I am talking about a company like Blackstone or similar type diecast construction with modern can or coreless motor, sound if possible ect. I am thinking a model of #9 with snow plow pilot done to the level of quality that Blackstone did the K27 would be awsome. Someone needs to realize there is more to narrow gauge than the D&RGW. C&S and thier previous RR's before the formation of the Colorado and Southern had some beautifull engines, Mason Bogies, little 2-8-0's and early Brooks 2-6-0's with the air tanks on top of the boiler as modeled by PFM/United in brass so many years ago(ie the #21 and 22) then thier later 2-8-0 and Cooke 2-6-0. Most all sporting the signature Ridgeway "bear trap" spark arrestors on the stacks and many had snow plows year round on them. I know companies watch these types of websites for future product ideas, so I dont want to hear from the folks that wont buy them because of ........ , I want to hear who would. Or what other C&S prototype would you like to see. I also love ET&WNC and EBT, but for the purpose of this thead, lets keep it C&S and HOn3 in scale. Cheers Mike
I would go crazy over a C&S engine produced like the blackstone engines. If I were to see anything else produced for a C&S prototype it would be a ready to run boxcar or stockcar. Bad news for C&S hon3 or D&RGW hon3 modelers, according to the grandt line website, they have discontinued a large chunck of there hon3 products. This means someone really needs to come out with a C&S boxcar. Please!!!
I have been conversing with a gentleman at Blackstone and I think we will see some other items from them in the future, that is other that DRGW and RGS. The gentleman I am emailing back and forth with is a huge fan of C&S #9 like many of us are. Maybe we will see this engine produced in the next year or two. Thats to bad about Grant Line dropping many of thier HOn3 items, but I am not supprised to say the least. HOn3 lost a lot of modelers when Bachmann took the narrow gauge market by storm with thier On30 items and offering stuff other than western prototypes. I think Blackstone is leading the revival of HOn3, but they need to diversify the line up with other road names to really give On30 a run for its money.
Grandt Line's products were definitely hurt by Micro-Trains line. Both were the C&S SUF prototypes from 1910. RTR cannibalizes kit sales. Long term, I think it is quite bad since the RTR is limited production...and quite a bit more $$$ than the kits. I highly doubt that the MT cars have the same level of detail as a properly built Grandt Line kit (I built all of the the HOn3 C&S kits while in high school). Note that the On3 kits are still in production...as they are not duplicated by RTR products. Also, they aren't compatible with On30. The SUFs have a min. radius of 26-27" in On3, and probably more like 36" or even 42"++ in On30 (the inside of the wheels hit the SUF...limiting their ability to pivot). While not in HOn3, nor modeling the modern C&S, I'd love to get a #9. They are a heck of a lot more expensive in brass than their D&RGW counterparts. I'm a bit surprised that Blackstone would branch out...they are located in Durango...but I think that would be greeted with cheers. Michael
For all C&S, EBT, ET&WNC, WP&Y modelers, go to the blackstone website and take the quiz on what future products you want to see. They are considering other roads to produce based on input from this quiz and emails about other roads. Alex
When I first emailed Blackstone, I asked if they were stuck on just producing D&RGW and RGS prototypes. I was told no they are not and do plan to produce other items. In fact the gentleman that I was speaking to is a huge fan of the #9 and agrees it would probably be an excellent engine to produce. Granted its unique to the C&S, but they could do several variaitions of them, different road numbers, with and without the snow plow ect. I love my old PFM/United moguls, but at the same time would like one with todays upgrades in operation, and improved power pick up. I am still working on ideas to improve the power pickup on my brass one without making it hard for the trucks to swivel. Might just add thin wheel wipers to the locomotive. Cheers Mike
If i didn't have such a large collection of DRGW stuff and Blackstone was to produce C&S stuff I'd probably have gone for it. Having said that, if they start making it now, I probably wouldn't pick it up.
