H9 - H10 market potential

[NW Modeling List]

I would be a buyer for O scale H9-H10 hoppers.

Sincerely,
Joseph Congemi


> On Jan 14, 2021, at 17:46, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
>  Hi Jim,
> 
> I’m building my layout now and plan to hold both ‘50s and ‘70s operating sessions. The H9 and H10 are huge holes in my fleet (as is the H34) . I can kitbash them but do not have the time to do that more than once or twice and am too much of an equipment rivet counter to use stand-in hoppers.
> 
> I’m in need of a mix of 30-35 H9s and H10s to populate my fleet. I can add grabs or like my H11s, shave down the end details and tolerate the grabs. Cost is an issue but time is more of an issue. I can tolerate kits in the $40 range if that helps.
> 
> Thanks for asking for feedback.
> 
> Greg Davis
> St Pete, FL
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>>> On Jan 14, 2021, at 2:44 PM, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>>> 
>> 
>> 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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