thank for the many replies.
I did get some good thoughts from some of you guys but in all if I sent a disk it is assured that I wrote a message saying what I sent them on the disk and that I would like to request it be sent to the HO product department…
If I do write back to any of them I will take your advise and request a reply by mail or email.
That’s probably why all the MRR Project Illustrated authors where obvisously from MR. That’s sad because I wonder how many great ideas out there aren’t being used that could be.
I’ve had some dealings with the manufacturers, and you have to remember where they are coming from. They are in this to make a buck, not to pander to every single model railroader in the world. If you coach your terms in regards to how your ideas will improve their bottom line, they will listen (usually).
For example, I suggested to Microscale that they should do a Trim Film of MBTA purple. This is a color that nobody is ever going to offer in paint, which makes accurate MBTA models very hard to do. I pointed out that by doing this, it would improve the sales of their MBTA decal set, since it’s more likely that folks will model the MBTA (and use their decals) if the accurate purple is available. Not too long later, Microscale released MBTA Purple in Trim Film.
Also, I know that Athearn has stated that they want to offer models that have as broad appeal as possible that covers all regions of the country. Not every model can have that appeal, but that’s what they are aiming for. Another example, I asked them via e-mail why they didn’t make more New Haven models, and listed a bunch of current Athearn products that could be painted for New Haven and be reasonably close (for the price). One of these was the 50’ TOFC. I got back a response asking for more info (which I provided), and about a year after my original e-mail, Athearn released a New Haven 50’ TOFC. They were trying to think of some eastern roads to release for this car, but weren’t having too much luck to begin with. My e-mail helped spur that along.
There is also something to be said for involving more people in your complaints/suggestions. My latest experience with a manufacturer, I did not talk directly to them, but instead notified the New Haven Railroad Historical & Technical Association to a problem with a brand new $1500 brass NH steam engine. The manufacturer used the wrong lettering font for the tender…which isn’t right for a $1500 brass model (not when Bachmann can do it right for a plastic ste
I agree that these manufacturers get tons of requests daily. it is often their policy not to respond or only respond with a thank-you. I put a request in Kato’s suggestion box the other day and it read that they generally do not respond to them.
I’m not sure why this is. It may have to do with trade secrets and false rumors being spread. I’ve seen many case where people got responses from the company and that the company is considering their suggestion. After recieving the response, rumors bloom turning the suggestion into a new product announcement.
One thing I know for sure is if you ask 1000 people what they want to see, you you will get 1000 different answers.
You guys probably saw my thread on Athearn’s response to me regarding the sound equipped Genesis F units. I was surprised they answered me so quickly.
It is true that the way a letter is worded seems to make a difference.
One additional bit of info. Athearn also told me that no Undec F units will be available but an available option would be to get a Highliner body. For me, it’s cheaper to just whip out the old 91% alcohol bath!
Cheers!
Seaboard never owned USRA 2-8-8-2s; the one class they owned was custom-built, and unusual (for the Teens) in having 63" drivers. THey weren’t very successful, and they soured management on Mallets. They eventually went to the B&O, and Seaboard steered clear of articulateds until the 1930s, when they purchased a much more successful class of 2-6-6-4s.
My guess is that there probably wouldn’t be enough Seaboard fans to make production of a high-drivered Mallet profitable. I’ve argued elsewhere that diecast production tends to be of models that have a lot of cross-railroad potential: USRA engines, widely distributed models like Russian Decapods, and popular locomotives from very popular prototypes like the Pennsy and the N&W. You can, incidentally, get Russian Decapods in both Seaboard and ACL schemes.