UPDATE ... March 2024: 3rd Rail SD40-2's

@GG1 4877 posted:

Unless other orders come in, we can pretty much consider this project dead.  Everyone says they want modern or modernish locomotives, but the orders haven't yet seem to support that notion with 3rd Rail at least.  If Scott could get the orders it would go for sure.  Granted the SD40-2 is not exactly modern.  I was 2 when it was first catalogued.  However, it has had such a long life span like all the -40 series EMDs, I am surprised it has not seen much tractive effort so to speak.

Of course, Amfleet was something I pitched to Scott over 5 years and once the Viewliners were added, it took off and will be delivered by April.  Perhaps there is hope?  I have preorders in for ATSF in 3r and Conrail in 2r.  Might have to add another 3 Rail ATSF one just to get the orders up by at least a little.

Well it over four years since this offering was posted on the 3rd Rail web page. I’ve upped my order from two to four to Try to help but that’s small in the greater scheme of things if we are hundreds of reservations short of commerciality. I’d love to see this offering happen but it just doesn’t excite the customer base. I also think other offerings are competing for the same $s. The Alco FA hasn’t reached the numbers needed either.  Even if this SD40-2 project appears “dead”, I think it’s time to officially Declare it Dead and Remove it from the web page. Release those Reservation $s. My $s will get Redirected to other projects - hopefully helping them reach an “it’s a go” moment and moving them to design and production !!!!!!!  Hopefully other clients will redirect their released reservation $s to other projects too.

Scott. Time cancel it !!! Try to see if other projects get a bit of a boost from that. Boy we still have Lots of cool projects out there to buy into !!!!!

What does everyone else think ???????  🤔

Cheers 🙂

I have 2 2-rail SD40-2's reserved and this is the only model that interests me from 3rd Rail at the moment so if this project is declared dead and buried I will not redirect my money towards any other 3rd Rail projects.

@catnap posted:

I have 2 2-rail SD40-2's reserved and this is the only model that interests me from 3rd Rail at the moment so if this project is declared dead and buried I will not redirect my money towards any other 3rd Rail projects.

I agree.  It's time. Too many do overs of RS3, F3, F7, E8.  Second Generation Diesels are lacking.

Wait just a minute...

I'm not ready to give up just yet. In 2021 we'll make the Krauss Maffei, the EA /EB, E1A/B, F3 rerun, then there's a gap. I suspect that is when I will do a short run of SD40-2 and later FA/FBs. It's foolish for me to throw away reservations. That's like throwing away your customers. People start to get upset if their orders are cancelled on them. Not gonna do that.

Just wait, it will happen I think.   Scott Mann

@sdmann posted:

Wait just a minute...

I'm not ready to give up just yet. In 2021 we'll make the Krauss Maffei, the EA /EB, E1A/B, F3 rerun, then there's a gap. I suspect that is when I will do a short run of SD40-2 and later FA/FBs. It's foolish for me to throw away reservations. That's like throwing away your customers. People start to get upset if their orders are cancelled on them. Not gonna do that.

Just wait, it will happen I think.   Scott Mann

YAY !!!!  
Thanks for a FAST Positive response Scott. Your quick positioning of a SD40-2 run in 2021 (now just around the corner) is important for those that have gotten Weary with the Wait - Myself included. Not that long ago you asked you ask if we’d be upset if it was canceled and replaced with another model. I Really want my MP and Frisco SD40-2s but till now, that happening looked pretty Dismal !!!  So moving on became an option.
Hopefully SD and FA runs won’t have to be run together as I have large (for me) orders in both - run together the budget is blown.

And I appreciate your sharing the production “pecking order” too.  Been awhile since we’ve seen one of your “update “ emails. It would be good to get all this info out to your base.  Says Choir member to the preacher -  Just sayin......

@TrainBub posted:

Well it over four years since this offering was posted on the 3rd Rail web page. I’ve upped my order from two to four to Try to help but that’s small in the greater scheme of things if we are hundreds of reservations short of commerciality. I’d love to see this offering happen but it just doesn’t excite the customer base. I also think other offerings are competing for the same $s. The Alco FA hasn’t reached the numbers needed either.  Even if this SD40-2 project appears “dead”, I think it’s time to officially Declare it Dead and Remove it from the web page. Release those Reservation $s. My $s will get Redirected to other projects - hopefully helping them reach an “it’s a go” moment and moving them to design and production !!!!!!!  Hopefully other clients will redirect their released reservation $s to other projects too.

Scott. Time cancel it !!! Try to see if other projects get a bit of a boost from that. Boy we still have Lots of cool projects out there to buy into !!!!!

What does everyone else think ???????  🤔

Cheers 🙂

"Cancel It !!!"  That can be a tough call. Dollars are always coming available as other projects get delivered or people discover 3rd Rail offerings. I know I was willing to wait  for the recent Challenger and so are many of the SD40-2 buyers for theirs. But, I FEEL young, not my age. For its' business model, a more precise BTO, 3rd Rail needs to keep projects in the pipeline.  Maybe, as someone on the forum suggested, Scott could show a count down of orders needed to push a project over the line. That might help focus dollars. Ultimately, there has to be interest. Who knows why once started a project  gets stalled.

Scott,

That’s like an early Christmas present! I’m also glad to see the reservation thing put to rest.

RM

That's certainly encouraging news. If this happens then I may just add a third SD40-2 if it meant a certain road name being done. So far I have 3 in mind.

Even if 2021 is a no-go for the SD40-2 what harm is there in keeping the model on the website? Either you want the model or you don't and I want it so if that means waiting another year or two then I'm OK with that.

In interested in UP/Mopac, I’d be all in for Illinois Central Death Stars!!!

Well it’s nice seeing this pot stirred a bit.
To get it to “bubble up” a bit might attract a few new reservations and maybe get some that placed previous reservations to place another order or two. Anything to make the offering more viable.  

Scott, Many thanks for the positive news!

Happy Holidays to all

Glad the boss told me I was wrong!   I want to see this project go forward as much as anyone!

@GG1 4877 posted:

Glad the boss told me I was wrong!   I want to see this project go forward as much as anyone!

Well Scott’s comment 10-28-20 indicated he was having doubts ..... BUT the Boss decided to give it a go after all. Perhaps stirring the pot a bit has brought in some more reservations. I’d like that to be true. It’s a business after all.

Scott,
Just to stir the pot a Wee Bit More. We’ve 17 models to choose from and that’s really Great. I’m sure the GP Monster offering has been very trying to execute and QC ...... But..... There might be a few Roads that could be Added to the SD 40-2 offering - say bring up to 20. I know that’s a lot but it Might help get some precious numbers. What pops to the top that are missing from the offering are SP, DRG (if not Tunnel motor variant), and CNW.  There are others but I grabbed only what quickly Hit me with reservation potential in original buyers category.  

Any takers for at least these three ???  If so - EMAIL Scott !!!   If we are maxed out with options - so be it.
My two bits worth.

@sdmann posted:

Wait just a minute...

I'm not ready to give up just yet. In 2021 we'll make the Krauss Maffei, the EA /EB, E1A/B, F3 rerun, then there's a gap. I suspect that is when I will do a short run of SD40-2 and later FA/FBs. It's foolish for me to throw away reservations. That's like throwing away your customers. People start to get upset if their orders are cancelled on them. Not gonna do that.

Just wait, it will happen I think.   Scott Mann

Scott how about h10? When will we see it?

Well found out SP and DRG  were ALL Tunnel variants. So much for that idea. 😖☹️☹️☹️
gotta try.....

The railroads to add would be

MISSOURI PACIFIC original scheme, no dynamic brakes

MISSOURI PACIFIC no dynamic brakes, repainted in UNION PACIFIC colors

GTW logo on ex-MP without dynamic brakes, in UP scheme

GRAND TRUNK WESTERN GTW full blue and orange repaint

SOO LINE original 1969 paint scheme

Chicago & North Western 1970's scheme variations

After an examination of the roster list I checked on the history of the CN painted GTW 5938 that is shown as a choice.

CN 5171 became KCS 6620 then became GTW 5938

Perhaps it could be offered in the original CN scheme and number, plus the KCS scheme and number, to get the most out of the distinct variation.

GTW 5937 or GTW 5936 should have been a choice as well.

Andrew

@sdmann posted:

Wait just a minute...

I'm not ready to give up just yet. In 2021 we'll make the Krauss Maffei, the EA /EB, E1A/B, F3 rerun, then there's a gap. I suspect that is when I will do a short run of SD40-2 and later FA/FBs. It's foolish for me to throw away reservations. That's like throwing away your customers. People start to get upset if their orders are cancelled on them. Not gonna do that.

Just wait, it will happen I think.   Scott Mann

Scott, Super excited to hear this might be a go later in 2021.  :-)   As mentioned to you earlier, I am in for CN and IC variants.

@Mike DeBerg posted:

Scott, Super excited to hear this might be a go later in 2021.  :-)   As mentioned to you earlier, I am in for CN and IC variants.

Sounds great to me Mike! Gives me hope the IC may be a possible write-in. I put in for 3 of them.