been waiting for my Rapido Royal Hudsons and I am confident they will be all I wished for. That being said, steam locomotives are something I don't think I would ever be happy with if I tried to modify them to a Canadian version. I have looked closely at everything Dr. Wayne has done to modify various steam loco's I am just not at that skill level (yet)
I am pretty confident that on a good day I could scratch build anything else not available in my favourite road name. Extensive loco modification is out at this point in time.
I built some pretty good R/C airplanes from scratch and to this day I am a bit surprised at how well they turned out. I would encourage anyone to take a stab at building something they would like but is not available or is too expensive for their budget. Patience is the quickest road to success in scratch building.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
riogrande5761What is a Viewliner bag?
I'm 99% sure he is referring to these:
https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/amtrak-viewliner-ii-baggage-car-field-testing/
My "wish list" is pretty extensive but I'll throw one of these in the ring:
4368002 by John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library, on Flickr
4368007 by John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library, on Flickr
Yes, AHM and maybe Roco made them but I'd like something with present-day detailing and tooling.
Cheers, Ed
I would have to agree with gmpullman. And also riogrande5761. I am hoping for many more goodies from scaletrains in the future. My personal wish is for more ho scale gevos. YEAH, I KNOW THERE ARE PLENTY OUT THERE. What I'm saying is, in my opinion, scaletrains is the only manufacturer who has got those right. All the others have some problem, be it price, pickup issues, poor motor, lack of details, metal handrails (can't stand those), or something else. Scaletrains has the lowest MSRP, more detail than I know what to do with, great pulling power, a keep alive which solves any electrical issues, and correctly sized handrails. If they made other gevo models, I could stick with them for life. Just my half penny's worth.
I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.
My humble HO wish list.
1. Alco C-415 Affordable.
2. Affordable Athearn/Roundhouse Railgon GONX Gondolas.
3. HO first Gear International Havester TD-25 Sideboom pipelayer or similar.
4. Walthers Greenville Woodchip Hoppers
5. Walthers run of their Blast Furnace again.
Patrick
Fear an Ignorant Man more than a Lion- Turkish proverb
Modeling an ficticious HO scale intergrated Scrap Yard & Steel Mill Melt Shop.
Southland Industrial Railway or S.I.R for short. Enterchanging with Norfolk Southern.
The rolling stock in support of my operating scheme is pretty much complete, though I'm still running bare Amfleet cars. Amtrak Phase 4a decals aren't available. (Microscale told me that Walthers has the license and won't allow them to make decals, so they can sell whole cars instead.)
What I'd like to see are more affordable structures, maybe at lower quality level than craftsman or super-detailed plastic. I'm at that stage where the earth is in place and painted brown, I have a blender so ground foam comes next, then I'll be needing structures.
Genesee Terminal, freelanced HO in Upstate NY ...hosting Loon Bay Transit Authority and CSX Intermodal. Interchange with CSX (CR)(NYC).
CP/D&H, N scale, somewhere on the Canadian Shield
tstage Well, I finally knabbed one of my "wish list" locomotives off eBay recently: A NYC H-10a 2-8-2 Heavy Mikado:
A gorgeous loco, Tom.
I've only gotten, so far, 1 loco off my "wish list" (which is different than the "must have list"). That would be a brass 4-12-2. Also gorgeous. To some of us.
But back to the true concept of the topic:
U33C's (good ones)
U25B's (good ones)
SDP40!!! I'm in for half a dozen, maybe more: GN simplified, GN BSB, GN BSB/BN, BN passenger, BN freight, BN bicentennial---it just keeps going!
a reissue of the P2K FA-1's in the various SP&S schemes
modular International cabeese for various roads--as in: accurate
Ed
EMDSD40 Another suggestion for the folks at Scale Trains......a Rivet Counter version of the EMD SD70acu. Norfolk Southern acquired 100 UP SD90/43 locomotives and the conversion/rebuild is being handled at the Altoona PA. locomotive facility.
I agree with EMDSD40 with the SD70ACu. I would so like to see more HO AC44C6Ms from Athearn. Even better, what about AC44C6CF 8520? Lest we forget the PRR N2. Also I have the Athearn NS SD60E on my wishlist
I would like to see in HO scale an E44 Electric Locomotive. Bachmann did an E33 and I think Alco did an E44 in brass many moons ago. Maybe some runs on switchers like SW1000.
Neal
A 4-4-2 Atlantic, undecorated or UP.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
riogrande5761 What is a Viewliner bag?
Here's a link to the Viewliner Baggage car. It's Amtrak's latest design in baggage cars.
peahrensA 4-4-2 Atlantic
Mike
The only thing on my wish list would be more time to build whatever would otherwise be on such a list. I'm not waiting for anyone to do something that I can do myself. Perhaps my list is much simpler than most.
Wayne
gmpullman riogrande5761 What is a Viewliner bag? I'm 99% sure he is referring to these:
Oh, baggage! Funny, in many years, I think the is the first time I saw baggage called bag.
Every now and then my wife will throw a new, unfamiliar term at me too.
Hello all,
Being on a 4'x8' pike I'd like to see some of the more obscure diesel switchers in HO.
Ford’s, 75-tonners, Slugs, a better selection of B-units into the 1990’s.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
riogrande5761 gmpullman riogrande5761 What is a Viewliner bag? I'm 99% sure he is referring to these: Oh, baggage! Funny, in many years, I think the is the first time I saw baggage called bag. Every now and then my wife will throw a new, unfamiliar term at me too.
I've only really heard it in reference to contemporary Amtrak, so it isn't exactly common.
Blue box kits to come back. Dan
CN turbotrain, HO scale. CN 4-8-4, HO scale.... all of them!
Simon
snjroyCN turbotrain, HO scale.
Let Jason Shron at Rapido know you'd be interested. There are some hints over there of re-running the Turbo.
https://rapidotrains.com/ho-turbotrain/
I have an early Amtrak version with the "improved" gearing.
Rapido Turbo by Edmund, on Flickr
Amtrak Lineup by Edmund, on Flickr
Count me in on some Pennsy E44s, too.
Lima 750, 1000, 1200 HP Switchers, Lima LS-25 Transfer Unnit, Baldwin PRR RT-624 Transfer Unit.
FGE 40' RBL with 12' Offset Doors.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
gmpullman snjroy CN turbotrain, HO scale. Let Jason Shron at Rapido know you'd be interested. There are some hints over there of re-running the Turbo. https://rapidotrains.com/ho-turbotrain/ I have an early Amtrak version with the "improved" gearing. Rapido Turbo by Edmund, on Flickr Amtrak Lineup by Edmund, on Flickr Count me in on some Pennsy E44s, too. Cheers, Ed
snjroy CN turbotrain, HO scale.
Ed, Great scene you created with the Amtrak lineup. Thanks for sharing!