Atlas Forum MT SW1500 DCC Thread #2 :)

[Puddington]

Must be a misunderstanding...no assembly will be required, sub assembly or god forbid, modeling required on the SW1500 shell.  Take a deep breath...there... 

Joe

Oh crap Joe; now you're just takin all the fun out of it...hehehehehe !

[learmoia]

Comment Removed.

[CBQ Fan]

Too new for me but I am still happy to see these come out.  I trust MT to get it right on what we want.  Why go to all this trouble to mail it in.  Keep up the good work Joe and others!!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

And based on their 'MO' - Here is the artist's rendition of the Bachmann version:


~Ian

Ahahahahahahahhah

[packers#1]

Must be a misunderstanding...no assembly will be required, sub assembly or god forbid, modeling required on the SW1500 shell.  Take a deep breath...there... 

Joe

And TRW has been won

[Denver Road Doug]

EXACTLY

This is my only forum to hopefully pressure MTL (through Joe) to do what I'm hoping, so you better believe I'm going to take it.

Once it's all decided, it's too late, since I doubt we'll see another SW1500 (although, that does some to be Bachmann's MO lately...) anytime soon, so you better believe I'm going to do everything I personally can to make sure that the one we're getting is what I've been hoping for for years.

This kinda sums up why we get so worked up about stuff like this.   It's not like we generally have 3 or 4 options...the market dictates that for the most part any particular prototype can only sustain one manufacturer taking a swing at it.   So whatever influence can be done has a very small window. (and I'm not suggesting that we have much--if any--influence anyway, but there does seem to be at least some evidence of changes spawned via forum discussion over the years.)

Having said all that...    I think the SW1500 (along with GP38-2 and SD40-2 as far as post-70's diesels go) is an exception and I would be shocked if we don't see (at least) one other manufacture release these within the next two years.  (you heard it here first!)   

I am honoring the request to not comment about afterthought DCC and single headlight.   

[lock4244]

Great, I have to wait for the next release to get my Happy Birthday unit 

[Kisatchie]

Great, I have to wait for the next release to get my Happy Birthday unit 

I want a Smokey Bear SW1500.


Hmm... Kiz is serious...

[davefoxx]

Great, I have to wait for the next release to get my Happy Birthday unit 

Are you going to blend it?   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This kinda sums up why we get so worked up about stuff like this.   It's not like we generally have 3 or 4 options...the market dictates that for the most part any particular prototype can only sustain one manufacturer taking a swing at it.   So whatever influence can be done has a very small window. (and I'm not suggesting that we have much--if any--influence anyway, but there does seem to be at least some evidence of changes spawned via forum discussion over the years.)

Yep. And if you look at some of the models you mentioned, they're all examples of semi letdowns.

The only extant SD40-2 is great, but only if you model one of the few specific (somewhat whacky, ie Maersk) that Kato has daned to release them in. Otherwise, you're stuck kitbashing or painting using a rather small supply of undecs.

As far as GP38-2s go, they're a staple locomotive, but neither of the two versions available are great. The Walthers one has all sorts of issues (it isn't DCC friendly, some schemes have weird paint issues, like the "stripe" on the step guard of the CR unit, it has marshmellows for fans, and lacks a major spotting feature: the water sight glass), and the Atlas one has a one-sized fits all fuel tank, which varied a LOT between different owners.

We're never going to see other versions of those, so we're absolutely stuck with what we've got. Therefore, when even a slim opportunity exists to try and get what we're getting to be the best we can, I think it's worth taking.

[TiVoPrince]

Planning
stages is when 'WE' have the greaest opportunity to influence the result.  Manufacturers don't necessarily have to listen to consumers, but would be smart to take note of what the fringe wants along with the core.

Thankfully SP is not among the first run, so a weighty buy/wait decision is not immediately in the cards for me.  I can let others go first and make a calm and rational decision regarding headlights, DCC, and oher details with the facts fully known...

[chessie system fan]

I hope MT eventually does the NS River Street Rambler scheme.  That would be cool.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=294416

[Dave Schneider]

I agree that we need to make our opinions known to manufacturers at an early stage so that they can be considered. All I was trying to do on page 1 was suggest that we not rehash all of the comments that were made a month or so ago when the SW1500 was first announced.  Uncertainty prevailed after all those pages of comments, which is why the suggestion was made to try a different tactic and contact MTL directly. Seems like that provided additional information. Sorry if this rubbed people the wrong way. I really hope that this comes with DCC, many headlights, proper ride height, and body mounted couplers.....cause they never mentioned that! 

Best wishes, Dave

[Ian MacMillan]

What if Joe isn't making all the decisions on this project?, isn't it a better idea to contact MTL directly?

Exactly as Joe does not represent MTL on the Railwire.

[Mark5]

The only extant SD40-2 is great,

Well, it's OK. Great for 1996.