I sure would like to see a 4-8-0

[NW Modeling List]

I agree that they do have their problems but this is a result of being off shore and out of "touch" with the people who use the stuff!!
 
Mike Ritschdorff


To: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.orgSubject: Re: I sure would like to see a 4-8-0Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:06:33 -0500From: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org



BLI/PCM should not be included with other manufacturers in any discussion over preorders and canceled projects.   They have created their own set of problems.  They consistently run 2-3 years behind production schedules, and they undercut their dealers and distributors with Factory Direct Trains.  Basically, they have found a way to alienate and anger just about everyone in the hobby.  Hobby stores and distributors don't want their products sitting on the shelf, because they will become worthless once BLI transfers them to Factory Direct Trains.  Customers are hesitant to preorder their products because they don't know if they will ever see them.
As for Global Import, they may have finally reached the point where their products cost too much to sell through a normal retail system.  I'm not saying they are over-priced; They are exquisite models offered in very limited quantities.  But the price, though justified, may just be more than most people are willing to spend for a model train.
We basically have a system in place in this business where high-end models are built to order.  The manufacturer announces an item, then bases the production run on the reservations from distributors.  Distributors base their orders on dealer reservations, and dealers on the end consumer.  Nobody wants stock sitting on their shelf, because the business is driven by "What's new?"  After about 2 or 3 months, customers seem to forget about a model, and start looking to what the next batch of releases are going to be.  Many customers, however, still want to see a model before they commit to buying it.  I understand this point of view, but it is unfortunately not the point of view used by manufacturers.  It's the price we have to pay if we want high quality models with road specific details.  
Marty Flick
 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: NW Modeling List 
To: NW Modeling List 
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 4:12 PM
Subject: RE: I sure would like to see a 4-8-0
Folks, Here we go again,,,, Everyone wants everything and no ONE buys or reserves items announced. I have along with others have been working with many manufactuers to get N&W and VGN stuff made and put on the market.. Overall we have been blessed with many more models than most other roads!!! Please note that most stuff is made off shore and many of the decisions are made there also!! The following items have been cancelled due to the lack of reservations and orders from hobby shops: The complete Arrow to go behind the J,, not enough reservations! The wood caboose not enough orders!!!! The Y6b had to go a fire sale to clear out inventory!!! Jawn Henry from Global imports not enough orders!!! The VGN EL2b's had to go clearance after I bought my first one, yea I can not pass up a sale!! I have many more projects in the "hopper" but it will be a hard sell if we do not support and reserve the new stuff that is anounced for reservations.. I know this will stir up a big  mess but we have to put our money where our mouths are!!  If you want to state your opinion strongly or just kick ideas around you can e mail direct at nwpoca at hotmail.com.  On a side note MTH expects to release 6 to 8 models this year, most will be a HO scale model of what all ready has been done in O gauge, could be a few suprises here!! They will not let me know what they are working on!!! Y'all know my layout is open to all members if you get to Chicagoland and then you can give me heck and your ideas in person over a cold drink or a cup of coffee!! Mike Ritschdorff


Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:08:17 -0800Subject: Re: I sure would like to see a 4-8-0To: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.orgFrom: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org
You know, I believe the class M would be a good seller if the price wasn't too steep.  In fact, a stripped down, no DCC no Sound version numbered 433 would probably sell like hotcakes in giftshops along the old Creeper Trail.  Of course, I'd want the fully equipped one if it were me!  
 
But, I do believe there's demand for an M.  I'm not a modeler, so I won't try to make my own, but if someone made it, I'd probably buy it.  But brass?  Not for me.  I can buy a whole gondola load of signal scrap for the price of a brass engine!  Ha Ha!
 
Ben Blevins
NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:





MR Mason:
 
I believe - I know - you have not bought a current brass piece recently or you would know that they are the state of the art in running. Modelers rate Kato locos as the best in plastic!  The current brass will blow a kato away. 
 I'll third your vote, but it ain't going to happen anytime soon, after what our society members bashed BLI over the "A" and the "Y". Would you do another project after people treated your like crap? 
I had volunteered for the modeling committee of course was overlooked, but here's what I would do.
The PK2 0-8-0 is and ideal loco for Walthers to make and save on tooling cost.  As a committee I would piggyback with the C&O Society and jointly approach Walters with the C&O, N&W, and the VGN 0-8-0's.  This gives Walthers the insight of two large Societies with large memberships and the data support of three popular roadnames and most of the tooling cost already done.  This is the marketing approach that Walthers could not hardly refuse.  Just my thoughts!
 
Stephen Rineair
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: NW Modeling List 
To: 'NW Modeling List' 
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 2:56 PM
Subject: I sure would like to see a 4-8-0


Dear List,
 
            I usually don’t get to deeply involved in these discussions, but I would like to second the motion “I sure would like to see a 4-8-0” I don’t want one of those brass, unpainted, no-DCC, no sound, poor running $500-1,000 models to set on my shelf . I have a Alco Models T6 and a bunch of brass FMs for that. The bar was raised along time ago by Proto-2000 and Broadway Limited. – I want one of those. One want a model that I, with little or no master modeling skills, can take out of the box and operate.  In fact what I really want is a big,beefy Class M2 4-8-0. Something with a little heft. Something that a manufacturer could produce with some real pulling power. They were mainline locomotive power at the turn of the 20th century and were still kicking around up here on the Shenandoah Division at Waynesboro VA at the end of steam operations. I sure wish Broadway LTD, or its latest corporate incarnation, or even Proto-2000, would produce it. We are up to our eyeballs in Class Js and Class As. (Here on the Shenandoah Division I can only find proof that one of each ever set foot on the Division).  
 
And while I’m up on my soap-box I wish the Modeling Committee could forward a set of drawings for the N&W Class S1/S1a to Walthers for the Proto-2000 USRA 0-8-0. It might come to no end as they only seem to be re-issuing existing tooling, but this is the best case scenario for a new N&W model that I can see. Thanks for listening…I feel a lot better now. 
 
Mason Cooper



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