ScaleTrains ES44

[EspeeGoldenState]

I guess my post is a little confusing. I was comparing what is being offered in this 1st run of ScaleTrains ES44s are compared to what was announced originally in 2022 for the FVM ES44s/SD70ACes before they were canceled in 2024. The pics of what was offered in the original announcements for the two models, not what is now being offered.

The only road/number/scheme from the original canceled announcement for the FVM ES44s is IAIS 516 Heritage unit that carried over to the new and completely redone version announced yesterday. Everything else is a different offering. Which for the people that originally ordered in 2022, canceled in 2024, then completely redone in 2026 as a Rivet Counter ST version, to me is very wrong. Will order from the new announcement/version, yes. But not what I originally ordered. The discount from the canceling of the original announcement for this announcement, reads as its only going to be offered this one time, which to me is bad business. Here's your discount from our cancellation, but nothing being offered is the same.

The SD70ACe was announced in 2022 as well at the same time as the ES44, and canceled at the same time in 2024 too. I'll be curious if they do the same thing if/when they announce a Rivet Counter version of them.

[James Costello]

The only road/number/scheme from the original canceled announcement for the FVM ES44s is IAIS 516 Heritage unit that carried over to the new and completely redone version announced yesterday. Everything else is a different offering. Which for the people that originally ordered in 2022, canceled in 2024, then completely redone in 2026 as a Rivet Counter ST version, to me is very wrong. Will order from the new announcement/version, yes. But not what I originally ordered. The discount from the canceling of the original announcement for this announcement, reads as its only going to be offered this one time, which to me is bad business. Here's your discount from our cancellation, but nothing being offered is the same.

I really don't understand the gripe with this.

Is this about no BNSF Heritage units? Would you rather them produced this run on the wrong body so you can have them now at a discount, versus waiting for the correct body style?


 
ST announced product in 2022 after buying FVM - they don't take deposits or upfront payment, so you're out of pocket nothing.

ST cancelled product in 2024 after deciding they can't reuse tooling and/or release product to their standard.

ST announced an all new version in 2026 - likely to be superior in many ways relative to a ~2009 era model especially in terms of tooling, decoration and electronics.

And to compensate you for the disappointment and hurt feelings, you get a 15% discount?

How is that bad business and not good business? How is that not looking after customers? It's more than any other manufacturer does when production runs are cancelled (looking at you IMRC and Athearn).

Maybe I've spent too long today looking at which PTC equipped UP units I can justify in my era, but I've sat on this for a day, and I still don't get the gripe.....

[EspeeGoldenState]

I really don't understand the gripe with this.

Is this about no BNSF Heritage units? Would you rather them produced this run on the wrong body so you can have them now at a discount, versus waiting for the correct body style?

Since you and two others (atm) all agree, while yes I did have 3 BNSF Heritage units preordered from the original announcement, as well as GECX 3000, IAIS 516, and the 3 CSX Pride in Service units, I'm just supposed to suck up my pride with only 1 of them now being offered in the new announcement and be ok with it? The 15% isnt the whole issue here. While I'm glad they are Rivet Counter now and completely correct, my biggest gripe is that 5 of the 12 offerings are CSX Heritage units that I have zero desire to purchase. The offered BNSF units are too new for me as well, and no use for the FEC in the Zebra scheme.

Just wish there had been more options that what was offered. Will I end up with a couple, as I said yes, but doesn't mean I exactly have to be completely ok with it.

[Englewood]

Personally I'm glad none of the units I had originally ordered were reannounced. I have spent an insane amount of money on my toy train hobby so far this year, and the Rapido commuter trains or the Atlas spine cars still haven't hit the shelves.

[James Costello]

I'm just supposed to suck up my pride with only 1 of them now being offered in the new announcement and be ok with it?

I don't understand either how ST's decisions have affected your pride..... But anyway, carry on - hopefully you can find some enjoyment in these models when they are released down the road.