Super7,
It is interesting that you state the NYC steam locomotives have been done in brass, i.e. 2-Rail ONLY, but then complain that the "long wheel base 4-8-4s look like a bit of a joke on sharp curves found on the majority of three rail layouts".
So which do YOU model in; 2-Rail Scale or 3-Rail "toy" trains?
For those of us with 072 or larger curves, we sure appreciate those Weaver, Sunset/3rd Rail, and MTH scale sized steam locomotive models of 4-8-4, 2-10-4, 4-10-2, and 4-12-2 wheel arrangements, not to mention the big articulated models! There MUST be a market for all those "long wheel based 4-8-4s" in 3-Rail, otherwise Lionel, MTH, Weaver, and Sunset/3rd Rail would NOT be offering & SELLING all of them.
I was unaware there was a rule or dictum that I had to chose two or three rail in 0, sorry. You did say " Brass 0 Scale" so naturally I thought that was what you were looking for, not die cast. If you were a three railer, I assumed you had the capacity or knew someone who could do the relatively simple conversion from two to three rail.
I do find it interesting that you know those companies sales numbers, lol! I don't, and to be honest I am "somewhat in" this industry.
As for myself, I still have some 3 rail kicking about. But quite a bit of H0, N, Gauge 1 (electric and live steam,) and a 7-1/2" gauge, coal fired NYC J3a Hudson. Just last week I ordered the new Marklin Z Gauge DB BR 01 Pacific (#88010.) It will be my first piece of equipment in the 40 years of been aware of the scale. That item will revolutionize the scale as it is truly superb. I also collect full sized semaphore signals, wig wags and lanterns. If you love railroad stuff, I see no reason for it to be an "Us Against Them."
So please do realize, there's no adversarial intent here. I would only like to see that particular locomotive done in that format and size as at this time, that is it's primary market, the Greater Tri-State N.Y.C. area, still a bastion of "0" three rail.
Do you have any photos of your 0-72 layout with 4-8-4's running? I'd like to see that. In H0, that works out to a somewhat tight 36" radius which is less than many well regarded H0 club layouts use for that very reason. For example, the tightest radius on the La Mesa Model Railroad Club's "Tehachapi Pass" exhibit in Balboa Park, in San Diego is 48" or "0-96" located at "Caliente" (Hot.) And that is the minimum radius on the 8,400 square foot railroad.
Thank you.
Paul
