GGD Considering Lightweight Train Offerings in S Scale

WOW, branching out!  I don't do S-scale, but that would be neat.  Some higher quality offering sets for S-scale would please a bunch of folks I know.

I hope this excites the S Scale guys. They need great models available. I love all of my GGD trains. Just hope they can keep their focus on the what he wants to do.

G scale?

wait …. what? Oh. Sorry.

Scott,

That sound like great news!  I know the S scale guys would welcome such items.  I'll try to contact the S Scale group and let them in on this.  Do you have a ballpark price?  If they're anything like what's in your O gauge line, they'd be great.  Be aware, however, the quantity would be relatively small compared with O. 

We had a breakthrough meeting with our builder and they are ready to make as few as 100 sets of anything we throw at them. So while the iron's hot...

The first question would be:  Would these be available as both scale and Flyer/hirail? (Be warned, there's a lot of Flyer folks that won't consider cars that won't negotiate R20 [40" diameter] traditional curves.)

There really haven't been any full length streamlined passenger cars made since the American Models (fairly basic) cars from the mid-1980's. 

Would these cars be on par with the O scale GGD cars, or as aluminum shells minus interiors?  I know cost would depend on reservations, but is there a guesstimate as to cost?

There's few S scalers over here on OGR, I think I'm about the only one left that posts regularly... 

I cross posted your opportunity on the S Scale io (formerly Yahoo) board.  I don't know if you have access to Facebook, (I'm not on FB) but there's an S Scale group there also: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sscale/ 

I personally would be interested in the Super Chief.

Rusty

I'll answer you here now, and later on the S facebook page. Feel free to quote me. Cars will be produced similar to our O Scale offerings, with interior, lighting, scale dimensions, underbody cluster. Tighter curves are no problem, but may require gaps between the cars to accomplish. HiRail and Scale Sets are a must. Price is no higher than our O Scale offerings. We don't have a quotation yet from the factory.

OK, 1 vote for Super Chief, hahah.

Scott Mann

Super Chief, Broadway Limited. Cool. What Colombian? B&O or Milwaukee Road? Anything that ran out of Chicago is a winner for me.

Scale length? Great. I have room for large radii.

Come to think of it, we could offer (IN ADDITION TO THE SCALE SETS) abbreviated sets (shorties) for those AF guys that run really tight curves.

Scott

Shorties not at the exclusion of the scale length cars, I hope.

 20th century limited, Empire State express or how about a D&H Laurentian.

I had to look at the calendar to confirm this was not April 1st! This should excite the S community! 

Scott, it might be worthwhile to see if there is a way to advertise at the upcoming S fest in the Chicagoland area. It is one of the biggest events in S.  I would help cast a wide net I would think.  

Ben 

Union Pacific

sdmann posted:

We had a breakthrough meeting with our builder and they are ready to make as few as 100 sets of anything we throw at them. So while the iron's hot...

While that iron is hot, how about some LIRR P-70 coaches in O gauge!!!

(sorry to hijack the thread but I gotta keep asking for them whenever i can)

I'd prefer Budd lightweight consists such as NYC Empire State Express, California Zephyr, Wabash Blue Bird but would go for smoothside sets such as PRR's Broadway Limited too. Will also second the motion for a consist of PRR/LIRR P-70 coaches - please add a B60 baggage car though if you will do P-70's!

Will try to support these but it will depend on how many different sets come out and how close together they will be released so I can pay for them. If this becomes reality can I safely assume the first sets won't be out until winter 2019 or later? If that is the case I can plan for reserving a few sets.

I assume if (yes, I know it's a BIG *IF*) these proposed sets get strong reservations there is a chance consideration will be made for producing the matching locomotives in S which would be E7, E8 and/or PA's? I imagine since you've already done these in O it cuts down on the research/design time at least.

A tricky part for many of us is having (or being able to procure) the requisite locomotives to go with the passenger car sets. S being S, availability of motive power is not as strong as, say, with O. Having stated this, there are some sets I would purchase in S hi-rail:

1. Broadway Limited smooth sided steamliners in FOM deco to go with the American Models streamlined K4s.

2. Broadway Limited circa 1950's to go with the AM GG-1s or PAs.

2. UP smooth sides to go with my (gray hound) L-AF Challenger.

Offering these passenger car sets might be an inducement for AM to do some reissues of the PA-PB sets (e.g., SP Daylight), F, and E units ... and MTH to do another run of their F units. Among other things, I am thinking of the need for B&O motive power for a Columbian. In theory, one could use the L-AF PAs for some of these sets, but the Gilbert style PAs will probably look a bit too crude next to the Golden Gate passenger cars.

YMMV.

Bob

Bob Bubeck posted:

I am thinking of the need for B&O motive power for a Columbian. In theory, one could use the L-AF PAs for some of these sets, but the Gilbert style PAs will probably look a bit too crude next to the Golden Gate passenger cars.

YMMV.

Bob

 

One could always use the B&O AM FP7's.  Not quite correct, but the B&O didn't have PA's either. 

But, we're getting a little off track here.  As of this writing, (8:50 CST 9/13/18) there hasn't been a peep over on S Scale-io to either Jerry's or my posting.  It's early days, but I was hoping to see some kind of reaction over there by now. (There has been other posting activity.)

Rusty

I would be interested in the Reading Crusader train.  I have to check your webside for price and my affordability though.

Rusty Traque posted:

Bob Bubeck posted:

I am thinking of the need for B&O motive power for a Columbian. In theory, one could use the L-AF PAs for some of these sets, but the Gilbert style PAs will probably look a bit too crude next to the Golden Gate passenger cars.

YMMV.

Bob

 

One could always use the B&O AM FP7's.  Not quite correct, but the B&O didn't have PA's either. 

But, we're getting a little off track here.  As of this writing, (8:50 CST 9/13/18) there hasn't been a peep over on S Scale-io to either Jerry's or my posting.  It's early days, but I was hoping to see some kind of reaction over there by now. (There has been other posting activity.)

Rusty

I was thinking/hoping for E units over FP7's. 

I do not see where we are getting off track (so far). Coming up with motive power versus passenger set match ups can be challenging in S and may influence what might be offered. Hopefully, more feedback and supportive input will be offered.

Bob

Bob Bubeck posted:

I do not see where we are getting off track (so far)...

So far so good as to not getting off track.  With the possible exception of GREG733's plea for an O gauge item.  Has to be kind of harder for them to get off track since they have that extra rail and all... (just kidding, O guys!)

For years the S scale community has been wanting full length scale passenger cars, especially Budd cars.  So I too am surprised at the seeming "ho-hum" from that side of S.  I remember a while back, American Models offered to make full length Budd cars if 100 folks would commit to buying them.  It didn't happen.  Maybe those who wanted smooth sided full-length passenger cars have already made them via other means, like converting AM smooth sided coaches with different sides, or even bashing them into what folks want.  We'll see.

I would be interested primarily in anything PRR or NYC. Secondarily UP or New Haven. I can operate anything that will work on 30"R or larger, scale or high rail wheels. I do not care about the couplers except the lead car requires a high rail coupler to mate with my engines.

poniaj posted:

Bob Bubeck posted:

I do not see where we are getting off track (so far)...

So far so good as to not getting off track.  With the possible exception of GREG733's plea for an O gauge item.  Has to be kind of harder for them to get off track since they have that extra rail and all... (just kidding, O guys!)

For years the S scale community has been wanting full length scale passenger cars, especially Budd cars.  So I too am surprised at the seeming "ho-hum" from that side of S. 

Yeah, not even a raised eyebrow.  You'd think there'd be some reaction by now at least.

I remember a while back, American Models offered to make full length Budd cars if 100 folks would commit to buying them.  It didn't happen. 

Close, I recall AM got 95 reservations for his proposed full length California Zephyr.

Maybe those who wanted smooth sided full-length passenger cars have already made them via other means, like converting AM smooth sided coaches with different sides, or even bashing them into what folks want.  We'll see.

Rusty

I am sure that these cars would be spectacular in detail, features, and price. The scale modelers should be accustomed to all three when investing in brass models, and it is surprising that they are not elated that a manufacturer has expressed interest in giving them what they have continued to demand and while they continue to rail against American Models, Lionel, and MTH for not doing the same. 3rd Rail has to determine where the interest lies in order to commit to manufacturing, and those interests are divided among prototypical scale or high-rail wheels and prototypical lengths or shorter versions to manage tighter curves common to high-rail. Those interests are further divided among all the desirable road names. You can divide a pie only so much before it becomes pudding.

The news is thrilling to me, but the requirement of buying 6 to 8 cars at once is substantial. I suspect it will be the same for many others. Perhaps a more realistic approach is to offer a choice of coach, diner, and baggage rather than a full line-up baggage/mail/combine/diner/ dome/coach/ two sleepers/observation that would put the total cost over the top for many of us. Coach/diner/baggage or some such combination of full-length cars could "blend in" with the American Models cars many of us already have. Choosing road names is also a stumbling block for getting volume; but the existence of American Models' Pacifics, PAs, and E8s and others as Bob Bubeck mentioned is a clue as to what locomotives can head these new passenger cars and likely what road names of passenger cars the aluminum ones can complement.  Cross-country through cars often meant "blended" road names such as New York Central with a Santa Fe sleeper. 

My fear is that too many different requests (full or short length, scale or high-rail wheels, road names) and too high a cost for a full 8-car set will be so restrictive that 3rd Rail will not find enough consensus to go ahead. If those of us in 1/64 scale could combine our pent-up buying power to fewer versions with the chief option of scale or high-rail wheels, 3rd Rail might be encouraged by the volume. It would also mean less risk for the manufacturer. My personal choice would be 3 cars of Santa Fe Super Chief/full-length/scale couplers/high-rail wheels; but I would be willing to go along with the crowd to get any 3 high detailed cars. I just hope we can get a "crowd" together!

All this info is very good. Helps me formulate my plan of attack. Full sets not for everyone, so partial sets or separate cars should be offered to catch orders from both camps. I think I will start off by offering 3 major road trains, SF SuperChief 1937, NYC 20th Century Limited and PRR Broadway Limited. I will offer them in Full length 6 car sets, with add on cars, and 4 car shortie sets for AF customers. We can produce these as low as 50 sets each, but I would be thrilled if we could get 100 or more orders for each. They will not come at the same time, rather 3 - 6 months apart. Perhaps with this availability it will spur sales of engines by MTH or Lionel and the S Scale market could grow again. Perhaps.

Onward...

Scott,

I also would be interested in a car set done for the Reading Crusader, scale wheels and couplers.

Hugh

sdmann posted:

I'll answer you here now, and later on the S facebook page. Feel free to quote me. Cars will be produced similar to our O Scale offerings, with interior, lighting, scale dimensions, underbody cluster. Tighter curves are no problem, but may require gaps between the cars to accomplish. HiRail and Scale Sets are a must. Price is no higher than our O Scale offerings. We don't have a quotation yet from the factory.

OK, 1 vote for Super Chief, hahah.

Scott Mann

Many of us don't do facebook, so this is our only contact with you.  BTW, here's a message from another S scale guy who doesn't monitor, or doesn't want to monitor this site:

Lightweights from the 1940’s  NYC Twentieth Century would be a great addition!
Gary  Chudzinski

Reservation Page is UP:

http://www.3rdrail.com/reservationGGDS.htm

Scott, those three road names would be excellent choices. S scale locomotives already exist for each of them, so there are buyers looking tor passenger cars to match them to what they have. In a perfect world, the manufacturers of the original locomotives might be encouraged to reissue them to support a fresh and very welcome entry to the S scale community. (By "scale" I mean both camps of 1/64 modelers using prototypically scaled wheels and rails and those who use high-rail equipment.)

Santa Fe Super Chief

• American Models PA
• SHS and MTH F3
• SHS F7
• American Models E8 (not exactly correct since Santa Fe used the EMD E6 with the slanted nose)

New York Central 20th Century Limited

• American Models E8
• American Models J3a Hudson

Pennsylvania Broadway Limited

• American Models K4 Streamline
• American Models GG1
• American Models E8

Of course there are American Flyer PA units without the detailing of the other models and brass versions with more detailing than what American Models offers; but the point is that there were and are locomotives in our scale that can fairly accurately match up with your proposal.  For those who are less concerned about historic accuracy, there are plenty of F3s, F7s, and FP7s in all three road names. Good luck!

Scott, I just put in the order for a scale length, high rail, NYC set. Thank you for making this possible.

TOKELLY posted:

 

Santa Fe Super Chief

• American Models PA
• SHS and MTH F3
• SHS F7
• American Models E8 (not exactly correct since Santa Fe used the EMD E6 with the slanted nose)

Technically, Santa Fe had E8m's, being rebuilt from the 1 Class EA boxcabs (into E8m B-units) and the 2 Class E1's (into E8m A and B units) in 1953.  They weren't used on the Super Chief or El Capitan (where F-Units ruled,) but on secondary trains.

Rusty

*BTW #1: AM still has PA's available for NYC and Pennsy enthusiasts...

*BTW #2: SHS didn't do F3's in Santa Fe...

I am very excited that we can do small quantities now. But that means it's a little more expensive with the tooling needed for each.

Scott,  Fantastic news....long overdue for SScale!  NYC 20th Century Limited lightweights are a great choice. How soon and how to order?

Just ordered the Scale full length 20th Century Limited. Thank you Scott!!

sdmann posted:

Folks,

We have the opportunity to make some Aluminum sets for S Scale. What do you guys need? Thinking, SF Super Chief, Broadway Limited, Columbian, SP Daylight. Looking for some discussion. Sorry, not individual cars, but 6 to 8 car, full length, scale sets.

Your thoughts?

Scott Mann - China

Way back when I was going to start in S scale. But, my LHS, citing the very lack of choices you highlight, advised me to go to O for a much better selection. My favorite of the above is the Daylight. Any one of them would be a great add. 

Scott,  Your order list doesn't show 8 car sets or the type of passenger car.

Now you have a project to use up all those light boards that are 6" too short for the O Scale cars 

Chud posted:

Scott,  Your order list doesn't show 8 car sets or the type of passenger car.

I would guess the additional two cars will be offered later if these prove successful.

I can supply what the 1937 Super Chief consisted of, all build by Budd:

Baggage (1): 3430

8-1-2 Sleeper (2): Isleta, Laguna

Lounge Dorm (1): 1370-Acoma

Diner (1): 1474-Cochiti

6-2-2 Sleeper (2): Orabie, Taos

2-3-1 Observation (1): Navajo

Rusty

Sorry, but $300 for one passenger car is tooooooo much for me.  I'll pass.

Scott,

This is a very generous offer you have given the S model community.  I would suggest that you place a copy of your offer in the S scale SIG (NMRA special interest group), as well as ads in the NASG Dispatch and S Gaugian magazines to reach as much of the S scale/hirail modeler community as possible.  Please contact me if I can be further help in this matter.

'S'incerely,

Jay Mellon

New Orleans, LA

I've been updating the S Scale page, put pictures of our O Scale productions of the same cars. Put in lists of cars in each 6 car set, and extra cars to be offered. It will take another day to finish, but feel free to browse.

http://www.goldengatedepot.com/reservationS.html

Doug, we have a new LED light board. Started with our HO Harriman cars. We will be selling these as a separate item.

Each board has 8 tiny surface mount LEDs, 21" in length, with LEDs at either end and can be cut to any size.

Rigid and easy to install in all your GGD cars. Will go into the O Scale Silver Meteor first in O Scale. Always improving.

I hope this is a success. Out of my budget range though. I am surprised  that the CZ isn't one of the choices, since these are aluminum cars, and the CZ were all stainless cars. Seems a natural to me. . . .

How about current or recently produced cars where the research has already been done. While Sunset has made the CZ it wasn’t recent and I’m sure Scott is trying to keep the consist simple to keep tooling costs down.

All in good time.

1938 PRR Broadway (FOM and Post War)

1937 SF SUPER CHIEF

1948 20TH CENTURY

These were the biggest sellers in O Scale for us. They have the best chance of doing well in S Scale if there's enough market for them. When there is a lot of discussion and excitement, it usually equates to enough interest.  So I am optimistic. Once these are out of the way, we will do more. No reason we can't do CZ cars and other named trains that have been mentioned above. Can't do them all at once, we'll spread them out so customers can come back for more if they like.

Guys, thanks for your support. Can't do it without you.

Scott

Scott,

I have a couple of questions regarding the proposed lightwt. passenger car project:

1. How long will the 'shortie' cars be (72 scale ft.)?  What will be the minimum operating radius for these cars?

2. Same questions for the scale length cars...how long (80-85 scale ft.)?  And what will the minimum operating radius be?

Thank'S',

Jay Mellon

Jay,

Full length passenger cars are usually 85' over the couplers.  Shortie cars could be 72'. Probably 80% of the full length and must negotiate 20" radius HiRail track with ease.

As for the general operating radius of Scale S Gauges, I don't know that answer. Need some feedback for that. Feel free to chime in.

Scott - China

sdmann posted:

Jay,

Full length passenger cars are usually 85' over the couplers.  Shortie cars could be 72'. Probably 80% of the full length and must negotiate 20" radius HiRail track with ease.

As for the general operating radius of Scale S Gauges, I don't know that answer. Need some feedback for that. Feel free to chime in.

Scott - China

Usually take 75% of an O gauge measurement.  That's close to what is possible in S.   But a radius is a radius.  So if an O gauge car can do a 20" radius, so can an S gauge car which is shorter so the trucks don't have to deflect as much.  At least that's how I see it.  I've been driving for the past 8 hours, so forgive me if I'm wrong. 

sdmann posted:

Jay,

Full length passenger cars are usually 85' over the couplers.  Shortie cars could be 72'. Probably 80% of the full length and must negotiate 20" radius HiRail track with ease.

As for the general operating radius of Scale S Gauges, I don't know that answer. Need some feedback for that. Feel free to chime in.

Scott - China

Scott, the American Models Budd cars are 13-3/8" long, (about 71' scale feet long) not counting the diaphragms.

They negotiate R20 curves fine, but will scrape against the switch stand on SHS/MTH ScaleTrax R20 turnout.  I don't know about Lionel's S FasTrack R20 turnout or traditional Flyer turnouts.

And of course, the HiRail cars don't couple as close as the scale versions:

Seems like scale 70' cars would be the target length for shorties would be my guess.  Hope this is of some help.

Rusty

The AM Budd cars (and the heavyweights) clear all the Gilbert track items. The AM 80’ full length sleepers will not run on Gilbert track, they require the AM 27” radius track. 

Great info. Scott

There is another consideration that has not been brought up regarding radii and couplers. The 72-foot shortened versions, similar to AM Budd cars, with American Flyer compatible couplers should pose no problems. The full-length 85-foot versions will not work with R20 curves. However, they will better negotiate wider but still narrow curves if there is an option to have scale, Talgo-style couplers rather than body mounted couplers.  I have American Models' full-length streamlined and heavy-weight models with AM scale-sized couplers and high-rail wheels that will work on even 25-inch curves--if operated slowly--every curve except one "industrial switcher only" curve. In an attempt for more realism, I tried body mounted couplers; but they caused frequent derailments for the full-length passenger cars.

I would suggest an option for Talgo-style coupler for those who need to compromise between prototypical realism and realistic space limitations. For those who have the room, body-mounted couplers would be their first choice for the greatest accuracy.

sdmann posted:

Jay,

Full length passenger cars are usually 85' over the couplers.  Shortie cars could be 72'. Probably 80% of the full length and must negotiate 20" radius HiRail track with ease.

As for the general operating radius of Scale S Gauges, I don't know that answer. Need some feedback for that. Feel free to chime in.

Scott - China

Scott,

Thanks for considering these! For budget planning,  assuming these are a "go" when would the PRR and NYC sets actually hit?   I have to try and squeeze these in around the E6's, E7's and F3's in O scale!

Since our AF couplers would be truck mounted. The mount comes off the truck bolster with two little screws. We could make Talgo coupler mounts that affix to the truck bolster if we have enough interest. So far most of the orders we are getting are for Scale Length and Scale wheels. This might be moot point.

Scott Mann

banjoflyer posted:

Where is Forum Member 

jonnyspeed  ?

 

I figured him to be on this topic instantly! Here are the scale length cars in S the scalers have been waiting for.

Mark

It's nice to be missed.

I run the S scale Facebook group (over 1000 members and growing) and that is where I spend the majority of my S scale time these days. We have been discussing this topic over there for a couple days. This is very exciting news. I tried to tell everyone that Scott was the man that could bring new products to S 6 years ago. I'm very hopeful that these will get made and hopefully stave off the Demise of S scale for a little longer.  Scott has said that he is willing to build just about anything as long as he can get the orders. I tried in vein to drum up support for an Erie Berkshire 6 years ago, but there was a lot of bad blood from the scale community. I really hope that it is different this time. Scott's O scale cars are very nice. They would instantly become the BEST passenger cars ever made in S regardless of what they are made of.

I really want to support this project but need passenger cars that better fit the 1950's/1960's era. Since these are 1937 (Super Chief), 1938 (Broadway) and 1939 (20th Century) I'll most likely be passing on them - just a bit too early for my era. The price is not an issue as I know GGD makes accurate quality products - it's justifying the cost for how these sets would fit my layout's era/location. I do understand Scott going with what has been the best sellers for GGD in O scale to better gauge the S market with this initial offering. Still may order a Super Chief or post-war Broadway - I'm sure I have at least a few months to think it over before the reservation period ends.

645 posted:

I really want to support this project but need passenger cars that better fit the 1950's/1960's era. Since these are 1937 (Super Chief), 1938 (Broadway) and 1939 (20th Century) I'll most likely be passing on them - just a bit too early for my era. The price is not an issue as I know GGD makes accurate quality products - it's justifying the cost for how these sets would fit my layout's era/location. I do understand Scott going with what has been the best sellers for GGD in O scale to better gauge the S market with this initial offering. Still may order a Super Chief or post-war Broadway - I'm sure I have at least a few months to think it over before the reservation period ends.

It's not like these cars disappeared when the clock read 1950.  Many if not all remained in service up to Amtrak.

The Acoma still exists as Private Varnish and the Navaho resides at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

A New York Central observation also still exists as a PV:

There's even a Pennsy round end observation still living in squalor (Altoona, I believe) awaiting restoration:

Rusty

Rusty - I am well aware cars from these sets ran into the 1960's and beyond. However it is hard to justify taking a $300 car and repainting it for later use such as Penn Central or Amtrak. Your pictured examples of the 1:1's are in museums or charter service which was not the case back in the 1960's and 1970's.

An example is your NYC Hickory Creek which I believe went right from NYC ownership to the Ringling Brothers circus then to a museum. So it is useless to me for Penn Central or Amtrak use as I'd like to be reasonably accurate in the use of appropriate models. Now if we are talking about a California Zephyr dome-observation some saw service with Burlington Northern then Amtrak - could make a case for that but at this time Scott is not offering CZ passenger cars. The Santa Fe 'Acoma' (another of your examples) never saw use with Amtrak as it was sold in 1971 to someone from Ohio and later rebuilt for charter work. So you can see I am not a "toy train guy" who is clueless about later service / preservation of equipment in the real world - I do my research! I'm also not a rivet counter who demands 100% accuracy but I like to be plausible and close as possible. If most cars in a set can be used for my era I may consider same but if most didn't I'm less likely to buy.

I'm also aware how Scott has trouble getting reservations for the proposed Amtrak Amfleet I project in O-scale. GGD has also had trouble selling sets decorated for Amtrak in O such as the Santa Fe 'El Capitan' hi-levels - think only three sets were made in the first run. So while it should be 'easy' to offer an Amtrak version of a set most times there is not enough interest to make it economically feasible for the factory to do. If you think Amtrak is not popular I bet Penn Central will blow it away in that regard.

I realize I'm in the minority here when it comes to what I like and am aware compromises have to be made at times in model railroading. If my square peg does not fit the round holes so be it. It is my money and I need to decide if I can live with the historical inaccuracies or possible repainting (which is a shame in itself given how nice GGD offerings are) work if that avenue is pursued.

If you wish to buy all three sets and run them side by side on your layout or mix them up more power to you but that is not my money or style. So if Scott had offered the Budd stainless edition of the NYC Empire State Express I would have pulled the trigger on a set in S as it would be much more useful to me for Penn Central / Amtrak use. I need to do what is best for me as I do not have unlimited funds to throw at this hobby like most of us so need to be careful about my purchases. Hope that you can understand that.

645...  Sorry you took umbrage to my response, but you didn't really indicate your interest in Penn Central or Amtrak in you post.  I would have responded differently.

You are quite right to want spend your money as you see fit.  I never questioned or challenged that.

I gasped when I saw the price of these sets, but I'm also familiar with 3rd Rail and reasoned they will be well worth the value.  Plus, I'm pretty sure I'll have the time to set away funds on a weekly basis to cover most or all of the cost by the time the sets are released.  Using the lead time in this manner has worked well for me in the past.

I consider my modeling to be primarily late 50's-early 60's, so this will also give me a reasonable example of the the Super Chief, even though it wasn't run with these specific cars as a dedicated trainset by that time.  At least it'll be far more accurate than my El Capitan, which looks suspiciously like the Empire State Express with Santa Fe lettering and 71' cars.

Rusty

Although you might not see what you want in the 3 sets we initially announced, don't fret, we will be announcing more of these as time goes on. Yes it takes years to get to all of them, but that's good for your train budget and good for our business. Can we offer unpainted models for your own needs, yes, with a deposit in full when the models actually go into production.

Keep your wish lists coming.

sdmann posted:

Although you might not see what you want in the 3 sets we initially announced, don't fret, we will be announcing more of these as time goes on. Yes it takes years to get to all of them, but that's good for your train budget and good for our business. Can we offer unpainted models for your own needs, yes, with a deposit in full when the models actually go into production.

Keep your wish lists coming.

 

Well, it looks like this project is being well received.  Hopefully enthusiasm = reservations.

And as long as you asked for wishes, here's two:  The Train of Tomorrow and the Nebraska Zephyr (I'd bet the O-Boys wouldn't mind the NZ either.)

Rusty

Train of Tomorrow Promotional Video.

Mike A.

Scott Mann, with this new production capability, is there room for small numbers of different paint schemes as well?  For example Amtrak sets.

Yes.

sdmann posted:

Yes.

Awesome !!!!!  

Scott Mann - Thank you for the update on that GGD can offer undecorated and Amtrak sets/cars in S. One question - when it comes to a stainless steel passenger car in 'undecorated' would it come painted to simulate the stainless finish, be plated or a natural aluminum finish? This question applies to Budd equipment and Pullman-Standard cars with the fluted lower sides.

IIRC in a thread regarding your O-scale passenger cars GGD prefers to paint the "stainless steel" finish as it can be more consistent in appearance when placing different production runs next to each other compared to plating. Think there was mention of controlling the plating quality and rejection rate of same were factors too.

I assume any undecorated smoothside equipment would need primer and paint which is understood.

Only asking so I know what you mean by undecorated on GGD passenger cars.

Personally a painted finish is best for me - I never cared for the highly chromed look that plated equipment has.

Not passenger cars, but I do wonder what would happen if 3rd Rail tried to get reservations for a few iconic steam locos in S scale. I've reserved a Rapido Royal Hudson in HO, and I'm also looking for the Weaver O scale version. 

I'd absolutely be a buyer for a 3rd Rail quality S scale CP Royal Hudson, and it is a loco that has multiple paint scheme and detail versions, so the appeal might be broader because of that.

Other locos that might draw enough reservations? I'd think a UP FEF 4-8-4 might work, an N&W J, and the NYC J3a 4-6-4 Hudsons and PRR K4's. Some of these might have been previously released in brass, but I still think 3rd Rail Sunset could do them successfully. 

Jeff C

Jeff posed an interesting idea above. Now that 3rd rail owns the Lionel TMCC technology some S gauge engines could be offered in 3 variations. The normal scale version DCC ready but operates on DC. A plain high rail version for AC operation and a version for Legacy operation with fan driven smoke, TMCC and Railsounds all designed in from the factory. If so I am ready to place some orders, but lets get the passenger cars to us as the first priority.

AmFlyer posted:

Jeff posed an interesting idea above. Now that 3rd rail owns the Lionel TMCC technology some S gauge engines could be offered in 3 variations. The normal scale version DCC ready but operates on DC. A plain high rail version for AC operation and a version for Legacy operation with fan driven smoke, TMCC and Railsounds all designed in from the factory. If so I am ready to place some orders, but lets get the passenger cars to us as the first priority.

Baby steps...  I think Scott has to see how well the passenger cars do before considering a locomotive.

3rd Rail tried an S Scale locomotive (an S.P. P-10 semi-streamlined Pacific) some years ago.  Now there were likely several reasons why that project was cancelled, so doing passenger cars may be the key getting the GDD/3rd Rail nose in the S Scale tent at this point.

Rusty

Perhaps this is the way to go. It would also be nice to have a 3rd Rail quality E7 to pull the NYC cars...

Jeff C

Back to the topic and not Locomotives.... SDMANN

Are these cars actually going to be produced?  Do you have the orders you need?  

I have heard that in the past you company was going to try to do something in S, but it never happened.

Please confirm when you have what you need to tell us your company has what it needs to proceed.

 Thanks

Give it a little time, reservations have only been open for a week.  These sets are BTO.

Scott has been pretty good about informing folks if and when things get produced or cancelled.

In time, those of us who have reserved these sets will get an email saying either send money or that the project has been cancelled.

Rusty

Scott,

Good luck to you and your associates in this venture into S gauge.  I'm sure that your products will be state of the art and will wow the S Gauge crowd.   Another good thing coming out of this will be more great products in O coming down the pike.

Norm 

Although I realize the S Scale market is smaller than O Scale, the enthusiasm is none the less. We are collecting reservations and by late this year we should know if we have enough to schedule production for next year. So keep reserving, please.  This is how we base our order to the factory.

Yes, if we offer undecorated sets we would sell them painted in the stainless steel color we use. We don't plate, or anodize, but find our paint to be the best method to get a uniform and durable finish.

Thank you all for your support and suggestions.