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A Great Northern S-1 would be a fabulous model for Sunset/3rd Rail to do.  At the risk of echoing similar sentiments already expressed, it's rarely been done in O-scale, even in 2-rail, and it's never been done in 3-rail.

Interestingly, the S-1 and S-2 were conceived at the same time for the newly-introduced Empire Builder.   The S-1's, with the smaller 76" drivers, were intended to take on the mountain grades thru the Rockies and the S-2's, with 80" drivers, were designed to move at high speed on more level grades.  As it turned out, the S-2's were able to handle the 1.8% mountain grades and within a few years had displaced the S-1's on the Builder entirely, relegating them to freight and some other, limited passenger service. 

Only six S-1's were built, compared to fourteen S-2's.  But their smaller drivers and the hulking Belpaire fireboxes gave them a heavier, beefier look than the smooth-boilered, high-drivered S-2's and made them impressive freight locomotives.   The S-1 would a make a great model, and I believe a very popular one with GN fans (and others).

Scott, are you listening?

They don't always pan out, but at least Scott is willing to test the waters from time to time.....

Screenshot_20201201-153810

I just wish he would post a website "scoreboard" counter for each announcement  that shows an updating ticker of confirmed reservations vs minimum required to produce with an expiration deadline.

More nimbly allowing him to move on to realistically profitable projects.

I think it would go a long way to motivate buyers and also serve as a reality check for the Unicorn seekers.

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Last edited by WITZ 41
@WITZ 41 posted:

They don't always pan out, but at least Scott is willing to test the waters from time to time.....

Screenshot_20201201-153810

I just wish he would post a website "scoreboard" counter for each announcement  that shows an updating ticker of confirmed reservations vs minimum required to produce with an expiration deadline.

More nimbly allowing him to move on to realistically profitable projects.

I think it would go a long way to motivate buyers and also serve as a reality check for the Unicorn seekers.

I ordered 2 more F3's last night. I agree that a counter or scoreboard could entice purchases. It may also allow those seeking a projects completion to buy single cars or an additional car with the set to help get it over the hump for production.

@WITZ 41 posted:

They don't always pan out, but at least Scott is willing to test the waters from time to time.....

I just wish he would post a website "scoreboard" counter for each announcement  that shows an updating ticker of confirmed reservations vs minimum required to produce with an expiration deadline.

More nimbly allowing him to move on to realistically profitable projects.

I think it would go a long way to motivate buyers and also serve as a reality check for the Unicorn seekers.

Scoreboard's a good idea William, but be careful what you wish for:

Jason

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I don't really follow 3rd rail too much, new enough (and young enough) to the hobby to only really buy the affordable, or some very specific items.  If I had to make a suggestion, it would be nice to have something like the slightly modified Prairie type (2-6-2) (Baldwin Locomotive Works) at Fort Edmonton (which worked in Oakdale, Louisiana before enjoying resurrection&retirement in Western Canada).  I think #107 was in some big movie once, adding to its respectability.

@TrainBub posted:

Probably mentioned before but ..... anyone else besides me want to see an E6 Run 2 ????? And some later re-paints would be enticing too !!!!  I’d sure love to see MP in Jenks Blue.

OK, can't resist...  It's time to dust off this idea ...again...!

I know that the design studios of EMC/EMD were charged with creating paint scheme proposals for their new generation diesels to be presented to eager customers.  Not all of the proposals survived to an iconic level as well as, say, the Santa Fe 'Warbonnet' scheme, but I also know that the artwork survived to this day in the hands of lucky collectors, fortunate collections, preservation mavens.

Wouldn't it be fun to locate some of these proposal artworks ( and select some to apply to a new runs of EMC/EMD's early diesels...E1's, E3's, E4's, E6's...maybe even FT's, F2/F3/s, etc.?

I know it's not very common...if at all...for Scott Mann to include a proposed model of something that existed only as artwork, that never made it to the 1:1 level for any amount of time...if at all.  But it would honor those graphic artists who helped foster a whole new generation of motive power for the railroad market.

After all, I believe the latest generation of industrial graphic artists were honored with the NS Heritage schemes applied to the latest generation of diesels.  Why not honor the work of other teammates of the Leland Knickerbocker era at EMC/EMD?

And, best of all?....No one could legitimately complain about the paint color being 'off'!!...what a relief that alone would be!!!!

Just a thought...

KD

GP40W is a very interesting suggestion.

I'm far more interested in 4-axle diesels than 6, since they look better on the curves generally afforded in O-scale.

I would be highly interested in a run of GP40-2's (any phase), so perhaps a GP40-2W could be produced concurrently with that as a special cab option in order to hit the run numbers?

Every time this topic comes to the top I refine my wants a little more  I would buy any of these in PRR:

Diesels in as delivered paint:  FM H20-44 and FA-1 (AB maybe ABA)

Small steamers in late 40s paint:  E6s and B8a Tank Engine

Any of the above 4 engines would be my choice.  However, if 3rd Rail is going to build only larger steamers, then:  T1 Prototype in post WW2 configuration* and K2sa/K3 in late 40s paint.

*Yes I know MTH made a gazillion of these in the 1942 as delivered configuration, but the streamlining was gone by 1944.  I know of no O scale T1 Prototype in the post-WW2 configuration.  If there is one, let me know and I'll look for it.

Interesting idea.  A lot of variation in the photos posted, but if they don't have to be part of the basic tooling or can be built into a slide tool, there is some possibility there depending on mass interest.

Personally I've always wanted the GP40-P built for the CNJ in 1969.  13 built and most lasted well into the 21st century with a pair than ran 50 years in service.

Ron,

I assume you are asking about the two earliest T1's (6110 and 6111) but after they had the skirting removed ?

I saw one T1 running in to Baltimore down the Northern Central in about 1950 when I was riding the school bus near Meadowbrook about 5 - 6 miles north of the station in Baltimore.

Many folks have said it wasn't a T1 as they never ran on the Northern Central. Then it must have been a K6 with a wheel arrangement of 4-4-4-4. The T1's when new ran between Baltimore and Wilmington for testing.

It was the only T1 I ever saw running. Plus the PRR had no K6 locomotives, but you already knew that.

Last edited by rheil
@GG1 4877 posted:

Interesting idea.  A lot of variation in the photos posted, but if they don't have to be part of the basic tooling or can be built into a slide tool, there is some possibility there depending on mass interest.

Personally I've always wanted the GP40-P built for the CNJ in 1969.  13 built and most lasted well into the 21st century with a pair than ran 50 years in service.

Jonathan,

There have been outstanding models of the GP40-w produced  in HO scale by Atlas, Rapido, and Athern. Not sure if it is a helpful reference to you. I could only imagine how amazing these would look in O Scale

B20480A3-73CA-42A8-A0C5-C42A9EF2F1D4D17D498A-D414-466F-A0E0-08CBCDF27FCC20292E44-0AA7-454A-842D-9198AFCAAEEF232958BB-314F-43D6-AE0C-259820808BA9

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@rheil posted:

Ron,

I assume you are asking about the two earliest T1's (6110 and 6111) but after they had the skirting removed ?

I would have loved to have seen a T-1.  In California I saw a lot of Gs-2/4 Daylights at the SP passenger station near us, as well as many other SP and UP engines (SP was on one side of town, UP the other).  A T-1, though, was unique.

Yes I am referring to 6110 and 6111, the prototypes built in 1942.  They were streamlined when built, but the streamlining soon came off for better maintenance.  The two prototypes were slightly different looking than the 50 production engines that were built in 1945-46.

There are models of the prototypes as built with the streamlining, and models of the two primary variants of the production engines.  However, no model of the prototypes after the streamlining was removed.

@vash44 posted:

I'd really like to see the e6's again. Especially the IC City of Nola and Seaboards Orange Blossom Special.

I’d also like a later /next iteration from the IC E6 Scott offered.
And yes we need some IC passenger cars. Actually Panama Limited and City of New Orleans might be offer concurrently. Panama was all sleeper/Pullman nite train and City of New Orleans an all coach day train if I remember correctly. Remaining cars prob similar multi purpose, baggage, etc. (I haven’t done a deep dive). Offer extra coaches and sleepers. Hmmm. Perhaps down the road........

Last edited by TrainBub

Not sure if someone has mentioned this one already (we're on page 12 of the topic!), but would be interested in another round of PRR P5's (specifically the boxcabs, not the P5 modifieds).

Yes, I realize that they have already made them but I (and there are certainly others in this boat) was not as involved in the hobby when the P5's were previously made available.

Top of my list

E6 run 2.  
with additional offerings of later paints.  Large first run made it impossible to get all that I wanted.

FM Erie Builts.
7 roads with “A” units, 6 with “B”.  (Could possibly add Demonstrator for 8 if demand ?) Some popular roads in the 7 could assure good reservation numbers. This offering could quickly go to design and production.  I’d be in for the Milwaukee Road Olympian with the beautiful nose work.

Last edited by TrainBub

I wouldn't give up on modern units yet.  Scott recognizes the changing demographic in the hobby, but for whatever reason the right locomotive that everyone jumps on just hasn't popped up yet.

While not modern per se, the SD40-2s will go forward, just a question of when.  Some preliminary research on variations and road specific details will probably start early in the new year to get a real sense of what the project will take. 

There might a few surprises along the way as well. 

@GG1 4877 posted:

I wouldn't give up on modern units yet.  Scott recognizes the changing demographic in the hobby, but for whatever reason the right locomotive that everyone jumps on just hasn't popped up yet.

While not modern per se, the SD40-2s will go forward, just a question of when.  Some preliminary research on variations and road specific details will probably start early in the new year to get a real sense of what the project will take.

There might a few surprises along the way as well.

The more modern units will get done when people step up with the reservations. A LOT of whining but where are the reservations ?  The projects that fly are the ones that get support. Right now its the early diesels.

.... and some surprises would be fun !!!

Last edited by TrainBub
@GG1 4877 posted:

I wouldn't give up on modern units yet.  Scott recognizes the changing demographic in the hobby, but for whatever reason the right locomotive that everyone jumps on just hasn't popped up yet.

While not modern per se, the SD40-2s will go forward, just a question of when.  Some preliminary research on variations and road specific details will probably start early in the new year to get a real sense of what the project will take.

There might a few surprises along the way as well.

I always like a good surprise. I placed an order recently for 3 "write in" Illinois Central Death Stars. Hopefully they will happen! Looking forward to seeing what makes the cut.

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