jonnyspeed posted:I'd be willing to participate. I agree with a post above though in that I feel that is what I'm doing by ordering Legacy Berkshires. Not even in my top 10, but nobody asked me so I'll take what I can get.
Here's my thoughts for 3 products that COULD get widespread interest:
1. Legacy NYC J3A Hudson (you could come back with Dreyfuss and Empire State versions)
Not a bad suggestion.
2. SD40-2 I think this is a no-brainer
Agreed. I've never understood why an SD40 or SD40-2 is Kryponite to S manufacturers.
3. New highly detailed passenger cars. LED constant lights, detailed interiors with figures, underbody detail, Hi-Rail and Scale coupler and wheel options.
How much are you willing to pay? AM's Budd's now MSRP at $399.95 for a four car set and $94.95 per extra coach, Domes at $109.95. Proposed six car sets from Golden Gate Depot (pre-tarriff) are estimated at $1800.00. They will likely be higher whenever produced.
Probably the closest thing to what you describe is from Rapido Trains in HO (with no figures) is $119.95 (US) per car. Even Rapido's announced N Scale "Canadian" comes out to about $70.00 a car.
These aren't my personal top choices, but I think these would have widespread appeal.
I've never understood why they don't just throw new ideas into each catalog. What does it cost them to dangle the idea? If they don't get the orders they just cancel it.
Cancelling leaves a bad taste in the customer's mouth. Lionel's 57' mechanical reefers come to mind and there were a lot of bad feelings with the cancellation of Lionel's Legacy Berks, (admittedly, most of which has dissipated with the new Legacy Berk announcement.)
That's what they do now anyways. If you are going to put out a catalog anyways how much more does it cost to put an extra page or two of artwork in there? They may actually hit on something that surprises them. What's the harm?
Even if it took twice the development time because they are starting from an idea I wouldn't care.
Look at all the complaining about MTH. 4 years for the F3's, 6 years for a new catalog. August -- 26 days and counting.
Rusty
Give us a chance, try some new products. There are so many models that haven't been done in S. We are hungry
