What hasn't been made yet....that would actually sell?

This...

 

 

Scale New York Central K5 Pacific.

 

Scale C&O K3/K3a 2-8-2s

 

Scale USRA heavy 4-6-2, 2-8-2, and 2-10-2s.

I believe Williams made scale heavy 4-6-2s. 

In thinking about items that have never been made in O gauge, different folks have different areas of interest.  I will limit my comments to motive power. 

 

I think there is a large group who have a clear preference for steam.  So, they will want those steam engines that have not been made before.  I'm sure there are many, many that haven't been made.  I'm not a steam guy  so I don't know if there are a few that most steam guys could agree on.

 

There is another group who prefer diesels.  I count myself in this group, and I am sure it is much smaller than the steam fans.  I think there are many diesel fans who would like to see some of the older diesels that haven't yet been made.  Personally, I would like to see Lionel and MTH try to keep up with modern diesel engines.

 

I'm sure there is another group who are primarily interested in electric engines.  I suspect this is an even smaller group.  I have no idea what their preferences would be.

 

And, slicing the hobby a different way, there are many folks who are interested in particular railroads.  Whether it is steam, diesel, or electric, they want to see every piece of motive power that that railroad has ever run made in O gauge.

 

Of course with the small size of O gauge railroading and concerns about it continuing to get smaller, unfortunately, I don't think we will many, if any, new O gauge engines of any type that would involve the investment in new dies.

 

I'll shut up now.

A re-issue'd Lionel 375 turntable with modern controls....

How about SP 4-6-2 Pacific like 32472 at Niles Canyon,these were the backbone of the Penninsula Comute Runs.

Mikey

My top choice for a steam locomotive that is not currently made and would sell well enough to make a profit is a high-quality scale Baldwin 4-6-0 from the turn of the century era (1890-1910). These engines were ubiquitous on branch lines right up to the end of steam, functioning as dual-purpose power for way freights and commuter locals. There is nothing available in this category now. The current Ten-Wheelers are either too modern (Lionel), made from a PRR prototype with a Belpaire firebox and therefore unsuitable to be decorated for other railroads (MTH Premier), toylike and lacking in detail (MTH Rail King), or a low-priced item that is good value but not satisfactory if you want a nice scale engine (Williams). 

 

Here's a photo of what I'm talking about. The tall stack, high domes, uneven wheel spacing, skinny boiler and sharply tapered firebox are typical of the era. This picture happens to be a Milwaukee Road engine, but Baldwin and others cranked out hundreds like it. I'd buy one and I think a lot of other steam fans with small layouts would too. 

 

 

Oh, boy...I could get tired of typing a long list.....but the only way that can

be proven is to actually offer them in the market place.

I will second the C&O K series...BUT didn't somebody (Lionel or MTH) offer the Pacific

equivalent and very few were sold?  You want a deposit?

The cancelled MTH McKeen car...several people have claimed they wished they had

signed up for one and got it produced.  I did. It wasn't.  Deposit?

Seen that G scale Mack railbus in the Orange Hall?  I'll sign up for a three rail O scale

model (hey, make it in two rail, also). Deposit?

Edwards small gas electrics were once all over the place....I want one.  Deposit?

These may not be much in demand elsewhere, but I want separate sale Vanderbilt

tenders in three lengths.  I'll take mine with coal, SP fans may want oil.  I'll take

at least two of each length, the longest on three axle trucks, but I'd live with it if

the mfr. of the C&O K had sense enough to offer separate sale extras of its tender.

I think that three rail O should get one, at least, scale model of a side door caboose..

how about an ATSF version like was sitting on the ground at Rhyolite ghost town in

Death Valley?  Lotsa people like the Santa Fe.

In the tourist-trap gift shops in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge down in Smoky Mtn.

National Park, you could probably sell out a run of the Little River Logging 2-4-4-2

loco.  Just tell the tourists they are driving on roads that once carried the rails that

loco ran on.

On and on...etc., etc.

I think there is a possibility that new dies will be made even in this economy.  People will get tired of the same old molds all the time and just stop buying.

 

I do believe that whatever model the manufacturers make in at least the near future will have to be usable for many different roads.  For steam, a new model of a USRA design that was popular with several roads might get traction.  I don't think we will see my most wanted engine, a Lionel Legacy PRR T1, anytime soon because it just has too small a fan base.

 

Same for diesels.  An engine not yet made in O gauge that was used by many roads could get built.  Something used by the PRR in the late 40s would be nice

 

For me, I could live without new models for now while the hobby sorts itself out.  I would like to see the re-release of currently produced models in additional road names not yet used.  As a Pennsy fan, how about Lionel producing its Legacy E6 steamer in PRR post war paint, or any manufacturer releasing its latest F3 iteration in the correct PRR freight scheme.   I don't think I ask for too much

The rest of the freight cars that match the diesel-electric locomotives models for the era between 1960-1980. Like the Pullman-Standard 85' intermodal flat cars and the modern Gondolas from Greenville Steel Car, Gunderson, Thrall Car.  

 

Andrew

 

 

 

Higher definition semi-scale Rail King and Lionmaster steam locomotives.  Smooth side Rail Kimg passenger cars with Budd domes.

With regards Intermodal cars.........................Gunderson Maxi Stack IV.

 

Regards,

Swafford

OMG. How many times do I have to say it...

 

This is turning into another wish list of what do you want Lionel (or other manufacturer) to make.  If you really look at the original post, the question is being asked about what would actually sell.  Heck, if anyone knew what the correct, exact answer really was, they would be soon at the top of the manufacturing pyramid.  

I would buy one, seen them at the Reading terminal in Philly a few times

Would love some Rutland Steam but I know that will never happen.  I've been very luck with all the Boston & Albany products over the years but I'm sure the well is dry now.

Less expensive stuff.

Maybe a little obscure for most, but I'd like to see some engines from smaller railroads like NC&StL Railway.

 

It's nice to see GM&O locos.

How about Central of Georgia RR locos?

So let's answer the question....what has not been made yet....that would actually sell??

EMD Gp40-2 phase II

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E...40-2#Original_buyers

GE B23-7

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_B23-7

GE u25c

http://www.thedieselshop.us/GE%20U25C.HTML

GE B36-7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_B36-7

ALCo C636- The Last Big Century [PRR]PC, CR, IC, UP, Demo, CN, Cartier, NYSW, DL&W

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A..._636#Original_owners

Ace 3000!

http://locomotive.wikia.com/wi...ype_Steam_Locomotive

 

 

I agree, I'm in for one if made.

Though not a costly engine or an even less expensive building or some form of rolling stock, but what about Lionel making elves to accompany their Polar Express line of accessories? I'm certain Lionel would find a pent up desire there and elves would be an immediate hit with P.E. fans.

 I would recommend turn of the century scale locomotives of 4-4-0 American,4-6-0, and 2-6-2 Prairie. Hundreds of each of these locomotives were made and some continued operating until the end of the steam era.

 These locomotives could run on small (tight turn) layouts and large layouts. They could run on more layouts so the customer base would be larger. Because they are smaller comparatively(to a big boy) they would have a lower price point. The small size could be used on ready to run sets too.  Baldwin used the same boiler on different types of engines so a 4-4-0 and a 4-6-0 model could use the same mold in the manufacturing process.

  A small locomotive on a small layout appears to make the layout larger. A large locomotive on a small layout appears to make the layout smaller.

  Most of the small steam locomotives came in a flat black with engine numbers on the loco and road name on the tender. In the MTO (Made to Order) business model and modern graphics about any road name could be produced instead of the popular five names. This would be a great selling point for MTO.

 

Douglas 

I believe Southwest Hiawatha's idea of a TOC Baldwin 4-6-0 is a good one. I'm afraid that the cost would appear too high for most people. The appeal of the WBB 4-6-0, with its faults, is that it is inexpensive.

Maybe the best idea for a good seller would be a nice, modest-sized, dual purpose loco.
3rd Rail has stated that they would do limited runs of more obscure locos, but they don't come cheap.
A loco that might really be a winner is a USRA Heavy Mike. According to the MR Cyclopedia, 23 roads used either original or copies of this, from East to West. An enterprising manufacturer could milk a model for years with different details, tenders, road names.
Not so thrilled with a Heavy Mountain-a pretty rare beast. Ditto with the 2-10-2 in both weights.
There was a comment about the lack of sales for the Lionel C&O F-19. Here's my take: Except for PRR, I stay away from passenger power because it requires appropriate passenger stock, costly and hard to find accurate models. (I am in for a 3rd Rail/GGD Columbian, however, and I have the Weaver Reading Crusader). For me, repaints of the same-old, same-old cars don't cut it.
I would not be surprised if others feel the same way. But I'd bet a C&O K-class would sell. It could absorb all those MTH 2-bay hoppers.

Delaware Lackawanna & Western Camelback 4-4-0 #952

The list for intermodal equipment is a mile long. What good are all your ES44s w/o some intermodal stuff. And Im not talking about any more $35 containers or trailers.

Laidoffsick is right on.  A container ship and more importantly a dockside crane even if the ship has'n arrived in port.  

 

Jack

I think there is more of a big market for detailed, feature-laden scale models of smaller steam locos.  Maybe its just me, but the Legacy Atlantics and 0-8-0s and Premier 2-8-0s and 4-4-0s are some of my favorites - just fantastic locos.  done right, they are little jewels of models and they will fit and run on a lot of layouts where the big boys, so too speak, never will: there is a big market.  In particularly, there were a lot of interesting locos in that size range made in the three decades around the turn of the 19th-20th century, leading up to WW1.  A manufacturer would probably have to put them out on the market and let word-of-mouth gradually spread about how appealing they were, but I think once that happened they would sell well and consistently for a long time. 

 

Then again, I would love to see a Soviet AA20-1 4-14-4 steamer - you can never have to many drivers -- but then that probably is just me . . . 

Spine Cars.........................and equipment

 

 

1960's era open-side auto racks.

Track thats abolutely quite

I also see a bunch of previous "wish-lish" items without any explanation of why the poster thinks it will sell in sufficient volumes for the manufacturer to make.

 

I think the consensus of all Atlas/MTH/Lionel is that articulated sets of 3 or 5 cars won't sell.  After all, MTH never re-ran that 5-car spine set from a long time ago.  They'll probably never make back the money invested in the tooling of the 5-car twin stacks.

Small early 20th century steam as TP Fan and Lee have mentioned. Many of us just don't have the room, or interest, in a Big Boy great as it is. These smaller engines would be just what many of us could use.

Scotie

As a redundant follow-on to Lee and Scotie above, would not a small 2-4-4-2 run on

smaller layouts?  Third Rail offered two different logging, and I think larger, 2-6-6-2's,

but both were obscure to me and did not have the appeal.  Were there not other

2-4-4-2's than the Little River version now on the west coast?

Disneyland Monorail.

Does it have to be a locomotive or rolling stock?

 

I would really like to see a TMCC talking station that interfaced the LCS track sensors. It could Identify the passenger consist, called out the name train and make station anouncements. Also one that would interface the older station sound diners would be nice.

The station could have night ambient lighting, interior lighting with arival boards that change. 

large or small station size designs would have the same electronics in it.

You could even have an operational semaphore or block signal system that monitor trains arriving or leaving.

backgound motor traffic noise, smoke out the chimney, boarding calls, the whole nine yards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Fe Scale Hudson by Lionel.

 

California Zephyr with Domes, and Domed Observation by Lionel

 

As said above by joeya, scale open-side 60's auto racks (And CARS!)

 

One remote to rule them all.

No wait, that was a story about a ring... Sorry.

I would love to see more scale diesel locomotives from the Southeast - ACL, SAL, SCL and Southern Railway. While these have been made by Atlas, Lionel and MTH, it seems to me they have sold very well or out. Manufacturers in general have shied away from the southeast in all scales, and are quick to cancel orders (HO Genesis SCL Fs are a good example). 

 

With the MTH F-7, Lionel F-3 PH 2 and F-7, it is possible to make good affordable correct models of ACL, SAL and Southern using current molds. Lionel has offered some nice southeast roads in their current catalog, but with BTO they might not get enough orders.

 

My two models that I really want to see would be Lionel SAL F-3 PH 2 and MTH green Southern F-7. 

 

As for new molds, a correct scale ACL R-1 4-8-4 (also used on RF&P) and the ACL K15s 4-6-0 (like the 250 or 1031). I would even like to see a good standard consolidation 2-8-0 that could easily be kitbashed for Southern and other southeastern roads.

How about smaller diesels? The upcoming GE 44 tonner is great, but I sure wish MTH would have made it one of their 2-rail/3-rail convertibles. There's also the 45 tonner with side rods and the GE 70 tonner, that Bachmann already offers in HO, so they already have the prototype information on file. I also would like to see a CF7, which could be done in many shortline schemes, as well as the Santa Fe, in both cab types. Another personal favorite of mine is the GE U18b, which is a compact, yet husky looking locomotive.

 

I'm still waiting for an updated B&O Docksider with PS3. Does anyone know if either MTH or Lionel is looking into the "Keep Alive" technology already offered in DCC? It seems like an idea that could also be applied to either DCS or TMCC.

 

Bill in FtL

Good Day,

 

Honestly a low nose GP9 would sell very well and many Railroads from Class 1's to short lines had them. For completely new tooling a B30-7, and B36-7 would sell very well because there are no company in O-Gauge has yet to produce them and a decent amount of Railroads owned them.  Steam locomotive wise a nice small scale 2-6-2, 4-4-0, or 4-6-0 would do well because it would be relatively affordable compared to some of the large steam locomotives and it would be good for smaller layouts. 

A modern Mi-Jack crane to unload the new Lionel doublestack containers. LOCOMOTION

I know Lionel has discontinued the PWC series but I would buy a set of military flats with Pyro vehicles.

 

Steve

That's what I am seeing as well.

 

It is very common in this hobby, and especially on OGR Forum for someone to say, "if they would make this, everyone would buy one!"

 

I always wonder how people know this.   The answer, of course, is they don't. It's all anecdotal based on what their few buddies in the club say.  There's nothing wrong with that.   However, for the big guys, making lesser known items is a huge risk.

 

I think the only way we will see Lionel or MTH make some of the things that have been listed in this thread is if they make everything on a Built To Order basis, and not just the unique high dollar stuff.

 

As an example, there's some cool stuff listed in this thread, but so far nothing I would rush out to buy.

 

The big question here should be not whether it would sell, but whether the item would continually sell over a period of several production runs, which the manufacturers need just to break even on the development and tooling costs. They have ALL said it, and this plays heavily into the decision making process.

 

The Jersey Central loco on the first page might sell out one single run. But they need more than that. How many other roads actually owned that loco? And would folks into scale fidelity buy that loco in roads that never had that model engine?

 

I agree with Swafford that there is interest in intermodal stuff. But for young and old, you NEED affordable semi-scale that will run on 027 curves as well as the scale offerings. And folks might not like hearing this, but the semi-scale offerings would probably way out-sell any scale ones.

 

This is the dilemma the train makers face. In the small 3-rail market, where the majority is STILL traditional semi-scale, how to make everyone happy and still stay in business? 

 

And there is a real disconnect between what many would like to see made in 3-rail and the reality of what would sell. I heard someone yell a question to Mike Wolf on why MTH doesn't make this particular road, and his answer was fast and simple: "It doesn't sell."

 

Many wonder about the pitiful selection of O scale decals. Microscale at one time had an extensive line of 0 scale decals. They don't now because the 0 scale didn't sell - and that's from the owner of Microscale. Meanwhile the offerings of N scale and HO scale decals could make an 0 scale guy just drool. While I can't imagine putting decals on an N scale car, obviously people do it, because Microscale continues to offer more and more N scale decals.

Krauss-Maffei ML4000's 

 

Milwaukee Road motorcar 

 

 

 

Milwaukee Road Hiawatha Bus!

 

 

 

Here's another one that would sell: the Evans Auto Loader from the early 1950's. The manufacturer would also have to come up with some 1/48 autos to put on it, since 1/43 cars won't fit. I'm convinced an Auto Loader would sell - train guys like cars too, and it would be a great addition to any transition-era freight train.

 

 

Well we are on page two now and out of all that is suggested I would be in for a scale NYC k5 pacific (hot water) and intermodal (swafford).

 

clem k

Here's one that would NOT sell well in this country, but might just do well on the other side of the Atlantic. MTH has been doing pretty well with its Euro line, so maybe they might even consider building it. I'd buy one for sure.

 

 

Acme Time Machine with all the options.

I have not seen one thing on this post that would have general appeal with allot of us train buyers. Mfgs. Need a broad range of buyers for a product that they have to make new tooling for. 

 

I would like to see them upgrade their present tooling for better detailing, etc.

 

I think the N&W 0-8-0 S1a would sell. Originally owned by the C&O (C16a/b), they were sold to N&W and VGN. They would appeal to folks who model any of those roads.

 

Gilly

K-Line made one.

Rusty

Standard Gauge is already an admittedly "niche within a niche" type market.  Nonetheless, I think a Polar Express 400E along with state-sized passenger cars would be an instant sell-out for the tinplate crowd.

 

David

I like the idea of a new more detailed B&O scale class C -16 0-4-0T. It has always been a popular model in the smaller scales. Barney first made one in the 1940's in HO scale. MTH made a Railking O scale one in their early days but an update without the ridged wheels would be great.

I would love love to see a GE 70 tonner.
A 1890's style open sided excursion car like the "Hello Dolley " car at Strasburg (or Disneyland)or open sided trolley would be great.
A New York or Chicago Elevated Forney 2-4-4F would be amazing because a lot of these were later used in mining ,industry and logging RR's

I have always liked the Baldwin baby faces.....I'd even get one in a fantasy scheme. Who had them besides the CNJ?

 

Peter

This modern center beam TO SCALE:

 

The hobby gets inundated with trains and rolling stock every year, much of it with more detail and features, yet I find there's few if any comparable accessories, mainly buildings that compliment the trains.

Now that is cool!

 

 

Peter:

 

The double ended units were unique to the CNJ. There were several types of single cab A units with a somewhat similar profile built for a number of roads.

 

Bob 

 

 

Yes they did, and I have one. That is a semi-scale car; it's about the right length but a bit narrow. I had an awful time finding cars other than Volkswagens, Corvettes, and '55 T-Birds to put on it. Top-down convertibles look pretty silly on a Auto Loader; you don't rail ship a new car with the top down. 1/43 cars are too big to fit six full-size sedans on the K-Line Auto Loader. I even tried 1/64 cars but they were too small to fit in the wheel tracks. I finally settled on half a dozen 1/43 Eligor '62 Corvair coupes. Cost me a bunch, buying them one at a time off eBay. I'd still like to see a scale Auto Loader with full-size, scale sedans of the correct period. And I think it would sell. I'd buy two or three if they came with different cars.

Well I'll take 2- C&O K-3/3a with both 6 axel tenders, rectangular and Vandy.

 2- C&O Hudsons #300 w/elephant ears, and #314. Yep, that'll bout do it!...........Brandy

 

P.S. By the time these would ever get made, Bachmann will probably have eleminated the compitation with their "Blue Tooth Electronics", or they maybe calling it "Gold Tooth", as the bucks they will have made by then.If so I want these electronics installed in these engines.

 

 

I agree that well-painted steam-era figures are sadly lacking.

Also, flat fronts for various structures for small layouts and to fill areas on a background. And not just brick and city buildings, either. Nobody seems to make rural wood factory structres as flats. Lots of them as 3D buildings, though. I need a long one and decided to build my own, but I would have spent some money on a good flat kit for a long wooden industrial structure. That could be used from early steam to the modern eras...

sounds good to me.  Or better yet a simple turntable (like the Atlas HO surface mount one) one thats compatible with Fastrack or tubular O gauge.

A second NATTY BOH car set!

Every time I respond to one of these "I wish they'd make"'s, I know I am wasting my

time.  The guy who runs the O scale March Meet in the Chicago area collected NYC

Hudsons, and had a wall of them in his now closed shop.  Not sure how many of them

that was, but I know more variations have been ginned out, so I know there is probably somebody out there that could top that.  However, I converted my Marx

#1829 Hudson into a Mikado.  I just do not have any interest in "Hudsons", even if

by other names such as that assigned by the C&O.  But I am sure many, many more variations will be forthcoming.  I am just not sure why.  I am also sure I ain't buyin'

n'air'n.  I will keep nibbling around the edges until something new and different and

interesting is made, then race in and grab one, to quickly retreat back to the edges

while the machines keep stamping out doughnut holes.

Hmmm...interesting - it seems that the Baldwin Baby-Face keeps getting play. I've

wanted one for years, especially since:

 

- My 2 favorite RR's had versions: GM&O and NYC

- The super-funky CNJ double-ender has cried out for an O-gauge version forever

So, how about biting the bullet L or M (and it would almost certainly be M; too bad, as I like

TMCC, but I'd buy) and producing the B-B, A1A and twin-cab versions (Two-Face?) of the Baby-Face in proper and not-so-proper road names?

 

The Centipede is a Baby-Face, you know - I bought that (NdeM).

 

========

 

MORE IMPORTANTLY (and I'm looking at you, Weaver, since Lionel grabbed the Heavy Mikado):

NC&StL streamstyled J-3 4-8-4 Dixies.

 

I'll take one of each version - a Stripe and a Yellowjacket

 

====

 

Oh, and: NYC K-5 Pacific (a K-3 or K-14 would be nice, too)

             NYC H-10 Mikado 

 

I would like to see a new model of the ZW transformer. 

About two thirds the size of the current model. 

200 watt output for medium sized layouts. 

 

thanks,

 

phil. 

I agree with Rusty and Southwest on this as well:

 

Here's another one that would sell: the Evans Auto Loader from the early 1950's. The manufacturer would also have to come up with some 1/48 autos to put on it, since 1/43 cars won't fit.

 

Lionel already has a suburb flat car as a starting point. All this is needed is the super-

Structure and or course the correct autos.

 

In my brief research, it seems that this might have been a one-off prototype, maybe someone can confirm or correct me. Still, I think this is very visual-centric car that would be welcome on many layouts.

 

Charlie

 

This is an interesting question.  Thinking about it some more, I think I have a home run, or at least a triple for someone.  If I were RMT, I'd invest in the tooling to make a plastic body for the current BEEP and BEEF chassis that was a scale model of the Brookville DES-70B, also known a decade ago or so as the BL-600 or something like that.  

 

I think a ot of us would buy it, because we like and respect RMT and let's face it, a scale model diesel switcher, this cute, at RMT prices? Yessir!

 

 

A standard gauge Jersey Central Camelback!

Well, these are more thoughtful responses than the usual "What do you wish...." thread gets, IMHO anyway.  There are a bunch of things mentioned that I would buy, but at the top are the 4-6-0 steamer and the 6-car Evans Auto Loader.

"Smart" 21st Century Diesel Maintenance Facility
Building!

Technology and Innovations have always caught my eye. That
said, I would suggest that Lionel produce a "Smart" 21st Century Diesel
Maintenance Facility Building.

Legacy features:
1. Open and close
the doors with Cab-1 or Cab-2.

2. Turn exterior and interior lights on
or off with Cab-1 or Cab-2.

3. Enter Id’s into Legacy Cab-2 what Diesel
or Steam locomotives are assigned to their scheduled maintenance and have
announcements from the Maintenance Facility or Roundhouse when the engines need
to be serviced. “Engine 1988 Scheduled Maintenance today track one”, kind of
like a Locomotive Maintenance Management System. The Service check could be
programmed for 30, 60 or 90 days. This would make for a great reminder to look
your engines over for traction tire issues, lubricate gears, check for loose
wires, and a general maintenance check just like the real deal. If you wanted to
service all your engines in 1 session, then you could enter a code that would
make an announcement of all your engine ids one at a time every 5 or 10 minutes
until you have acknowledge the engine has been serviced. At the end of the day
you could enter a code that would check all the engines in inventory that have
been serviced and announce “All engines serviced next scheduled maintenance in
30 days”.

The Maintenance Facility could even make announcements for
staging your Diesel or Steam locomotives for sand, water and fueling. “Engine
1982 Track two clear for fueling”. A two stall modern building would look
fantastic. A roundhouse would be colossal!

Regards,
Swafford

 

 

I would definitely buy a tinplate PE, a Tropicana reefer, a scale, modern diesel switcher and a highly detailed Atlantic (I have one Atlantic from Lionel).

 

But what about the commuter trains that run everyday in our communities?

 

I would be a sucker for a scale set of SEPTA silver liners (literally, my backyard growing up) or a set of the light rail cars that run throughout the Denver metro area (just outside my office window as I write).  I am personally too young to wax nostalgic over yet another covered wagon (no offense intended).

 

Tooling costs are probably prohibitive, but then again, this thread assumes new tooling.

 

I'd like to think there are a lot of people like me that yearn for replicas of the very trains they take to work today.

 

 

Being a Corvair owner, I'd like to see that load.

 

Unlike you, Evans didn't seem to have a bias towards any one manufacturer.  Hudson, Dodge, Packard, Chevrolet, Kaiser and Mercury, all represented in the pic.

 

Prototype or not, I'd enjoy having more than one of those in scale on my layout.

 

Bruce

All the new light rail lines popping up in cities around the country.  These are the only trains some kids are going to relate today as the country increasingly becomes more urbanized.

 

And monorails, gondola/cable cars.  Many people in this hobby are only active around Christmas time and are looking for fun things to make their Christmas layouts even more animated.  Lionel has done a great job so far with things like the Candy Cane commuter train and some of the trolleys, but so many people who put up a Christmas village are looking for gondola systems.  And they could model it on a real system that people identify with that exists so even the more serious modellers would want to use it on their layout.

 

Also, if it hasn't been done before, a cog railway system like the one going up to Pike's Peak.

I don't want anybody to take this wrong but I would love to have an O-scale version of Hitlers WWII armored train engine/tender and consist of armored cars.  I saw a glimpse of it in the American Heroes Channel.  No, I am not a Nazi.  I just dig cool trains and that Armored train was a really interesting piece of equipment.  I don't collect European trains but would like to own this one European train, if MTH would make it in PS3.  

 

P.S., I do collect and operate O-scale military trains of WWII and modern vintage and have a couple of different US Army consists.

I would definitely be interested in something like this.  But, I have 2 concerns:

 

1. How big would it have to be?

2. How much would it cost?

I think this would be a great candidate. A 2-6-6-2 Mallet. A bunch of roads used them so I believe there's some money to be made on this version. Milwaukee Road for me of course. One of each please.

A variety of scale circus cars including passenger cars. 

As I look at all these suggestions, it's obvious how everyone enjoys the hobby and what they'd like to have on their model railroad.

 

But who is to say that some of the suggestions would not sell?  It may not be true for some items "that everyone would buy one".  But just because someone doesn't like a suggestion doesn't mean "that no one will buy it" because "it does not appeal to me".

 

We'd probably have a better chance of getting items we like in the future, not only discussing it here but by contacting your favorite or all manufacturers of your preferences. If they notice  enough requests for an item they make want to make them.

Good Evening Vince,

 

I don't have any idea on the cost of this type and size of structure. I do think the building could be offered in a one stall as well as a two stall engine facility.

 

Regards,

Frank 

I have some Lionel/Kline Scale and Kline Circus Cars.  All Ringling Bros.  But most of my circus train consist is semi-scale ringling bros.  Some new stuff from MTH and Lionel would be greatly appreciated in O Scale.

New York Central......I'm in for one of these......

 

 

 

 

 

Peter

I'd take one of these!

I think there might be a market for a Reading N1.  MTH could make a pretty good with one by re-arranging the detail parts on the some the other articulates in the two most recent catalogs.

 

 

As a Corvair owner I applaud the choice of a Corvair-only auto carrier load

 

Jeff C

- Scale 50's - 70's open auto carriers.
- FasTrack turntable
- LEGACY Water Tower w/Sound
- LEGACY Passenger Station w/Recordable Sound

 

A lot of great, cheap, simple technology has yet to reach the O scale world. How about: 

 

- A universal Bluetooth wireless system with two components: A thing you connect to the track and a thing you hold in your hand. The Liontech remotes/MTH Remote Commanders are the right idea, but how about one for conventional operators that works with any transformer and any engine?

 

- Wireless remote cranes and loaders. These already exist in not-quite-the-right-sizes. I think treating the train as part of an RC stuff-handling system would really attract attention from new potential customers. Play value is still the name of the game IMO.

 

- Undecorated USRA steamers - cheap ones - with free software for printing your own lettering, logos and numbers.

 

My $.02,

Alan P

How about a scale San Fran trolley!  

Who ran a 2-6-6-2 with a Coffin feedwater heater...Milwaukee?  I would buy a Denver and Salt Lake Midado with a Coffin feedwater heater, but probably nobody else would. Reading back through this I see why none of what we want gets made....everybody wants something different.

DD35B Powered or Non powered.  Either in Demonstrator Union Pacific or Southern Pacific Paint schemes

Would not bet the house that it would sell enough.....but I'd have to have one!!!!

While I love my Big Boy and other BIG locos.....I find it harder to find nice smaller steam. I did just get a Lionel 2-8-0 that I will rework soon....but smaller steam would be good.

 

The Spiderman F40ph

 

rat

I bet this would sell. Would love to see it made by MTH.

That would definitely make it to my roster!

Although very striking styling, I don't see ANY manufacturer offering THAT, since it is a "home built" locomotive model exclusive to Norfolk Southern. The model isn't an SD50/60, nor is it an SD70M, nor an SD70ACe, so I wouldn't expect anybody to make a model of it since it could not be used for any other railroad.

Not being the correct locomotive has never stopped Lionel or MTH from doing a paint scheme.

 

Although a great paint scheme I really don't like that home made locomotive so if somebody makes it and I prefer lionel do it on the ES44ac or the SD70ace.

If they make one of these, it better operate on O36 track or smaller

 

It should though.  

LOL, TM Terry!  In 1:43 scale (as MTH Euro is) this would barely go around o-72!  

 

What a beast!

LGB made a 2-6-2 _ 2-6-2 Garratt that would negotiate 4 ft diameter track

I would like to see Lionel or MTH do a Detroit & Mackinac Railway engine.

Any engine will do.

This topic looks to be turning into another wish list.  While many of the engines recommended above are really nice, I do not think the fan base for these models is big enough for one of the manufacturers to invest in new tooling.

 

In my earlier post I stated my thought that any new engine tooling made in this economy would have to be usable for a lot of different roads (fantasy ones too) before anyone would make it.  I thought I would explore this subject a little more for an engine that I would buy.

 

As a PRR fan, I know the unique Pennsy steamers do not meet the criteria.  Besides, most Pennsy steamers for my era have already been made in O gauge

 

Most diesels from the 40's purchased by the Pennsy have also been made in O gauge, but there are a few that haven't.  Some like the Baldwin DRS 4-4-10 were too few in number and used by too few roads to be considered here, but I think there is a good case for a couple of diesels not yet made in O that were used not only by the Pennsy but many other roads.

 

One is the Baldwin DS 4-4-10. The successor to the VO1000, 502 (in two slightly different models) were made and they went to 48 different roads.  Seems to me it would be an easy decision to produce these.

 

Another engine was the FM H20-44.  96 were made and they went to 6 roads.  While not a slam dunk like the Baldwin, three of the six roads that bought these engines have large following in O:  PRR, NYC, and UP.  This engine might be worth the investment.

 

Other than that, I'm pretty happy with what is available for my preferred road.  Being a Pennsy fan has its advantages

 

 

I would love to see MTH make the Western Maryland 4-8-4 Potomac in their Premier line.  

 

 

 

 

 

I tend to dream big. I'd love to see one of the giant South African Garratts produced. If MTH could make a go with the Pennsy L5 a monster Garratt should be no hill for a stepper.

 

 

GP35's torpedo boats!

 

Regards,

Swafford

Coal Fired Electric Plant building front!.....................all those coal hoppers need to go somewhere!

 

Regards,

Swafford

Not being the correct locomotive has never stopped Lionel or MTH from doing a paint scheme.

 

 

 

It should though.  

 

Oh No IT SHOULDN'T!  

 

At least not if you are a scale modeler who ever wants to see correct scale models get made.

 

As a real life case in point consider the MTH Z-6 Challenger.  This was an NP design.  The SP&S was 50% owned by the NP and added on to the NPs second order from ALCO.  Two of the SP&S engines were used by the GN on the Oregon Trunk before being returned to the SP&S.  No evidence exists that the GN engines ever received the light olive green boiler jackets of the Glacier Park paint scheme yet MTH offered the Z-6 in a green GN version.

 

 

MTH also offered three prototypical numbers and paint schemes.

 

 

Guess which one sold the best?  The GN in green!  In fact, were it not for the strong orders for the green GN version the product would have been canceled and the tooling and historically correct locomotives would never have been produced. 

 

The Lionel PS-1 40 foot boxcar model is the best of its type in O Scale.  Many of the paint schemes are not correct for a PS-1 but without them Lionel would not offer as many correct cars or have invested so much into making the tooling for a highly detailed model with durable components.  Atlas is similar.  All of their Master line models are great but some wear paint schemes that belong on other cars.

 

I'm all for prototypically correct modeling.  But those of us who are into it would be back to building folk art looking models from wooden kits for most of our cars without a broader market to support higher volume and higher quality manufacturing. 

Ted makes an interesting point, and it brings up something that periodically bugs me about 0 gauge trains - how do you tell what is or is not authentic in a paint job? The Lionel PS-1's are an excellent example. I have several of them, but I couldn't tell you which of them are prototypical. Now, give me a freight car marked Milwaukee Road and I can usually tell if it's real, or I can look it up in my extensive Milwaukee Road library. But I can't tell you what is or is not real for most of the other railroads, and to have a library where you could look up that information for all the Class 1 railroads would be inconceivably expensive and take up an impossible amount of space. I don't mind the occasional fantasy color scheme - but I'd sure like to know what I'm getting.

 

Atlas is, to the best of my knowledge, the only 0 gauge train builder that verifies all of its paint jobs to be correct. They will paint anything on custom runs, but their own issues are at least claimed to be 100% prototypical. I know they are diligent about that, because I worked with them on the Milwaukee Road version of the extended vision caboose and it is the only fully correct Milwaukee EV caboose, although Lionel, MTH, and K-Line have all made the same caboose with varying degrees of authenticity.

 

I wish Lionel, MTH, etc. would include a little note with each car about the prototypical authenticity of the item - e.g. fully prototypical, prototypical for a different car (say, a paint job on a 40' single door car that in the real world was applied only to a 50' double door), complete fantasy, etc. But I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. 

Atlas is, to the best of my knowledge, the only 0 gauge train builder that verifies all of its paint jobs to be correct.

 

I hate to burst your bubble, but.....

 

They will paint anything on custom runs, but their own issues are at least claimed to be 100% prototypical.

 

I have never seen that claim is writing from Atlas.  I have heard it from a number of hobbyists who have believed it to be true.  It is not.  There are several Atlas Master Line regular run freight cars that are just plan wrong.  The paint schemes are prototypical but the cars are all wrong.  NONE of the Great Northern or Burlington Northern 40 foot rebuilt box cars are dimensionally correct for width or height let alone correct in roof or end details for the cars they purport to represent.  The recent CB&Q and SP&S 50 footer double door cars have the wrong roofs, ends and doors for the prototypes.

 

My all time favorite Atlas boxcar is the 8865 GN PS-1 50 foot plug door boxcar.  It has the distinctive Pullman ends and bow tie roof.  It is without a doubt a great model of a Pullman Standard built box car.  But it carries a GN paint scheme that is faithful to the prototype down to the arched American Car and Foundry logo to the lower left of the door!  Correct paint, wrong car. 

 

 

If there is a model you are interested in and the decoration is for a road about which you have limited knowledge or references I would suggest asking about it on the scale forums.  You will get several opinions, some of which are likely to be well informed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, that's why I said "to the best of my knowledge." No bubble to burst, unlike some I do not worship at the sacred shrine of any train builder. At least Atlas does not seem to indulge in total fantasy paint schemes, as do both Lionel and MTH. Thanks for the information.

Steam on the Union railroad (not Union Pacific)

The modern gondolas.

 

Thrall Car gondola

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Like this?

I'd like to see one or both versions of this nifty-shifty... 

 

 

 

 

 

KD

Those Z-6 Challengers are off the chart!  I didn't realize MTH made these...

Though I own a lot of Union Pacific Challengers, both Fetter's and Jabbleman versions, I'd love to have a Z-6.  Yes, I know UP never owned Z-6s, but it would be a nice addition to the other Challengers I already own.  And, though I try to be accurate to the prototype RR, I'd almost consider adding UP lettering to the Z-6!  Don't take it to serious is my motto with model trains!

I think Id like to see one of the baby faces too.

Die Cast 1:48 Scale Tractors and Trailers would sell very well...................

 

Regards,

Swafford

I will second Swafford's comment and say that since I model the steam/diesel transition era, I would to see more 1/50 or 1/48 tractor trailers from the 40s/50s.

Maybe I'm alone, but there must be interest in pre Employee owned Chicago Northwestern items. Hard to find scale cabooses, steam loco, or diesels without the "Employee owned" writing.

Also, seated correct scale people for the passenger cars, including different eras. Probable pre-sell out in record time.

A scale E-60.  MTH cataloged these back in 2000 but they were never produced.  I'd buy 3 road numbers in Amtrak livery.

 

 

How about presenting these in O Scale! in 3-Rail and 2-Rail would be a seller

 

Regards,

Swafford

The transfer caboose is a good idea. Lionel made one, but it is a traditional size item and has a toylike appearance. Nobody has done a scale one that I know of. Here's a Lionel one that I repainted.

 

 

 

 

 

I would definitely buy one or two of these since I remember these operating in NC during the 80s. 

I have repeatedly suggested doing either the ex-ATSF CF-7 (Not only John Santa Fe used them, but also Amtrak and a host of short lines) or the U-18B. (Maine Central, SCL, Nacionales de Mexico, Providence & Worcester). Some of us realize that we don't have the curvature that will handle full-scale 4-8-8-4s or even SD-70's.

I have three items: I have always had a fascination for the Railway Express Agency and the Railway Mail Service. I would love an operating RPO where the crew throws the bag down and then grabs the pouch off the mail stand.

 

 

 

 

And then how about some Sperry Rail Service Hi-Rail Truck and a test car. In the SRS livery these would look really sharp!

 

 

 

 

And anything for the North Pole Central passenger train, love a GG-1 or a nice F3 AA set in the red & green scheme!

 

All photos courtesy of the Internet.

LOL  

 

One hundred and forty replies (as of this reply), and maybe two had something to do with the topic starter's question.  

Everyone else apparently missed the question and thought this was  another wish list thread, or just didn't care and purposely turned it into a wish list topic.

 

I personally like the SD60E design, and I would not buy it if it was, say, an SD60M. Plus, I think MTH could get a least three roadnames out of it, the Veterans unit, the GoRail unit, and traditional NS black, and then maybe combine with the new Dash 8.5 locomotives, which have a similar design.

 

 

Well the answer to the original question is subjective, so what would you expect?

MTH Premier versions of the C&O Yellow Belly Hudson and or B&O Cincinnatian Pacific

 

Ah, the self-appointed topic monitor...

But this time, the monitor is wrong (as often turns out to be the case). Read the original post, as the vast majority of the replies are exactly what is being asked, because people can't judge what 'will sell' in regards to what they want, because most people will think whatever they want is what others would likely want as well, and probably correctly in many cases:

 

Every catalog release I see complaints that there is not much that is actually new or not made before. Complaints about Hudson's, Big Boy's, F-3's, etc. Over the years I have learned what the popular engines and road names are and lucky for me, they are the ones I like. I also feel lucky to see a lot of LIRR and Strasburg stuff which I consider more specialty than mainstream. So let's answer the question....what has not been made yet....that would actually sell?? Three people looking for an obscure engine to be built is never gonna happen. What is it that you think the masses want that has not been delivered?? Cause I am pretty sure that if there was a great demand for something, wouldn't someone be making it?? So...what is it?? Thanks...BigRail

Unless I'm wrong, I have never heard of figures, people, made exclusively for the Manufacturers passenger cars, yet I keep seeing post asking which firgure to use to at "least look good". What with all the passenger cars sold over the decades, I'm sure there is a "will sell if made" market. Its not a big ticket item, in the 500 to 1000.00 ticket price, but its a much needed neglected item.

Also, you'll never know how well it will sell, if you never make it. I see over just the short time I been here, how many projects are dropped. It seems in "O" gauge (my opinion), if the manufacturer can't make it for less then 1000.00, or re-use dies for generic rolling stock, it won't be made.  "N" gauge manufacturers made a turnaround and increasing modelers by taking chances, and making products, not with pre-orders, but with guts, ambitions, and chances. "O" maybe small now, but it can grow, if there are the products to interest the older, and the newer modelers.

O Scale models of the modern gondolas by Thrall Car, Greenville Steel Car, Trinity, Gunderson, and Evans would sell if they were mass produced in such a way to make them cost only $35 retail.

 

Andrew

I've been begging for years for a camel-back connie for the anthracite crowd. Easy to do as the CB ten wheeler castings will work.

 

 

But NO !

To the topic monitors: Turn this around. What makes you think that these suggested products wouldn't have a market? There were hundreds, if not thousands, of Ten-Wheelers built for and by American railroads. There's no market for a model? And what about the Auto-Loader? Practically every train collector in the country is familiar with it because of Lionel's postwar version. Why wouldn't a scale one sell? A couple of people suggested a modern high-sided gondola. MTH makes a very similar car for the European market, why not here? There are a lot of items suggested here that I wouldn't bend over to pick up, let alone pay for - but somebody wants them.

 

Don't look down your nose at an idea just because it doesn't appeal to you. I don't get the appeal of subway trains, but MTH is selling them like crazy so obviously there's a market for them. Open your minds.

I've read and re-read the original posting several times.  I'm sorry, but I simply don't find the so-called "guidelines" to the posit that you seem to reference.

 

Here's what the original thread asked:

 

So let's answer the question....what has not been made yet....that would actually sell??  Three people looking for an obscure engine to be built is never gonna happen.  What is it that you think the masses want that has not been delivered??  Cause I am pretty sure that if there was a great demand for something, wouldn't someone be making it??  So...what is it??

 

So, the responses, including mine, have answered the questions "What is it??", and "What has not been made yet...that would actually sell?".

 

I find the premise that "Three people looking for an obscure engine to be built is never gonna happen" is rather amusing if not ludicrous for the toy train business/market....of which this forum is a part.  Tell me, what then would the Beeps, Beefs, and Peeps of RMT represent?  I would imagine that before the first of any of those wildly popular 'creatures' hit the market, a forum question of this sort would've NEVER directed any manufacturer to create their ilk.  But do they sell well?  Is "Duh!' an appropriate response?

 

I noticed that one of the first responses to this OP's posit was the two-faced Baldwin diesel.  Now, there's a strange beast!, and I'm sure it was never made in 'large' numbers for the 1:1 market.  But would it sell in the toy train market?  Slap a Warbonnet or Daylight paint scheme on that puppy and I'll bet it'll bring a smile to a 101 market survey!

 

When folks think of something made in "large numbers" in the 1:1 world, that's often a car number perspective more than a railroad flags perspective.  So, as long as the typical toy train business mantra of 'any-flag-on-any-item-any-time-any-way' can be employed, everyone of the responses to this thread is valid....IMHO, of course.

 

And, I find absolutely NO disrespect in any of the responses...so far. 

Few, if any, of us are professional business/market analysts.  Few, if any, of the posits on this forum are valid, well-constructed market surveys for new products.  Few, if any, of the total forum responses constitute an adequate cross-section of prospective buyers to be of boardroom use to a manufacturer.

 

Nonetheless, it's a beautiful day in our neighborhood....and I hope yours, too!

 

KD

 

 

Very good reply, I agree. Unless its made, we'll never know if less then 3 will buy it? Sometimes by taking risk, you just may corner the market.