Joe, I would just like to request that MTL doesn't abandon the transition era. Especially the early transition era. Many of the recent transition era cars have been released in liveries from the late 50s or early 60s. Some 40s and early 50s liveries would be nice. As far as body styles, you have already mentioned some that I would like to see. In addition to those, I would like to see a 53' flatcar (or even early TOFC), three dome tank cars, heavyweight passenger cars and a rebirth of the 40' gon. Another item that I would like is a small crane that could fit in a 50' gon or flatcar. Dan S.
Great topic! As for track, I think there are two schools of thought. First road bed track. I like road bed track for its reliability. I think a crossover or two is needed and maybe a smaller turnout. However, I am not so sure the future isn't comming out with a turnout to match the flex already offered with no road bed. I'd like to see it with peco snap action on the points as well. As for RR cars, I'd continue to expand the passenger market. Between MT and AZL so much is covered I can't think of anything in the freight side that I feel like I need. Cabooses I think can be winners. Especially in the 17-20 dollar range. There are a lot of directions you can go so something new would be snapped up. As for loco's, well done with the F A and B units being released at the same time, perhaps the new thing would be to offer and A and B f unit along with the same roadnames GP9/35 so as to really tempt a person into going to a road. I like the E-8 idea... I know seam is not gonna happen so I won't ask Vehicles are a fantastic idea especially at the price. Keep up the good work.
Two or three cars in the lightweight passenger sets spring to mind: RPOs, diners, and, especially observation cars. All three would be single cars in someone's consist, while there might be multiple passenger- and sleeper cars, but it would complete the set, to my eye. And, of course, you know me: most *anything* someone would care to produce with "Great Northern" in it, I'll swoon...and buy.
Joe, I'm with many of these Guyz on Bigger Turnouts #8 #10 #12 with and without roadbed I would also like to see concrete ties for us Modern Guyz. For rolling stock when I was in N scale I loved the MT Autoracks and 89' flat cars. How about some 50' 60' High Cube cars, 3 bay ACF Hoppers and a RTR 3/5 unit spine cars with 48' and 53' trailers :thumbs_up: Now for some Power you can start by looking here........... GE Dash 8 by Micro-Trains??? - TrainBoard.com EMD SD50 SD60 and a SD60M would be really Sweet??? And on a side note did you find the pics of that Flanger you did???
bodystyles on current chassis, hint: modular injection molding tools. A smaller switcher and GE motive power. GE is the biggest selling loco company in US and no loco availlable, same for Alco, c'mon! That's a scandal!
I posted this morning. Sorry, I dropped the ball when I ran out of time before work. Once I got there, my day sorta directed it'self. No slight meant. Thanks, Joe MTL
How about an all new F3 shell, ever so slightly adjusted from prototype, so as to fit the GP7-GP35 mechanism? We NEED F's for all those streamline passenger cars available! I like 100% prototypical as much as the next guy, but the truck centers are so close that I would waste no money changing a tried and true show mechanism, when all you need to do is slapp (I meant 2 p's!) a different shell over it and offer a new loco!
Now that you have re-released the F-7's, I know a lot of guys would love to have a set of the AT&SF freight scheme dark blue "catwhisker" or "cigar band" paint schemes. And now that you have the wood reefers coming along, how about some reefers for the modern guys? Without the Mark4Design 57' mechanical reefers available, those would be nice. Or the even larger Trinity TRINCool 64' reefer would be excellent! And wood chip goldolas would always be nice to have. Still dreaming ...
Regarding models you don't already make, I would suggest the following: Extended vision waycar/caboose CB&Q NE7 waycar BNSF Trinity reefer in the icicle scheme SD70MAC Modern tankcars Budd corrigated side passenger cars A modern coal hopper/gon As for models you currently have, I would like to see a CB&Q F7 (Grayback) and GP9 (in both Chinese Red and Blackbird). Andy Tetsu Uma
All good stuff guyZ. All the manufacturers are increasing their outputs, bettering the Z community. With this, more buy Z and MTL gets more money and Joe can design more. This years NTS will be showing Z in a BIG way with 60x40' of space ! I only use flex so have to put turnouts without roadbed at the top of the list. If that entails wiring the frog, there are simple solutions. I'll second the brown ties (or better yet, textured) but I would LOVE longer flex, whether the 'standard' 660mm or not Go get em' Tiger ! .
A 40' or 50' Milwaukee Road "Ribside" boxcar is probably a stretch, along with a "Ribside" caboose, just thought I'd throw it in the hat.....
http://www.donsdarkroom.com/sp_oil_cans.htm Trucks, Auto, and motorcyles from the 70's would be cool. Other detail stuff like forklifts and detail items would help. Oops, I did not realize I was in the Z scale forum. All the above in N scale please.
Not that anyone really cares but these are the things I would like to see MTL come out with. 1. F7 A and B in the red/orange CP livery with the red and white stripes on the front and the black and white on the back. 2. A full line of CP passenger cars, more then just 4 in the aluminum with red stripe at the roof line and white lettering with packman logo. Similar to the Southern Pacific only without the emblem on the side at the center point of the coach. 3. A full line of CP passenger cars, more then just 4 in the burgundy with black roofs and gold lettering, to go with the old CP F7 4. GP-9's or equivalent in CP colours to compliment the GP-35's 5. GP-35's or equivalent in CN colours to compliment the GP-9's 6. A full line of CN passenger cars in the black and grey with orange CN to go with the new F7's A & B units. 7. Cabeese in the Marklin style with the coppola at one end in CN & CP in old and new styles. 8. Utility & maintenance cars including a crane and tool car as well as a complete line of track crew cars. 9. Via Rail train set in any style. 2 engines in any style with at least 10 cars. 10. Better operating turnouts. 11. More track including 90 and 45 degree crossover's. 12. Above all else, BETTER QUALITY OF PRODUCT. That's my wish list for what it's worth. Ken
Joe, I'm a transition guy. So I like the heavyweights. Too much to ask for steam I guess but Alco? ron
!. Reefers (on the way!) 2. Observation car for existing coaches 3. Bay window caboose 4. New mechanism and shell for f3 / f7 (long shot $$$ development) Lindley