I am curious if anyone out there is really interested in this particular model, since BLI/PCM is offering it in both Hybrid and Brass. Not at the same price off course, but they have announced this and the New Haven Pacific along with the NYC Mohawk from BLI.
The L4 is a better choice in general since it was more mainstream in the steam locomotive history.
I have decide to give up on any reservations since PCM has delayed or cancelled the HO die cast metal Cab Forward for now. Who knows if they will reinstate it in the future??? The GS4 seems to be on the list for now, but I would not be surprised if it and the complete train falls of the schedule.
They are depending on reservations before they commit to the project and some large dealers are not hot on reserving models that will soon be on close outs. We could be in for some real disappointments again.
Give me your thoughts on what the future is for BLI/PCM.
I am being very cautious this year with the PCM engines. I have several I am looking at.
I probably will order the Proto 2-10-2 Heavy later this year because that is in line of what I want. I might settle on a PCM 2-10-0 instead but updates to the website is not as frequent as I would like.
In light of little information to date I will not preorder models. Especially since FDT came out earlier this year opening the door to a possible "Catch" of a needed engine for less than MSRP after it gets out of China or wherever.
This has been a difficult year with engine orders so far with PCM and BLI. I have three total that I am waiting on from LAST year and am not permitted to proceed (Chief Finances Overseer) until these three are completed.
Safety Valve wrote: In light of little information to date I will not preorder models. Especially since FDT came out earlier this year opening the door to a possible "Catch" of a needed engine for less than MSRP after it gets out of China or wherever.
I am going to skip any preorders also. Two or three of the recent BLI models have been less than great and Factory Direct Trains and other discount houses usually offer a better deal.
Thanks
Although I have no interest in some of these models, I have come to the conclusion that the manufacturers do this on purpose. That is announce a Loco long before they intend to produce it, and or to take pre-orders.
This would not be a bad business practice, from a business point that is. The "early" announcement can get people interested ("salivating"), and begin to creat demand. The preorders initiate a level of comitment from those "salivating", and give a manufacturer an idea of how many models to produce in a production run, or whether to scrap the run altogether. No maufacturer wants to produce models that will not sell, or that will sell only a few copies or infrequently sell. No manufacturer or LHS for that matter, want to take a loss on anything. Nor do that repeatedly for models that have little or no interest.
While I do not by any means condem anyone for thinking otherwise, I belive that is the case, and when people realize that, there will be less disappointment over when or if a particular model comes out.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
CAZEPHYR wrote: I am curious if anyone out there is really interested in this particular model, since BLI/PCM is offering it in both Hybrid and Brass. Not at the same price off course, but they have announced this and the New Haven Pacific along with the NYC Mohawk from BLI. The L4 is a better choice in general since it was more mainstream in the steam locomotive history. I have decide to give up on any reservations since PCM has delayed or cancelled the HO die cast metal Cab Forward for now. Who knows if they will reinstate it in the future??? The GS4 seems to be on the list for now, but I would not be surprised if it and the complete train falls of the schedule. They are depending on reservations before they commit to the project and some large dealers are not hot on reserving models that will soon be on close outs. We could be in for some real disappointments again. Give me your thoughts on what the future is for BLI/PCM.
Yes, I'm interested in the UP TTT 2-10-2 and it's actually under the Broadway Limited brand they are released.
Actually I have already 3 pre-ordered (and also ordered the NYC Mohawk) and so far wasn't let down with any of my BLI or PCM models.
When I asked PCM about the Cab Forward they told me that it is NOT cancelled but that they simply are working out their new production schedule; means what isn't generating enough pre-orders will not be made. However the Cab Forward project is still on the track... just will be delayed.
The very first PCM schedule had practically all models within a few months - now that can't be realistic and I'm glad they are spreading things out.
I also don't think that there will be tons of left-over Mohawks or TTT's once they are released since they now produce only what has been pre-ordered.
Daniel 1975
I think you are correct about the future models not having so many left over for blow out sales if they only make the models on reservations. But on the same thought, some of the future models now will not be made since reservations have dropped off from what I hear. I talked to several dealers that will not purchase any more from BLI/PCM now unless a customer wants the specific locomotive and reserves it.
The Mohawk is certainly a needed model and probably will be built and sold since the other two NYC steamers have sold fairly well. The Santa Fe 2-10-2 was a slow seller and has been on blow out market sales now for several months. They were actually very popular among Santa Fe fans but still did not sell like BLI thought. I believe the UP 2-10-2 will be a slow seller also.
I certainly hope BLI gets it together and continues to bring us many new models that we all want. It would seem that reruns like the 2nd run of Zephyr cars and reruns of almost all of the steam models has slowed my buying practices. The Zephyr cars were great and they loaded the dealers with too many after the first run was so well received. How many Zephyr trains can you sell?? I purchased it since it was very nice and one of a kind. Then I had to go out and purchase the Genesis power for it and install DCC and sound in them. It was not cheap in the end, but a very nice set of power and complete train.
KemacPrr wrote:I've been waiting for the PCM PRR I-1 for about 2 years now. I asked them at the Springfield Mass. show when it would be produced. They told me as soon as we get another 500 units ordered we will put it in production. They then have their what seems to be annual blow out sale at 50-60% off which undercuts their existing dealer network. It also gives potential comsumers the feeling that why should I preorder the item when it will be available later at 50-60% off. They can't have it both ways. I can't believe they'll sell as many NH I-5's or UP 2-10-2's as they would PRR I-1's. For the life of me I can't figure out their busines plan if they have one !!!! --------------- Ken McCorry
Make that about 498 units left because I have also waited to learn more about this engine.
Ive heard about the short range tender and the possibility of the long range tender as well. All we have on the PCM site with this particular model is a drawing. NOTHING more.
Until I learn more and see actual pre-production photos and other supporting material on this and several other engines, I will not be putting in pre-orders. It's that simple.
Both of my Hobbyshops and several others Ive heard about has loudly and KLEERLY said that they will NOT be carrying BLI or PCM products unless a customer special orders it which is not likely to happen. Exisiting orders will be completed whenever they get here.
Those orders have been waited on 1-2 years or so as well. Ive tired of waiting and moved forward with non-engine hobby stuff.
Regarding the Triple T, I think that they will sell a certain amount.
Bottom line. There is just too much blow out, special orders, pre-orders and possibility of CANCELING a production run because NOT ENOUGH Orders.
Unacceptable. Bullshite. Infantile and Un-necessarily damaging to the Hobby as far as people who have waited a long time for a variety of products.
Ive always said that there will come a time where this limited run business model will fail, and fail in a big way.
This is the year it;s going to fail. The FDT is the straw that breaks the camel.
I'll tell you a secret. Athearn, Atlas and Intermountain has been "On-Time" with announced delivery dates within 30 days with actual product either early or on time. They are getting alot of my Spring and Summer orders. But not engine orders.
Me thinks the glitter of all that brass illuminating the drafting room of the Broadway Limited is blinding the staff as to be able to see what is happening.
Many here claim that all the dealers they know will no longer carry BLI/PCM products unless on special order. Are these the same dealers with practically list price and nobody ever buys anything from?
Then we have here many crying that they want updates, updates and updates... they obviously can't update their website every other week and where is this need coming from to absolutely have every announced model within a month or so?
They could announce their models when they know that the Container has arrived in the US - then ship to dealers within 1 or 2 weeks. How many here would be crying again because they didn't know about that model or who wanted a longer thinking about period?
I buy a DVD at Amazon and a month later they have a sale - that happens and keep happening.
Bottom line is that everyone who wants a specific PCM or BLI model but is not pre-ordering it clearly doesn't help the cause. Either you pre-order based on the info you have at the moment or you don't; but then don't expect that model to be available soon or you may miss out entirely on it.
The Mohawk; UP TTT and/or NH I-5 are clearly helped by the fact that they are hybrids and that there are brass counterparts. I'm sure all 3 will be produced - which ones sells the most I don't know and I couldn't care less. It's not my business to run PCM/BLI so they have to know what to make and for which price.
Factory Direct Trains is reportedly owned by the brother of BLI/PCM owner, Bob Grubba. If that's so, it's more of an affiliate than an independent dealer or wholesaler. In essence, BLI/PCM have eliminated the need for their distributor and dealer network. In doing that, they've alienated some major customers, both dealers and consumers.
BLI started out with a niche that was all its own. Had they managed to be consistent in product quality and delivery, they would still own that niche. But quality control became a problem. They brought forth steam locomotives with sound chips that produced a "chuff" three times, rather than the correct four, per revolution of the drive wheels. A small thing to some, but keep in mind that BLI's motto was something like "no more running in silence". It was ludicrous when they messed up the sound effects.
Further gaffes followed. The ballyhooed F-units were initially produced with bodies with incorrect and poorly done details. Then the replacement bodies arrived with color and lettering errors. The Santa Fe 2-10-2 may be a slow seller in part because it's a lousy model. It has engineering and detail defects that were brought to BLI's attention before production, but they did nothing about them. BLI products became notorious for arriving brand-new but dysfunctional. Part fell off or were missing. Their steam locomotives with plastic tenders vibrated like electric shavers when the sound volume was stll barely audible. The list continues.
In the midst of this, Grubba bought out the financial interests of his two partners. One of them was a noted importer of brass models, and the other was the owner of QSI. Now Grubba complains in his websites about the royalties that QSI charges for use of its sound system components. Check out Mr. Grubba on Google, and read his history in previous employment with Lionel and MDK trains; Mr. Grubba seems to have been involved in ways to save money on royalties in the past. Perhaps this time he's chosen the high road, perhaps not.
BLI does seem to have acquired brass fever. Maybe their brass products will sell. Maybe they finally have discovered the concept of quality control. Their choice of prototypes to model isn't that bad. The UP 2-10-2 should sell fairly well; the market has been flooded with Big Boys and Challengers and the legion of UP fans would welcome a non-articulated heavy freight locomotive. It's also very, very close in appearance and dimensions to SP 2-10-2s, and with the right superstructure and tender, plus correct detailing, could form the basis for that very, very common locomotive. The Mohawk, too, should be a good seller; NYC fans can use a steam model of something other than a Hudson, a USRA Mike, and a Niagara.
How does PCM figure in all of this? According to those familiar with the company, it's a sister company of BLI, owned by Grubba. So far, its products seem to have been a bit more consistent than those of BLI. Maybe that's because they're more recent. But they're being dumped by FDT, too.
PCM's major error, so far, seems to be making unfulfillable promises of delivery. They've also failed to understand the market. Their PRR I-1sa could be the biggest selling non-brass steam locomotive for some time, if they could bring it to market. PRR had 498 of the prototype, and PRR remains one of the most-modeled railroads. THe I-1sa is a large locomotive for PRR, but by US railroad standards, really isn't that huge. It is a good fit for most model railroads, usable for any sort of freight service.
But instead of pushing this locomotive to market, PCM has done its Big Boy in both brass and die-cast. Nice models, but already done by others. The PCM Y6b bears a remarkable resemblance to the Lionel O-scale version, so perhaps those drawings were available, and that speeded up production (it's worth reading the sad story of the Samhongsa--Korea Brass--Lionel debacle and lawsuit, which involved this model, and Mr. Grubba). But the I-1sa should have been on the market by now, and bringing revenue to PCM/BLI.
In one sense, it's not important to any of us how BLI and PCM run their affairs. They're privately held businesses, and if they succeed or fail is of greatest importance to their owners and employees. But as model railroaders, many of us are frustrated at being promised such revolutionary and needed products, and then either not getting them or spending our money on models that have in too many cases fallen short of the mark. Whatever their problems, one would hope that these two companies refine their business plans, continue to understand that quality control and good design are critical to their success, and stop alienating those who support them with hard-earned hobby dollars.
I communicated my displeasure to PCM sometime ago via email and what I got back was very simple.
A very nice reply stating that the PRR I-1sa's 2-10-0 have generated mild interest but not enough to justify sending this model to production. They hope to be able to send it to production for August-Christmas time frame of this year.
The B&O 4-6-2 Pacific (Presidents) has generated little if any interest.
They did not address some of the other minor details such as the question of Long range and short range tender options for the 2-10-0.
I had specific plans operations wise for those I-1sa's. If they are not going to be availible I may have to act like the Prototype railroad does and purchase power availible now even if it is from another company that is not BLI or PCM.
Ive waited over a year. Enough is enough.
I for one dont know what is going to happen to these two particular units, I am seriously debating going with a pair of Proto 2-10-2 Heavies while they are still availible from Walthers for the Christmas season.
In the meantime I will keep an eye on these PCM/BLI products.
I find it interesting that the Owner is bought out, Distributors and Hobbyshops cut out and everything going Brass. Perhaps the spirit that drove BLI in it;s glory days when "Silence No More" was a very valid battle slogan in a otherwise rotted out market. Perhaps that spirit has gone out and we are yet to see the final song in which the fat lady sings. Im not sure if I want to see that happen.
I wont forget the joy hearing that NYC engine fill One Track Mind's store with wonderful sound at a volume sufficient to hear. Or the hard pulling engines I do have from the company.
Perhaps it's easier to build a brass engine to perfection, one bad joint, ship it back to be redone. While plastic castings arrive with all sorts of loose stuff and not quite precise fitting machinery to be tossed into the parts bin and surviving copies shipped to replace customer's broken models without any questions asked or refunds made.
You did get the response that the interest for the PRR and/or B&O Steam Locomotives isn't there to justify production.
That's it and sometimes a model announced doesn't generate enough pre-orders so it gets pushed back or it will be cancelled. This happens and I guess a waiting period of 1 year isn't that long after all I think.
I always get the impression of people that once their dream model is announced everybody else should be excited too; this may be the case but often it is not so. Then they get frustrated and angry when being told that interest is slim.
Just put in your pre-orders and wait for the model to arrive - if it takes only 5 months or 2 years I couldn't care less.
This same thing can also be said for other manufacturers as they constantly announce new stuff while the impression is that nothing ever gets done.
Athearn Genesis MP15AC or the Tower 55 SD70ACe come to mind.
I have a long list of pre-orders and with some models I wonder if they even make a 2008 release but I have them on order and I can wait.
Bash on, but I like BLI/PCM very much, and will continue to buy anything they make that fits my prototype and that I want. I am quite happy with the ones I have. I waited a long time for non-brass 'J's, 'A's, and 'Y6b's, and I would still be waiting, if not for them. I don't care if they are late. Who the hell else is going to do anything but a USRA, a Big Boy, or a Pennsy K4 ? They are THE only hope (slim, I admit) for an N&W Class M, in my humble opinion. If they don't make the one you want because there is not enough interest shown, I don't blame them. I have no idea how a manufacturer gauges interest. Four making Big Boys !? I surely don't get it.
I pre-ordered when I had a good local hobby shop. Now that he is gone, I mail order. I refuse to be raped and lie back and enjoy it.
I believe offering brass versions is a smart move. You have all the research and detailed info to do brass when you do the work for a mass produced model, so if you make some brass models as well you tap into that market, which is not largely overlapping the modeler market, I don't think.
Just my two cents worth--
I find it really surprising that the manufacturer did not get much feedback on a projected Pennsy 2-10-0 when all of their other Pennsy locos seemed to do so well on their earlier releases.
And I would think that FAR more steam fans are familiar with the Pennsy "Hippos" than a Union Pacific 2-10-2 (I think in all of my years as a rail-fan, I've seen maybe 2 or 3 photos of a TTT). Hey, I model Rio Grande and I've got a 'borrowed' Pennsy 2-10-0 (older brass). It's a husky little devil, and just unusual enough to be fascinating.
As to lack of interest in a B&O Pacific, well that's just tragic, in my book. We've got WAY too few locos of that wheel-arrangement available, and those B&O's were some of the handsomest of the bunch, IMO.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Perhaps they did produce an engine with 3 chuffs per rev (ATSF #3751). However, they did supply a chip with a corrected chuff rate. I know that because I bought the engine and BLI sent me the corrected chip free of charge. It was a simple plug-in replacement. So, yeah, it was a small thing.
Andre
twhite wrote: Just my two cents worth--I find it really surprising that the manufacturer did not get much feedback on a projected Pennsy 2-10-0 when all of their other Pennsy locos seemed to do so well on their earlier releases. And I would think that FAR more steam fans are familiar with the Pennsy "Hippos" than a Union Pacific 2-10-2 (I think in all of my years as a rail-fan, I've seen maybe 2 or 3 photos of a TTT). Hey, I model Rio Grande and I've got a 'borrowed' Pennsy 2-10-0 (older brass). It's a husky little devil, and just unusual enough to be fascinating. As to lack of interest in a B&O Pacific, well that's just tragic, in my book. We've got WAY too few locos of that wheel-arrangement available, and those B&O's were some of the handsomest of the bunch, IMO.Tom
I think the problem with the PCM P-7 is that it's the as-built version. There were quite a number of P-7 variants developed over time given that there were only 20 engines in the class.
There were streamline variants: http://www.yesteryeardepot.com/BO5301.JPG
Then there were variants that were closer to original, but with enlarged tender and Boxpok main drivers: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/pacific/bo/bo5307.jpg
And then there were the variants close to the overall configuration of the old Mantua 4-6-2: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/pacific/bo/bo5314.jpg (note: at least one was equipped with the large tender also used on the T-3 4-8-2).
Personally, I prefer the last named version.
Let this be a lesson to engine makers. Announce and then MAKE the engine.
I see Athearn Genesis, Atlas, Kato and (Proto) Walthers merrily moving along making engine after engine.
If they dont want to make an engine then at least update the website and scrap the information and put a note saying "Sorry we dont feel that there is a demand" Maybe then they will get buried in demand by motivated buyers who has quietly waiting for that pre-order that may never come.
Some of you people pre order everything in sight without regard to financial arrangements. There are some who work with wages that are not quite supportive of this activity and must choose one or several locomotives a year like I do and cannot enjoy the luxury of just telling the Local Hobby Shop... pre-order this for me will ya?
2 years later that UPS truck drops off the boxes and they call you up saying your 5 pre-orders just came in, will you pick them up.. the total is 1500- or whatever. I believe one order I heard of on these forums where someone actually passed on (Died.) leaving the LHS owner holding the bag.
Some of those engines cannot be accepted back once they get out of the factory with some producers.
Safety Valve wrote:Let this be a lesson to engine makers. Announce and then MAKE the engine.I see Athearn Genesis, Atlas, Kato and (Proto) Walthers merrily moving along making engine after engine.If they dont want to make an engine then at least update the website and scrap the information and put a note saying "Sorry we dont feel that there is a demand" Maybe then they will get buried in demand by motivated buyers who has quietly waiting for that pre-order that may never come.Some of you people pre order everything in sight without regard to financial arrangements. There are some who work with wages that are not quite supportive of this activity and must choose one or several locomotives a year like I do and cannot enjoy the luxury of just telling the Local Hobby Shop... pre-order this for me will ya?2 years later that UPS truck drops off the boxes and they call you up saying your 5 pre-orders just came in, will you pick them up.. the total is 1500- or whatever. I believe one order I heard of on these forums where someone actually passed on (Died.) leaving the LHS owner holding the bag.Some of those engines cannot be accepted back once they get out of the factory with some producers.
Announce and then make the engine? That is a sure way to bankruptcy... you can't simply announce everything and make it in large quantities (to cover the cost of production) without first testing the market! Base the demand on pre-orders is a sure thing and will guarantee the sale.
I think you are lifting Athearn Genesis, Kato, Atlas to far up on the Olymp; they really haven't announced much new engines but mostly re-runs. I mean where is the Genesis MP15AC? According to your philosophy that model should be out for a long time already!
Yes, I do pre-order a lot of stuff and actually I'm counting on some delays. There will be some very expensive months ahead but I already save money for that and I will get me the models I've pre-ordered. Of course something can happen (knock on wood) but that really is not my problem and I'm sure the stores where I order from could survive that.
I'm sorry that you can't afford everything you want but should I feel bad now and cancel some of my orders only because not everyone can afford the same stuff? I can't afford a Ferrari but I'm happy for everyone who does... no reason to be jealous!
Daniel1975 wrote: Safety Valve wrote: Let this be a lesson to engine makers. Announce and then MAKE the engine.I see Athearn Genesis, Atlas, Kato and (Proto) Walthers merrily moving along making engine after engine.If they dont want to make an engine then at least update the website and scrap the information and put a note saying "Sorry we dont feel that there is a demand" Maybe then they will get buried in demand by motivated buyers who has quietly waiting for that pre-order that may never come.Some of you people pre order everything in sight without regard to financial arrangements. There are some who work with wages that are not quite supportive of this activity and must choose one or several locomotives a year like I do and cannot enjoy the luxury of just telling the Local Hobby Shop... pre-order this for me will ya?2 years later that UPS truck drops off the boxes and they call you up saying your 5 pre-orders just came in, will you pick them up.. the total is 1500- or whatever. I believe one order I heard of on these forums where someone actually passed on (Died.) leaving the LHS owner holding the bag.Some of those engines cannot be accepted back once they get out of the factory with some producers. Announce and then make the engine? That is a sure way to bankruptcy... you can't simply announce everything and make it in large quantities (to cover the cost of production) without first testing the market! Base the demand on pre-orders is a sure thing and will guarantee the sale. I think you are lifting Athearn Genesis, Kato, Atlas to far up on the Olymp; they really haven't announced much new engines but mostly re-runs. I mean where is the Genesis MP15AC? According to your philosophy that model should be out for a long time already!Yes, I do pre-order a lot of stuff and actually I'm counting on some delays. There will be some very expensive months ahead but I already save money for that and I will get me the models I've pre-ordered. Of course something can happen (knock on wood) but that really is not my problem and I'm sure the stores where I order from could survive that.I'm sorry that you can't afford everything you want but should I feel bad now and cancel some of my orders only because not everyone can afford the same stuff? I can't afford a Ferrari but I'm happy for everyone who does... no reason to be jealous!
Safety Valve wrote: Let this be a lesson to engine makers. Announce and then MAKE the engine.I see Athearn Genesis, Atlas, Kato and (Proto) Walthers merrily moving along making engine after engine.If they dont want to make an engine then at least update the website and scrap the information and put a note saying "Sorry we dont feel that there is a demand" Maybe then they will get buried in demand by motivated buyers who has quietly waiting for that pre-order that may never come.Some of you people pre order everything in sight without regard to financial arrangements. There are some who work with wages that are not quite supportive of this activity and must choose one or several locomotives a year like I do and cannot enjoy the luxury of just telling the Local Hobby Shop... pre-order this for me will ya?2 years later that UPS truck drops off the boxes and they call you up saying your 5 pre-orders just came in, will you pick them up.. the total is 1500- or whatever. I believe one order I heard of on these forums where someone actually passed on (Died.) leaving the LHS owner holding the bag.Some of those engines cannot be accepted back once they get out of the factory with some producers.
No jealousy here.
The stores sometimes order items and they get left on the shelf by the customer. These items cannot be returned in some cases. That leaves the store putting a price tag on it and wait until someone buys it. That is not being a good customer.
Alot of the hobby has been driven by deadlines for rolling stock, engines etc. If your order is not in by a date, you will probably not get the item. In fact, BLI is increasingly stressing that products are made to order.
FDT comes along and screws up everything, bypassing and nuetering the distributors, hobby shops and other pricing. One does not need to pre order anything. Simply wait a year and get the item at half price MSRP. Heck, I might just buy TWO engines then.
Athearn and the other manufactors deserved to be praised for thier consistent service. I dont have any where NEAR the issues with them as I do with BLI or PCM. Yes I missed out on a few engines but boo hoo, I did not know about them until the deadline has passed. No worries, I managed to find a few on ebay.
I ordered some Covered Hoppers from Athearn about 5 months ago. They say it should be about Janurary or Feb when they will be released. Precisely about that time an email arrives from the LHS stating that my special order has arrived.
BLI's engines I have three that I am waiting on. I have been assured that they will arrive at the LHS at some point in the future DESPITE FDT's new appearance because these engines have been on order for about 9 to 12 months now. They are a pair of NW switchers and a light mike.
There is no possible test of the market. Witness the Big Boy. Everyone and thier kin makes a copy of the Big Boy in HO scale. Has been that way for a LONG time. The market is LOADED with BIG BOYS.
Now is the time to get engines that have never been made in plastic thier fair day in the sun. If it can be made and imported in brass, they should stamp a few copies out in plastic or the so called hybrid. There is always a core group that will buy an engine. A few hundred? A few thousand? As long your X cost is less than what you actually sell the copies for you are making a profit.
I was intrigued by the PCM UP TTT Mountain, NYC's Mowhawks, and other engines that are coming out or due to come out they have been the subject of lively discussion on these forums. Even the Blue Line series starting with the SD-40 has been accepted.
My position is this. They announce an engine and then go on to produce very expensive Brass engines which apparently has the focus of the company. Never mind the few that does not have permission to actually be built at the factory despite being announced 6 months, one year or even close to TWO years ago.
In the mean time we learn from others that BLI has gone through changes, people changes, selling changes distribution changes etc etc etc.
I hope that pre-order eventually arrives that is somewhat close to what I thought I was ordering way back when. If not? I'll find someone else's engine to cover the missing roster gap.
I am also pondering generating a budget with a montly cash set aside to go ahead and buy Brass engines because the ones I am looking at including the WM Potomac 4-8-4 and the B&O Bay Window Caboose in the Wagontop configuation is availible RTR in brass, painted and assembled no less.
It will cost me roughtly twice what I pay for these overdue, late and possible not produced plastic engines. It will save me the trouble of waiting.
andrechapelon wrote: twhite wrote: Just my two cents worth--I find it really surprising that the manufacturer did not get much feedback on a projected Pennsy 2-10-0 when all of their other Pennsy locos seemed to do so well on their earlier releases. And I would think that FAR more steam fans are familiar with the Pennsy "Hippos" than a Union Pacific 2-10-2 (I think in all of my years as a rail-fan, I've seen maybe 2 or 3 photos of a TTT). Hey, I model Rio Grande and I've got a 'borrowed' Pennsy 2-10-0 (older brass). It's a husky little devil, and just unusual enough to be fascinating. As to lack of interest in a B&O Pacific, well that's just tragic, in my book. We've got WAY too few locos of that wheel-arrangement available, and those B&O's were some of the handsomest of the bunch, IMO.Tom I think the problem with the PCM P-7 is that it's the as-built version. There were quite a number of P-7 variants developed over time given that there were only 20 engines in the class.There were streamline variants: http://www.yesteryeardepot.com/BO5301.JPGThen there were variants that were closer to original, but with enlarged tender and Boxpok main drivers: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/pacific/bo/bo5307.jpgAnd then there were the variants close to the overall configuration of the old Mantua 4-6-2: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/pacific/bo/bo5314.jpg (note: at least one was equipped with the large tender also used on the T-3 4-8-2).Personally, I prefer the last named version.Andre
Andre--
I didn't realize that there were so few B&O Pacifics. Probably because of the popularity they achieved in photos, I thought that B&O sported Pacific's somewhat like the Pennsy K-4's (although not HUNDREDS of them!). You're right, a B&O fan would probably prefer some of the variants instead of the 'as built' version.
But I'd still like to see SOMEONE come out with a 4-6-2 besides either IHC (light) or expensive second-hand brass. I've come to realize that the Pacific is one of the most individual locos ever produced, but at least SOME kind of USRA heavy that we could have--and modify if needed. We've got Mountains and Northerns galore, but the passenger loco that really started it all in the early 20th century is almost forgotten. Too bad.
"I am curious if anyone out there is really interested in this particular model"
Yes...I am. Assuming I have the funds for it at the time. But I'm still pissed about them constantly delaying my diecast AC-12. Right when you think its a few weeks til....it get moved back several months.
"Being misunderstood is the fate of all true geniuses"
EXPERIMENTATION TO BRING INNOVATION
http://community.webshots.com/album/288541251nntnEK?start=588
AggroJones wrote: "I am curious if anyone out there is really interested in this particular model" Yes...I am. Assuming I have the funds for it at the time. But I'm still pissed about them constantly delaying my diecast AC-12. Right when you think its a few weeks til....it get moved back several months.
Now that is a little exagerated - they had it announced previously for Spring and now its TBA. So that is one long delay but not something constantly... I'm also waiting for the Cab Forward but this way you can save up and get both models when they are released.
Daniel1975 wrote: AggroJones wrote: "I am curious if anyone out there is really interested in this particular model" Yes...I am. Assuming I have the funds for it at the time. But I'm still pissed about them constantly delaying my diecast AC-12. Right when you think its a few weeks til....it get moved back several months. Now that is a little exagerated - they had it announced previously for Spring and now its TBA. So that is one long delay but not something constantly... I'm also waiting for the Cab Forward but this way you can save up and get both models when they are released.
Originally wasn't it suppose to be out spring 06'? Then to fall?
When it was suposed to be out last winter, I got told by the place I was going to purchase it from that it was slated for 2/07. Now its been pushed back yet again.