The Nominees for the N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards

[bbussey]

I also agree that Trainworx 40' "UPS style" trailers should be on the top of the list.
But I'm not sure if shapeways "kits" qualify here. It seems to me that the voting is for ready-to-run models.

I agree.  Mass-market injection-molded or diecast RTR product is what I think this should cover.  It would be too easy to "game" the system by introducing rapid prototype and resin-cast models. 

The WOT Piggy-Packer should be the overwhelming favorite to win this year.

[peteski]

Yes, I agree about the PiggyPacker.  SInce now I know it qualifies, I'm amending my earlier post.

[wazzou]

Yes...Go PiggyPacker...Go find your log loading brother, Lumberjack and get your a$$ over here.

http://www.pbase.com/rustygrapple/image/139236307

[daniel_leavitt2000]

The packer will win, no question. Trainqorx trailers would have won any other year. It really brings a smile to my face just how much intermodal we have available to us in the last year: WOT Piggypacker, BLMA and Trainworx trailer flats, Trainworx large line of trailers that span decades.

Looks like my Worcester and Boston yards will be packed with trailers.

[Ian MacMillan]

Looks like my Worcester and Boston yards will be packed with trailers.

+1. Same here. Lotsa UPS trains!

[Smike]

Piggypacker !!!!   

[bobdobbs]

+1 Piggy packer

[Wardie]

Piggypacker

[sundowner]

WOT PC-90

[cfritschle]

I agree.  Mass-market injection-molded or diecast RTR product is what I think this should cover.  It would be too easy to "game" the system by introducing rapid prototype and resin-cast models. 

The WOT Piggy-Packer should be the overwhelming favorite to win this year.

Bryan and Peter,

When the N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards started way back in 2005, I did not think that limited production models should be excluded.  And while a few have made it to the final ballot, the most popular models have always been those that were mass produced and available through the “normal” hobby distribution network.  And while a couple of GHQ kits have won in the past, the rest of the winners were ready to use models that could easily be acquired.  However, I should note that in some cases pre-ordering the model may have been necessary.

And in listening to the comments during the voting at the conventions, it appears that most N scalers vote for a vehicle model that they either have or plan to purchase.  Or in some cases, it may just be that they have seen the model in a hobby shop or on the manufacturer’s web page, and therefore know it is, or at least was, available.

I really don’t want to exclude any vehicle model from being in contention for the award, but almost every year I always hear from at least one disgruntled person whose favorite model did not make it to the final ballot.

Finally, I really want to thank everyone who is participating in the process.  Frequently models are brought to my attention that I had not thought of as possible contenders.

Carter

[elnscale]

WOT PiggyPacker - best of all time!

[bbussey]

Bryan and Peter,

When the N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards started way back in 2005, I did not think that limited production models should be excluded.  And while a few have made it to the final ballot, the most popular models have always been those that were mass produced and available through the “normal” hobby distribution network.  And while a couple of GHQ kits have won in the past, the rest of the winners were ready to use models that could easily be acquired.  However, I should note that in some cases pre-ordering the model may have been necessary.

Carter,

Even the GHQ models are mass-marketed though, so they wouldn't fall under the type of "limited-run" category where only a handful of people are fortunate enough to acquire a particular model.

For example, ESM has a couple of vehicles on the development chart, such as the TDM4507 intercity bus.  But it makes little sense for ESM to injection-mold it, for a number of reasons.  So a way to get it to market would be in the form of a limited resin kit, which would have limited reach.  I seems to me it would be unfair to compare such a model to, say, if WOT or CMW decided to tool a GM Fishbowl bus, which would be more widely marketed and therefore more readily available.

[cfritschle]

Carter,

Even the GHQ models are mass-marketed though, so they wouldn't fall under the type of "limited-run" category where only a handful of people are fortunate enough to acquire a particular model.

For example, ESM has a couple of vehicles on the development chart, such as the TDM4507 intercity bus.  But it makes little sense for ESM to injection-mold it, for a number of reasons.  So a way to get it to market would be in the form of a limited resin kit, which would have limited reach.  I seems to me it would be unfair to compare such a model to, say, if WOT or CMW decided to tool a GM Fishbowl bus, which would be more widely marketed and therefore more readily available.

Bryan,

I agree completely with what you are saying, but I have found the limited-run models do not do very well in the final voting.  While they often have a very passionate following from the few people that acquired them, when it comes to the final ballot, the majority vote for the models that were mass produced.

I don't want to have to say a model is disqualified just because it was produced in very limited quantities.

Carter

[cfritschle]

Please see the second post in this thread for the absentee ballot.

Carter

[bc6]

Hands down the Piggypacker is the best N scale vehicle of the year maybe decade.