> Ah, the Myseries of Model Manufacturing! Randy's Rule: The > Possibility Of Mass Manufacturing Varies Inversely With The > Number Of Real Ones, or -- The Fewer The Prototype, The More > The Models. > > The B&O bought four very modern saddle tank switchers and, > later, reduced the number rostered to two. Varney decided to > make it in HO. It has since appeared in, at least, TT, HO > (metal and plastic), S, and O (imported brass). The total is > unknown but must be hundreds of thousands and is probably > still growing. > > If Atlas sees it as filling a need for a "cute" little > dependable all purpose switcher, they'll produce it. If they > offer it in a warbonnet, black widow, keystone or lightning > stripe scheme, it will probably sell. I'm afraid that's not how marketing works in the 21st Century. This might have worked prior to the 1990s, but not today. Sheer numbers are what sell. If a model will sell 5000+ units, then yes, there's a good chance someone will do it. However, today's modelers have a much higher level of detail and accuracy. Rememember when a superdetailed Athearn (nee Globe) F7 was the "cream of the crop?" Now people expect no less than Athearn Genesis! And a manufacturer would be up to some pretty bad bashing if they dared paint up an IR centercab in PRR! - Paul P.S. You consider the IR centercab to be "cute?" :) The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List Sponsored by the ELH&TS http://www.elhts.org ------------------------------
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