Scale Trains pre order extended

[James Costello]

It would be interesting to know the difference in the preorder numbers between the PS 4785 and the Gunderson 5188.

Unfortunately the PS 4785 wasn't super popular in all parts of the country - the 2-3 I have on preorder is already a stretch for my location and era.

[u18b]

Hmmmm.  Not enough orders.....

So why did they leave CSX modelers out of the equation?

They did a Conrail patched for NS.

Why not one for CSX?????
If they did, I'd probably break down and reserve one.

How hard can it be to add a yellow number? and some small CSX lettering- when they have everything else already done?

http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7485cr.jpg


And do you think this would increase sales?
http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7488CSX-bc.jpg


And this?
http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7482CSX-yn3.jpg

I don't know.  I guess there are more NS fans than CSX.

[unittrain]

One thing that may factor in the low number of pre orders were n the 4785 is the number of prototypes per road there were according to ST a few of these had only a couple or more cars
Highland feeders 2 cars
Cargill 4 cars
Staley 84
So some of these weren't exactly big numbers and again the C39-8 was built in small numbers. I wanted the 4785s but to expect 1000 pre orders in a 1 or 2 month window is pushing it. If the 500 pre orders doesn't count dealer orders I'd say they are doing ok with respect to the numbers of prototype 4785s existent in the paint scheme's they are doing. Also I doubt Penncentral ran these in large numbers on a given train, they probably were mixed in with other cars or in short strings.

[Gozer the Gozerian]

For what it's worth (IMO) - If MT wants the TSC grow to a 'Proto 160' type solution, they need to produce a TSC with a 1015 shank (with or without slinky).. and I sent some design ideas to @Shipsure..   

Maybe sales have really fallen off for TSC couplers since the initial release - but as big of a hit as it was when it started, I'm surprised they didn't follow up with a more universal solution.

~Ian

We have more stuff in the schedule, but the DODX Flats and the Single Window coach is eating up all our tooling capacity at the moment.  Orders on the flats were enormous, way, way beyond what I thought they would be and I'm accused of being too much of an optimist sometimes LOL.  So to get things done and meet pre-order schedules, everything had to wait a bit.  The decks should be clear soon so we can get on with the TSC additions.  I agree about the 1015 style shank set up though I like the look of the 1023 box myself.

Joe

[garethashenden]

Also I doubt Penncentral ran these in large numbers on a given train, they probably were mixed in with other cars or in short strings.

I don't know how Penn Central usually ran them, but here are 8 together. There might even be a 9th further up, but with something else in between.

Rockingham Junction on the B&M, 4/25/72. http://gilford.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2611490

[bman]

Hmmmm.  Not enough orders.....

So why did they leave CSX modelers out of the equation?

They did a Conrail patched for NS.

Why not one for CSX?????
If they did, I'd probably break down and reserve one.

How hard can it be to add a yellow number? and some small CSX lettering- when they have everything else already done?

http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7485cr.jpg


And do you think this would increase sales?
http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7488CSX-bc.jpg


And this?
http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7482CSX-yn3.jpg

I don't know.  I guess there are more NS fans than CSX.

That's a good question. In our club there are more folks modeling CSX than NS if that means anything. I'm sure there is a solid reason why those schemes were not included in the announcement. The Pennsylvania Northeastern units are cool and tempting, as short lines usually are, but I don't need yet another railroad to model(PC,CR,MGA,P&LE, and starting modern W&LE)in my limited space.
I made room for a can opener C39-8(like I NEED any more locomotives) and 4 hoppers(3CR and 1PC) for my small layout when the announcement was made since I do model PC and CR. And I hadn't thought about how the C39-8 will look next to my other locos since it was mentioned. Now I've that to stress over thanks.  

[asarge]

Also I doubt Penncentral ran these in large numbers on a given train, they probably were mixed in with other cars or in short strings.

Oh they did alright. There were several online terminal or large elevators west of Pennsylvania. Unit grain trains were not as common in the early 70's when these cars started popping up. the PC bought them for unit train service. They built over 1000 cars for PC plus what was inherited from the NYC. With large terminal elevators in Chicago, Toledo and Buffalo and larger collection elevators in the corn belt, they ran them in fairly sizable cuts even without a unit train.

[wmcbride]

Hmmmm.  Not enough orders.....

So why did they leave CSX modelers out of the equation?

They did a Conrail patched for NS.

Why not one for CSX?????
If they did, I'd probably break down and reserve one.

How hard can it be to add a yellow number? and some small CSX lettering- when they have everything else already done?

http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7485cr.jpg


And do you think this would increase sales?
http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7488CSX-bc.jpg


And this?
http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7482CSX-yn3.jpg

I don't know.  I guess there are more NS fans than CSX.

Exactly! Even a yellow-numbered patch for the Conrail would draw orders.

I could lie and say "I'd order 5" but I would order one on top of the NS unit I ordered.

[u18b]

And actually, I may be weird.... but a patch job is my first choice.

If all they make is what's announced.... then I'd patch one myself- picking one up eventually after they come out.
But I'm not planning on pre-ordering something for that.

If they go back and announce a stock CSX patch, I'll pre-order one.

But I may be weird.  I'm guessing most people would want the bright or dark future.
But I model CSX up to the Conrail merger- so a patch job is my first choice.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Hmmmm.  Not enough orders.....

So why did they leave CSX modelers out of the equation?

They did a Conrail patched for NS.

Why not one for CSX?????
If they did, I'd probably break down and reserve one.

How hard can it be to add a yellow number? and some small CSX lettering- when they have everything else already done?

http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7485cr.jpg


And do you think this would increase sales?
http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7488CSX-bc.jpg


And this?
http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C39-8/7482CSX-yn3.jpg

I don't know.  I guess there are more NS fans than CSX.

My guess is they need something unique for the second run.

[u18b]

My guess is they need something unique for the second run.

That was my assumption as well.
But now that will be IF there is a second run....

or IF there will be a first run!   

[sundowner]

This we’re orphans on CSX and they did not last long. CSX only got 9 of them from the Conrail split.

[learmoia]

FWIW.. Quite a few of the 4875 hoppers (BN-CR-PC heritage) are heading to retirement in Frac sand service around the mid-west.. 

BN and RFMX would have been some good modern choices..

~Ian

[daniel_leavitt2000]

We have more stuff in the schedule, but the DODX Flats and the Single Window coach is eating up all our tooling capacity at the moment.  Orders on the flats were enormous, way, way beyond what I thought they would be and I'm accused of being too much of an optimist sometimes LOL.  So to get things done and meet pre-order schedules, everything had to wait a bit.  The decks should be clear soon so we can get on with the TSC additions.  I agree about the 1015 style shank set up though I like the look of the 1023 box myself.

Joe

One that would fit a standard 1015 box would be perfect. This was a big reason I have not used them yet. We also need an underslung option that fits in the 2001 and 2019 style boxes.

[Peter Amling]

One that would fit a standard 1015 box would be perfect. This was a big reason I have not used them yet. We also need an underslung option that fits in the 2001 and 2019 style boxes.

I will third this suggestion, and also note, it would be even better if it could be used on cars that have half the coupler box built in to the underframe, such as BLMA or Exactrail cars.