NSE: What is the point of this model?

[ljudice]

Ok, I understand "commemorative boxcars",  "heritage series", etc...   from N-Scale Enthusiast.

But why this, given that there is a REAL car - similar body - with the new logo (smaller and to the right) and a correct road number that is NOT offered?  The R/N are actually ES44AC #'s, btw.

What is the point of this:

[C855B]

Oh :shoulder-shrug:, cut 'em some slack... it's just NSC being NSC... oh, s'cuse me... NSE, doing their usual foobie thing. They're never far from the "C" part - collectors first, modelers second. Yeah, that's snarky... shame on me...  but in every snark there's a grain of truth.

I do wish they'd spend just a skosh more time researching their prototype when there happens to be one, or one that's close.

[Denver Road Doug]

Ugh, I will never understand this either. 

This and woodgrain finish on an automobile.   Life's great mysteries.   

[ljudice]

I know....  I mean the quality is great, their graphic always well done...

Prices are reasonable for a limited run...

Plenty of people would surely help with photos...

So why?

PS. I can understand the heritage stuff - putting unique graphics on models.  But this is just an ordinary hopper
with ordinary graphics that are being spray painted on real freight cars by the dozens right now..

[bbussey]

The collectors want them.  There are a lot of non-prototypical items that the NSE releases annually that have great appeal to collectors.  Fortunately, the organization has started offering more prototypical models to broaden the appeal.

[chicken45]

Seems legit.


I did buy their PRR MOW sleepers. That was pretty awesome.

[bbussey]

As with Micro-Trains, the fantasy stuff helps pay the bills and finance the prototype projects.

[ljudice]

I understand - I guess the age old question is - why wouldn't collectors want to collect something close enough to real?

I know.  I know.....

[chicken45]

I understand - I guess the age old question is - why wouldn't collectors want to collect something close enough to real?

I know.  I know.....

 The same reason that Kenny G is the biggest-selling instrumental musician of the modern era and one of the best-selling artists of all time, with global sales totaling more than 75 million records.
The answer is there are 75 million people out there without taste.

I'm not complaining about NSE in the least. Let them do their thing that payz dem billz.

[peteski]

The same reason that Kenny G is the biggest-selling instrumental musician of the modern era and one of the best-selling artists of all time, with global sales totaling more than 75 million records.
The answer is there are 75 million people out there without taste.

I'm not complaining about NSE in the least. Let them do their thing that payz dem billz.

What's wrong with Kenny G?!?!?   

I am also at peace that the N Scale Collector Enthusiast (silly how they try to pretend that they aren't what they are) produces lots of fantasy schemes. If collectors want those models bad enough to keep on buying them, and that pays the NSE's bills and makes some profit, it's ok with me.  Heck, I'm a member too.  That doesn't mean that I blindly buy every "special" run car issued.

Originally I joined NSC (while holding my nose) to get the State of Maine Potatoes members-only car but I decided to stay on.  Then I found out that I could get that very exclusive members-only special low-quantity run car on eBay very easily.  But I guess I don't regret being an NSE member.  However the rarity and value of many of their runs is greatly exaggerated.  Even their extremely exclusive "Almost a State" cars which were only available to members in good standing who sent back the original reservation form (no copies accepted) and $35 are now often seen on eBay selling in the $20 range.  So much for being highly sought after collectibles. 

[eric220]

Seems legit.

From the guy who models a modern PRR, I just barfed in my mouth.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

But there's a big difference. It'd make total sense to me if someone wanted some modern era hoppers with keystones (hell, even Norfolk Southern wanted in on that action).

It's more "here's a car that the railroad actually has, but we're just going to do a fake scheme" that puzzles me.

It doesn't answer the question "what if PRR was still around?" but "what if CSX just made the logo bigger?", which is something I can't picture very many people asking.

[peteski]

Ok, going on a tangent: Is is just me who finds the new CSX logo silly?  Evey time I see it it reminds me of a code used when posting messages to an online forum.    Um, I wonder what will happen if I try. Here is goes:  [CSX] .  Um, nothing. It doesn't work here either.    Yet, some advertising expert had the bright idea to put the CSX lettering in square brackets!  How innovative! 

[C855B]

Ok, going on a tangent: Is is just me who finds the new CSX logo silly?  Evey time I see it it reminds me of a code used when posting messages to an online forum.    Um, I wonder what will happen if I try. Here is goes:  [CSX] .  Um, nothing. It doesn't work here either.    Yet, some advertising expert had the bright idea to put the CSX lettering in square brackets!  How innovative! 

No no no. You missed the periods. It's: [..CSX..]

OMFG, every train in the U.S. just derailed!!!! Oh, the humanity!

[ljudice]

Ed:  exactly...

Re: Logo - it is stupid and sort of defies the logic behind a "Wordmark"  type logo...

But it is what it is.... 

This is not the work of advertising, rather corporate strategic branding consultants.  I am sure this was part of a program that cost
tens of millions.  I suspect the notion is to integrate corporate messaging in a manner familiar in a world dominated by social media.
I used to work closely on this at a very big company who's ex-CEO is now running for president and over $100M/yr was spent
on this type of consulting.