Speculation thread. What is the next diesel and steam loco we are likely to see?

[lock4244]

SW1200RS - Canadians will buy anything with CP on it, so it'll be a success.

CP in two basic schemes (maroon & gray, action red), former with two variants, latter with four (most of the variants are significant enough to keep CP mafia types up a night)
CN in five schemes (green and gold, original noodle black, noodle orange cab, rebuilt-black cab w/gold outline numbers, CNNA)

[coosvalley]

 
I find it interesting that the OP's question is "What diesel and steam loco are we likely to see next?".....And yet the answers have been , for the most part, basically lists of the locos folks need or lists of locos not yet made in N scale.. Some of you even brought up the electric locomotives that you want, which, as far as I can tell, are neither diesel or steam.

The most likely loco to be made would be whatever loco someone recently put their heart and soul into painstakingly recreating . So, around here, that probably means a TP56/70 is due next! ....

[jmlaboda - RIP]

This would add much needed variety to the GG1 saturated N Scale electric market, and having a RTR Virginian electric would be sweet.

Some of you even brought up the electric locomotives that you want, which, as far as I can tell, are neither diesel or steam.

True... but when dealing with N scale nearly everything (well, everything that moves) is electric.

Heck, why not some New Haven boxcabs and streamlined electrics?  They were beautiful motors that just wasn't given a chance... but don't bother doing the EP5, heck it probably would end up being like the prototype and not run.

[Albert in N]

    Months ago Kato did a survey on lettering for an N scale Texas Rocket (Rock Island passenger train originally pulled by a TA). Maybe they will actually produce it.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm tellin ya, if someone made any of the Strasburg power in RTR steam, they'd make a mint.

[YouraverageSPF]

I'm tellin ya, if someone made any of the Strasburg power in RTR steam, they'd make a mint.

Amen to that! I don't think that any of the Strasburg engines had been made even in HO scale, save for foobies and maybe brass models. I wouldn't know since I don't model in HO.

[thomasjmdavis]

Based on past history, now that both Intermountain and Kato have produced  an FP-7, the next diesels released will be the Bachmann and the BLI FP-7s.  The Bachmann body and detailing will not be so nice as the IM or Kato, but it will come with a standard decoder.  The BLI will have lots of detailing and available sound that can be made to moo by entering the proper information when setting up the decoder.

What would I want if I were a retailer wanting to keep my customers happy?  A re-release of the Kato NW2 in early paint schemes- specifically SF zebra stripes.  I think they missed out on a ton of sales not producing in that scheme.  We will also soon see an announcement of their FP-7 in several schemes.

What would I produce if I were, maybe, Fox Valley or BLI (or maybe Walthers, although I remember hearing that they did not have the tooling that LL used)- FM Erie Built.  Look at the number of modelers who were disappointed that Kato did not produce this with the Hiawatha (let me admit here, I know nothing about loco assignments on the Milw Road, so I don't have personal knowledge of whether Erie Builts and Domes were ever on the same train).  It would work with several of the passenger sets Kato produced for other roads.  In addition to Milwaukee and being able to play well with both Fox Valley's own passenger cars and the Kato Hiawatha.  But it also has the main qualification for manufacture- ATSF, NYC, PRR, and UP (and KCS) all had some.  OK, so it only pulled the Super Chief maybe twice.  But admit it, ATSF fans, you would buy a set if you don't already have the LL or brass.

Also on the probable list is the TA from Kato.  The caveat here is that I think Kato's polls are more sophisticated than they appear.  The poll on "which paint scheme" Rocket may be more about how many total people are interested in a Rocket at all.  Without knowing what numbers they are looking for, difficult to tell whether the polls are indicative of future production.

In steam, SOMEBODY needs to do some ATSF steam.  Preferably something other than the Blue Goose.  Just a marketing thing, really- there is clearly pent up demand and the only ATSF steam ever done are the CC Blue Goose and the 40 year old Bachmann Northern tooling- improved chassis nowadays, but hardly state of the art.  At this point, other than perhaps buying one to support the cause, my personal collection is geared to much to the mid-50s to justify buying much steam.  Had it been available 20 years ago, my modeling would be geared to 1949 instead of 1956.

But that said, most likely next steam candidate is that Dreyfuss Hudson that Kato was hinting at in their steam poll.  I'd rather have an ATSF 2-10-2, but even the poll said "USRA 2-10-2 Santa Fe" NOT "Santa Fe 2-10-2".  While I have to admit I have not taken out the books to compare the ATSF to USRA versions, all my previous experience tells me that ATSF steam is usually fairly unique once you get past the wheel arrangement.

[sirenwerks]

I thought MRC/Mehano did the RSD15. Confirmed: http://www.spookshow.net/loco/mehanorsd15.html  Subsequently imported by Model Power.

"...old shell."? That would go over like a lead balloon in today's market. It was toyish junk relative to the rest of the market even when it was new. Heh... I don't think there's a pole long enough for Atlas to touch the old tooling. I wouldn't put it past Con-Cor, however. 

Yea, my bad. I was projecting the Atlas O RSD15. Which is a possibility in the realm of next locos a manufacturer might do.

[Cajonpassfan]

In steam, SOMEBODY needs to do some ATSF steam.  Preferably something other than the Blue Goose.  Just a marketing thing, really- there is clearly pent up demand and the only ATSF steam ever done are the CC Blue Goose and the 40 year old Bachmann Northern tooling- improved chassis nowadays, but hardly state of the art.  At this point, other than perhaps buying one to support the cause, my personal collection is geared to much to the mid-50s to justify buying much steam.  Had it been available 20 years ago, my modeling would be geared to 1949 instead of 1956.

But that said, most likely next steam candidate is that Dreyfuss Hudson that Kato was hinting at in their steam poll.  I'd rather have an ATSF 2-10-2, but even the poll said "USRA 2-10-2 Santa Fe" NOT "Santa Fe 2-10-2".  While I have to admit I have not taken out the books to compare the ATSF to USRA versions, all my previous experience tells me that ATSF steam is usually fairly unique once you get past the wheel arrangement.

Agreed. The irony is that over the years, most manufacturers would label just about anything "Santa Fe" to sell stuff, and it did and does sell, but not counting brass, produced exactly ONE actual Santa Fe steam loco: the toy-like Bachmann 4-8-4. (I don't count the ConCor Blue Goose; that was simply a tweaked J3a shell on J3a chassis. The ATSF Hudsons were bigger, taller, wider, and heavier, with much larger drivers).

Maybe Bachmann will do yet another 4-8-4 upgrade that's on par with their other newer steam offerings? It could happen...?
Otto K.

[Mark5]

Maybe Bachmann will do yet another 4-8-4 upgrade that's on par with their other newer steam offerings? It could happen...?
Otto K.

Bachmann's ATSF Northern needs to be re-tooled from scratch (the upgrades aint cuttin it! )

[mmagliaro]

The most likely new engine is another wide cab GE, I don't know how many are available currently, but they seem to be popular candidates by the manufacturers. I'm not a modern era modeler, so they don't interest me.

As far as steam, I'd like to see a decent 0-6-0, but, I won't hold my breath.

Give me about another 6-12 months, and there will be at least one in the world... 

[mmagliaro]

...

That said, I need to note that all but six of the 50 ATSF 3400 class Pacifics were rebuilt with 79" drivers, and would therefore make a fine prototype for a large-drivered model, on par or heavier in size and weight with the K4 @ 325K plus pounds (pic below).

...

Otto: Thank you for correcting me on this.  I did not notice the rebuild.  79" drivers would be just fine for a retooled Bachmann K4 chassis.

[sundowner]

CAT SD70ACe-T4, UP and BNSF are getting them so.

[Xmtrman]

Talk about a model with limited airplay. A single railroad and, lasting only seven years, a short lifespan, to boot. Might as well be a C855B. 

I already have a C855B in my engine house (Thanks, James!)

Don't you? 

[YouraverageSPF]

But that said, most likely next steam candidate is that Dreyfuss Hudson that Kato was hinting at in their steam poll.

Didn't the UP Big Boy win that poll? I know that engine candidates on Kato's polls aren't guaranteed to be made, but given that Kato's been fixated on prototypes from western railroads as of lately, I'd assume that they'd be more motivated on making a Big Boy instead of another prototype.