Just got an e-mail from FDT ballyhooing a “HUGE” announcement from Broadway this weekend in Hartford.
Is someone finally going to do a Harriman Mike or Pacific? As much as I’d like to believe it, I ain’t holding my breath. I tried that already and all that happened was that the rep from Broadway remarked that I had a bit of a cyanotic look about me just before I passed out.
I fear that this “huge” announcement will just be about another huge locomotive. In any case, I plan to keep my blood well oxygenated. Holding your breath until you turn blue didn’t work on parents and there’s no reason to expect it to work on model railroad manufacturers.
A Smith and Wesson is reputed to beat four aces. I wonder if it beats the director of marketing. [(-D]
Actually their huge announcement secret has leaked out and the word I got is that they are releasing the SD70M Phase II flared radiators engines with sound. It was their jump into the modern railroading game as opposed to the failed and no longer on most roads AC6000CW. A club member and Fellow NMRA show organizer was on hand yesterday in Hartford, Ct when he jokingly asked to see the new HUGE announcemnt model and the representative said sure. He saw the model that was “suspected” to be announced this weekend. He told me that the prototype looks good and will be on hand this weekend as well. I wonder if a Phase II SD70M is really desired to model railroaders. i think everyone seems to want the SD70ACe or the ES44AC/DC models
Well, okay then. SD70 or no, I would not b surprised if the NYC steamers are announced either, the condition of a few locos/cars maybe. (Ah-Hem. Daylight? Remember BLI? You announced YEARS ago? Something about a factory hangup? I want my engine! NOW!)
If I had to guess, it either be:
a. Preproduction model of the 4-12-2
b. Another Challenger
c. Preproduction model of the GS4 daylight
d. Another run of Fs (hope for BN, despite all the Fs on the market, few are availabe as BN)
What I wish it was:
Another run of SD40-2s, with corrugated grilles as appropriate.
There SW1500s are finally done (I want a sound-equipped one, although I’ll have to settle with an undec for the mean time)
Another run of C30-7s
An end to the limited production crap. (not ever likely)
My hope is that the NYC 20th Century Limited Dreyfuss Hudson will be “officially” announced, along with an announcement for the accompanying '38 20th Century Limited passenger cars. With that said, I, too, would love to see some small steam made available for a change.
Pennsy Broadway Limited train set. The new run of Zephyr is due in a few weeks and they need to get another passenger train on the schedule. Long standing rumor was that BLI was working on a '38 Broadway and Walthers a '48 Broadway.
Pennsy Centipedes. The prototype was considered a dog, but modeler’s crave them! Only used by three railroads though.
Pennsy H9/H10 2-8-0 Consolidations. Most Pennsy modelers will buy more than one. Many a half dozen!
I got the email also and there is no clue until this weekend. They just announced the PRR Q2 and that is huge for sure, but probably not what they are talking about.
If it was April 1st, I would say maybe BLI has purchased the new EMD and they are going to make one to one scale SD70Ace units!!!
I had coffee with Matt Williamson a couple of days ago and he let it slip to me. BLI will be announcing an N-Scale Russian 4-14-4 live steam, SD-70ACE in N-Scale for several roads, and they will be launching a new Emerald Line in O scale. First engine will be a Pennsy 4-6-2. Live steam with an animated hogger in the cab, capable of negotiating 18" curves.
Maybe they’re going to up the ante and compete with Bachmann’s new articulated? MTH will have to follow suit, giving us a glut of C&O steam on the market, all in time for Xmas!