Briggs Models is asking for ideas for our next N scale locomotive project

[C855B]

LSRC 4300, TPW 4056, plus a motley assortment of leasing companies with one hand-me-down. Only two of Santa Fe's made it into BNSF paint, 3030 (ATSF 3800) and 3035 (ATSF 3805), the remainder were patched into the 303x series.

[ryan_wilkerson]

LSRC 4300, TPX 4056, plus a motley assortment of leasing companies with one hand-me-down. Only two of Santa Fe's made it into BNSF paint, 3030 (ATSF 3800) and 3035 (ATSF 3805), the remainder were patched into the 303x series.

Good summary, thank you. Looks like for BNSF there are three schemes: patched blue/yellow, BNSF (H1?) and BNSF swoosh.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?mid=96

[GaryHinshaw]

The only loco that's really missing from my roster is a flat radiator SD70M.  In theory Kato already makes this, but they haven't offered it in years and they fetch crazy prices online.  (I'm also surprised no one has mentioned an SP AC4400, unless I missed it.  I don't need any, but many folks do.)

I could imagine a number of loco accessories, especially cabs, I would love to have to upgrade some existing Kato models.  All of these items are well matched to Jeff's skill set and would probably sell well.

* SD70M cab to replace the esoteric bullnose cab on the Kato flared radiator SD70M.  The cab style that Kato makes for the flat '70Ms is also very common on the flared radiator '70M.  Sadly, this cab is not available and it is also not a drop-in-place replacement for the bullnose cab.

* Replacement GEVO cabs and battery boxes.  The cab Kato offered on their GEVO was an early phase model.  Many of the delivered GEVOs had the crew door moved from the conductor's (left) side of the nose to the engineer's (right) side.  In addition, Kato only offered the ES44AC, while the ES44DC was nearly as ubiquitous.    The main visible difference between the two is the detail on the battery box panel, which is part of the cab on the Kato model, so it would be possible to offer a few cab variants for customizers.  (It would also be an opportunity to offer a number of antenna packages for the cab roof.)

* A Dash-9 cab with a high headlight for the poor NS modeller who wants Kato quality on a common prototype.  (But Scale Trains is coming out with this model pretty soon.)  For all the cabs, I would vote for dimples for the grab irons so we don't have to shave them off.  

* I would also dearly love to see etched handrail kits in phosphor bronze suitable for most of the modern Kato models.  This has been on my to-do list for a long time, but too many other priorities have bumped it. 

I'd be happy to supply more detailed info if any of these items are of interest to you and Jeff.

[LarryN]

Folks,
A GP40X with numbers " TPW 4056" was spotted in Rochester NY on July 22. It is speculated that it is on the way to AMP in Danville NY for work (or maybe for parts). Tried to copy the link several times-beyond my paygrade I guess. At least one is alive and kicking. It was posted in Rochester area railfan page on Facebook.

Larry N

[pmpexpress]

U36C

[BruceG]

Berkshire Stream engine would be of interest to me.

How about a USRA Pacific to fit the Bachmann K4 mechanism?  I think a lot of non-SPFs would be interested.

[u18b]

Probably not enough interest....   

But I would love an SDP35.  CSX even owned some.
Roster is:
SAL  1100-1119   https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Seaboard_Air_Line_EMD_SDP35_1114.jpg
ACL  550             https://s3.amazonaws.com/rrpa_photos/64130/ACL-1099.JPG
L&N  1700-1703    http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=144995

and  Union Pacific  1400-1409  https://live.staticflickr.com/5756/21320253092_30a3ce063d_b.jpg

Secondary roads:
SCL                    https://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/9/2/4/2924.1371277703.jpg
Family Lines        http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/SD35/4548fl.jpg
SBD System        https://i.pinimg.com/originals/95/a6/1f/95a61f4b33a079399a3d35fd673bd2c3.jpg
CSX                   https://www.railpictures.net/images/d2/2/6/8/9268.1440212912.jpg
Squaw Creek Southern    https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3809376477_a0b270bbd1_b.jpg
Southwestern Portland Cement  http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3010894

My favorite- with dynamic brakes removed

[coosvalley]

Did any GP40X make it to other railroads or other paint schemes?

Two former Southern units ended up on the St. Lawrence and Atlantic, with their high noses chopped...

[mmagliaro]

How about a USRA Pacific to fit the Bachmann K4 mechanism?  I think a lot of non-SPFs would be interested.

I think they would.  But the driver size on the K4 is too large for a USRA Light 4-6-2 (80" vs 73").  The USRA "heavy" had 79" drivers, but there were only a few dozen of those made.

There are other cosmetic problems like the trailing truck, tender body and tender trucks, which would all have to be changed to keep the engine from looking "Pennsy".

PRR fans seek a true "PRR prototype" model because PRR engines had very distinctive features.  Unfortunately, that distinctiveness also makes it very hard to go the other way - from a PRR model to a non PRR model.

[craigolio1]

BC Rail SD40-2 (GMD) and a Royal Hudson, please!

Craig.

[Doug W]

U36C. I'd be down for at least 4.

Cheers
Doug

[ryan_wilkerson]

Yes for both of these! Good ideas.

* SD70M cab to replace the esoteric bullnose cab on the Kato flared radiator SD70M.  The cab style that Kato makes for the flat '70Ms is also very common on the flared radiator '70M.  Sadly, this cab is not available and it is also not a drop-in-place replacement for the bullnose cab.

* I would also dearly love to see etched handrail kits in phosphor bronze suitable for most of the modern Kato models.  This has been on my to-do list for a long time, but too many other priorities have bumped it. 

[Maletrain]

I think they would.  But the driver size on the K4 is too large for a USRA Light 4-6-2 (80" vs 73").  The USRA "heavy" had 79" drivers, but there were only a few dozen of those made.

There are other cosmetic problems like the trailing truck, tender body and tender trucks, which would all have to be changed to keep the engine from looking "Pennsy".

PRR fans seek a true "PRR prototype" model because PRR engines had very distinctive features.  Unfortunately, that distinctiveness also makes it very hard to go the other way - from a PRR model to a non PRR model.

Couldn't you make a B&O P-7 "President Class" out of that Pennsy K-4 mechanism?

[SP-Wolf]

I'll cast my vote for Baldwins -- DRS-6-4-1500, DRS-6-6-1500 (A and B's) AS616 - (A and B's.)
As well as Baldwin switchers:
VO-660, S-10 and S-12

Thanks,
Wolf

[High Hood]

I’ll jump on the bandwagon and say GP40X too. Southern and later NS had a small fleet of three, so I’d really like to see  a high hooded version. http://www.nslocos.com/nsgp40x.html

Continuing with cab replacements, I’d like to see a NS correct cab for the Fox Valley ES40DC. My other cabs would be a high short hood for the U23B and high hood with the correct cab for the C628/C630.