Why is it that alot of manufactures are releasing the same models as their competitors. Examples: At least 4 versions of the BIG BOY, who knows how many F units, E units, GG1’s and i know the list goes on. I would like to see companies introduce models that every other company is producing. Anyone care to comment on this?
I agree totally with you, midwestfan!
When the BIG BOY frist was introduced by AHM is was better then sliced bread. Then Riverossi came out with it with better detail, then they came out with a digital one. Trix did one better and came out with one that had sound and smoke and great detail. Now “Genesis” is out with one with sound & DCC for under $300.00. Don’t forget the big buck OMI Big Boy, and the not so big seller the Bowser Big Boy. Why wouldn’t someone try to out-do the other with better detail, sound and more inportant less $$$. It’s just like “Big Headed Drivers” (golf). You can’t began to count the drivers out there and the company is out to do one thing, telling you and trying to do something different to get you sold on it so you buy thiers and not the competitions.
I’d like to see an inexpensive U50B that can take a tight radius. I don’t think those have ever been done in HO plastic. All I’ve seen is brass, which is too expensive, and brass engines often need a very wide radius to turn.
Now THAT I would buy [tup]
Even new models are all full of errors so they should keep making them again to try to get the right
I offer my expertise to all the manufacturers but they ignore me so shame on them for not getting there stuff right .
We need more F units, so far nobody has done them right.
Maybe not, but the Genesis F units are pretty darn close.[:D][:D][:D]
This has been a topic many times on this and every other forum I am familiar with, but we obviously do not have the answer.
It might be the fact that the Big Boy sells well and I am sure most of the F units that are good runners and highly detailed sell well. It might be the company wants a safe model to market and not one that only a few railroads owned that might set on the shelves. The BL1 is a good example. It was produced by Proto, but so few railroads used it, LL could not market it with many names on it. It did however fill the need for that engine for a few modelers compared to say an F unit.
If it was up to me to pick a model for the market, it would be the latest and greatest locolmotives from GE, EMD, or an old F unit that had removed skirts and exposed fuel tanks like most of them ended up after 1960.
If all of the Big Boy models ever made in all the different modeling scales were to be magically converted to full scale and transported to the Union Pacific, there would be a solid line of 4-8-8-4s clear across Wyoming! All 25 of the 1:1 scale Big Boys wouldn’t even fill one yard track at Cheyenne.
But there’s something about Americans that makes them want “the biggest…,” even if it doesn’t make sense. Therefore, ever since PFM imported the first Tenshodo Big Boy, they have been flying off the shelves. In the meantime, someone who wants a model of (fill in your favorite nondescript loco from an unglamorous road) stands forlornly by, ignored and unfulfilled.
Do you realize that the first PFM production run was for double the number of Big Boys that Alco had built for the Union Pacific? Tenshodo wouldn’t build less than 50.
Chuck
Of course, regardless of whether we think there are too many models of the same locomotives available, as long as they are selling, the manufacturers will produce them. After all, it is not what we say we want or what we’ve had enough of, it is what we will buy and what we won’t. Often, that distinction is huge.
Same thing applies to vehicle models - I was kinda disappointed when the Model Power Mini line more or less duplicated what was already out there by Busch and Herpa. And of course there’s no 1957 Chevy models available (running joke…).
Anyway, if two or even three companies compete, I don’t really see it as a big deal - this can be good in several ways, particular if the end result of the competion is better looking more accurate models. However, 4 or more companie with the same model is almost always a waste of manufacturing and design resources, and usually never ends well.
Personally I just think that there’s way to much steam out there, but I’m sure in the minority. I want to see more modern locomotives in affordable plastic such as the SD70ACe, SD70MAC and the MP36.
EDIT: to add something I forgot, I also wi***hat if there’s a “set” (such as Walther’s Super Chief and Empire Builder) that everything would be released at the same time, even if it’s a little later than the current system. I haven’t bought any of the sets, but if I ever wanted one that they would perhaps do in the future I wouldn’t want it to take almost a year to get the complete train. Those first couple of months the train would look prettty stupid!
(OT) Adelie, I took a look at your “Bunter Ridge Photo Gallery” and I have two comments (1) I really like the way you painted the passenger train (have you painted any freight equipment etc.) (2) I would do almost anything for that amount of track space! [:D]
The model makers are in the business to make money, not to ensure there is a complete, modeler-approved, non-repeating selection of locomotives. If they’re all making F7’s (or whatever) , it’s because F7’s (or whatever) are selling.
Maybe it’s all because we love what sells? I LOVE any F Unit that’s out there. E Units are even better for me because I remember seeing them in my early youth. A Big Boy or a Challenger…OMG! What a mechanical marvel in 1 to 1 or any scale! To see one of those creep through a tight switch in a yard or running 10/10ths on the main, is truely a marvel of Steam propusion. I have only some neat DVD’s that I watch along with my Grand Son. I’ll have a Challenger in short order for sure. Or maybe another F7 ABA lash up with sound and DCC…
I Love this stuff!
Chris
Thanks!
Unfortunately, I no longer have #2 either. This past weekend was spent breaking down that staging area. The Bunter Ridge is now a series of bundled L-girders, joists, legs and risers, plus a supply of track and wire and a 24" radius 3 turn helix that I removed in one piece. All that remains is some benchwork and an 18.5" radius helix that will also be removed in one piece. We are in the process of trying to sell my terrific railroad space (and the house above it) and moving to North Carolina. The new space is not as large, has more design challenges, but is a finished space. The more I run through the design possibilities in my head, the better it gets but it will still not equal a 40x14 unobstructed space.
Bangert1, I believe your comments are part of a more complex formula in terms of the manufacturers producing like units. I have the following theory. Many of the manufacturing of body shells and mechanisms are now subcontracted to companies that can mass produce large numbers at a reduced cost. I believe they communicate this to brands and if they make similar units in a batch situation, the cost factor is low enough to entice the brands to sell them. It also helps to sell more units as in some cases the limited production runs sell out when a model is popular. For example, look at the simularities between BLI and P2K E-unit shells. They are not exact duplicates of each other, but there are very close in design; as if they were tweaked for each brand customer. This is not always the case, however, as there are exceptions to this idea; Atlas for instance will be producing SDP-35’s again; the original owners of the prototype were SAL and UP.
As for F-Units without skirts, there is hope. Walthers/Life-Like/Proto will introduce F-7 A and B unit
Right or wrong, I’m tired of 35 different F models. There are so many others that we need. Atlas has really begun with a swing towards some of the ALCO’s that are well known. I like that.
I’m gonna got with Trainfan on this one. But don’t forget both Kato AND Atheearn Genesis have SD70MACs. I’d like a better SD40-2, Dash 9, a humpback C39-8, and a SD70M with FLARED RADIATORS!!!
What moves quickly is what allows them to print checks for their employees’ salaries. What moves quickly is what allows them to contract for more of the same or an entirely new line/model. What they offer is what moves, so the checks don’t bounce. Can’t be much simpler than that.