FVM Wagontops, round 2 + new Gevo version.

[bbussey]

I thought MBK had stopped doing pre-orders for retail customers.

I just checked.  They still have the advanced product reservation form online.  I last used it to acquire one of the HO Pullman-Bradley Light Weights in New Haven by Rapido.  It was good that I did, because the style I purchased sold out to the advanced reservations and never made it to the website.

Bryan, they don't do advanced res for indie customers but send notices if you sign up for product, in advance of the product hitting the website, so you can be waiting to pounce.

True - it's not a reservation system in the true sense of the word in that you're guaranteed the product.  But you get the emailed advanced notice and have the opportunity to purchase the item at that time, before it hits the website, so it serves the same purpose.

[rogergperkins]

 
I stuck my neck out regarding n-scale modelers' interest in long trains on THE B&O yahoo forum; i.e. said that I think many of us purchased more pieces of rollingstock than persons who model in other scales.
At least, I know I do; I ordered a total of 24 twelve of the FVM B&O wagontop boxcars when the 4 body styles were announced early in 2011.  Mostly like, budget permitting, I will make a similar order of the round 2 styles.
 
I posted this comment because a poll was conducted to determine scale preference of forum participants.  I questioned the validity of such a poll as a basis for a marketing survey and proposed that number of purchases not number of modellers might be a more reliable indication of the potential market. Should I be 

[Blazeman]

Following up on Roger's post, a friend of mine met with Bachman marketing last week and filled their notebook with suggestions. One of which was to do the wagon top caboose. That got a response of "it's a small market for something like that," to which he laid out all the different schemes it has had from B&O to Chessie to CSX. They wrote some more when he finished.

And he isn't even a B&O modeler, but he knows what people want and does the buying for HO and N at the shop where he works.

[Ian MacMillan]

I like those NS primer units.

[bbussey]

The downside of caboose models is that most of them tend to be specific to one road, and therefore appeal to modelers of that road.  The are exceptions, such as the Northeastern Caboose, that prototypically can wear 30 or so schemes.  But yes, even the Wagontop caboose with its multiple schemes appeals to only a small group.  Look at the current negative feedback regarding Athearn's Southern Pacific bay window cabooses and all the fantasy schemes being released following all the legitimate prototypical schemes, and that caboose is far more popular and in demand than the B&O Wagontop caboose.

[davefoxx]

Also new variation on the ES44DC...

http://www.foxvalleymodels.com/Sep-11-GEVO.jpg

I see they're offering NS GEVOs in primer.  I wonder if they'll capture the black paint overspray on the stanchions and walkways.



DFF

[asarge]

Following up on Roger's post, a friend of mine met with Bachman marketing last week and filled their notebook with suggestions. One of which was to do the wagon top caboose. That got a response of "it's a small market for something like that," to which he laid out all the different schemes it has had from B&O to Chessie to CSX. They wrote some more when he finished

I'd be willing to bet the wagontop caboose is on FVM's short list He is doing the horizontal rib caboose after and that has to be as small a market as the B&O wagontop.
 

[babbo_enzo]

True - it's not a reservation system in the true sense of the word in that you're guaranteed the product.  But you get the emailed advanced notice and have the opportunity to purchase the item at that time, before it hits the website, so it serves the same purpose.

Yep! Today ..... He mailed- I ordered - He shipped!
Now... I'm waiting!
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/N-Scale-s/3.htm

[bbussey]

MBK now has the Wagontops posted for general sale, including some undecs.  They also show the billboard scheme as "recently restocked" which implies that their initial shipment sold out in the "reservation" phase.

[Blazeman]

The downside of caboose models is that most of them tend to be specific to one road, and therefore appeal to modelers of that road.  The are exceptions, such as the Northeastern Caboose, that prototypically can wear 30 or so schemes.  But yes, even the Wagontop caboose with its multiple schemes appeals to only a small group.  Look at the current negative feedback regarding Athearn's Southern Pacific bay window cabooses and all the fantasy schemes being released following all the legitimate prototypical schemes, and that caboose is far more popular and in demand than the B&O Wagontop caboose.

I'm thinking such an item could command semi-premium pricing which could offset the smaller universe of buyers. To me, $25-28 would not deter my purchase.  Bowser's cabeese hit the market at a low-mid $20's level and that's dropped now to the high teens at train meet tables. I tend to think the PRR/PC/CR plus other lines market is minimum ten times the size of the B&O-Chessie-CSX buyers. Maybe I'm unrealistic as to what the price tag will be. I won't argue if others disagree and tell me otherwise. I buy 'em. I don't make 'em. And I subscribe to the theory of capitalism that was employed in the naming of a lumber firm in NY State: ENAP for Everybody Needs a Profit.

[SkipGear]

I figure the caboose would run around $40 if done in RTR. It's such a unique prototype, yes it covers many paint schemes and a long history but it still only applies to realisticly one road and a couple offshoots.

The SP bay window at least resembles some other prototypes, the Wagontop us uniquely B&O and would pass for nothing else.

[rogergperkins]

Hope many cabooses does a model railroad need to be prototypical? 

[Bob Bufkin]

If your modeling modern day the number would be - 0.  Then again,  that would not be any fun.

[sirenwerks]

MBK now has the Wagontops posted for general sale, including some undecs.  They also show the billboard scheme as "recently restocked" which implies that their initial shipment sold out in the "reservation" phase.

Thanks for the heads up. And surprisingly, MBK isn't the best price.

[Zox]

I just want to know when I'm going to get my (pre-ordered in April) V&O Gevo...