3rd Rail--now's the time...

Excellent.

While he's at it, Mann can ask bob2 for opinion on the proper contours of the PA nose/windshield.

The Rapido method is the way to go--they did a 3d scan of a protoytype loco to assure that the nose contour of the upcoming HO FA-2 is right.

Jeff C

Wow...do I know how to create a yawner of a thread or what...

Jeff C

Nah--I'm never wrong. Just ask me!

Jeff C

Throw some color on it...

Rapido has a lot bigger market and can afford such research.   They will make thousands or 10s of thousands of units.

Sunset will make 1000-1500.    I don't know what the cost of a 3D scan of something that big costs, but it sounds expensive.    What is the price point where people will buy one or not?   600 a unit seems to be the low end these days for new plastic/diecast with sound.    Scott needed 1500 reservations to do the E7s when I talked to him.

I think a 3rd Rail quality PA would probably be priced in the $699.00-$749.00 range, and I also think that loco at that price point would get enough reservations to be a go for launch.

I have no idea what the price of a nose scan would be, but if it is prohibitive there are other ways to do the job...right down to the distinctly old fashioned, low tech method of using a tick stick and plywood templates.

Jeff C

I don't think they need a nose scan - MTH got it about right, and I believe Key did as well.  I suspect (but am not sure) that Lionel likewise got it correct this time.

The only PA nose in O Scale that was seriously out of joint was the later lost-wax CLW nose.  Who knows what happened there; his first series was all right.

I probably have enough PAs now.  I always wanted a good die cast PA and E-7, but my ardor has cooled.  I believe O Scale has plenty of plastic PAs - good ones!

Here is the MTH in Silicon Bronze.  Someday I shall put the steps on it.

Here is my famous "noses" photo.

Left is MTH.  Center is early CLW. Best windshield, in my opinion.  Right is late CLW.

I too dearly want a set of warbonnet PA's but I need to pay for my E unit set first. Let's pace ourselves. Working man with a plan, Scott.

Somehow I knew I could draw Erik out with this thread...

Jeff C

"People will come, Ray.  People will most definitely come."

Larry

Jeff,

Coffee has been consumed over this potential project.

I'd be willing to commit to an A-B-A Santa Fe in the original appearance, i.e., Wabco air horns, no additional grab irons, wipers mounted at bottom of windshield.  The pilot coupler cover would not be required for me, but could be included in the box as an add-on.

Good news - 3rd rail makes GREAT products that fill in the gap between the toy train market and the expensive Key/Kohs markets.  

RS2/3's, Train Masters and F45/FP45 andSD45s maybe?

Shhhhh!!! Not so loud!!  My wallet needs a breather from SD7/9s, E8s, and F7s.

Do let the world know when mass quantities of alcoholic beverages have consumed as this signals transcendence to the next stage in potential production.

I get so confused when you guys repeat each other - who has had coffee with whom?  To what end?

Are you saying that a $600 plastic PA would be your choice, when for double that you could have one like the models in Erik's fine photos?

Not me - If I needed a more accurate PA, it would be a Key. A metal one.

I'm going to carve one out of a hunk of black locust,

Martin,

That will start this evening although it won't be massive quantities of alcohol. More than one and more than two but not to an excess.

One is not enough, two is too many, three is not nearly enough!

Please do not forget the E2b, E3b and E2c electrics.

I give up.  I am joining the crowd.

And then what ?

To my thinking, to make money in today's market and with today's production problems, an importer needs projects that can build upon a preceeding model's designs and production.  Hence, 3rd Rail can use the new SD7 / 9 platform for a number of projects, even including 'frame down' repowers for the Atlas SD35 / 40, whereas a PA leads only to the PB.

The same applies to a new project.  If Scott needs a wallet-opener that has growth, go with a model that people will not only "have" to buy, but operators will buy in multiples:  The icon of freight dieseldom for 40 years, the SD40-2.  Now there's a locomotive that should get three production runs......

With best regards, SZ

Disclaimer:  I am too risk-adverse to be in the model train business, and I have no interest in any of these models.

Carry on, and have one for me.

Me too.

Whatever might be next locomotive will not be announced until after the F7s are delivered.  What it might be will be will be more influenced by people who tell Scott they will reserve X numbers of Y if it is made while people who spend their time just continuously suggesting this or that will only be randomly correct.  Additionally, the success of the SD7/9s will have an effect on the availability of future hood units.

Having said that, on the GGD side, people who let Scott know they will reserve a Silver Meteor could be pleasantly surprised.

I think that a discussion of a 3rd Rail PA was covered in another post a couple of months ago.  I would order a PRR A-B-A in DGLE with whiskers if offered.

I was contemplating this engine last week over a couple of glasses of Woodford Reserve,haha.

Norm

Thank you for reminding me of that [ the horizontal drive ].  My comment above about the SD's, SD7 to 40-2, assumes that buyers don't mind Sunset's current "tank drive" approach from an appearance standpoint.  It would bother me -- but I'm not buying SD's.

Best, SZ

Disclaimer:  I have tank drive locomotives.  In fact, my most recent diesel purchase is a tank drive, due to poor research on my part -- and admittedly a very attractive price......

What is a tank drive, and why does it look bad?  Is it the favored horizontal motor drive, or is the motor angled like a tank?

Just inset "tank drive" in the Exact Phrase portion of the OGR Advance Search feature for excellent explanations and examples.

SZ