Uncertain future for more US-prototype N scale models from Arnold/Hornby

[jmlaboda - RIP]

I had been hoping that Arnold would eventually release a run of Clinchfield U28C locomotives.

Hmm... here I thought we were discussing Arnold, not Concor...

[thomasjmdavis]

Not sure what you are getting at Jerry.  Now, personally, I could not tell the difference a late U25C and an early U28C, but apparently there is one, Arnold made both- or at least markets both (maybe just different number series?), and for whatever reason, in the current market, the 28 is a few bucks cheaper-
http://blwnscale.com/hornby-u25c.htm
http://www.blwnscale.com/hornby-u28c.htm

[pmpexpress]

Unlike those that were manufactured by Atlas in HO Scale, a "foobie" for sure, given the lack of a non-brass U36C model in N Scale, the Arnold U28C is the closest stand-in for modeling the seven U36C locomotives that Clinchfield owned and wound up transferring to the Seaboard Coast Line for SD-45s.

Trivia Note:

Eliminating the aforementioned GE units made the Clinchfield a completely EMD railroad.

[Point353]

You'd think that anybody bringing out something not done before in N would only put road names on part of the run, saving a bunch of undecs to paint in case one road name sells out quickly, or a demand for another road name was overlooked. Especially for the SW1 and the RDCs. KATO never offered the RDC in B&M, and only used the McGinnis scheme for the NH ones. The two RRs that owned most of the real locos and they ignored 2/3s of the schemes. I wonder if the problem is European and Asian model companies don't really have the in-depth knowledge of US railroads they need to make salable items. Sure, they excel at copying preserved rolling stock but where do they get their research on road names?

That's why they hire a "model railroad consultant" like Charlie Vlk.
Apparently it was his idea to hold B&M back for the second run of Kato RDCs.
Unfortunately that second run never materialized.
The best we got were high-priced Kobo custom-painted versions.
Supposedly he had a hand in the Arnold/Hornby products, too.

[sirenwerks]

Seriously? And they've haven't released so many roads with potential and deprive so many modelers of being able to model this...

[skytop35]

I resisted buying any SW1's because the rep at TrainFest a couple years ago assured me the Milwaukee Road would be in the next run. 

[wcfn100]

Seriously? And they've haven't released so many roads with potential and deprive so many modelers of being able to model this...

No doubt.  All those people who model Milwaukee's branch line between Austin and La Crosse Minnesota just can't catch a break. 

I have one SW-1 which is a great locomotive for the $35 I paid for it. 

Jason

[sirenwerks]

I know it's a singular anomaly but a lash-up of these imps is just too good to pass up. But seriously, the company could really milk the SW1 tooling if it did more paint jobs and tempered its expectations. And more people might model the branch from Austin to LaCrosse if the SW1s were available. 

[Mark5]

This may be more to do with Hornby's ongoing financial losses and the resulting restructuring to focus on it's strengths in the "home" market.

This is only a guess.

Mark

[basementcalling]

Both models were critiqued here for not having modern wireless electrical pickup and wipers on the back of wheels instead of frictionless pointed axle ends in cup bearings. Ironic how those reviews might have affected purchasing decisions by folks on TRW, not that we are enough of the market to swing sales significantly.

And honestly I am sure the intial $159 price tag scared off some buyers.

I am not surprised at the news given the fire sale prices now out there. But given road name selection now, paying even a cheap price for an engine in a scheme I don't model is pointless.

The market harshly punishes misreading the new product tea leaves.

[Kev1340]

that's a shame, was hoping they'd run some more since they don't seem to be in stock here in the UK, if they ever were.

A few are still available from http://www.nscaleamericantrains.co.uk/en/107-dc-and-dcc-ready, NP, BN and Conrail.

Cheeres,

Kev

[peteski]

Eye. Tis tru, but all the signs were there. Its just not a revelation.

Regardless of whether this is a latest revelation or not, it started an interesting conversation.  That's what online forums are good for.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I REALLY like both the SW-1 and U25C. The detail is outstanding and, while the mechanism isn't what we are used to here in the States, it operates well.

It is a shame that this may be the end of the line for Arnold in the US. Hornby has had some serious financial issues of late, and I figured this may be coming. I am guessing that Rivarossi will discontinue their US prototypes as well.

[u18b]

I'm also saddened by this news.

But the choices were odd.

Are there really a lot of Penn Central modelers?

I would think a Pennsy U25C would have been a better choice.

Although Conrail and BN were good.

[peteski]

I REALLY like both the SW-1 and U25C. The detail is outstanding and, while the mechanism isn't what we are used to here in the States, it operates well.

It is a shame that this may be the end of the line for Arnold in the US. Hornby has had some serious financial issues of late, and I figured this may be coming. I am guessing that Rivarossi will discontinue their US prototypes as well.

I didn't think Rivarossi (by name only, since Hornby acquired their assets in the '90s) produced any N scale models for decades. What was the newest N scale model under Rivarossi label?