Anyone else notice in the catalog today that the 3r/2r fixed pilot diesels are the same MSRP as the 3-rail swinging pilots? I guess it would make sense that the manufacturing costs are probably the same for them. Still that's a big increase for the 3-rail versions. (From $459 to $499!)
Sadly, the sd40-2's are back without a -2 option. Guess Jeff Sohn will need to publish a how-to detailing the conversion of these.
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Yes.
Also, the E8's do not come in 2R? I wonder why?
Yes.
Also, the E8's do not come in 2R? I wonder why?
I don't think the "E" units have been "re-tooled" yet, nor have the SD7/9 and GP7/9 models (they don't come in 2-Rail either, to my knowledge).
Sadly, the sd40-2's are back without a -2 option. Guess Jeff Sohn will need to publish a how-to detailing the conversion of these.
To go one step further, that option comes with the 2-rail wheels that don't work so hot on Ross switches. You can buy the hi-rail wheel sets for another $60 which brings the total of $560 (plus tax) for a very cool, wide-curve running, fixed pilot beauty. I'm thinking seriously of doing this with the new SD70ACe with the new Cat paint scheme.
I attempted this 6 years ago when the SD70ACe in the Southern Pacific heritage scheme. It came through the 2-rail wheels and I was going to buy the conversion set, BUT... The engine had some quality problems, mainly the PE running boards buckled. If you pressed on the bulge, it would just pop up somewhere else. My LHS sent it back to MTH. It came back with the bulges AND broken sun visors. I was not happy, returned the engine to my LHS and traded it for the DAP N-S, A-B-B-A F7 trainset and have enjoyed it since.
I would like to take the chance and do it again. I don't like swinging pilots and with O-88 and O-96 throughout, I don't need them.
When I get the engine, I'll take you up on the deal. Sounds good to me.
I suspect a couple of things. One is that the cost increases are being spread between the -1 and -2 models. The other is that I think MTH is testing the waters to see where the sales go between the two. In theory, they could package everything (fixed and floating pilots/wheelsets/handrails) in one box but the end-user would need to do the final assembly or change-over. I don't know that the additional cost factor would be, but this would be offset somewhat by reduced cataloging, labeling and secondary assembly.
I suspect a couple of things. One is that the cost increases are being spread between the -1 and -2 models. The other is that I think MTH is testing the waters to see where the sales go between the two. In theory, they could package everything (fixed and floating pilots/wheelsets/handrails) in one box but the end-user would need to do the final assembly or change-over. I don't know that the additional cost factor would be, but this would be offset somewhat by reduced cataloging, labeling and secondary assembly.
Am I the only one to notice MTH gradual increse in prices each year.
Maybe they can afford that now Matt.
Am I the only one to notice MTH gradual increse in prices each year. Maybe they can afford that now Matt.
Quite frankly, I'm surprised they haven't gone up more considering the costs of everything involved in building them and getting them here from China.
Not withstanding the forecasting problem of which version to produce and the inventory costs of keeping both in stock. I, for one. wouldn't mind having to make the changes.
I think MTH is still less expensive than Lionel. I may be wrong.
For what it's worth - at the shop where I make most of my online purchases, the selling price of the MTH six-axle scale-wheelers went down $10, and the price of the 3-railers went up $10, compared to diesels of similar size in the previous two or three catalogs. The two types are the same price now.
David
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