To Ryan Kunkle, Project Manager, High End Locomotives at Lionel

That would definitely be a game changer!  I would be all in for an accurate, well detailed SD40 and SD38, more so for the SD40-2 and SD38-2

I'm on board,no pun intended.

Lionel has shown really strong initiative lately. They definitely have opened their doors to the 2 rail market. The Lionscale production with 6 car numbers available is a great step in the right direction,only I wish they'd break those numbers up so if a modeler can only buy a few at a time,he can get more new numbers later. The end reporting letters & numbers are missing on the ends of those cars-that's a bad oversight.

Al Hummel

The probably will, it's called HO 

Good Day,

Sent my suggestions to Ryan Kunkle at Lionel this morning.  I'd be a buyer for the Frisco SD45's and SD40-2's.  Saw these often at the Cherokee Yard in Tulsa in the early 70's! 

Regards,

Swafford

I'm with you Frank. Unfortunately, my intel says that they still aren't looking a 2R O engines yet. Time will tell. Keep pounding them!

The SD40-2 would be a perfect lead up to the SD45-2 which shares the same frame and also a Snoot nose SD40-2 would be nice to see.

Frank, are those renditions of actual Train-Sim models?

The ATSF SD45-2 is one of my favorites!

Regards, Swafford

 Read the product description. The last run of SD40's came with ditch lights and this run will as well. The Master Line Dash 8-40B's and BW's and Trainman Dash 8-40CW's also will come with operating ditch lights.

Why not look for this stuff on the secondary O scale market. It's out there, because I see it now and again. If I wanted an accurate version of a loco, I don't think I'd be looking at a 3 rail importer to do it!

Simon

Well if Lionel were to make my favorite Milwaukee diesel in 1/4 scale, I'd buy a couple. Which one you ask? SDL39, what else.

Dick

I just converted a pair of Lionel PAs to 2-rail.  I have to tell you, with the exception of the flanges and couplers, and things like moving pilots and steps, these things are as accurate as they come.  Same with my FEF, which now needs only driver tires.

If Lionel insists that full scale models with accurate details inside and out can only be made in 3-rail, convert them!  Or go find that guy who is getting ready to become an O Scale manufacturer, and have him produce screwdriver conversion kits.  If the market is big enough, the conversion kits can be made for roughly the same cost as Lionel would incur, and you get to sell the 3-rail parts on eBay!  A win-win.

To Swafford:

As in most of the other “hey, manufacture, you should make” threads. The message would carry much more weight if you answered a few key questions in your original post.

As someone that comes from the manufacturing side of things, please let Ryan know how many units Lionel could sell at what price?

Honestly, that is pretty much what it comes down to. In some cases there may be licenses and or other propriety issues that also need to be considered, but in the end, without that data, these kinds of requests really do not provide much service for the manufactures.

Hope to see some additional information Swafford.

Charlie

Simon Winter posted:

Why not look for this stuff on the secondary O scale market. It's out there, because I see it now and again. If I wanted an accurate version of a loco, I don't think I'd be looking at a 3 rail importer to do it!

Simon

Perhaps because he wants to buy something new with new electronics, LED lighting, a smoke unit, pre-installed accurate sound, and a warrantee rather than some decades old brass piece? Perhaps he is happy with the detail level that Lionel gives, but just doesn't want the 3 rail compromises anymore? I don't see anything in his OP stating that he was looking for an "accurate version of a loco". Maybe he likes Lionel's products? There are such people in the world. Not everyone wants accuracy over the attributes that I described.

Just a thought...

Charlie posted:

To Swafford:

As in most of the other “hey, manufacture, you should make” threads. The message would carry much more weight if you answered a few key questions in your original post.

As someone that comes from the manufacturing side of things, please let Ryan know how many units Lionel could sell at what price?

Honestly, that is pretty much what it comes down to. In some cases there may be licenses and or other propriety issues that also need to be considered, but in the end, without that data, these kinds of requests really do not provide much service for the manufactures.

Hope to see some additional information Swafford.

Charlie

Good Day Charlie,

My posts are just suggestions as a model railroader.  If I could answer the questions you presented I'd be the VP of Product Development at Lionel! I already have a full time job thank you.

Regards,

Swafford

Hello and good morning Swafford:

Well, that is an interesting way to use your time. I was just trying to make your efforts more useful, (and its not just you BTW).

As I said, its your time, use it how ever you wish.

Good luck on your future projects.

Charlie

jonnyspeed posted:

Simon Winter posted:

Why not look for this stuff on the secondary O scale market. It's out there, because I see it now and again. If I wanted an accurate version of a loco, I don't think I'd be looking at a 3 rail importer to do it!

Simon

Perhaps because he wants to buy something new with new electronics, LED lighting, a smoke unit, pre-installed accurate sound, and a warrantee rather than some decades old brass piece? Perhaps he is happy with the detail level that Lionel gives, but just doesn't want the 3 rail compromises anymore? I don't see anything in his OP stating that he was looking for an "accurate version of a loco". Maybe he likes Lionel's products? There are such people in the world. Not everyone wants accuracy over the attributes that I described.

Just a thought...

Here's another thought: Hades is likely to freeze over before it happens! If he's so in love with Lionel and doesn't care about accuracy, just buy the thing 3 rail, and run it as is on 3 rail track, because it is pretty much a given that Lionel is not going to make a 2 rail engine for 4 or 5 people.

Simon

Is it me or are there a whole bunch of negative Nancy naysayers in here that just want to crush your hope of new and exciting things. Keep your suggestions and art work going Swafford, you never know whats going to happen.

SPSF posted:

The SD40-2 would be a perfect lead up to the SD45-2 which shares the same frame and also a Snoot nose SD40-2 would be nice to see.

Frank, are those renditions of actual Train-Sim models?

Those are product pics of RRMods DLC for Trainz

rrmods.us

bob2 posted:

I just converted a pair of Lionel PAs to 2-rail.  I have to tell you, with the exception of the flanges and couplers, and things like moving pilots and steps, these things are as accurate as they come.  Same with my FEF, which now needs only driver tires.

 

Sort of sounds the same as with the exception of her big nose, buck teeth, scraggly hair, and crossed eyes, my girl friend would be a real beauty.

Simon

Matt Makens posted:

Is it me or are there a whole bunch of negative Nancy naysayers in here that just want to crush your hope of new and exciting things. Keep your suggestions and art work going Swafford, you never know whats going to happen.

Only in the sense that I an trying to tell him a REALISTIC way of getting what he wants.

Simon

He's not an idiot, he is well aware of what he is asking

Matt Makens posted:

He's not an idiot, he is well aware of what he is asking

Really?  Then why does he keep asking for stuff on the various OGR Forums?

I buy 2-rail models & I would also like it if Lionel offered 2-rail models but I am unsure if Lionel would be successful if SD45 was the first 2-rail project they offered since Midwestern Model Works (MMW) is also offering this model as their first project. From talking to Erik from MMW at the most recent Chicago O-Scale meet, I got the impression that many hobbyists have confirmed their reservations for his SD45 & the project is moving forward, potentially lowering the demand for another competing SD45 since MTH also offers this model in 2-rail, at a lower price. I understand that MMW models would cost around $3000, around 5 – 6 times the price of Lionel 3-rail locomotives but the higher expectations of typical 2-rail hobbyists could drive the price of any potential Lionel offering. It is my opinion that maybe another popular locomotive model that no one else is currently offering in 2-rail would be a better choice for Lionel.

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

Its a free country, he can ask for whatever he wants. Maybe he will get lucky and they'll actually take his suggestions to heart. Nobody busts your chops over your postings Jack.

Matt Makens posted:

Its a free country, he can ask for whatever he wants. Maybe he will get lucky and they'll actually take his suggestions to heart. Nobody busts your chops over your postings Jack.

The heck they don't!!!!!!!!!

Matt Makens posted:

He's not an idiot, he is well aware of what he is asking

He's only asking for another bowl of homeopathic soup made from the shadow of a pigeon that died of starvation

 

........SD45 was the first 2-rail project they offered since Midwestern Model Works (MMW) is also offering this model as their first project. From talking to Erik from MMW at the most recent Chicago O-Scale meet, I got the impression that many hobbyists have confirmed their reservations for his SD45 & the project is moving forward..........

How many years has this been in the works now?  I understand that odds makers in Vegas are taking bets on how many modelers with reservations will still be alive when these arrive.

Two very different markets as well...........

Yes.  While I have no interest at all in anything post-SD-24, i see absolutely zero conflict between the MMW model and Lionel or MTH.  These are two vastly dissimilar hobbies.

They will never do it, but my wallet would open for a die cast PA or E-7 from Lionel, and even quicker if it were 2-rail.

A better analogy would be an incredibly beautiful girl friend with purple spiked hair and a chastity belt.  A good hairdresser and a bolt cutter, and you have a show stopper.  If i liked plastic as a modeling medium, I promise I would have a Lionel PA and an MTH Train Master. And I would two-rail them.

Ok, bad example. But given the lack of stimulating content lately why can't you guys just let him dream. 

Swafford,

I don't care what they say. I still like your posts. Perhaps he never saw your imaginary artwork on Atlaso.com. I especially like your Milwaukee SD70Ace. I still have it. Print it again for the unclean.

Dick

Last time I checked this was a free forum where we are free to post about whatever we want. Didn't your mom ever tell you "If you don't have anything nice to say..."? If it's not your cup of tea then why bother commenting?

Oh, BTW... Ryan sent him a personal reply to this thread so it seems like his request was heard. Isn't that a neat feature of this forum? The manufacturers actually read and interact with their customers.

Why not just let people enjoy what they like? Personally, while I enjoy the details of traditional brass 2R O the lack of factory equipped sound and smoke units is a real turnoff for me. You won't find me bashing people that disagree with me. I also can't stand the 3rd rail anymore, but I can appreciate that there are people that it doesn't bother.  We each get to decide how we want to enjoy this hobby.

I say good for you Frank. You asked for what you want to see and now they are aware. IF there is ever a 2R engine offered from Lionel in the future you can say you had a little hand in it

Which one will come out first?

MMW SD45

Atlas F7

Or MTH SD45 Southern Pacific

Probably the Lionel SD45

My SDL39 of course will be first.

Dick

Last time I checked this was a free forum where we are free to post about whatever we want. Didn't your mom ever tell you "If you don't have anything nice to say..."? If it's not your cup of tea then why bother commenting?

I am going to disagree slightly.  First, you cannot post anything you want on this forum.  Second, if you could, then you could freely say not nice things.

Put another way - if we are indeed free to post, why would we not be free to comment on stuff that is not our cup of tea?

I think folks should be free to ask manufacturers to do anything they want, and others should be free to state that probably the manufacturers know a whole lot more about their business model than do we.

mwb posted:

 

........SD45 was the first 2-rail project they offered since Midwestern Model Works (MMW) is also offering this model as their first project. From talking to Erik from MMW at the most recent Chicago O-Scale meet, I got the impression that many hobbyists have confirmed their reservations for his SD45 & the project is moving forward..........

How many years has this been in the works now?  I understand that odds makers in Vegas are taking bets on how many modelers with reservations will still be alive when these arrive.

Two very different markets as well...........

 

Martin,

Your concern about the delays Midwestern Model Works (MMW) is experiencing is valid but I have to mention that the MMW preorder is different from preorders with MTH or Sunset. From talking to Erik & from reading OGR 2-rail forums I understood that hobbyists who reserved the MMW SD45 paid 1/3 when the reservations were confirmed, with another 1/3 due when the model goes into production.

These are just my opinion,

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

I want to be clear that I was not discouraging Frank from requesting all models. I just had concerns about the SD45, since there are 2 other importers offering them in 2-rail at different prices. MMW might not have made their first model yet but MTH has been offering their SD45 in 2-rail for years at a price comparable to Lionel & I have seen them for sale right here on these forums.

I am thankful that Frank mounted the campaign to promote the Gunderson Maxi-Stack IV on these forums for years. Thanks to his persistence, Atlas is making them & according to their Shipping Schedule, I am expecting to get mine in the next few months. I also support Frank’s request for some importer to offer the EMD SD70MAC.

Likewise I want Lionel to offer 2-rail models & be successful at it. It is my opinion that if they were to ever start offering 2-rail locomotives & then start with an SD45 which is already available, they might have lower sales which might discourage them from offering any further 2-rail models.

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

naveenrajan posted:

mwb posted:

 

........SD45 was the first 2-rail project they offered since Midwestern Model Works (MMW) is also offering this model as their first project. From talking to Erik from MMW at the most recent Chicago O-Scale meet, I got the impression that many hobbyists have confirmed their reservations for his SD45 & the project is moving forward..........

How many years has this been in the works now?  I understand that odds makers in Vegas are taking bets on how many modelers with reservations will still be alive when these arrive.

Two very different markets as well...........

 

Martin,

Your concern about the delays Midwestern Model Works (MMW) is experiencing is valid but I have to mention that the MMW preorder is different from preorders with MTH or Sunset. From talking to Erik & from reading OGR 2-rail forums I understood that hobbyists who reserved the MMW SD45 paid 1/3 when the reservations were confirmed, with another 1/3 due when the model goes into production.

These are just my opinion,

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

The pre-order being different in structure is not actually relevant to my point (in part, jest-fully made...); if you're pushing up daisies before it arrives, the amount on deposit ceases to matter anyway, at least to that individual.

Frank,

As most on this forum know only too well,I've been yelling for shelf couplers probably even more aggressively than you have with your interest in Lionel building diesels. Well,keep on with your appeals!! The "squeaky wheel get's the grease." O Scale badly needs cooperation between Lionel,MTH&Atlas as well as competition between them. O Scale is still identified with Lionel & a toyish hobby-modelers don't get a glimpse of the REAL SCALE. What a pity. The 'master molding for the shelf couplers were,the last word I got,being made & headed for China.

Another model that's had many posts on here,was for a yellow SCL 4750 cvd hopper. Well this model is due this year from Atlas. My thanks to Andrew/Falcon Service,for the fine shots of this car on this forum.

Whether it seems sensible or not O Scalers,speak your mind on your wants as we never know who's listening.

My 2 cents worth.

Al Hummel

jonnyspeed posted:

Oh, BTW... Ryan sent him a personal reply to this thread so it seems like his request was heard. 

Can we ask, what was the reply? If Lionel want suggestions for 2-rail locos, I'd add my usual plea; for a really decent GP38-2, & a CF7. ...with a central can motor & shaft drives, not twin-motor China drives.