Interest in Ferdinand Magellan U.S. No. 1

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have had some fascination in POTUS operations and I thought I’d try to drum up some interest in getting a manufacturer to produce a HO and N model of the Presidential private car Ferdinand Magellan. This car could fit eras from Roosevelt to Reagan and could conceivably be used in present day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Magellan_Railcar

I missed out on Overland’s offering back in the late '90s and any remaining brass models are going in the $1300 range. I’m going to try to contact Walthers, Kato, MTH and make a suggestion to produce this unique car. Kato did the Budd business car which I think was a Santa Fe or CB&Q prototype. Seems to me not too many RRs had SS fluted business cars, I don’t know why Kato chose that one. Why not make a run of this car and us modelers can have the President visit our layouts?

I always thought having a few business cars on the roster was a good way to add interesting operations since there were lots of reasons for car movements, even deadhead, on both freight and passenger trains. Back in “the day” even the division super had a business car. This would be the ultimate business car!

If anyone has had any experience making suggestions to manufacturers for product development I’d like to hear about it.

Thanks and have fun! Ed

2

I have sent Kato request for the BN-1, and BN-2 models as well as an NP NCL request, I have yet to receive a response. But that being said, I’m not above painting my own locos the trouble is getting the funds to do so.

As for a presidential visit to my layout, because it will soon represent the seattle subdivision an the SP&S North bank road line. The president will be moved around by the BN, during the pre merger era the SP&S will handle the movement because #99 is a great car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbWEtf0MuwM

3

I’d be interested in an HO model of this historical car. Kato would be neat, but I actually think Walthers might be more interested. This could easily fit into several marketing plans they might make.

And there’s probably about the right time needed before the next big marketing opportunity comes up in 2016 to get it designed, scheduled, built and back here to be sold.