12th Annual PRR Modeler's Survey

[keystonecrossings]

It's that time again!

Every November, the Keystone Crossings site -- primarily through the 
PRR-talk mailing list -- 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. 
The results are posted online and forwarded to several dozen 
manufacturers for consideration.

You can review results of the 2007 survey at http://kc.pennsyrr.com/survey_2007.php . Note that several of the top requests have either 
been manufactured or announced since then!

You can get the survey form for this year's survey via the same link.

Return you completed survey to jerry@pennsyrr.com by November 22, 2008.

[ai5629]

I had a thought in regards to this survey.  For all of you Penn Central and Conrail modeler's out there, you should consider submitting a survery for PRR freight cars and diesels that you would like to see produced that were repainted in PC and CR schemes.  I know there has been extensive discussion in regards to an X58 in N scale.  And who hasn't asked for an SD45 lately?  You could submit a survey with these choices, and perhaps the manufacturers would listen.  Some other freight car choices that would be nice are G31's, G36's, X56's, G43's, and H46's.  What about a SW1200, GP9 with 48" fans, U28C, and U30C.  Most of these engines were used by multiple road names, and the aforementioned freight cars roamed the entire US.  I am going to submit my survey for some of the above items.  Maybe you should too!  Thanks.

[keystonecrossings]

Good point, Jeff.

Anything a modeler needs, from the Pennsy, for Penn Central and Conrail.

[wm3798]

(Even if it does break Jerry's heart!)
 ;D

[keystonecrossings]

Results posted... thank you!

http://kc.pennsyrr.com/survey_2008.php

[ai5629]

The paltry N scale response to this survey is disappointing.  It makes me hope the manufacturers do not pay attention to it!  They will ignore the PRR based on the lack of interest! 

[Dave V]

Yeah, I can't believe I forgot to participate.  It was on my to-do list and I flubbed it.  Honestly I have myself to blame if what I want isn't produced.

The GG1 and Broadway Limited were an amazing surprise, and one I'm taking advantage of (one GG1 is in operation on my layout and the Broadway is somewhere in the house, expected to reappear under the tree Christmas morning).  I want a P5a and an E44 to match the G, but I can't possibly imagine a scenario where either will be produced.  The P5a is especially unlikely to ever see the shelf of an LHS, no matter what the survey results may say, simply because it wasn't anything nearly as "iconic" as a GG1.

The matter of N scale Pennsy steam is one that makes me angry.  Clearly from all the kitbashing going on out there there's a need for it; the quick turns on Minitrix fossils on eBay would support this supposition.  Moreover, the Precision Craft Fail M1a/b was met at first with wild enthusiasm, followed by tempered anticipation, then skepticism, and finally gleeful schadenfreude.  PCM has essentially stoppered the market on N scale PRR steam, and until it finally admits it has no intention of making this model regardless of demand, it has probably driven all other manufacturers from N scale Pennsy steam for the foreseeable future.  However, if "iconic" is the way of the future (Kato, ConCor, etc.) perhaps the K4 still has a chance at a remake...

[PM-CN-IOX]

I definitely want to answer, because anyone modelling some time when the Pennsy was around needs Pennsy equipment. Sure, there's X26 and X29, and X31 and X32 in kits, and Eastern Seaboard is coming out with that gon (G26, is it?), but there's still plenty of other things that could be very, very welcome. For my part, I would love an X23, which I think is even more distinctly a Pennsy car than the X29. An X36 would be nice too, but I suspect that'll always be something to scratchbuilt. But a K7, Gr or Gs would also be very welcome in my books...

[keystonecrossings]

The paltry N scale response to this survey is disappointing.  It makes me hope the manufacturers do not pay attention to it!  They will ignore the PRR based on the lack of interest! 

I, too, was disappointed with the N scale response. And two of the responders were dual-scale modelers who also model in HO.

I advertised the survey in more N forums than HO, but still only received a handful of responses.