ST C39-8 and PS 4785 hopper pushed back

[Steveruger45]

Yes, agree with pretty much what has been said by Peteski and Ridingshotgun.  Molded on details for me too.

[wazzou]

IMHO, I'd just prefer drilled holes.

[High Hood]

Really depends for me.  I'm not a fan of Kato's thin molded on handrails.  I like them to be a bit thick like ones on Atlas models.

[Mark5]

Honestly, I don't care. Your C39-8 in HO is just amazing - both in appearance and in the sound functionality.

I will get one of the NS (NW) C39-8s when they come out in January. Delighted to hear that the 4785s are still "on"!

If you make this in N I'll be sunk: https://www.scaletrains.com/collections/rivet-counter-ho-scale-emd-sd40-2/products/rivet-counter-ho-scale-emd-sd40-2-norfolk-western

Mark

[jagged ben]

...

So here's a question for everyone... if we offered an Operator diesel locomotive, would you prefer (1) the grab irons, coupler cut levers, MU hoses, train line hose, etc. be molded-on the body or (2) holes pre-drilled in the body and a detail kit available separately (like the HO counterpart)?

...

Detail kit for me, like FVM does. 

Otherwise don't you basically have to do two sets of body tooling?  Doesn't seem worth the benefit. 

And honestly, a shell that's completely naked of those details doesn't look that much different from one with tiny molded on details.  I get Peteski's perspective.   But personally, between separate details and none of those details at all, I just don't see a need to compromise somewhere in between.  When I run my FVM models that don't have their details installed yet, I don't find myself thinking that they look worse than a Kato.  I don't see the 'Operators' caring about that.

[jdcolombo]

Another vote for Peteski’s analysis.  I have regular op sessions and stuff on my layout gets handled.  Fragile details are not welcome. 

John C.

[MK]

Molded, I'm a runner. 

[Albersala]

Molded. I like some detailing but what I really like is to run my trains rather than having them on a shelf. Besides I´m very clumsy and I find it a nightmare to put all those little pieces in their tiny holes Not to mention how easily they get lost once you are running your trains. 

[u18b]

I have to admit.
Molded.

[Scottl]

Stay the course and sell distinct, detailed models.  There are lots of molded grab models out there already.  Don't be another Atlas and Kato, you can't compete.

[Jbub]

Stay the course and sell distinct, detailed models.  There are lots of molded grab models out there already.  Don't be another Atlas and Kato, you can't compete.

That's presumptuous. If scale trains were to release a highly sought model as an operator version that Atlas or Kato doesn't make, they would sellout quickly and need to re-run. I would say there are other prototype loco's that other companies make that if Scale trains were to produce them, they would do well. If the market demands it and they make it, they will be competing. Now if they were to make an SD40-2 that might be different. Several manufactures make them in differing levels of detail and to add another would over-saturate the market for them even though they are a high demand loco type. F-Units are probably in the same boat, but a GG-1 would be a big mistake.
With that said, I think they would start to compete against themselves by having two levels of detail for a single model. Shane mentioned investing 100k into tooling on one model. With the pre-orders they had, they would have lost money if it weren't for producing extra to sell. Even then it was closer to break even. Now they want to throw in another 100k into tooling and have to sell you a lower detailed product that you already own, even at a lower price point and hope there is enough volume to cover costs.
It's tricky business

[peteski]

Stay the course and sell distinct, detailed models.  There are lots of molded grab models out there already.  Don't be another Atlas and Kato, you can't compete.

Scott, I think you missed the point here.  The specific question was if Scale Trains were to offer a "Runners" version of their models *IN ADDITION* to their Rivet Counter version, what type of model would the runners want.  I don't believe that Scale Trains has any intention of discontinuing their successful Rivet Counter line of models.

[Scottl]

I think that a second set of tooling (which is what molded grabs requires) is not a good or likely economical idea.  I want them to stay in business, not to go under trying to be everything to everyone.  The volume is probably there in HO, but I doubt it in N.

[wcfn100]

Do whatever doesn't require the model to be assembled in China. 

Jason

[peteski]

I think that a second set of tooling (which is what molded grabs requires) is not a good or likely economical idea.  I want them to stay in business, not to go under trying to be everything to everyone.  The volume is probably there in HO, but I doubt it in N.

I highly suspect that Scale Trains management will not do anything that will make them "go under".  I'm also glad that they are actively seeing  input modeler's about their future products.