jd-train posted:My guess would be that you need to add, at least, a "1" before the "700" estimate. After all, this is potentially a handmade brass item.
Although I'm not interested in the item, I hope to see it made. If the person the OP knows is not currently in the model train business, the project would be like SGL Reading project in the early 2000's.
Jim
This project has exactly the same chance as any other. It depends on the reservations. Lobbying for something you want is a good thing if people are willing to contact Scott and reserve one as a result. If Scott sees 20+ reservations (not necessarily individual persons) then there is a reasonable chance it will be offered. But if after 6 months to a year of offering if the number of reservations is still below some minimum it will still be cancelled.
But, it will be brass, and yes $1700 is a reasonable price and it will take probably 100 firm reservations to become a go.
Also,
As far as any sound system it must be realized this would never have sounded anything like a traditional steam locomotive, i.e., it would have no chuffing sound. It would actually sound more like one of the UP turbines, albeit a LOT quieter. Like a steam ship the exhaust steam from the traction pistons is then expanded through a turbogenerator and then to a condenser to be reused. That is what the heat exchangers in the tender are for.
