Midwestern Model Works asking for project ideas.

I suggested a GP30

Adam

I would agree on GP-30...in Southern Livery perhaps...

What about BL2's?

OMI did them fore score and seve- oh never mind.. 

But seriously a interesting model worthy of a look.

Would it be a good idea to just supply retrofits?  That way folks with really good bodies could have upscale power sections.

another vote for a GP30.

plus a SD7/9.

Would it be a good idea to just supply retrofits?

agree with Bob

Another vote for an SD7/9.

Ed

I would suggest the Alco C636! anyone made them in O scale? [NOt 2 b confused with the ALCo C630]

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't Erics current business retrofiting brass engines with quality drives? He is testing the market with this latest project and I would not be suprised to see the final costs to be higher than the current estimates.

OK. I'm in. An SDL39 since Atlas won't build it.

Dick

Sorry - I did not know he was already established in the retrofit business.  What are his stock units, and what prices and lead times are we looking at?

Jerry Snow tried this - not sure how it went, but I heard he had a very good product, assuming price was not an object.

I saw his display at Chicago 2008 nice looking drives for diesels, you would have to contact him for quotes and lead times, I would think every job is custom , pricing was up there 500 + I believe at the time. I guess if he can import high quality bodys and truck assemblies he can build a standard drive and lighting package to put the whole package together at a better price point than retrofitting existing imports. Will be interesting to see if the numbers work out for him. I have heard that Stu K. has a long waiting list for his drives although it only takes a few with large collections to keep busy for a long time,theres a reason why past and present importers have not gone this route.

Erik is definitely interested in hearing what other highly detailed realistic models we are interested in seeing him produce.  I know he reads the forum, I would also ask that you send him an email mailto:info@midwesternmodelworks.com so that he can get an accurate tally.  Make the extra effort to establish a 1:1 relationship with him, as you'll quicky see he is very professional, knowledgeable and is sincerely interested in hearing what is important to you. 

He defintely retofits existing models, I've personally seen anything from 4-axle Atlas locos to 6 axle OMI diesels.  There is no better drive in any scale.  I have two locos in his queue now being retofitted with his drive! While it's true the SD45 project is his first complete locomotive project, he has many industry contacts and business relationships that he has established and IMO the end result will be far superior to any other locomotive in any scale!  I can say this based on what I've personally seen in his shop in terms of the sub-assemblies for the features he is promoting on the MMW website.   Based on his high standards, work ethic and quality of work I have no doubt that he can make this first project a success!! I look forward to MMW becoming a longstanding innovator in O Scale railroading equipment.

I for one want to see the bar raised in O Scale, who else is doing this to this level? Could these locos come in a higher cost, sure, but I know Erik will do everything he can to ensure they stay within the estimated cost as he wants to make the project a success and cost is definitely a critical success factor.

IMO, the more we can show our support , the better he can accurately gauge interest, the more likely we'll have the models we want with the features we've asked for at the price we want!

So if prices are not available, maybe a few of his customers could give us a hint as to what his past conversions cost?  I have way too many trains, so am not in the market, but I am interested in these kinds of advances and the possibility that they will ultimately be produced in quantities large enough to be economical.

I am not a big high dollar buyer, however I sense an oppertunity to be found with those increasing numbers of dummy non powered units flooding into the market. Drop a drive and go.

That is my contribution anyway.

I believe you are in blank checkbook territory here.

Here is Erik's page for the diesel drive conversion.  There is a lot of very helpful information on the webpage which describes his drive system in great detail.  He explains everything that goes into making it, the options and his guarantee

WE  GUARANTEE  THAT  OUR  DRIVE  SYSTEM  WILL  NOT  BE  OUT- PERFORMED,  OUT-PULLED  OR  OUT-LASTED  BY  ANY  PRODUCTION  OR  AFTERMARKET  "O" SCALE  DRIVE  SYSTEM  ON  THE  MARKET.

http://ecsfabrication.com/Site/Diesel%20Drive.htm

IMO, While it's not a blank check as indicated, it's also not the cheapest replacement drive system out there.  If you simply want the best performing, best pulling drive out there, you get what you pay for from Erik!   I encourage you to contact him directly at  mailto:Info@ecsfabrication.com or of course the mailto:info@midwesternmodelworks.com for your requests on what projects you would like to see MMW produce.

Well, prices are reasonable for this sort of thing.  I personally would never use brass in a gear, but perhaps it survives ok when used in a spur gear.  And I note that he uses 8000 Pittmans - I too think the 8000 series is a better motor for O Scale, but boy, do I pick up grief for that opinion.

I have no mechanisms with enough slop for the flywheel to turn more than an eighth of a revolution before a wheel turns.

When you think about it, even an NWSL single gearbox is getting right on up there in price.  Six precision gearboxes for $750 or so, installed, is not all that bad, I guess.

Still, my hobby budget is constrained - I am happy with CLW in my diesels.

Beyond all aspects of the drive, what models has he produced? 

I guess I am to interpret that lengthy answer to be equivalent to "none".

Perhaps his next project then should be to complete his first one?

I would to see produced is a scale sized RDC Bud car. Yes 3rd rail made them afew years ago but try to find one to purchase in two rail. This would be on top,  on my wish list!

mwb- since you have asked that question before of "Beyond all aspects of the drive, what models has he produced?" you already knew the answer that MMW is in the procees of producing the SD45. As with any company operations, the R&D does not stop till the first project is done, but prepares for the next so that there is no lag in the work. But I guess you should already know this. Then again you are from a fantasy city of ma-phoor in Ethiopia  according to your profile. Maybe you have gotten lost in your fantasy world?

What locos would you be interested in having made? Any suggestions?

Stephen

You know, I believe I met Erik at Joe Modjeski's table at an old OSW.  if so, he seemed like a nice guy.

I think what Martin is saying is, it is time for him to establish his own track record.  This is a very tough business - just ask Henry.  You cannot defend a track record until one exists.

Opinion, of course.

Thank you for explaining the obvious, Bob.  It should not have necessary for you to do so, but there are those that can not and will not exercise what few neurons they possess.  It correllates well with the lack of reading comprehension that runs rampant these days. That deficiency seemingly afflicts young and old alike.

More opinion (of course!)

And, while I have no interest in any diseasels, but I would like Erik to succeed. Successful new producers of models are an important segment of this hobby given all of the difficulties in dealing with getting models made in various locations not entirely under one's control.  As Bob noted, establishing a track record, presenting a finished product is a critical component, will go a very long ways to gaining future orders.  I would like to see him made just about anything that has not been available in the past. 

Fact (probably, but some one wll certainly argue against it....)

Fantasy worlds are occupied primary by folks blindly ordering engines that never arrive, and thereafter spend their time on the internet complaining.....  Everything that I have ever ordered (SMR) arrived as advertised (100% Truth).

Division Point 1996

Woo-Song Brass Model

2 rail

He has the magic "or" in that guarantee.  Whatever else you can say about the MTH Diesel transmissions, you cannot say they are short-lived.  If you use brass gears instead of good gear bronze, you will have early failures.

It is a fact - we run these things eight hours a day, and they outlast everything else we have tried, including Atlas China drives, by a factor of ten.  Even then they are fixable.

RDC Bud car would be a really nice and also GP7/9 low nose.

Well since it's a wishlist... I would go for a GP38-2, GP39-2 or GP40 in SF and or UP.

John

Just an opinion on my part but, Erik's drives might be a little overkill in an RDC.  This is unless you want to pull 50 or so cars with your RDC.

Jay