"There are a lot of guys in HO who do modern era. If they had a quality offering in S and in a scale version, I'd bet they would switch."
And I'll bet they won't. The prototype engines and train cars of today are LONG. Seasoned modelers know that equates to needing large curves to look acceptable, to say nothing of the need for same for reliable tracking/coupling/etc.
Unless an HO modeler has a very generous space, they struggle to get large enough radii and such in order to reliably operate (or even handle) those long cars, to say nothing of the aesthetics of long equipment on too tight radii. No, I seriously doubt they will up size to S, which would significantly compound the issue.
In addition, the HO modeler of today is USED to quality engine performance (amazingly slow and smooth), factory installed sound/DCC, and more, plus a plethora of product to select from all at a price point that S scale mfg'ers simply can't match.
One is just not facing the reality of the situation if one thinks a meaningful amount of HO modelers would jump to S if S scale models of modern prototypes were offered.
Ain't happening.
Wish it were different for S scale, but as they say: Reality sucks.
Andre
