What to produce next?

I don't care who makes the final decision. ...as long as it's modern!

O scale = modern reefer ( + with sounds)

G scale= modern diesel

I have to keep trying. There are so many O scale modelers that model the late steam era. It is interesting. It feels done to death to me. I appreciate it. I still want modern.

 I have to believe that modern companies are trained to study the market. Look at what 3rd Rail focuses on. I am confused on why smaller scales have so much more available in modern equipment that it appears to be plentiful. Maybe 50/50 with the older stuff?

 So why is O scale's focus stuck in the late steam era? Romantic?? yes, I guess.

It would seem to me that at MTH it would be obvious the Mike Wolf makes ANY "final decision"! At Lionel, I would think that a "team" would bring proposals to the table, then the "Head Man" makes any final decisions. At Atlas, I would also tend to believe that the "Head Man" makes any final decisions. Lastly, at Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot, the "final decision" mostly rests with customers, in that any and all proposals/suggestions/etc., brought forward will NOT be placed into production by Scott Mann unless there are sufficient reservations/orders.

superwarp1 posted:

......... how do they decide?

12-sided dice

Rusty

Hot Water posted:

It would seem to me that at MTH it would be obvious the Mike Wolf makes ANY "final decision"! At Lionel, I would think that a "team" would bring proposals to the table, then the "Head Man" makes any final decisions. At Atlas, I would also tend to believe that the "Head Man" makes any final decisions. Lastly, at Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot, the "final decision" mostly rests with customers, in that any and all proposals/suggestions/etc., brought forward will NOT be placed into production by Scott Mann unless there are sufficient reservations/orders.

this sounds "spot on" to me.

ENGINEER-JOE,

You expressed what I feel very well...I LOVE railroads in any era,but I was born in 1957 and I grew up in the diesel era & when I started modeling,it was later '60s right up to today. I grew with the times as do my wants in O Scale. Those wants came along over time in HO,but getting those wants met in O Scale is a real fight. I'm not begging to go back to HO,it just seems as though in HO,no matter who models what era,everybody gets what they want. Where if you're modern era,it's build it,have it built,settle in another era,or get out of the scale. That's not encouraging to younger modelers or any modeler regardless of age, looking at O Scale as an alternative scale to settle in.  

Just my 2 cents worth.

As Always,

Al Hummel

Some modern white Tropicana reefers would be awesome!

They also listen to us, you know - and why would they not listen to the men (mostly) who make up their customer base, and are the only ones who will be buying their product.

They do have to separate the wheat (reasonable ideas) from the chaff (snorting and pounding the table) , and I do not understand some of their omissions, either.

Keep asking for your "stuff" - I do. What's that old saying? All prayers are answered, and sometimes the answer is No. 

As much as I like some of the Later Steam Engines, and maybe some diesels, though I really don't have many diesels. I would really would like them to produce more 19th Century Steam Engines, since that is the only type of engine my wife would like me to have. They don't make a lot of those.

Well there are some givens for MTH and LIONEL anyway that are sure to sell.  When it comes to engines it's hudsons and big boys.  Road names NYC, Pennsylvania and others.  Seems we can't get enough of those as they always sell. I hope they are willing to take chances and those chances pay off for them, as I'm interested in smaller New England roads

Hmmmm, lets see, maybe a tin plate standard gauge diesel engine

The decision is based on a review of the last five prototypes that sold well. The best seller of those is deemed a sure thing and the 492nd version of that prototype is cranked out (again). 

What bothers me most is I want F3/7 A-units with electro-couplers in both front and rear (FA's also).

We have been advocating Viewliner cars for years.  Many say because its an Amtrak only car that its not likely.

Well.. Lionel did the HHP-8 in Amtrak only and in fact could have offered a MARC Rail one but didnt.  MTH has been popping out Amfleet cars which is only two types (cafe or coach) on one railroad.  Viewliners have 3 types of cars (sleepers, diners, baggage) and several paint schemes to produce.

I think a lot of times manufacturers miss the mark on their ideas of what to produce because of misguided ideas and failure to observe and listen.

The last several years mth has only brought the ge 44T to the market and that was only by "arm twisting" from bachmann's surprised announcement for the same loco. 

Lionel  and third rail (with enough orders) seems to be the ones interested in making a unique item to the market. 

I would like to see the GP40-2 phase II and/ or the FP7.

I would like to see the ALCo line finished up with the C636, C430, T6, and possibly the C415.

GE in the 1970's and 80's with B23-7, B36-7, C36-7, C39-8.

I have a library of books on railroads l'm interested in, and even on quite a few l have little interest in.  I wonder if and how the few remaining manufacturers research potential offerings, and how much about prototype history they know or have access to? Sometimes it doesn't look like much....

VistaDomeScott posted:

We have been advocating Viewliner cars for years.  Many say because its an Amtrak only car that its not likely.

 

Seeing the Superliners are an Amtrak only car, the "many's" argument about the Viewliner doesn't seem to quite hold water.

Rusty

Of course in any corporate/company boardroom discussion regarding choices for new products, there is one of these chaps to periodically, subtly, and tersely 're-rail' the dialog...

....especially when it comes to major new tooling outlays.

The 'Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease" for me has deteriorated in my mortality to  the lesser know Japanese proverb..."The Nail That Sticks Up Will Be Pounded Down!"  

What I have is what I'm satisfied with......it brings a greater peace.

KD