The N-scale Milwaukee Little Joe is done! Is it worth the effort?

[mmagliaro]

2) The kit cannot be powered by anything else and is based on the old Arnold GG1 (and be accurate to the prototype).
3) It is not based on (and cannot be based on) the Kato GG1 model.

I'm glad other people are questioning this.  "Cannot"???   With a Dremel, a soldering iron, and JB Weld epoxy, you
can power an engine with almost anything.  Again, this engine unforunately doesn't fit for me so I won't buy
one even though it looks beautiful.   But if I bought the kit, the first thing I'd be doing is investigating the Kato GG1
and how to fit it in.  It would help if we had more explanation as to why the Kato can't be used.

[kalbert]

I too am curious about the use of the word "cannot"... Generally when someone says "cannot" it triggers a mass movement of people who will find a way to do it one way or the other. Or at least learn first hand for themselves why.

[wazzou]

MAP Pricing... 

[Scottl]

Generally when someone says "cannot" it triggers a mass movement of people who will find a way to do it one way or the other.

TRW cannot keep a thread from going negative 

[jmlaboda]

Not common? 44 have been listed on eBay in the past 90 days, which I would interpret as fairly plentiful.

Seeing 44 listed and how many may actually been involved may be two different things.  Were all of these sold (that is, were there bids on all of them)?  If not it could have been the same model listed more than once.

I wish it was something I could use but they were DC locomotives and I am in need of AC electrics, such as those used by the New Haven... the EP3, EP4 and EF3 is really what I am looking for, as far as non-steam locomotives go.

[PGE-N°2]

Otherwise, this and many other non-RTR projects probably won't become generally available, and that would truly be a shame for N-scale modellers.   
 

I would like to say that I would be interested in getting and building a few, but I am daunted by some of the fine modelling requirements such as turning down wheel flanges, and also the extra expense of getting a bunch of GG1s would make this a true object of obsession.

It might be a suggestion that, whoever is offering the kits may also want to find a way that the chassis could be included in the kit with any necessary wheel mods done. That would mean that the manufacturer would have to be the individual purchasing a mass quantity of GG1s, the cost of which they would obviously pass on to the buyer, but the buyer would pay it out anyway, trying to buy the donor chassis and modify each individual one. At least if one person was doing the work of modifying chassis to be included in the kits, we could know the end result would be fairly consistent.

[wcfn100]

I might require GHQ to secure enough GG1 pantographs which are currently sold out.

Kato's NW2 shell has been sold out for maybe a year and I don't expect them to ever be back in stock.

Jason

[mmagliaro]

Seeing 44 listed and how many may actually been involved may be two different things.  Were all of these sold (that is, were there bids on all of them)?  If not it could have been the same model listed more than once.

I wish it was something I could use but they were DC locomotives and I am in need of AC electrics, such as those used by the New Haven... the EP3, EP4 and EF3 is really what I am looking for, as far as non-steam locomotives go.

I count 29 actually sold since Nov, 2013, so that's still a decent amount.

[kalbert]

The question might be were those 29 different ones, or 10 different ones that changed hands 3 times?

Kato parts typically come in stock again when they rerun stuff... So like 3 years maybe?

[TrainCat2]

I wish it was something I could use but they were DC locomotives and I am in need of AC electrics, such as those used by the New Haven... the EP3, EP4 and EF3 is really what I am looking for, as far as non-steam locomotives go.

I think your wants will be answered in the way of modular drives (B's, C's and D's) for electrics. Specially the MILW EP's, EF's and the GN Z's, Y's and/or PRR FF's. There are people working on it now and it was being discussed at Springfield.

[peteski]

TRW cannot keep a thread from going negative 

While what you said is actually true in many instances, I don't see any negativity in asking for further explanation (or in the additional comments related to my question).

[John]

TRW cannot keep a thread from going negative 

Yes we can ... 

[Dave Schneider]

Here is a response to the original poster.

This is a great looking model and fills an niche for a small segment of Milwaukee modelers. You have done a great job of laying out the project to let people decide if this is for them. Couldn't be more clear.

My suggestions, for what it is worth.

1) Come up with a price for the shells. Lay out what you get and don't get (as you have done). No surprises.
2) Advertise widely including Yahoo groups, this group of yahoos  , maybe the Milwaukee Road Historical Association, etc.
3) Have people pre-order (yes that), with a realistic production date.
4) Ideally, there would be a way to put a deposit in escrow so that the manufacturer wouldn't assume the risk of cold feet and the consumer won't see their money disappear due unacceptable delays.
5) Come up with a date wherein the consumer would get the option to receive their deposit back if the project craters or is badly delayed.
6) Don't be discouraged by the well-intentioned discussions of how it woulda/coulda/shoulda been done. This is just the way things are and its not all bad.

I thank you for bringing this opportunity forward. I love the Milwaukee electrics but don't have the time/money/years left to model Avery, Idaho....even though it is super cool.

Best wishes, Dave

[TrainCat2]

Yes Master . . . . 

[Scottl]

It would seem that "cannot" works! 

I spent a little time today looking at photos of these units in action.  I can see the appeal- The Milwaukee route in the west was spectacular and there is something extra cool about electrics.  This is a real step forward for those wanting to model these or just want a neat loco on the shelf to stare at.