SERIOUSLY! How many of you ARE interested in an O Scale/O Gauge ACE 3000!

To my eye this is one of those projects that looks better in the concept sketches. In actual 3-D it's just too ugly for me.

I agree with Gilly above - go for that classic UP turbine-electric for model sales. As a historical steam locomotive development concept, however, the ACE3000 - 6000 designs are classics in their own right; maybe there is a viable market. Look at how many runs of the PRR turbine steamer exist.

That is one interesting looking beast and concept. Can't say that I want to buy it however. Good luck with getting enough votes!

For those wishing to learn more about Mr. Rowland's American Coal Enterprises and the concept of the proposed locomotive, here is what I believe to be one of the best on-line sources of reliable information relative to this project:

www.american-rails.com/ace-3000.html

It should be noted CSX's Mr. Watkins was on record as having stated his railroad was going to take delivery of the first production locomotive so there's one road name in which an O scale model can be decorated. Given the time frame during which the 614T trials were conducted and the transition of CSX from a holding to an operating company, had actual construction commenced, I doubt the locomotive would have been completed in time to be delivered in Chessie System livery. 

Bob

Yes  Put a reservation in

What version of the Burlington Northern markings would have been used?

Andrew

Ah..no. Not my cup of tea.

-Greg

Seriously -  - Not me.

I would buy it, but as I said above I wont it to be a puller. I would like it to be able do O-42 turns or smaller, though O-72 would not be a game stopper.  

Just think what a conversation piece it would make, the last steam engine that may have been.

 Is it interesting looking model and if I  could afford one I would buy one myself. Though some say it was fictional the fact that it was a serious  engineering proposal  solidifies that idea for me.   Besides  it would look great in CSX colors  and would definitely be a  conversation starter on the layout. 

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

NOW being realistic, I believe this will be made in brass so the production run would be limited- unlike the "SD60E" that two other mfg's importers are jumping on the proverbial "band wagon".  Judging by today's market pricing I expect the price to be in the 4 figure range.  And for that I would hope this model will have the following features:

• Smoke - With some volume control
• Sound - Steam sounds in the Locomotive and including fan sounds in the tender for the condenser fans
• Some sort of command control
• Operating couplers
• Directional lighting
• Cab interiors on both ends
• Optional opening doors and coal hatches
• And since this is a "Fantasy Island" loco- show off the unique drive train with ground lights! [a la NYC ESE]

So for those that are serious, [And for you "lurkers" out there who want to see this loco get done- it's a great opportunity to break the ice], Please say YEAH [or ney] and what road name/ Paint scheme you would like to see it in.

Since we're being realistic, some of the stuff that you have detailed simply isn't gonna' happen unless you have volume orders and get Lionel or MTH to bite on the production.  Specifically...

• Smoke - With some volume control

The only folks that currently offer smoke with control of the output are Lionel and MTH.  I haven't seen any smoke volume control with 3rd rail or Atlas TMCC.

• Sound - Steam sounds in the Locomotive and including fan sounds in the tender for the condenser fans

 The sounds are another sticking point, that would require considerable work with some original sounds.  Since this is a fantasy locomotive, recording the real one ain't gonna' happen.  The integration of the sounds with the command operation is another place that currently only Lionel or MTH would have the resources to tackle.

I can fix you up for Ground Lights, just use my Chuff-Generator, ground lights are a feature output.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Since we're being realistic, some of the stuff that you have detailed simply isn't gonna' happen unless you have volume orders and get Lionel or MTH to bite on the production.  Specifically...

 

• Smoke - With some volume control

The only folks that currently offer smoke with control of the output are Lionel and MTH.  I haven't seen any smoke volume control with 3rd rail or Atlas TMCC.

• Sound - Steam sounds in the Locomotive and including fan sounds in the tender for the condenser fans

 The sounds are another sticking point, that would require considerable work with some original sounds.  Since this is a fantasy locomotive, recording the real one ain't gonna' happen.  The integration of the sounds with the command operation is another place that currently only Lionel or MTH would have the resources to tackle.

Since the proposed ACE 3000 was designed to a "condensing" steam exhaust system, just like the "condensing" class of South African Railways 4-8-4 stem locomotives, using recordings/videos of those real locomotives should provide good information. The sound was pretty much a "woooooshing" noise, anyway.

 

I can fix you up for Ground Lights, just use my Chuff-Generator, ground lights are a feature output.

Hi Gents, Sunset.. 

Instead of a concept engine... Ace 3000.. Why not spend your design and engineering dollars on a loco that would sell. Or reengineering older loco's so that if you rerun them, then they will be super! Ex, the SW1.. Do that again, but with a drive that is horizontal like the Atlas SW8's.. those things run fantastic. in HO Plastic, the Horizontal drives work very well. Why can't we have that in not only smaller loco's like the SW8 but in larger ones like an SD45? Yea, perceived value because the larger loco's have two motors.. who cares. they grind and run like crap and if something is wrong, you have to go in and change it out.. They SUCK! I do like the models and details, just dealing with duel motors is horrible.. That's my opinion anyway... it is hard to get slow running with them.. one day, when I get ambitious.. I am going to do the above to my loco's.. Since I have a small shop here that can do it.. Essentially make the O-Scale stuff I have like KATO Ho models.. I had to admit, those run so smooth.. and the O-Scale Atlas SW8's also run fantastic and they pull like mad with one motor which proves it can be done and they are so much better. thus also leaving room for more electronics space etc.. anyhow, I think investing in an Ace 3000 is a waste of effort and time.. you would get more mileage from other products, SW1, ALCO S2-4, etc..   Dan

In the $1,700-2,200 price range, I'm OUT, unless I win a lottery, It is an interesting idea, and in Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Grey, I might be tempted if some extra money suddenly became available.

 I could see the Union Pacific, taking a demo for testing, they have always been open to unusual ideas, and still having some steam service capabilities, wouldn't hurt the concept.

Doug

challenger3980 posted:

In the $1,700-2,200 price range, I'm OUT, unless I win a lottery, It is an interesting idea, and in Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Grey, I might be tempted if some extra money suddenly became available.

 I could see the Union Pacific, taking a demo for testing, they have always been open to unusual ideas, and still having some steam service capabilities,

The Union Pacific has NO "steam service capabilities" anyplace on their system, especially for a coal burning locomotive. They don't even have any water plugs remaining. The "heritage" steam locomotives owned by the UP burn oil, or will be converted to oil, and water must be taken from wayside fire hydrants. 

wouldn't hurt the concept.

Doug

Sorry, Hotwater, I was referring to the Steam Shop in Cheyenne, not on the road infrastructure.

Doug

BXCXDan posted:

I think investing in an Ace 3000 is a waste of effort and time.. you would get more mileage from other products, SW1, ALCO S2-4, etc..   Dan

If Scott doesn't get enough reservations, there won't be any investment.  If he does, it's essentially BTO.  Simple as that.

Rusty

BXCXDan posted:

Hi Gents, Sunset.. 

... in HO Plastic, the Horizontal drives work very well. Why can't we have that in not only smaller loco's like the SW8 but in larger ones like an SD45? ...

  Dan

Dan, you must have missed the fact that for the last several years, all of Sunset's diesel locomotives have had a single-motor drive (E-7, F-7, FP-7, SD-9, SD40-2, E-8/9, etc.).  If you are a serious buyer of single-motor, horizontal drives then you should have been aware of this.

The ACE 3000 gives me pause...

Maybe a Taggat Transcontinental Railroad layout is in order??

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the heads up! That is fantastic. I do not own any of those products.  Either because they aren't the road name i wanted or the era I was modeling.. But that is Fantastic NEWS!!!! 

Well, if this the case as Bob mentioned and so correct me.. Thanks!!! I will look closely at other offerings from Sunset.. I guess I was reaching out more towards the MTH, Atlas & Lionel guys.. but they all have to have 2 motors because everything that is a plus..  Do people like the two motors? 

Anyhow, happy Sunday!  Thanks again Bob!!

Dan

BXCXDan posted:

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the heads up! That is fantastic. I do not own any of those products.  Either because they aren't the road name i wanted or the era I was modeling.. But that is Fantastic NEWS!!!! 

Well, if this the case as Bob mentioned and so correct me.. Thanks!!! I will look closely at other offerings from Sunset.. I guess I was reaching out more towards the MTH, Atlas & Lionel guys.. but they all have to have 2 motors because everything that is a plus..  Do people like the two motors? 

For me, no. I much prefer the single, large motor horizontal drive design.

Anyhow, happy Sunday!  Thanks again Bob!!

Dan

"...you would get more mileage from other products, SW1, ALCO S2-4, etc.."

Don't forget more ATSF Warbonnet F-units - we definitely don't have enough of those, either! Maybe more UP Geeps? 

D500 posted:

"...you would get more mileage from other products, SW1, ALCO S2-4, etc.."

Don't forget more ATSF Warbonnet F-units - we definitely don't have enough of those, either! Maybe more UP Geeps? 

The more F7s Warbonnets has been an open discussion at shows, etc to come up with the numbers to do a 2nd run of F7s and there has been basically no interest expressed.