Many years ago, some models we see today where thought of to be only the domain of brass models. Such as GP10’s, UP Turbines ect. Now in 2021, what engines do you think we will never see in mass produced RTR plastic. I will start out with one I would like to have. The C&IM EMD RS1325 roadswitcher, and even while done in brass, they are a coffee grinder/poor runner.
Ingalls Road Switcher, only one ever made. A brass model was done a few years ago.
Also the MLW RSC-24 only 4 ever made for the CN. Squashed road switcher body put on a switcher frame with A-1-A trucks.
Rick Jesionowski
Ingalls Shipbuilding
EMD NW3
Since we’ve got an SDL39 coming, I’ll keep off that list the NW5, which would be a big seller.
Wouldn’t mind being wrong about the NW3. Might even pop for an Ingalls–only a mother could love.
Ed
I see we have TWO votes for the Ingalls.
Bring it ON!
Ed
Never in plastic, unless Jason starts to get dementia.
Hmmm. I believe you’ve discovered an upside to dementia.
But couldn’t you make your own by glueing a hot dog bun on top of a regular Selkirk?
Ed
I’ll make it three, but I want to see the passenger unit made.
In a world that did not suffer the ICC order of 1947, and the consequent stifling of fast streamliners on dubious track with dubious signal and train-control effectiveness, there was a very real place for a locomotive of lower weight than any contemporary, with no issues of nose-suspended motor effect, no birdsnesting or brush limits on top speed, and engines running all day on the smell of an oily rag that were designed for reasonable maintainability. All sorts of prospective roadnames and possibly very distinctive liveries. Suspect it might even be reasonable to synthesize the ‘appropriate’ sound effects for running…
Already on it! The bun on my Weiner mobile model has already been surgically removed.
Lima centercab. Although if a quality model is produced, I would by one.
While there are always exceptions, I think in general terms any road-specific locomotive where only a handful of them were produced and/or were limited to very specific usage - e.g. hump yard engines.
Here are several NYC locomotives I don’t ever expect to see in plastic. Some I have in brass (1-5); some I don’t have at all (6-11); the FTA-B & F2 (12) I’m attempting to kitbash:
- B-11L 0-6-0 switcher
- M-1 0-10-0 switcher (hump yard)
- H-10a 2-8-2 Heavy Mike
- NE-2g 2-6-6-2 Mallet
- Alco-GE-IR DES-3 Oil-electric boxcab
- FM H20-44 road switcher
- NU Class 0-8-8-0 (hump yard)
- L-2a 4-8-2 Mohawk
- H-5 2-8-2 Mike
- H-7 2-8-2 Heavy Mike
- P-, R-, S- & T-Class electrics
- NYC FTA-B and F2 in “cat-whisker” scheme
The H-5 Mike and the “cat-whisker” FTA-Bs & F2s could be possible candidates for plastic but I think that’s a long-shot. Most of the other ones above either have considerable heavy piping (e.g. the heavy Mikes, L-2a Mohawk, 2-6-6-2 Mallet), or are just are too funky looking to have much appeal to the general modeling community - even NYC fans.
Sorry, Mike, I guess I mentioned more than one locomotive…[:$]
Tom
Since steam locomotives came in MUCH bigger variety than diesel, I propose that the rules change to diesels (and maybe electrics) in plastic, and steam in brass.
My nominees for steam never being done in brass is D&H 1403, the L. F. Loree, a triple compound 4-8-0.
Following up the Selkirk idea, it strikes me that the above could be built based on a meatloaf.
And the very first (American) cab forward, NPC 21:
Ed
I would like to see the GE E-44. Alco Models made it in brass. Alpha Models did the E-44A. Bachmann did the E-33 in plastic. If they came out in plastic, I would get a few, that’s for sure!
Neal
Looks like I MIGHT have to withdraw one of my candidates.
I found this, sold by Wiseman:
It’s not brass. Which isn’t really a problem. But it’s unpowered, and that IS a problem. Might be a candidate for a two motor tender drive. Sound and DCC might be a problem, though.
Ed
That’s a cool & funky model, Ed - I like it!
I bet you could get a Lok5 micro decoder in either the boiler or the cab. And, if sound displacement wouldn’t bother you, those two cylindrical containers on the tender platform could house a speaker baffle and the decoder. A speaker might also fit in the forward portion of the boiler. That would be contingent, however, on the length of the motor you installed.
Tom
EMD NW5 only like 13 Ever built.
UP 4-12-2. Turning radius would be prohibitive
Don’t give up hope!
If someone would have told me 12-15 years back that we would see plastic HO scale models of:
EMD FL9, the Lima 4-8-4 C&O Greenbriar, Whitcomb 65T Centercab switcher, Budd Metroliner, GE U18B, GE U36B, and the EMD SDP40F.…I would have replied “Nice, but keep dreaming!” Yet, here we are.
I remember, on this forum, fellow modelers scoffing at the idea of some of the mentioned models ever being produced! Imho, the biggest “shocker” was Athearn doing a 180° turn in attitude and producing the SDP40F…a unit in which some were convinced would never sell due to the prototype’s issues. Yet, they sold very well.
So keep putting in your ideas and requests and if you know fellow modelers or historical society members that are interested in the same units, join forces with them.
My One of my all time favorites is the Southern Pacific Yellowstone AC-9, there were only 12 built. I couldn’t afford one of the brass at over $900+ new. I kitbashed 4 Rivarossi Cab Forwards into AC-9s.
The Mel Kitbach AC-9 is the is the top locomotive.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
The one-off Cummins center cab. So they only made one. In our little world of what-if…alternate history, I think that they’d sell. I’d want one.
Like Mel, I like AC 9s too. Even more than cab forwards. Too big for my layout though. Dan
Those are among my favourite MLW locos…they always reminded me of a small kid clomping around the house in his dad’s shoes.
If I weren’t modelling the late '30s, I’d be tempted to buy one of Bowser’s big ALCos, and kitbash it into an RSC-24.
Wayne