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Post by calzephyr on Apr 18, 2015 14:14:50 GMT -8
For $3,000 plus are you sure it's not brass plated gold ? I wouldn't even pay half that price for an 0 gauge scale brass chooch.....JB. No gold, but I believe that a rebate check of about $1000 in the box would sell it. |
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 18, 2015 14:24:02 GMT -8
The price for these GTEL8500s is getting really bizzare; the newest incarnation gives up the powered B unit for extra interior detail...and the horn moved on the A unit. Some are painted and some are not. Why this model hasn't been done in plastic yet is a real study in model RR politics. The "economics" excuse won't work on anyone with half a brain! Hopefully the first importer of this machine is someone who can get it right...or at least so close that I can't tell the difference. FWIW, I'd go for a plastic copy of the old KMT Alco ! Brian tried to get reservations for the 8500 turbine in plastic about 6 years ago and I reserved one, but the list was not sufficient for T55 at that time to fund the tooling. The Overland turbine is a wonderful model. I have two Overland and one ALCO models. The ALCO is rather lower in quality but is a great display model and I am keeping it. Both of my Overland models have both powered units and one has the interior and turbine details. I was surprised when the last run eliminated the power in the B unit. For collectors, the A unit powered only is fine but running them on a layout is lame if you want to pull a long train. They did run with other diesels so that is a solution for those with the A unit only powered. Larry |
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Apr 18, 2015 18:01:07 GMT -8
Brass continues to be imported and this one will probably be very nice. Larry Glacier Park Models makes some of the finest steam models. |
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Post by WP 257 on Apr 18, 2015 21:18:27 GMT -8
I used to function as an "extra set of eyes" at Timonium for a smaller brass dealer, now deceased, Thomas Cornwall, from Fairmont, WV, aka Mountaineer Brass. This was after one show where somebody walked off with a complete brass HO Super Chief set that had been consigned with him. Tom was very highly reputable and he told me then, during the middle 1990's, that most of his repeat customers were very well-healed doctors, lawyers, and others for whom the price of a brass passenger car set at say $4000 or $5000 was not a big deal at all.
I know that it may seem positively senseless to those of us who have become used to outstanding plastic and hybrid plastic/metal engines that some people could want to own such items as a $3500 Big Boy, but Tom said he actually had many customers who bought similar items (back then when a dollar went a bit further than now).
I've been searching the HO brass websites for steam power lately, and found some W&R articulated steamers, built by Samhongsa, are now up to $3500 themselves--USED. So a new Big Boy at $3500 sounds "reasonable" to me, though I doubt I'd go there if I had the cash.
Note: after about 1986, the W&R Samhongsa-built steamers are reputed to have stainless steel driver tires and stainless steel valve gear--those babies if operated and cared for correctly will likely outlast most of us.
I'm sure that many of those people who bought from Tom are still at it today. Among them are people like the one owner/founder of Reboxx. Also there's O gauge brass folks out there who pay a small fortune for their stuff, too.
Respectfully submitted--
John
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Post by Brakie on Apr 19, 2015 1:09:06 GMT -8
My point is, many people have hobbies where it is impossible to recoup almost anything from the original purchase. Rare is it people actually sell old fishing gear. If you owned a fishing boat, you may get some $ back but the maintenance costs, fuel, fees, etc?
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Actually rods and reels can and will wear out with years of use and there is no real market for junk reels or rods except for the reusable parts like handles,bales,rod eyes etc.There is a small market for good used high quality reels.
I just recently rebuilt a 25 year old Diawa reel by buying a used one on e-Bay for the parts.This old Diawa has tons of sentimental value that's why it was fixed and not trashed.
As far as recovering the cost of a boat you can recoup up to 80% of the cost if the boat is in good shape.The other costs such as fuel and what little maintenance and fee cost there is comes under owner's fun time costs just like a layout.
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Post by WP 257 on Apr 19, 2015 9:44:00 GMT -8
The price of vintage older brass, even the fabled "PFM Crown" series has dropped because some of them are quite nasty runners by today's standards (unless you alter them by putting in a can motor which virtually destroys any "collectable" value status.)
However, the newer, higher quality, better running brass such as the engines from W&R have in some cases actually doubled or tripled their value since the original sales date in the 1980's or 1990's.
For those who appreciate and love the best quality models, the challenge is knowing which stuff to buy and hold and which stuff to buy and play with. The "play with" brass is never going to appreciate much. It will hold most of its value, but that's about it. The "play with" brass engines have been generally in the $200 to $400 price range for 25 years or more, and there are enough of certain runs of them that they may never appreciate much above that range except in highly unusual circumstances (outstanding painting, finishing and lighting/sound). The price of some of these engines is literally the same now as it was 20 years ago.
There is no substitute for quality, period.
Also, even Howard Zane clearly states on his new website that brass should not be purchased solely as an investment, but because one wants to play with it--because there is simply no guarantee one will make profit on it.
I would say that smart buyers can still do better with brass than with buying and owning a boat--but I'm one of those who has received a nearly $20,000 lesson in what models not to buy--such that now I have a much better idea of what to buy. I know exactly what I would want if I had the cash for it.
John
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 19, 2015 14:03:05 GMT -8
Brass continues to be imported and this one will probably be very nice. Larry Glacier Park Models makes some of the finest steam models. Yes, I can agree on that for sure. Division Point uses Boo-Rim also and those have been extremely nice. The Samhongsa built Key models including the Big Boy are very nice also. I believe Boo-Rim brass products are a cut above Ajin in many ways but that is my thought. I own several of each models built by both companies and they are two of the top quality brass model manufacturers. Samtech was also a great manufacturer by workers that had worked for Samhongsa. I am not sure if SAMTECH is still in business at this time. Many if not all of the W&R models were built by Samhongsa until they stopped building brass models. Does anyone know who they are using now?? Larry |
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 19, 2015 14:18:53 GMT -8
The price of vintage older brass, even the fabled "PFM Crown" series has dropped because some of them are quite nasty runners by today's standards (unless you alter them by putting in a can motor which virtually destroys any "collectable" value status.) However, the newer, higher quality, better running brass such as the engines from W&R have in some cases actually doubled or tripled their value since the original sales date in the 1980's or 1990's. For those who appreciate and love the best quality models, the challenge is knowing which stuff to buy and hold and which stuff to buy and play with. The "play with" brass is never going to appreciate much. It will hold most of its value, but that's about it. The "play with" brass engines have been generally in the $200 to $400 price range for 25 years or more, and there are enough of certain runs of them that they may never appreciate much above that range except in highly unusual circumstances (outstanding painting, finishing and lighting/sound). The price of some of these engines is literally the same now as it was 20 years ago. There is no substitute for quality, period. Also, even Howard Zane clearly states on his new website that brass should not be purchased solely as an investment, but because one wants to play with it--because there is simply no guarantee one will make profit on it. I would say that smart buyers can still do better with brass than with buying and owning a boat--but I'm one of those who has received a nearly $20,000 lesson in what models not to buy--such that now I have a much better idea of what to buy. I know exactly what I would want if I had the cash for it. John John I never kidded myself about brass prices a long time ago. There was never a guarantee that prices would increase, but having purchased a lot of models in the 1980 to the 2000 era, most of my models did appreciate in price. I stopped purchasing new brass and started to pick up bargains for the past ten years or so. If a model is priced under market price, I will normally consider it and pick it up especially if I can do a layaway on the model. Four payments over three months really makes my purchases easy to handle. On the other hand, most of the time I can recoup the money from an older brass model and that recovery of money for a hobby is amazing at least to me. Any plastic model I just write off as a total loss after I get it and realize I just wanted it for checking it out and now it has very little real value except to me. Take for example the Athearn Union Pacific Heritage units. I don't model in todays era, but I take pictures of the real ones and I purchased them with sound and LED's installed just to have them. To me, they are nice, but I could not recover even 40% of the cost if I wanted to sell them. larry |
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Post by bigblow69 on Apr 20, 2015 13:19:08 GMT -8
The price for these GTEL8500s is getting really bizzare; the newest incarnation gives up the powered B unit for extra interior detail...and the horn moved on the A unit. Some are painted and some are not. Why this model hasn't been done in plastic yet is a real study in model RR politics. The "economics" excuse won't work on anyone with half a brain! Hopefully the first importer of this machine is someone who can get it right...or at least so close that I can't tell the difference. FWIW, I'd go for a plastic copy of the old KMT Alco ! It is highly doubtful we will ever see a plastic 3 unit turbine. I will forever fly its flag. |
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Post by jaygee on Apr 20, 2015 13:56:51 GMT -8
I disagree. The number of 24C tanks you could sell separately would go a long way to making this puppy fly. Many naysayers will chime in and say that there's too much variety between the different units of the 1 to 30 Class. True, but for an initial model, I'd do #1. It's mighty close for most of the 1-15 series, and ran with steam, which is important to some people. The primary changes in the latter Turbines involve some roof details with the DB grids. Again, not too tough. I believe this machine could be on the street for less than 850. to 900. USD, tops. If a reputable builder/ importer steps up to the plate, I'll bet it works. The biggest issue I see, is that once "ABC" jumps in, then others will want to get in on the feeding frenzy, and profits will tumble. My nickels and dimes are ready...how 'bout you?
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Post by bigblow69 on Apr 20, 2015 14:12:16 GMT -8
I often thought a modular approach to the roof would solve the variation issue. The shell would be a mold and the roof another that would snap in. Doors would be separate too and add on to the shell for different variations. We've had a lot of other unique models made but this has been missed for some reason. Glad I purchased the last run of Overland's when I was working, should have bought one more. If made again no way I could afford them. I often wonder what happened to a custom one I sold on ebay a fews years back.
I would very much like a DCC freindly RTR 3 unit turbine that I could run without feeling nervous.
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Post by jaygee on Apr 20, 2015 16:56:49 GMT -8
You would not want the "new" Ajin run, as it would only have one unit powered out of the three. Price will be over four grand. No way, my man! Will survive on old Alco / KMT sets until the plastic fantastic Turbine shows up !
Then I can build my fantasy #44...one of the fifteen UP opted out of in 1961. Some of these would have been equipped with modified 25C tanks from retired B' Boys.
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 20, 2015 19:54:56 GMT -8
You would not want the "new" Ajin run, as it would only have one unit powered out of the three. Price will be over four grand. No way, my man! Will survive on old Alco / KMT sets until the plastic fantastic Turbine shows up ! Then I can build my fantasy #44...one of the fifteen UP opted out of in 1961. Some of these would have been equipped with modified 25C tanks from retired B' Boys. That would be a nice fantasy model. I have the 87 and 91 run and an ALCO model. The ALCO is OK, but nothing like the Overland for overall detail. Both of my runs have both units powered and the 91 run has some turbine detail. They are not worth the money the later ones are to collectors, but that is not the reason I have them. The doors slide open on the 91 run showing some detail but the unit is still powered. |
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 20, 2015 20:00:46 GMT -8
I often thought a modular approach to the roof would solve the variation issue. The shell would be a mold and the roof another that would snap in. Doors would be separate too and add on to the shell for different variations. We've had a lot of other unique models made but this has been missed for some reason. Glad I purchased the last run of Overland's when I was working, should have bought one more. If made again no way I could afford them. I often wonder what happened to a custom one I sold on ebay a fews years back. I would very much like a DCC freindly RTR 3 unit turbine that I could run without feeling nervous. I have to believe Athearn will do the 8500 HP turbine in the near future, but it will not be cheap. My thoughts on this have a good solid background which I will not speculate on, but odds are, they will announce it. The price would probably be in the 750 to 850 plus range if they do decide on building it. larry |
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Post by bigblow69 on Apr 20, 2015 20:32:58 GMT -8
I had a 91 run until someone pointed out a flaw I couldn't overlook, which is the slope of the windshield and nose contour. Sold it. During the two years prior to Overland's last run I sold in total close to 6K of brass models AC4400's SD60F's DDA40X's etc and purchased the last run at about 10% above cost. The models need extremely wide curves because of the close coupling and are probably the finest examples of a scale model I own right down to correct MU receptacles on units that ran with diesels. Would I sell them for a plastic model? No I'll keep them. But I would like a RTR ones to augment them.
8 Franklin's for a turbine, sign me up. Need a dozen.
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Post by jaygee on Apr 21, 2015 4:07:34 GMT -8
I have two Alcos, and four Ajins. Want at least four plastic jobs..if they're decent (at least as cute as the Alco). In addition to my #44 fantasy, I want to do #6 with double Dyna-vane, A #7 with a 24C on Buckeyes, and a #30 with scratch built B unit roof. I will also buy five tenders...eight if they also do the riveted shorty; 23C ! Horizon...R U listening  ! |
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 21, 2015 5:37:18 GMT -8
I have two Alcos, and four Ajins. Want at least four plastic jobs..if they're decent (at least as cute as the Alco). In addition to my #44 fantasy, I want to do #6 with double Dyna-vane, A #7 with a 24C on Buckeyes, and a #30 with scratch built B unit roof. I will also buy five tenders...eight if they also do the riveted shorty; 23C ! Horizon...R U listening ! Count me in for one or two if they are produced with sound and both are powered! Larry |
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 21, 2015 5:44:58 GMT -8
I had a 91 run until someone pointed out a flaw I couldn't overlook, which is the slope of the windshield and nose contour. Sold it. During the two years prior to Overland's last run I sold in total close to 6K of brass models AC4400's SD60F's DDA40X's etc and purchased the last run at about 10% above cost. The models need extremely wide curves because of the close coupling and are probably the finest examples of a scale model I own right down to correct MU receptacles on units that ran with diesels. Would I sell them for a plastic model? No I'll keep them. But I would like a RTR ones to augment them. 8 Franklin's for a turbine, sign me up. Need a dozen. I agree that the early runs are not perfect and hope the plastic unit corrects any problems with the older Overland units. My guess of 8 big ones is a just that, a guess, but if they are much higher the sales numbers would be probably be a lot less so a large company needs to import a large number to amortize the tooling costs. The fact that the model would be the first available in plastic should cause a lot of distributors to pony up orders. If the sales orders are low, then we would get a blow out sale much like the early turbines and Centennial unit. Larry This is the old ALCO model.  |
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Post by bigblow69 on Apr 21, 2015 6:25:46 GMT -8
The Alco model actually looks more correct than the 91 Overland I had. A picture of 2 of the three I own appeared in MR May 2005.
I have to agree that Athearn will be the one most likely to produce these based on past trends by them. I see the initial run selling well but dropping off after that.
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 21, 2015 8:18:26 GMT -8
The Alco model actually looks more correct than the 91 Overland I had. A picture of 2 of the three I own appeared in MR May 2005. I have to agree that Athearn will be the one most likely to produce these based on past trends by them. I see the initial run selling well but dropping off after that. Some of the details of the ALCO are certainly better but I might take a shot at fixing the number boards when I get around to it. I always thought that Overland got those closer to scale. I know neither of them are totally accurate, but at the same time, we look at them from a totally different perspective while standing on the ground next to a giant monster prototype compared to a model that we can hold and look down upon it most of the time. Once the initial sales are done, I would look for bargains if they do the model and pick up some extras like the run of the small turbines. They were really a bargain. Larry |
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Post by jaygee on Apr 21, 2015 12:00:42 GMT -8
I would do the #1 style first, in a variety of numbers. Then power up the 15-29 series with #18 and #26 as stars of the show. Also release a horde of extra tenders, and mebby even a 23C buckeye shorty. The second run would require a mod of the DB housings but nothing hugely difficult. I'd love to see (actually hear!) sound in all three units...cuz if she doesn't blow out all my glass block windows then she isn't loud enough !
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 21, 2015 13:12:12 GMT -8
I would do the #1 style first, in a variety of numbers. Then power up the 15-29 series with #18 and #26 as stars of the show. Also release a horde of extra tenders, and mebby even a 23C buckeye shorty. The second run would require a mod of the DB housings but nothing hugely difficult. I'd love to see (actually hear!) sound in all three units...cuz if she doesn't blow out all my glass block windows then she isn't loud enough ! We could all start asking for reservations on the 8500 turbine even though it has not been declared and maybe that would convince Athearn or Mike to build it. They would probably build the most common version which is more or less the first series as delivered. Build it and we will buy!!!!
Larry |
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Post by jaygee on Apr 22, 2015 16:29:59 GMT -8
That's it! Athearn will get call tomorrow with an order for eight 8500GTELs and five extra 24C tenders. I agree, if we all jump on this, it will happen ! Huzzah !
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 22, 2015 17:41:41 GMT -8
That's it! Athearn will get call tomorrow with an order for eight 8500GTELs and five extra 24C tenders. I agree, if we all jump on this, it will happen ! Huzzah ! You never know, but remember, they got the patterns and tooling for the ACE and the 1st phase Gevo's from T55 and they were attempting to offer the 8500HP turbine at one time. I know it was before any tooling took place, but they own the drawings from the brass side of the business that has produced the three unit turbine several times. It would be interesting to know if Athearn got any other drawings other than the Ace and Gevo. it never hurts to ask for a new model. No charge for asking! I asked the question about the drawings but got a " I cannot comment " answer. Don't start a rumor!!!!
Larry |
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Post by dieselgiants on Apr 26, 2016 10:01:01 GMT -8
At $3500. it's not too bad, Hey the Challenger B&O EM1, which went for about 1900. back in '99, is now a solid $3600. And at Brass Expo, a Ajin UP GTEL 8500 went for nearly the same...without paint and with only one motor! There are people who will pay for this super Big Boy, even if it's a small number. I'd rather have a LOT of other stuff for that money, like four complete Walthers passenger trains with motive power! At least the Big Boy fans can opt for a plastic or hybrid model for a ton less dough. The UP Big Turbine lovers just have to take it on the chin..there's no plastic option..but plenty of excuses ! The irony is that the new market prices are being set by those that just gotta have it on Ebay bidding things up and beyond. The UP GTEL units are a really good example. One recently bid up to over $4,500. So what does brass trains do? They raise their prices and even quote the $4,500 Ebay price in their add. Then they sell theirs for $3,500, get another, raise the price, sell it and so on. The last one sold for $3,895. I am sure the next will be $4,500. Same with the Coal Turbine. Last one there was $4,500 and gone. So you can't blame them for testing the market pricing, but they are also riding a rather haphazard surge in price increases and the real tragedy is when the pricing balloon bursts and their customer base, whom chased the bubble, are now stuck with overpriced items at inflated prices and deflated values. The guy is in business to make lots of money and is doing so. However, he is not protecting his loyal clients whom are collectors and investors whom are now being either priced out of the market to the very select and elite few, or overvaluing items that will crash. This has happened on many collector's markets... Beanie Babies, Art Prints, etc. Price rapidly escalated and people did stupid emotional buying and are regrettably the poorer for it with no chance of recovery. The Art Print market still has not recovered and long-term, the bubble cost the overall market dearly and will so for quite some time. The overall value destabilized and quite a few people bailed out of the market, further retracting the size of the collector pool. Hopefully Dan will see that short term greed will bite him in the long run. I have several friends whom buy lots of brass and did from Dan and have now stopped not because they can't afford it, they just think that brasstrains.com has gotten very greedy. The Big Boy, based on current pricing and what it is intended to be, is a true value and will be an awesome piece for sure. There should always be a legacy piece for an importer, Key had them, OMI had them, W&R had them, etc. and the true collectors know which pieces they are. What is perplexing is advertising something as rare or hard to find and ALWAYS having it available on your website for sale. Coal Turbine is a great example. Probably OMI's best masterpiece. They made 80 sets. That sets a level of mid production compared to say their WAG 132 ton unit #1700 for which they made 10? Or other units the importers have made less than 20-30 of? You don't see their prices skyrocketing. It is buyer beware. For those whom afford brass, these are inflated times and one needs to treat cautiously into the overspending mode. As far as the Big Boy goes and pricing... I look forward to seeing it in person. |
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 26, 2016 12:52:03 GMT -8
At $3500. it's not too bad, Hey the Challenger B&O EM1, which went for about 1900. back in '99, is now a solid $3600. And at Brass Expo, a Ajin UP GTEL 8500 went for nearly the same...without paint and with only one motor! There are people who will pay for this super Big Boy, even if it's a small number. I'd rather have a LOT of other stuff for that money, like four complete Walthers passenger trains with motive power! At least the Big Boy fans can opt for a plastic or hybrid model for a ton less dough. The UP Big Turbine lovers just have to take it on the chin..there's no plastic option..but plenty of excuses ! The irony is that the new market prices are being set by those that just gotta have it on Ebay bidding things up and beyond. The UP GTEL units are a really good example. One recently bid up to over $4,500. So what does brass trains do? They raise their prices and even quote the $4,500 Ebay price in their add. Then they sell theirs for $3,500, get another, raise the price, sell it and so on. The last one sold for $3,895. I am sure the next will be $4,500. Same with the Coal Turbine. Last one there was $4,500 and gone. So you can't blame them for testing the market pricing, but they are also riding a rather haphazard surge in price increases and the real tragedy is when the pricing balloon bursts and their customer base, whom chased the bubble, are now stuck with overpriced items at inflated prices and deflated values. The guy is in business to make lots of money and is doing so. However, he is not protecting his loyal clients whom are collectors and investors whom are now being either priced out of the market to the very select and elite few, or overvaluing items that will crash. This has happened on many collector's markets... Beanie Babies, Art Prints, etc. Price rapidly escalated and people did stupid emotional buying and are regrettably the poorer for it with no chance of recovery. The Art Print market still has not recovered and long-term, the bubble cost the overall market dearly and will so for quite some time. The overall value destabilized and quite a few people bailed out of the market, further retracting the size of the collector pool. Hopefully Dan will see that short term greed will bite him in the long run. I have several friends whom buy lots of brass and did from Dan and have now stopped not because they can't afford it, they just think that brasstrains.com has gotten very greedy. The Big Boy, based on current pricing and what it is intended to be, is a true value and will be an awesome piece for sure. There should always be a legacy piece for an importer, Key had them, OMI had them, W&R had them, etc. and the true collectors know which pieces they are. What is perplexing is advertising something as rare or hard to find and ALWAYS having it available on your website for sale. Coal Turbine is a great example. Probably OMI's best masterpiece. They made 80 sets. That sets a level of mid production compared to say their WAG 132 ton unit #1700 for which they made 10? Or other units the importers have made less than 20-30 of? You don't see their prices skyrocketing. It is buyer beware. For those whom afford brass, these are inflated times and one needs to treat cautiously into the overspending mode. As far as the Big Boy goes and pricing... I look forward to seeing it in person. Much the same as your thoughts, I look forward to seeing the latest Big Boy brass models and the detail they play on including in the new model. GPM have really set some new standards in detail. My intentions about purchasing one is "No" since the twelve examples of the Big Boy that I already own will last me until 2050. Larry |
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Post by eh49 on Apr 26, 2016 15:33:22 GMT -8
I often thought a modular approach to the roof would solve the variation issue. The shell would be a mold and the roof another that would snap in. Doors would be separate too and add on to the shell for different variations. We've had a lot of other unique models made but this has been missed for some reason. Glad I purchased the last run of Overland's when I was working, should have bought one more. If made again no way I could afford them. I often wonder what happened to a custom one I sold on ebay a fews years back. I would very much like a DCC freindly RTR 3 unit turbine that I could run without feeling nervous. I have to believe Athearn will do the 8500 HP turbine in the near future, but it will not be cheap. My thoughts on this have a good solid background which I will not speculate on, but odds are, they will announce it. The price would probably be in the 750 to 850 plus range if they do decide on building it. larry now that the model is due out from ScaleTrains in a month or so, I seriously doubt Athern will do one. Then again, they just might get some satisfaction taking on a few ex employee's head to head. |
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jhuteman
New Member
Whut cho doin there Bo?
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Post by jhuteman on Apr 27, 2016 3:19:05 GMT -8
For 3500 dollars I can build an entire 30 foot layout and fully stock it with serviceable Bachman/Atlas products and have a BLAST! CHUK that brass!
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Post by llxlocomotives on Apr 27, 2016 7:05:38 GMT -8
W&R models are routinely advertised for prices that approach that figure.
The other thing to think about is that it may not be aimed at the US market. There is a lot of overseas interest in US trains. With all the bells & whistles of today's technology with a better drive, it may have some demand. How many are required to be a success? What we are willing to pay may not be the important factor.
Why the Big Boy? There are so many options already for a model of an engine that had fewer than fifty ever produced, and only for one railroad.
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Post by calzephyr on Apr 27, 2016 11:37:02 GMT -8
I have to believe Athearn will do the 8500 HP turbine in the near future, but it will not be cheap. My thoughts on this have a good solid background which I will not speculate on, but odds are, they will announce it. The price would probably be in the 750 to 850 plus range if they do decide on building it. larry now that the model is due out from ScaleTrains in a month or so, I seriously doubt Athern will do one. Then again, they just might get some satisfaction taking on a few ex employee's head to head. My thought about Athearn making the model was way prior ((April 2015))to the Scale Trains announcement and Shane used to work for Athearn. Go Figure. The idea was probably around after Athearn purchased the T55 products and Shane was with Athearn at that time. My guess on the price now was fairly close to the Scale Trains model that I am getting soon. The Turbine project was just a guess at that time and Scale Trains was working on the project when I wrote the post, but the company was not even announced at that time. It is ironic that the project was under way when we were discussing the issue and the lack of it in plastic. Larry |
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