Ron,
Interestingly, the same is true in the real world. That is one of the
reasons neither of the major locomotive manufacturers produce lower
horsepower locomotives any more. A four axle lower horsepower
locomotive, such as a GP38, can weigh as much as a high horsepower
locomotive such as a GP60. The design time for one is almost identical
to the design time required for the other. However, from the RR's
prospective, they can get a far greater return from the high horsepower
unit. Depending on how many lower horsepower locomotives are required
in the future on the mega RRs of today, this could be a problem. The
remaining low HP locomotives from the last generation are getting tired
and the only manufacturer remotely offering low HP is Boise Locomotive.
Unfortunately, I'm afraid that they, too, will find that the the price
the customers are willing to pay don't cover the cost of manufacture
including necessary profit. And, like the small model, there isn't a
significant demand. Of course, it may be easier to justify a need for a
particular model than it is for the real thing.
It always amazes me how model RRing and real RRing parallel each other.
Bill Barber
PS - I often wonder how model manufacturers decide what to build. Some
choices are obvious like Santa Fe or the current four (or six if we
include our Canadian friends) mega RRs. But, it seems to me that as
manufacturers come and go, they select models that have already been
done, and in some cases, done well. I think Broadway is doing a good
job of producing some out of the mainstream models and hope they can
continue to do so. Of course, I would like to see more Q other than the
big three (hudson, northern and Colorado). The O-4 offering was a nice
addition even though it was a USRA model. However, I think the run
should have been larger. It is my opinion that many manufacturers
produce what appeals to them and hope there is a market for it. I am
certainly not aware of many surveys that are aimed at determining
customer demand.
On Saturday, July 31, 2004, at 05:59 AM, CBQ@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2004 10:00:46 -0500
> From: "Ron Burkhard" <ronburk@dotnet.com>
> Subject: Re: Re: Burlington Van Truck and BWL 05
>
> Regards the wish list,
>
> I would like to see the intermediate O-5's, 5608-5620, with a
> removable
> oil bunker, (5614 & 5620 have not been done by any manufacturer to
> date).
> Yes also to mike's in the 0-2 & 0-3 classes, and S-3 Pacific's.
> Unfortunately, smaller locos cost just as much to produce, and
> typically
> have a smaller market demand.
> Ron Burkhard
> General Manager
> Dinosaur Valley & Western
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