Capability to automatically uncouple any car anywhere on layout. (That is, make there an automated coupler system option available on all new freight and passenger cars)
I am in On30, but I wish I could program a more correct sounding whistle on my ten-wheelers and I wish they had smoke capability...
This is one of those great topics that will give a board spectrum of answers. Since it is so open, it could be Lionel, MTH, 3RD Rail or anyone else.
Quality should be without asking IMHO, and I know that it has become a big issue that seems to get worse.
As far as road names, that should be like the quality statement, though there should be those that we can never seem to get from the manufacturers.
As far as engines not being made, that is like the others I've listed above. I know we would all like to see those that we never see much of at all, so that is why it is like the others.
Features, there are so many things that should come to mind. Smoke, smoking whistles, ringing bells, swinging bells, blowing horns, chuffing sounds, this sound, that sound, working couplers, etc., etc.
What can be said? Good question. I think my overall choice other than the obvious stuff going along with quality would be smoke and sounds. Other stuff would be great too, but some features like the depleting coal load didn't interest me one bit.
Only other stuff that maybe added would be easier access to locomotive controls for program switches like some have moved to the sand some instead of hard to reach underneath.
I guess that should do it, eh?
I would like to see more interaction with the layout through a controller, with some system to dynamically-generate events. For example, report current fuel levels and usage stats that account for how hard the locomotive is working (think a force sensor on the tender drawbar or rear coupler). Couple this to some sort of interactive mode where you, as the engineer, need to be aware of your fuel levels otherwise the engine could stop. Generate events such as a hotbox or bad wheel or something. All of these features exist independently but none of them really work together in an organized manner; checking the fuel or refueling via the Legacy remote feels very passive and gimmicky.
I have toyed around with a python script to do some of these things, at least from the perspective of a dispatcher.
While we’re dreaming / brainstorming...A feature that I would find interesting is control system that was more like operating a real locomotive and visually looked more like the actual locomotive controls: knobs, valves, throttle, etc. instead of a remote.
I’m thinking this would be more along the lines of iPad app that responds to touch adjusting each control mechanism. For steam, You would need to monitor boiler pressure, temperature, water level, fuel levels, etc. and the locomotive would respond accordingly. The drawbar sensor would play into this with heavier trains requiring more pressure etc than running a short empty train.
Each locomotive would have its own back head control visual. So the Big Boy would be more difficult to control than say a 4-4-0 general. Of course you could have different levels of difficulty - a beginner mode that a kid could use all the way up to an advanced mode requiring some skill and expertise. A camera could be integrated so you could get a peak of your layout through the cab windows. 
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A train that will not move until it dictates the entire owners manual in Rich Melvin's voice.
ironman1 posted:I agree with better Quality Control!
35 years ago, I owned a “Full Line Hobbyshop”! ie Trains, Planes, Boats & Cars! The most prevalent statement made by Customers , about Products, in those “OLD” Days was: BETTER QUALITY CONTROL” ! 😉 Amazing.... Hasn’t changed much at all !!
Fredstrains posted:ironman1 posted:I agree with better Quality Control!
35 years ago, I owned a “Full Line Hobbyshop”! ie Trains, Planes, Boats & Cars! The most prevalent statement made by Customers , about Products, in those “OLD” Days was: BETTER QUALITY CONTROL” ! 😉 Amazing.... Hasn’t changed much at all !!
Quality control isn't a feature of a train though. I do agree that quality is a must, and that it seems that lately it is way off the mark, off target and coming up short with only certain companies far better at it. Besides that being an obvious must, what about the features you would like to see in your trains?
I forgot to say "lights" in my post, but I would imagine that lights would cover the norm unless specifying ground lights, end of train, marker lights, cab lights or such.
Visibly working power reverse gear on steam locomotives.
Rusty Traque posted:Smooth, reliable operation, good quality decoration, reasonable prototype fidelity (obviously, the closer the better) are what is important to me.
The "bells and whistles" are fine, but have little influence in my decision to buy.
Rusty
Yes. In fact, the "bells and whistles" will stop me from buying an item, more than the other way around, regardless of my prior post about wanting a working steam power reverse gear.
Ability to change the color of the Marker Lights? MultiColor LEDs with a settings control, or even a switch on the engine.
Repair itself.
I am hearing impaired and so much of the sounds and crew talk others take for granted are unintelligible to me . So what I would love is that the blue tooth model trains had-the capacity to directly broadcast to my blue tooth Pam pilot and then from it directly to my hearing aids.( my cell phone does this) Lionel has told me this could be done but it would require an additional cost but if it was within reason I would gladly paid for it as an add on option
I got to say it, so my apologies in advance.
Generate revenue.
I read this thread in it's entirety. I like the idea of the disappearing coal in a steamer. Very cool.
I would love the gremlins to vanish, where did my engine go on my Wi-Fi??!!?? WTF
I would love couplers to stay shut, consistently.
John
Great thread!
I'm pretty happy with my MTH PS3 locomotives as they are now. I'm not willing to pay much more for additional features
That said, I think dynamo steam is the next step in steam features. Also, the idea of FPV with a camera mounted in the cab is intriguing to me. Finally, battery power makes so much sense as the future fir model yrains, but then we don't need 3 rails. I like 3 rails!
I like cameras. So more camera's in the trains or maybe track side ? Also, train gps. Think of all that could be done in software if the train's location was exactly know. Kinda like Lionel sensor track but more sophisticated. Maybe I could see and run trains from anywhre. Think smart trains.
Gilly@N&W posted:
- A decal numbering package so the end user can make whatever Cab# they want.
- Dead rail operation with Lithium batteries.
- S Scale couplers that work with existing claw couplers on rolling stock.
I like the decal package idea.
I've said before I'm pretty satisfied with things the way they are. Light years ahead of what we had in the '60s and even '80s. However, I will have to agree with Tom and Doug on the decal package idea.
Engine having smoke units that turn off when they need smoke fluid.
Bill DeBrooke posted:After all these comments I think all manufacturers should be required to include sound deadening headphones with all products they sell so I do not have to listen to the 90 decibels of sound all of these features would lead to.
I'd like those headphones to drown out the whistles on videos of toy trains. Too many directors think they must blow the whistle the entire time the train is running.
Three Words; Appreciate in value!
I would like manufacturers to offer wheel and track materials and finish that would greatly reduce, with a goal of eliminating, the need to clean wheels and track. This must be a universal problem, and one solution is battery control. Having said that, I am "not quite there yet".
Battery power!
I’d just like them to run smoothly, quietly and reliably...for a long time.
I would also say reliability and quality control. I like what they do now so long as they operate as advertised and give many years of good service. "Quality control" covers a wide range of sins from couplers that won't stay closed to bizarre electronics issues and even dead on arrival. Still room for improvement I'm afraid.
Gweedo posted:Engine having smoke units that turn off when they need smoke fluid.
This is long overdue!
Jeez enough with the quality control! It's not what this thread is asking. We all want great QC. We get it. Scott is asking about features.
I would like to see more animation. On steamers maybe have the fireman move to look like he's shoving coal into the firebox. You could have the figure move with a shovel from the tender to swing around and have the firedoor swing open for him to toss the coal in. This could be a command control thing with an added sound to accompany it.
The ability to buy shells from MTH & Lionel. I would pay twice as much for the engine if I could buy changeable shells for Halloween, Christmas, other rail lines, etc., for under $100
I have a bunch of RMT Beep shells and I change 'em to suit my whims, and for the holidays!
Or, how about Menards selling shells to fit specific MTH/Lionel engines?
I'm not big on crazy smoke effects but steam locomotives could all use a cylinder steam effect when starting out. It's something I'd actually pay for as it's much more noticeable than whistle steam.
They did this back in 1981, which I do have the engine but never saw any smoke come from there.
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I would like to see a detailed cab interior on MTH and Lionel diesel engines. And, scale engineer figures!
Regards, Swafford
MartyE posted:Jeez enough with the quality control! It's not what this thread is asking. We all want great QC. We get it. Scott is asking about features.
True. And I almost felt guilty making my 1st response, but it seems a lot of folks similarly believe it to be an issue. And Scott did end his opening post by asking if we liked the idea he presented, he didn't suggest he only wanted to hear about other new feature ideas.
My problem is where do we draw the line on price? We know every time a new "hot" feature comes out, it bumps up the price appreciably. How much are we willing to continue upping the price point with new glitzy features before we say it's too much for the level of quality we get? We all know the price is going to go up over time anyway, but this makes it happen faster, obviously.
I know it's ancient history at this point, but top end for a steam engine used to be MSRP around $1200 (thinking 90's into early 2000's with Shay's, scale Hudsons, maybe 1st articulated engines, etc). Then we hit $1600-1800 as a new "norm" (I probably skipped a price point in there somewhere). Then it became $2000, then we finally had a $2500 MSRP (pretty sure, right?).
So if we get fireman that swivel around and mimic feeding coal into the firebox (via command control, and the firebox doors opening in tandem with this), how much will that be? $3000? $3500, $4000? And the quality of the items themselves wont likely be any better than we have today for the generic (many preventable) problems that have been brought up in several posts.
My "big" purchases are few and far between these days and it has comparatively little to do with the money itself. It has much more to do with the level of disappointment and/or the hassle involved when something is wrong, and deciding if you can live with it or not - or just return the item if you can't get a replacement or the problem easily remedied.
I have fewer reservations about spending money on lower $$ items, as the disappointment is somehow less when I've paid less for an item. I'll still reject something if it's got a major flaw, but smaller less noticeable things I may let slide more willingly on a low priced item more than on a higher priced item.
I guess I'm just too picky.
-Dave
I would like to see the train companies get together and agree on a standard command control system, and sell one Remote/App that runs ALL the locomotives.
Working air brakes...
...And a government mandate forcing everyone to retrofit their collections accordingly.
:trollface:
---PCJ
In response to those who would like to see more animation, as do I, many large scale operators, myself included, have inserted various animations into their equipment. It's fun and so much easier in the larger scale.
I know this is thread drift but I'll insert it to amuse some of you.
jhz563 posted:Gweedo posted:Engine having smoke units that turn off when they need smoke fluid.
This is long overdue!
Actually the TAS style smoke units (similar units used by Atlas and 3rd Rail) have a thermistor in them so if the smoke unit runs dry and starts to overheat, the heat resistor shuts down while the fan remains on. This has been around a long time.
Lou N
Craignor posted:I would like to see the train companies get together and agree on a standard command control system, and sell one Remote/App that runs ALL the locomotives.
It would be very nice, indeed. I was in HO when command control was being developed. There were various ideas by various companies. I remember the NMRA National Model Railroad Association coming up with standards for DCC, and we see DCC was adopted by all the companies, even being a feature on newer MTH engines.
Mark Boyce posted:Craignor posted:I would like to see the train companies get together and agree on a standard command control system, and sell one Remote/App that runs ALL the locomotives.
It would be very nice, indeed. I was in HO when command control was being developed. There were various ideas by various companies. I remember the NMRA National Model Railroad Association coming up with standards for DCC, and we see DCC was adopted by all the companies, even being a feature on newer MTH engines.
The Legacy code is DCC compatible since 2013 as I recall. I run my scalified Legacy American Flyer SD70's and ES44's on DCC.
Rusty
