Annual PRR Modeling Survey

[keystonecrossings]

Every November, the Keystone Crossings site conducts an "Annual PRR
Modeler's Needs Assessment Survey".

The survey asks respondents to list their top three desired models in each
of several categories, including steam power, diesel power, electric
power, freight rolling stock, passenger rolling stock, etc.

Ballots are typically available for one week and are then summarized on
Keystone Crossings.

Summaries are also sent to several dozen manufacturers. Though our survey
is unscientific, and doesn't take into account quantities each modeler may
desire, we have noted that each year many of our top desires are announced
as products within 12-18 months. So perhaps this data provides a "pulse
point" to the industry.

The ballot is now open and runs through midnight, Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011.

You will find the ballot and past results here...

http://kc.pennsyrr.com/survey_2011.php

Thank you for your participation!
--
Jerry Britton

[bbussey]

I find it interesting with all of the "we want K4 locomotives" threads over the past six months that the engine didn't even place on the N scale steam wish list last year.   M1, H9 and H10 were the top three.

[Dave V]

Bryan,

I find that interesting too, and I would attribute it to two things:

1.  Brass K4s and Minitrix K4s are still fairly easy to find, so it's not like they don't exist.  The other classes of PRR locos are WAAAY harder to find, like the M1 and H class.  Really, except for the occasional brass, that's all kitbash territory.  That explains the survey result.

2.  People see 4 (if you include Bowser) HO K4s, and so they assume enough research has been done that an N scale one could be done pretty easily.  Particularly Bachmann, having reproduced a number of their HO steam locos in N.  Couple that with the "iconic" nature of the K4, fitting in with what we believe Kato's business model to be, and it starts to make LESS sense that there isn't already a decent N scale K4.  That leads to the "I want a K4" threads.

This PRR N scaler right here is working on his survey.  He has a brass K4, a kitbashed M1, and a kitbashed H10.  He wants a better M1 because he models the Middle Division, followed by an I1s 2-10-0, and then a better H-class.  But he's fine in the K4 department right now.

[rickb773]

Since I am now modeling the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore lines, which got the old PRR steam engines (in flat country) I would like to see the E6s and H9s/H10s. I imagine the short wheel-base E6s could be more difficult to cram in the motors.
I also would like to see Bowser do an N scale version of the BS-16/AS-16, as ugly as they were.

[eric220]

Actually, it looks like the K4s was the number one steam request in N Scale with 7 votes.  It's just a little hard to see due to a formatting error (it wound up in line with the header).