Rusty Traque posted:I could go for the 57' mechanical reefers and another run of cylindrical hoppers in non-fantasy roadnames with redesigned truck bolsters. But, I'm not gonna hold my breath.
Agreed. They teased us with the 57' reefers, then pulled the plug. I pre-ordered a couple of them, and was disappointed they didn't follow through.
That said...
Strictly from the Flyer perspective, Lionel has never offered the Flyer walking brakeman car in a legitimate roadname, just that stupid zombie car. If there ever was something that needed to be redeemed, it's that.
I wasn't sure, but I checked my Archives, and they did make a walking brakeman car in Santa Fe (6-49016 in 2004), Great Northern (6-49031 in 2006), and NYC (6-49022 in 2005). There may have been more, but these are the ones I'm aware of.
The PA's and EP5's need to have upgraded pilots like the GP7. Here's another thought: A pair of powered GP7's that respond to the same F/C controller.
If I read Lionel's instruction sheet for the Flyer Chief correctly, the controller will control like numbered locomotives at the same time. Of course, if you want different numbers of the same road, you can still do it via a "numberectomy" on the shell to change it. The electronics will remain the same and allow two units to be controlled with the same controller.
Lastly, I suspect the F/C Berkshire drive could be repurposed into a new F/C USRA Heavy Mikado.
Good luck on that.
As far as what I'd REALLY like to see, how about better QC and more robust electronics. Also, perhaps, interiors on their passenger cars. But that would also mean redesigning the sheet metal frames and lighting. That ain't happening either. Longer boxcars would be nice. The waffle sided cars were an attempt at this, and they are a tad longer than the traditional boxcar, but they took a shortcut in using the standard boxcar sheet metal frame. It's a pity, since they had to design a slightly longer body from scratch and its mold. While they were at it, why not the prototype's length? A required longer frame wouldn't add THAT much to the price since the major expense is the plastic mold. The frame, being simple sheet metal, would require a slightly longer piece of sheet metal and a slightly longer sheer and die to press it into shape.
But we have to remember, we're talking about toys here,(not that there's anything wrong with THAT)not scale models. For my money, I'll buy American Models' offerings any more. They run and roll better, are more detailed, and they stock parts. For instance, I just purchased two complete ALCo PA drive trains for a little project I have in mind. And they didn't have to resort to cannibalizing returned units to do it. .
Rusty
Just my dos centavos,
