H9 - H10 market potential

[NW Modeling List]

I've possessed a full set of H9 and H10 drawings for many years with the
goal of creating models for, at least, the H9.  Given that the H9 has only
been produced in HO as an Overland import many years ago and over 22,000
were built in Roanoke, this is a car that should be produced.  I don't think
the H10 has ever been produced.  I guess the HL that's been
produced-to-death dating back to days of "a box of sticks" (Ambroid) and,
most recently, made by MTH, suffices for most folks.  Not me.  I model
1957-63 and the HLs were gone by 1956-57, having given their lives to the H9
program.

 

Since the H9 is a fleet car, having more than one on a layout is logical.
However, it appears the only way this car will be made is in resin and that
doesn't cater to the "fleet mentality" (if you want a large fleet).  About 2
years ago, Frank Hodina produced an IC 2-bay hopper in 2 versions:  with and
without cast-on grabs.  His reasoning was, in a fleet, the cast on grabs
were small enough to be acceptable, even on a brown car, and the amount of
labor saved justified buying a few.  He quickly sold out of both versions
and recently made another batch but I don't know in which option.

 

What is your "take" on the H9 (and H10 shares the same consideration) re: a
resin kit with/w-o separate grabs?  Resin kits are not cheap to manufacture
and these cars are no different.  The price can be reduced a few $$ by
omitting trucks and couplers but the basic kit, which requires patterns,
rubber molds and labor, is the greater portion of any kit.  Decals are a
must-have for my kits.  Is there a sufficient market to justify the effort
to see either kit become a reality or is the HL "good enough" for a 2-bay
hopper and the BLI H-2a for the H10?

 

Jim King

http://smokymountainmodelworks.com/

 

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