[Greg Elmassian]

Great looking stuff Andy and Marty.

I think manufacturers are living in the past. LGB could run on toylike curves, but the trend is more towards scale models with more detail. I have not heard of anyone STARTING a layout with tiny curves.

Look at the poll on this site about min radius. 75% of the people (now the poll is up to 100 people) have curves 8 foot or more, not the tiny curves that manufacturers often cling to.

Sure, it was different 10 years ago. That WAS 10 years ago.

I could get really excited about some of these cars.

People want full length streamliners now, as evidenced by Aristo's public comments that no one "ordered" or showed enough interest in "shorty" streamliners other than ATSF. (George, I have the quotes, so do not embarrass yourself).

I know that certain manufacturers have felt that long wheelbase locos and cars are no good, did not sell well, but it's clear that as us old guys die off, we are replaced by younger people, and they want more modern equipment. Almost every freight car in 40' has been done.

So keep up the good work guys, and the pressure to make more modern stuff, it looks great!

Regards, Greg

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I agree there is less interest in longer cars, but "enough?", yes I think there is enough, at least modern cars.

What do I think the average size is? Hmm... my point was that what is being built now is broader curves over 4' diameter, and at least have some data to back that up.

OK, so you don't like long trains, and you like graffiti. Actually no mention of long trains was mentioned. Longer cars were mentioned.

I believe there are more USAT streamliners being sold than Aristo ones. All the people I talk to want to go in that direction. I do not hear people clamoring for "short cars", look for posts asking for them.

Yes, I agree with your last paragraph, the manufacturers say there is no market, that's a problem. We seem to know better? Well, let's just say that the manufacturers are not gods. For heavens sake, (pun intended), people have been clamoring for Aristo to make a Northern (since they have a mikado and a pacific), and a SD7/9 (since they make locos with 3 axle trucks) forever.

What's the next loco out? A PCC trolley? Have you seen a movement of people asking for this?

(I'm not picking on Aristo, it's just that they announce items way ahead of delivering them, USAT has not announced anything).

I still say that I think manufacturers may be caught in a time warp. It WILL move forward eventually. Slowly.

(I'm not buying a trolley car)

Regards, Greg

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Complete agreement Andy, I was born too late for steam, although I like it. I've bought just about everything in the transition era that makes sense, so now on to more modern stuff.

Aristo sells the heck out of their heavyweight passenger cars, which I believe scale out to 72' long. So, 50 and 60 foot cars are not going to make running impossible on everyone's layouts.

The future HAS to include more modern stuff, I firmly believe.

Regards, Greg