Yes I understand that most model railroaders prefer past eras. But that said, why isn’t Walthers, Atlas, or Athearn putting out modern motive power like SD70ACe, ES44AC/DC, F40PH-2s and -3s, and MP36? If you’re lucky to find it, it’s in brass or high end Tower 55 offerings. Have EMD and GE cut exclusive licensing deals with the high end vendors or is there just a lack of interest on the part of the mid-price companies?
I respect everyone who puts time and effort into a different era but I model modern day supposedly to be able to prototype any new technologies.
i must agree. The ES44DC and SD70M-2 have been out over a year and there still isn’t a model of one. The newest loco available from athearn is the AC4400 and Atlas’s newest is DASH 8. I’ve reqested ES44’s and SD70ACe’s to Athearn and KATO.
Dingoix
It’s frustrating seeing new offerings from these companies and find yet another F unit or a GP-38. Unless there are licensing issues from EMD and GE, I wonder what is the holdup? Not everyone can pay 300 or more for a GEVO or modern SD.
It’s frustrating so some of us older era modlers as well… I’d like to see a few more of the obscure offerings such as an NW-5 for my Union Terminal RR of Detroit section. Another F unit and another $500 UP articulated… Let’s hear it folks… HOOOOORAY [xx(]
Hasn’t it always been like this? Isn’t this why everyone is always kitbashing Blue Box loco’s?
Simple. Modelers keep buying the expensive items. Manufacturers see no demand for lower price items. Modelers want details, accuracy, see-though grills, etc., etc., etc. All this adds cost. Cheaper models equals less details, etc.
Of course, we all (should) understand this, and those of us looking for cheaper models are willing to accept this, but when manufacturers see this as profitable, then we will see said models available. It also has something to do with return-on-investment. High price, limited run models often sell pretty quickly, so companies get a quick return on investment. Lower price models sometimes sell more slowly, so they get a slower return on investment. That ties up their resources (money) so they can’t invest in new (different) models.
I must agree, though. I like having the Athearn BB models available generally most of the time; I wi***he higher end models were the same way. Once companies have recouped their investment on the tooling after the initial release of a model, is there any reason why they don’t make some extras to have on hand so modelers can buy when they wish/have the money? Yes, I know they have to pay inventory tax, but Athearn BB kits are generally produced every 6 months or so. Why can’t high-end model be the same?
Brad
I’m sure they are in development somewhere with one of the manufactures. It takes time and money to revamp tooling, plan paint schemes, produce, and market these machines. There are only a few roads that actually own these engines now, so maybe they are waiting to see if anyone else is willing to buy the real thing before they produce a glut of models. Patience is a virtue, Heck we just got our first model RS27, and still no GP39.
Sure is. But remember GP38’s can still be used in a present day setup. But yes there is a lack of modern engines. But we still have SD40-2’s. They are still the best looking engines.
With the newest-read GEVOS- they are licensed. With the slightly less new there are very few railroads that have them. Also they vary in detail through the production run so it is hard to know what details to model as so many people now days are so critical if every rivet is not correct for their particular railroad.
The main reason there are not any of the modern locomotives is that the design is still evolving and the manufacturers do not want to invest big bucks in dies that are incorrect.
This happened once before with Athearn’s DD-40 in the 60’s. They made a mold for an engine that was never produced in the form that EMD showed in their advertising.
Also, some of the old engines that modelers want may not probably be produced such as the Alco C420, there were such a diversity of phases and fuel tanks, even on the same railroad, that none of the purists will buy them. That is why the brass C420’s were so popular as they were railroad specific.
Rick