Can You Inspire a Manufacturer? (SD45T-2 Related)

tehachapifan Dec 6, 2004

  1. tehachapifan

    tehachapifan TrainBoard Member

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    A few years ago, I switched from HO to N scale, mostly due to the fact that you can fit more N scale into a small area. Before I did this, I was very much into kitbashing and superdetailing HO locos. Many of these models I have kept around. I still love HO scale and keep tabs on what cool stuff comes out at the LHS and in magazines.

    While cruising through the January 2005 issue of MR, I stopped and admired Athearn's full-page add on page 7. This page highlights their HO SD60 and SD45T-2 models. Wow! what detail these models have these days!

    But, wait! What's that number on the 45T-2? 9224? The same number of a kitbashed model I did several years back! This particular model of mine has made an appearance in MR on a few occasions and in the 2002 Walther HO catalog. Could it have possibly helped to inspire Athearn in producing these? I mean, out of all the possible numbers it could have been! I also think the 9224 had a relatively short life (wrecked?) and is extremely hard to find any (published) photos of. I know this is one of 4 numbers Athearn is offering, but I still can't help but wonder! Perhaps it is just shear coincidence (and it probably is), but a guy can wonder, can't he!?? [​IMG] :D

    Here's where my model has appeared:

    MR, April 1998, page 166
    MR, April 2001, page 71
    MR, February 2002, (trackside photos section)
    Walthers 2002 HO Scale catalog (page 965)


    Here is a couple of recent shots. It's a bit dusty!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Russ

    [ 05. December 2004, 23:29: Message edited by: tehachapifan ]
     
  2. N_S_L

    N_S_L TrainBoard Member

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    Very nice!
     
  3. tehachapifan

    tehachapifan TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, Mike!

    Quick correction to my original post...

    The 9224 was not wrecked as I implied above. It was rebuilt to an SD45T-2R and renumbered as SP 6826, then rebuilt as a SD40T-2 by UP and numbered UP 4945, then UP 2865.

    Russ
     
  4. SD70BNSF

    SD70BNSF TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well.. I'll have to tell you... that kind of work sure ought to inspire a manufacturer to create a new model. That's really nice work Russ. Can us N Scalers get you to take on a project or two and inspire some company for us?!
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    You certainly could be right. We never know who is lurking out there. Quietly watching. And being influenced.

    :D

    Boxcab E50
     
  6. ak-milw

    ak-milw TrainBoard Member

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    The dust only makes it look better! I can see why it ended up in so many publications. [​IMG]
     
  7. GP30

    GP30 TrainBoard Member

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    Outstanding! I wish I had the patience, tools and even more patience to do something like that. [​IMG]
     
  8. Derek

    Derek TrainBoard Member

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    That is fascinating....I guess I wouldn't doubt it.

    BTW that's an incredible model!!! [​IMG]
     
  9. SP 8299

    SP 8299 TrainBoard Member

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    Trust me, it's coincidence they're doing the number you modeled. The numbers they choose have more to do with whatever photos they have to work from (the more complete photo coverage to get all the paint & lettering details, the better), and not a model they may have seen somewhere. Still, nice work on the T-2!
     
  10. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    I like to take credit for a lot of things the manufactures have released. The odds are very high that they will pick the same thing you do because usually it is something that has not been available before. The manufacturers are trying to make a living and will produce something if they think enough interest is there. I was finding all the coincidence quite ironic a few years ago and decided to do an unscientific test. I announced to a bunch of my N scale buddies that I was going to get someone to produce an FT. I proceeded to kitbash an A-B-B set of ATSF Catwhisker FTs. I posted photos on the Internet and within six months, not just one, but two manufacturers announced that they were going to make them. I think I overdid it. :D I don't really believe I had much to do with it but it is fun to claim it. However there is one instance where I am sure I had a big impact. On page 158 of the Feb 1996 MR I had an article about shadow-lining passenger cars using an N scale Kato 6-6-4 Pullman. I talked a lot with Charlie Vlk, who was working for Kato at the time, when I was ordering parts. I think I egged him on too many times about seeing if Kato would run some factory painted ones. They finally did. ;)
     

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