I hope this project moves forward. I'd still try to buy the two units I'm interested in.
Personally, I find the idea that there hasn't been a commonplace first-generation diesel switcher put out in two-rail to be surreal. It's not just guys modeling the steam-to-diesel transition era who could use them: some of them not only lasted to the turn of the millennium but are still around today, howbeit not with their original owners.