A month or so ago, under a thread discussing new passenger trains, a retailer threw out a comment saying someone is producing a new---and prototypical---Builder. This retailer has never responded to my followup comments. Anyone hear any more info on this? Or is this just conjecture? I guess I could see Walthers doing one in N after their HO Builder run is complete...
Question: "What retailer never responded?" Next: Kato was, and rightly so in my humble opinion, chastised for the "un-prototpical" cars they offered in Great Northern "Empire Builder" scheme. The Kato cars are UP prototypes merely painted for Great Northern's "Empire Builder." UGH!!! :angry: THEN .. I received a email (not from anyone at Trainboard.com) that Kato "probably" had NOT produced prototypical "Empire Builder" cars because "another manufacturer" (i.e., WALTHERS???) was already preparing to "introduce" prototypical EB cars onto the n-scale market. And from all apparent indications it appears the email may have been correct, as Walthers has apparently begun advertising for production of said prototypical n-scale "Empire Builder" cars (see Walthers most recent flyer). However; my only REAL question is this: Why in H*** would/should one manufacturer give a R*** A** what another desires to do? And why concede to said competitor manufacturer de-facto? Makes no sense ... but then what HAS in this world lately?? Hehehee .. "Ironic." isn't it??? mg: :shade:
It's called business. If Kato had waited, Walthers (or whoever) might have released theirs while the tooling was still being worked on at Kato. This would have cost Kato a great deal of market share. So, by releasing the UP cars in EB colors, they got the people that don't really care about the window configurations and wanted the EB scheme. Not everyone is a prototypical only buyer- in fact, most people aren't. To many, a resemblance is good enough.
This term is "capitulation." Business, like war, isn't fair ... and is never intended to be so. You don't give a 'sucker', or the 'enemy', an "even break" or a "fair" chance (whatever that may mean). If that seems 'cruel' ... Welcome to "Life 101." And "Ain't it great??" If you're really BLessed, you won't be the one to get 'burnt.':teeth:
I personaly do not give a rodents rear about prototypical. I would have knowingly, (thanks to postings here on Trainboard), bought the Kato EB units if I had the cash. That said - I did just order the Walther's. Not because it was accurate. I bought it on pure unmitaged impulse. To get an idea of how much people care about prototype my thread on "Fantasy Schemes" has over 7000 views. So, in short the rodents can have thier rears. I'll take what ever pretty cars I can afford as I think "most" N Scalers would. The operative word being "most". Still, I see your point and understand your ire. Edit: I guess it would be aprapo to show a train with the Kato EB cars in it.
Hey G.O. ... I LUUUUV that "Fantasy" thread (did you see my F3B units in Big Sky Blue??:shade: ) But I'm not one who says something "can't" be ... (insert appropriate assertion) ...done! 'Cuz I'm one who's more than willing to demonstrate what I "can" or even "will" do ...:yes: :w20z6q: ================================================== "Cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny ...no wonder cannibals never have any fun!!" mg:
Yes, GNFA, I did notice and admired. I also admired the "merger" logos you and SWDW came up with. Very nice! There is a Great Northern thread: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=57701&highlight=rocky
Its the online retailer who always throws his two cents in and then never elaborates. I don't know how to link the post, but its post #31 under "next passenger train" thread.
The dealer's posts are in the following format: "See your dealer, this [item] will sell out quickly." [phone number]
That's generally my case. I'm one of the few out there who's reasonably satisfied with the Con Cor smoothside cars. They have a wide selection of roads, nice paint, and work quite well if the wheelsets are replaced. I've got a train of older non-prototype Kato cars in ATSF (except for a dome which is a Con Cor Budd car), but my two NP's (Northern Pacific and Nickel Plate) are Con Cor smoothsides.
