GHQ PRR R50B reefer kit to be released later this month!

[towl1996]

Hi Michael,
I hope this gives you the incentive to make a couple more runs at least.

+1

[chicken45]

I'm in! Hurray!

[Dave V]

The reality is that with the "wait...  wait...  wait...   wait...  wait...  right now-too late!" sales model we're gonna miss some stuff.  As I've stated before I know exactly why it has to be this way, but I still don't like it. 

And Michael, please don't take offense at that.  I know you're working hard here with limited capacity and a requirement to recoup costs.  We just don't live in a world anymore where a steady supply of stock and full shelves at the LHS can still mean adequate profit to keep on going.

I'm in for one from the next batch, assuming I'm not on a Boy Scout overnight again when the window opens.

[fire5506]

When I first saw this thread I went to GHQ's site and couldn't find anything on PRR R50B reefer. I'd sure like to get 2 of them.

If you run them again Please either let us know early enough to order them or put me on the list for 2.

[OldEastRR]

As I've stated before I know exactly why it has to be this way, but I still don't like it. 

I know how to fix this ... let's convert all the R/C car and boat nuts to N scale! And then all the military modelers! AND THEN ALL NASCAR FANS! Think of the huge customer base we'd have for getting new, constant-supply N stuff! Problem solved!
Apologies to any Nascar fans who are also N scalers.

Seriously, I would think there is a list of people who sent in orders that missed the first batch; and if that list represents at least another 25 cars, then the second run is a done deal. This turned out to be sort of a "reserve first" situation in reverse -- first came the cars, then the orders to reserve them. I know I didn't see any "reserve first" note on the R50bs like on a BLI, WOT or Rapido item..

[Alwyn Cutmore]

I had been riding this horse for weeks and just happened to stumble on the release when I opened my computer for the morning. Near broke my neck getting the info to Michael.

Regards

[muktown128]

I had been riding this horse for weeks and just happened to stumble on the release when I opened my computer for the morning. Near broke my neck getting the info to Michael.

Regards

Similar situation for me.  I was out of town this weekend and just happened to check the Railwire when I saw these were available for ordering.  I got my order in as fast as I could and got a confirmation the next day. 

Scott

[OldEastRR]

If you want to have a look at prototypical trains towards the end of Pennsy they would run them on the head end just to carry mail.

Maybe this will show Walthers how they screwed up by not bringing out their HO version in N. (If Walthers can be shown anything). Their loss, GHQ's gain. These weren't like observations or diners -- N scalers would buy these by the handful, as above shows. Plus they had a 50 year lifespan! And travelled on almost every other US railroad!
I'm not convinced market research and projected gain/loss studies are the only things to be considered before a company makes something. There are things like faith, and gut feelings.

[peteski]

Maybe this will show Walthers how they screwed up by not bringing out their HO version in N. (If Walthers can be shown anything). Their loss, GHQ's gain. These weren't like observations or diners -- N scalers would buy these by the handful, as above shows. Plus they had a 50 year lifespan! And travelled on almost every other US railroad!
I'm not convinced market research and projected gain/loss studies are the only things to be considered before a company makes something. There are things like faith, and gut feelings.

The problem with this logic is that this instantly-sold run was probably less than a 100 kits, or maybe couple of hundred. If Walthers made those (injection-molded styrene), they would have to sell tens of thousands to make a profit.  You are comparing apples to oranges.  N scale SPFs are a vocal group, but their total number is probably relatively small compared to the total number of N scale modelers. For example, Kato Broadway Ltd. sets, and GG1s are still sitting on the hobby shop shelves.

[angusw48]

Well I knew I'd miss the announcement and the chance to get any of the first run. I'll stick my hand up for 2 of the next run, if that's all we are allowed!
Angus
Nottingham, UK

[muktown128]

The problem with this logic is that this instantly-sold run was probably less than a 100 kits, or maybe couple of hundred. If Walthers made those (injection-molded styrene), they would have to sell tens of thousands to make a profit.  You are comparing apples to oranges.  N scale SPFs are a vocal group, but their total number is probably relatively small compared to the total number of N scale modelers. For example, Kato Broadway Ltd. sets, and GG1s are still sitting on the hobby shop shelves.

The run was 50 kits.  Based on the responses here, he could have sold another 50 within a few days and if there was no limit on the number that could be purchased, probably could have sold a total of 200 easily to satisfy pent up demand.  I am just grateful they were made at all. 

I agree, the size of the market may not justify a run of 10,000 cars, but do you really think Walthers sold that many of the HO version of the R50B?

The Broadway Limited / GG-1 references have been brought up before.  I think everyone will acknowledge the Broadway Limited was a poor seller, but Kato has re-run the GG-1 in multiple numbers and paint schemes, so someone must be buying them for Kato to keep making more.

I have a Broadway Limited set and the matching E units.  My biggest complaint on these is the paint finish.  the glossy look that Kato used just doesn't look right.

Scott

[muktown128]

The run was 50 kits.  Based on the responses here, he could have sold another 50 within a few days and if there was no limit on the number that could be purchased, probably could have sold a total of 200 easily to satisfy pent up demand.  I am just grateful they were made at all. 

I agree, the size of the market may not justify a run of 10,000 cars, but do you really think Walthers sold that many of the HO version of the R50B?

The Broadway Limited / GG-1 references have been brought up before.  I think everyone will acknowledge the Broadway Limited was a poor seller, but Kato has re-run the GG-1 in multiple numbers and paint schemes, so someone must be buying them for Kato to keep making more.

I have a Broadway Limited set and the matching E units.  My biggest complaint on these is the paint finish.  the glossy look that Kato used just doesn't look right.

Scott

Forgot to add, the obligatory "someone needs to make a K4" comment to derail this thread.

[chicken45]

I may pick up another Broadway set, but the reality is that I don't have the wire for my GG1 to run. I still have a GG1. I'll probably pick up a tuscan GG1 as well.  The reality is that "you only need one." It's the whole train. I could break up in to other consists, I'm just not at that point yet.

[bbussey]

Kato did sell out of the Broadway Limited, both the main set and the four-car add-on set.  But it took longer than it usually does.

It makes sense to release the GG-1 in as many viable schemes as possible, to help amortize the tooling cost.  But they currently have a number of them in stock, so the schemes have slowed a bit.  What's good is that they reissue schemes as they sell out.

[drgw0579]

Maybe the answer for running this again is to take payments up front.

Bill Kepner