3rd Rail GGD Priduction Schedule

It's like déjà vu all over again.

Well folks remember, it's the importers doing the importing, and not reporting what they are importing.  You see you have to understand the market dynamics of this business.  By the importers not reporting what they are not importing they are ignoring their customers, who should buy with their wallet and never participate in BTO or any other preordering.  For those folks who are cutting back on their buying because they have more trains than they can run in a lifetimes, you can still buy the same engine for less than MSRP after delivery has been made to the dealers from the importers who do the importing so you don't have to miss out.  Even though I advised about not buying the latest offering because who needs sparking pantos when a JLC will do?  Of course, after scouring every possible dealer in existence for two days and haggling down a price.  You see folks, this is how it works.  Oh, and kudos to Scott Mann for his reporting on his importing, because you see folks, this is how it should be done in this model train marketplace.

Expand to two more paragraphs and insert multiple emoticons...

William, im confused as your post is not very clear. Scott Mann only does his trains built to order. If you don't have an order when he announces them you will not get a train form him. If you want to use your after market purchasing strategy it wont work with 3rd Rail GGD diesels and passenger cars although he does always seem to have extra steamers on hand I dont ever see him with many left over diesels and if he does order extras all the good ones leave quite quickly. He does this so we can help budget our buying and ensure we have the funds on when the items are due to be built.

I have to agree with Matt above. Williams post is a bit confusing regarding BTO/Preorder.

As an example, try finding the first 1938 Santa Fe Super Chief or 1951? Super Chief set from GGD. Almost impossible to find in any of the popular locations. BTO? preorder is/was the only way to get there cars. There are other examples from all manufactures. 

I have no problem with BTO/Preorder if it is something I really want. 

Charlie

I think you missed my point completely.  Think satire.

Oh, you forgot to put the SARCASM lock on. I was reading it for what it was

I looked at Scott's delivery letter and was really surprised SD40-2s did not have sufficient orders to build at this time. Rather like the C&NW H-1 locos.

Dick

CBQer posted:

I looked at Scott's delivery letter and was really surprised SD40-2s did not have sufficient orders to build at this time. Rather like the C&NW H-1 locos.

Dick

The minimum quantities for the C&NW H-1 4-8-4 were a LOT less than the requirement for the diesel SD40-2, or any other diesel for that matter.

Will be interesting to see if reservations pick up this year on the SD40-2, I suspect the support is lacking from the 2 rail side as this is a later 2nd generation diesel, this does not argue well for 3rd generation diesels, Gevos ,Macs etc where the 3 rail market is all ready loaded with product. JMO

Well, with the increasing prices of the the Orange Ive decided to move most of my purchasing over to 3rd Rail. I don't have to spend that much more to get a significantly better model.

HIBAR, I also hope that the SD40-2s orders will pick up. If this project does make it to fuition, I wouldn't expect a 2nd run.

The low orders on the SD40-2 has been surprising.  This should have been a home run locomotive as it's never really been done that well in 3rail and for 2 rail it is less expensive than the brass models out there.  Considering it has a history of continuous service since 1972, there are lot of eras it works well in.  I put my order in for one. 

I put in an order for 3 but only in CNW write in so it doesn't really count. 

Actually the "big" difference is the 3' [3/4" in O scale] longer overall length of the engine, most noticeable in the rear "porches". SD40s that were upgraded were done internally. I believe Scotts sales numbers for the FT diesels and to a lesser extent the SD7/9s show where most of the 2 rail market is buying. JMO

645 posted:

HIBAR - I thought the SD40 used the SD45 frame.

I don't think so.

Does that mean when the SD40-2 / SD45-2 came along the frame was lengthened?

Yes, for a number of reasons, i.e. the longer HT-C truck frame, the larger diameter truck center bearings, and ease of manufacturing for only one underframe assembly for SD series, and only one underframe for GP series.

I know the SD35 had a shorter frame hence lacked the front and back porches. Figures it is not that "simple" to do a SD40 / SD40-2 off the same frame in order to be accurate so I thank you for enlightening me on this detail.

One additional point, either Penn Central, or Conrail did purchase SD units from EMD, however they SPECIFICALLY DEMANDED that the new units be built & delivered with the old style SD Flexicoil truck, and NOT the HT-C truck. As a result they were the laughing stock of the rest of the entire railroad industry. I can not remember whether the units were SD40-2 or SD50.

I believe the early CR SD50s had Flexicoil trucks  that were from CR SD9s & 35s.

By that time EMD had ceased Flexicoil truck production - correct HW?

In Atlas Os upcoming SD40 run, they are offering NS SD40s (actually SD40-2s)

Former PRR, PC, CR SD40s riding on Flexicoils (NS 3434)