@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:OK guys.....some of the comments here are not very constructive. Frankly, part of the reason why there may be a decline in certain aspects of this hobby is because of the lack of support for providers of product and services. But that is a whole different thread. If you all want high quality models in 2-rail, then you are going to pay. Manufacturers have to produce models that will sell and so if you are not willing to pay thousands of dollars (several thousands) for an accurate to the last rivet model, then manufacturers are not going to produce it. You will instead see less detailed and somewhat compromised models at prices that more folks are willing to pay. Anyway, it would be a better thread if some of the "experts" here would make constructive comments with how they would bring a model to market, how much, etc. While your are at it, think about supporting another segment of this hobby....OGR magazine. We welcome both 3 and 2 rail modelers and would love to have more submissions of 2-rail modeling!
Some thoughts here:
Re: lack of support for providers - I don't just buy any product because it exists or its of new tooling. I support manufacturers [and importers] who make/import quality pieces that fit my modeling interests. And I actually think the vast majority of 2R modelers don't insist on perfection, just dimensionally-correct and accurately painted bodies/details, with an attempt at road-specific spotting-feature details, all with quality mechanisms underneath. Sunset Models is currently probably the closest to achieve that minus some hiccups. Same for rolling stock. Lionel has primarily been the only game in town (with exceptions) for bringing out new RTR rolling stock prototypes. While there looks like there has been some recent QA issues with their choice of paint colors, they have also been bringing out quality rolling stock since about 2003, and 2R-converted cars are floating all about the secondary market.
AtlasO's covid-era 2R offerings are interesting. With the purchase of the MTH tooling, it looks like AtlasO has finally woken up. IMHO, there's just two issues with their strategy. First, they released 2 new tools, but according to what I've read and heard, they are of less desirable prototypes. I'm not sure who chose these and why, but maybe more market research is required going forward to avoid a possible dud. Second, I've read on this forum they are basing any future 2R offerings on the success of them offering 2R SKU's on the 10-15 year old MTH tooling, now offered with 2R trucks and couplers from the factory. I imagine most 2R modelers that have been in the hobby for more than 3 or 4 years would have bought the 3R versions by now and converted them to 2R with the MTH 2R trucks that were available and kadee mounts that MTH added to most of their line. It is possible they're doing some paint schemes not offered before and hopefully it'll be a hit, but if not, is it the duty of the 2R modelers to chip in and buy them anyway just to support Atlas' attempt to please the 2R market? The free market will decide. I hope for the best, but I'm not entirely convinced this will go the way Atlas hopes it does. I do appreciate them for trying and hope the new tools are successful as well. If they aren't as successful as they'd hope, I do hope Atlas doesn't throw in the towel on 2R, but do a better job at listening to what the marketplace thinks and work around that.
Re: constructive comments on bringing models to market - Importers need to figure out how to embrace enterprise-grade resin/urethane casting to make new prototypes going forward. 3D Printing can play a part, but probably isn't quite there yet for mass-production. This will remove their dependency on $100k+ tools and allow for smaller-runs of unique well-detailed prototypes. Today's resins are as strong and stable as injection plastic. The rest of the RTR model manufacturing process can remain the same WRT detail parts, assembly, and painting. Also, need an idea of prototypes to do next? Maybe start with what was a success for the likes of ScaleTrains, ExactRail, Rapido, and even Atlas(HO).
Re: OGR 2R submissions - I'll bite...I'm about to move away from my workshop and layout for what may be a long time...can't promise you anything, but can you give five examples of 2R-based article submissions that aren't a layout feature that you'd actually want to publish in OGR magazine?
