GS-4 & Cars in 2017
MTH if I may make a few suggestions concerning the GS-4? Now don't get me wrong here as they're a beautiful model but have a few bugs.
First if making the SP Daylight livery could you please get the red color right??!! The previous red was more a fluorescent pink!! I had the original SP GS-4 Daylight and a set of 9 matching cars and I sold it as the red/pink color looked terrible. MTH: No problem we will get the red color correct this time.
Second make the drive wheel centers metal like on the Big Boy & Triplex. Plastic is terrible for maintaining a round wheel. I had a AFT GS-4 that wobbled so bad it darn near tipped over at track speed. MTH: This is possible but will have to get the price on the new tooling first.
Third switch the plastic frame over to die-cast metal for more weight. MTH: This was checked and is what we call a "Project Canceller", which mean the cost of two new tools kills the project due to cost of the tooling. The 1 Gauge market is now too small to afford new tooled projects or project requiring a lot of money to make new tools. This is the reality of today's market.
Fourth use a beefier motor and improve the cooling. The original motor mount bracket must be altered to allow sufficient cooling otherwise the motor will overheat and destroy itself. MTH: We will investigate this one and will find a solution.
Fifth how about making the main & connecting rods out of metal instead of plastic? MTH: Very possible and will look into it.
Sixth do away with the articulated drive...I understand why this was done but I feel it's not needed...after all who really runs these things on 2' diameter curves? If concerned about sharp radius operability then go with blind drivers on the center 2 wheels. MTH: Again this one is a "PROJECT CANCELLER". Complete too much money. All new Main Frame tooling.