My thoughts for the V2 catalog are this…
The ET44s will be the big, new engine. This is a given since they have been announced and publicized. I have three on order and I can’t wait to get them.
They will have, I am guessing, 3-4 scale steam locomotives. The steam offerings will be on the light as this is a V2 catalog and the 125 anniversary catalog in Jan 2025 is on the horizon. So one big steam, one upper mid, and one affordable scale offering is my guess. I am waiting for them to release the Reading and Northern T-1 and all the sister variations. Thought that could be a 2025 offering.
Like I said, the ET44 will be the main diesel. Maybe a new SD 50/60/70 variant based on the new SD50 tooling that looks great. I am guessing more CSX ES44s in heritage, though that is just another ES44 in a third catalog in a row. We will see. SD70Ace in NS heritage re-release. This would finish the SD70Ace NS heritage that Ryan said they started in the 2023v2 catalog. Another B-B switcher from EMD/GE/Alco. Oh, and as a side note we might see CPKC new paint ES44s.
A few freight and passenger cars and a couple complete sets with loco. These complete sets are always interesting as they usually offer a great set for a pretty decent price. I really want to see either NS or BNSF executive trains with modern diesels. The NS being pulled by a SD60E (which we haven’t seen SD60E tooling for some time) or a BNSF with an ES44 pulling.
Light on the Christmas or Halloween as they won’t be able to get new Christmas offerings here by this year’s holiday season. Maybe something like a one-off F-19 Christmas/Halloween paint. (I should have ordered one of those darn it.). Anyway, I digress.
I am thinking a new-ish LC2.0 offering in semi-scale or traditional. Maybe another 1 or 2 traditional engine offering. A few freight cars.
A few reminders of sets cataloged in the V1 edition.
OH, I ALMOST FORGOT - the Base3 will be in the catalog. Probably will cover 4 pages itself.
I could go on with a list of what I wish for, but I think the 2025v1 would be a better place for this.
Again, a shorter catalog because it is V2 and because 125th anniversary is on the horizon. I am thinking no more than 70-75 pages.
Now @Dave Olson and Ryan @Conrail6358 can check to see how close I am to predicting the real catalog. 😉