Sunset Model Locomotive Ideas - The Sunbeam and Cotton Belt L1 / GS-7/8

Here are some other engines I would buy, although these are really non-players:

- PRR B8a/0-6-0T.  Need more tank engines but it is Pennsy specific.

- Baldwin VO-660/DS-4-4-660 switcher.  Has Sunset ever done a small diesel switcher?  50 +/- railroads had these.

- EMD NW2 phase 1 through phase 4, prefer Phase 4.  Lionel did phase 5+, and MTH did a Ph 1-4 in RailKing Scale.  Would like a better detailed model.

- FM H20-44 road switcher.  With original Raymond Loewy contours.  Only six railroads had these, but they included the Pennsy, UP, and NYC.

If Sunset will make something as obscure and rare as a Krauss-Maffei or a Chessie streamlined locomotive, then suggestions for a CB&Q 9908 or a Frisco Firefly 4-6-2 should not be an eye-roller.
I do not need one more train, but I would be first to buy these.

I would also be interested in 19th century steam, but I'm sure that's a small market.

@Rob Leese posted:

If Sunset will make something as obscure and rare as a Krauss-Maffei or a Chessie streamlined locomotive, then suggestions for a CB&Q 9908 or a Frisco Firefly 4-6-2 should not be an eye-roller.
I do not need one more train, but I would be first to buy these.

I’d love to see either of these Rob !!! Regrettably the Firefly will be almost impossible as Anything Frisco has trouble getting Any reservations. (Although the Frisco FA Will get done 🫢😮😳😉😉) CB&Q 9908 resides at the Museum of Transportation in Kirkwood (St. Louis suburb) and is an Excellent candidate for Scott to do. It’s a neat shovel-nosed Zephyr but it’s maybe only about the size of a F3 -  perhaps a bit larger. It’s different as it is non articulated. Done in a finish like the E5s would be a very nice “O” scale addition.
I could add this to a Z, Aeolus, E5 picture. Even better 4some !!!!!!

A SP RSD5 .

Some of the request have been done.   Sunset GGD did do an FP7.      The Carworks did a couple of different versions of Alco High Switchers.     Sunset back in the 80s, or maybe Westside imported an NYC K5.   It did not sell well.    These models do show up at O Scale shows.

The RS3 idewa is a good one.    I have a number of the WEavers, and they look good from 3 feet, but the detail is cast on.    The profile of all the others I have seen is too high to my eye.    To me the look short and stubby instead of long and lean.

As much as I hate to admit, I think it is going to rare to see any more steam models from any importer.    There just does not seem to be enough interest in any specific model

Another suggestion,Baldwin DR-4-4-1500 diesel known as the Baby Face locomotive. These were made by Baldwin just prior to the Sharks.NYC MP and CNJ had them tho I believe CNJ units were slightly longer

That reminds me -- Baldwin DR-6-4-2000 PRR BP-20 passenger sharks for the 1948 Broadway Limited!  The old Weaver ones are hard to find, beat up, and not nearly nice enough for the price they command (simply because there's no other alternative).  Not sure why these wouldn't be on the table if the EAs / E1s were.

I think the cost of steam locomotives in brass is becoming too cost prohibitive for many collectors. A modestly sized locomotive is now in the $2500-3000 price range. Anything large or articulated is $3,500 and up. For me to pony up that kind of cash, I have to REALLY want that model. The list of locomotives I would drop that money on is extremely short.
couple this with the fact that Sunset has already done a lot of locomotives in the past 30 plus years and very rarely does a re-release, there aren’t many left that could generate enough interest.

The OP mentioned two SP prototypes that I have interest in although the price would be too high for me to want to reserve one. Sunset has done a lot of nice SP models from the late 90s to the mid 2010s and I am actively hunting many of them down. For the price of 1 new 3rd rail steamer, I can get 3-5 older SP models that I want more than anything Scott could announce tomorrow.

@prrjim posted:

Some of the request have been done.   Sunset GGD did do an FP7.      The Carworks did a couple of different versions of Alco High Switchers.     Sunset back in the 80s, or maybe Westside imported an NYC K5.   It did not sell well.    These models do show up at O Scale shows.

I would just point out that the 80's were 30-40 years ago, and as such may not be representative of current demand.  Especially as many modelers (myself included) were not born yet, and many others were not in a financial position to buy high end models, but are now.

@PSM posted:

I would just point out that the 80's were 30-40 years ago, and as such may not be representative of current demand.  Especially as many modelers (myself included) were not born yet, and many others were not in a financial position to buy high end models, but are now.

And technology (TMCC/DCC), level of detail, etc.

I don't think anything done in the 1980s or even 1990s has much bearing on market today.

I'd second the vote for fixed pilot RS-3's and the CNJ Blue Comet with correctly made passenger cars, as well as the annual suggestion for the B36-7's and the NJ Transit Arrow series EMU commuter cars.

@Andrew B. posted:

And technology (TMCC/DCC), level of detail, etc.

I don't think anything done in the 1980s or even 1990s has much bearing on market today.

Especially if they were made in such small quantities, as is always the case for brass models.

Great Northern NW-3 diesel locomotive.

I would order a T&NO Sunbeam & Cotton belt 4-8-4 # 819 in a second - Maybe two Cotton Belts.

Also would order some Cotton Belt Rs-3's, Cotton Belt FT's (Original paint scheme-preferred & Black Widow) + Missouri Pacific, Texas & Pacific F7's (would buy more than one set of these).

Still waiting for Scott to offer the EMD F9, I’d buy an A-B-A set for my North Coast Limited. Many other good suggestions in this thread, I’m in for the RS-3, especially SP&S.

@Blue Streak posted:

I would order a T&NO Sunbeam & Cotton belt 4-8-4 # 819 in a second - Maybe two Cotton Belts.

Also would order some Cotton Belt Rs-3's, Cotton Belt FT's (Original paint scheme-preferred & Black Widow) + Missouri Pacific, Texas & Pacific F7's (would buy more than one set of these).

I’d add MP FTs to your listed MP. 😉  

Interesting … Cotton Belt FT but no SP as an original buyer  🤔🤔🤔.  

SP and SF FT's would be ok. But I have many SP and SF engines. But Cotton Belt - especially in the original paint has never been done in O. You can find it in HO though. Cotton Belt can be run on the SP and T&NO as they got around. Besides the Cotton Belt had them before the SP. I think due to WW2, if memory serves me correct.

The +Missouri Pacific is part of the FT list.

@Blue Streak posted:

SP and SF FT's would be ok. But I have many SP and SF engines. But Cotton Belt - especially in the original paint has never been done in O. You can find it in HO though. Cotton Belt can be run on the SP and T&NO as they got around. Besides the Cotton Belt had them before the SP. I think due to WW2, if memory serves me correct.

The +Missouri Pacific is part of the FT list.

Cotton Belt FT in original paint would be SO Cool !!! I’d want to be in for one of those for sure. That gets pricey pretty quick though if one goes for at least ABAs, much more if one opts for ABBAs 😳🫣😖🫢🤪🤪🤪. And MP is my top priority.  It might mean just ABs for me. 🤔🤔🤔

Mckeen Motor Car would be cool

Looked it up SP did not have any FT's. They inherited The Cotton Belt's.

How bout one or more of these suggestions:  A Western Maryland K2 Pacific or K1 Pacific.  Western Maryland H9 Consolidation,  

B&O Docksider ( I realize MTH and some other companies did this engine but I'm certain that 3rd Rail could do a superior model )  in two versions:  a) In the original saddle tank oil burning version  b) the modified with coal tender version.  

If Third Rail were to build even one of these locomotives, I'd be down for purchasing it, which would be my first Third Rail purchase.

I'd like to see the FP7/ FP9 done again. I could go for some of each.

Who better to make a Family Lines GE BQ23-7 than Sunset? If they won't make one who would?

You wouldn't even need a matching caboose

@trumpettrain posted:

How bout one or more of these suggestions:  A Western Maryland K2 Pacific or K1 Pacific.  Western Maryland H9 Consolidation,  

B&O Docksider ( I realize MTH and some other companies did this engine but I'm certain that 3rd Rail could do a superior model )  in two versions:  a) In the original saddle tank oil burning version  b) the modified with coal tender version.  

If Third Rail were to build even one of these locomotives, I'd be down for purchasing it, which would be my first Third Rail purchase.

Sunset already did the C-16 B&O Docksider in the 1980s in O gauge. That would help serve as the basis for a 3-rail model. However, the Sunset model was noticeably lacking the proper and distinctive rivet detail in the boiler, as did the later Right-of-Way model. That was a deal breaker for me. So I hope that error would not be repeated.

Would love to see F9s in UP, Jenks, Warbonnet Blue or Yellow and Chicago and Eastern Illinois.

I would be in for the PRR RS-3 as well as the FP7.

I wonder if there are enough Long Islanders in this hobby willing to order EMD DE30AC/DM30AC locos. Kawasaki passenger cars might be a stretch because the LIRR cars are unique, but there may yet be interest in the locos.

I wish anyone would do a Cotton Belt L1 Northern!

@TrainBub posted:

I agree. The Atlas Erie-Builts are decent …But as vintage 2004, 05, 08, they are getting a bit “long in tooth” - for detail and “internals”.  An offering with both window versions Would Be Very Compelling !!! While not many roads had these beauties, Most of the Big Road Names Did !!! This should bode well in the Reservations Department. I could anticipate an E-B offering could Quickly Rise in the Q.
How Great it would be to be able to pair this diesel with Scott’s wonderful Hiawatha passenger cars 😮😳🫢😜😜

Cheers 😉

Well wishes can come true !!! 😜😜😜😜 Erie Builts now offered by 3rd Rail. Time to step up and reserve - push it up in the Production Schedule / Q. 😉😉😉