Locomotives with Molded-In Details or Pre-Drilled to Add Details?

[scaletrains]

We’d appreciate your feedback. We're working-on our first N scale diesel locomotive for a 2017 announcement. It will be offered in our Rivet Counter line with roadname and road number specific details factory-installed including wire grab irons, windshield wipers, mirrors, MU hoses, trainline hoses, coupler cut levers, etc.  We're also planning to offer a value-priced Operator version as well (similar concept to our just-announced HO Scale SD40-2).

Here's the dilemma...
(1) Should the holes be pre-drilled and with a super detail kit available separately for modelers who want to add their own details or

(2) Should these details be molded into the body and pilot for durability?

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Shane

Ps: if this not an appropriate post for this forum, please let us know and we’ll be happy to delete it with our apologies.


Shane Wilson
President
ScaleTrains.com, Inc.

[pmpexpress]

Pre-drilled with separate super detail kit.

[djconway]

If the Kato Mike is any kind of guide, add on details will be added by only a few.
You will get far fewer complaints if the parts are molded in.

[C855B]

Pre-drilled, for user addition.

But... frankly... I'd be torn between the "operator" with DIY details and "rivet-counter" already-done-for-me editions. There is only so much time in a day, and one less project on the bench waiting for the roundtuit would be welcome.

And thank you for asking!

[Chris333]

Sort of a non issue for me, but I think folks have liked how Fox Valley Models does their N scale diesels. I'm sure others would know more about that, but I think there are dimples for drilling holes and I thought I read the grab irons were pre-painted, but not installed. If you didn't want to add the details there wouldn't be a row of holes.

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/fvmgp60.html

A goodie bag of prepainted detail parts (handgrabs, sunshades, mirrors, lift rings, etc) is included with each model (along with instructions for finding and drilling out the various dimples in the shell where they go)

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/fvmsd70.html
http://www.spookshow.net/loco/fvmes44ac.html

[jereising]

Chris333 beat me to it!

Predrilled, thank you very much - or as FVM has done, dimples and you drill your own.  And you probably oughta throw in those details (again, as FVM does).

I honestly suspect most will never add the details, but I have around fifty FVMs and they are all tricked out.  Because why not.

[Missaberoad]

Pre drilled and seperate details please...

Or even follow the example of the Athearn HO Blue Box SD40-2 where the bolt detail is molded into the shell but the Grab Irons are left off. Holes were drilled and details added by the modeler...

[Iain]

I'm also in the pre-drilled/dimple camp.  Even with templates, I have a severely hard time getting my holes lined up perfectly

[Kisatchie]

I'd never buy overly detailed locomotives. Too many little parts to break off and get lost on the layout. Molded-in detail is all I need.


Hmm... I think I'll pass
on this discussion...

[Ike the BN Freak]

For myself, having a fairly large fleet of mostly Atlas and Kato units, I vote for molded in details.

[mu26aeh]

But... frankly... I'd be torn between the "operator" with DIY details and "rivet-counter" already-done-for-me editions. There is only so much time in a day, and one less project on the bench waiting for the roundtuit would be welcome.

And thank you for asking!

For this reason, and combined with the use of Tru-color paints for easy matching, I will vote for molded in details.  I have other projects to work out, having to add details is just another one to add to list.  If I want to detail it, I can shave off molded details, paint it, and detail it.  Perhaps offer a detail pack for sale separately, for those who want to DIY if you go with molded details.  I have a FVM Gevo that I haven't touched for grab irons etc.  If you go with the DIY details, I would do dimples as they wouldn't stand out as much as pre-drilled holes would.

[Wardie]

I guess I fall on the other side of the fence, if your Rivet Counter model is going to have factory installed separate grab irons and details I would opt for molded grab irons on the operator line. I have no problems with the molded grabs on my Atlas GP's and U boats and Kato F's. I have taken an 0 or 00 brush and painted the ones that need contracting color on the ones I have custom painted. But my experience installing grabs has been very frustrating. I have no problem buying models with pre installed and preprinted grabs or models with molded grabs, but I have no interest in installing grabs and I have not bought any FVM models. Granted most of them are too modern for me anyway.

if you have some jigs to space and hold them I might be interested, but honestly if I want free standing grabs I would rather buy the more expensive model to begin with.

[Scottl]

I guess I fall on the other side of the fence, if your Rivet Counter model is going to have factory installed separate grab irons and details I would opt for molded grab irons on the operator line. I have no problems with the molded grabs on my Atlas GP's and U boats and Kato F's. I have taken an 0 or 00 brush and painted the ones that need contracting color on the ones I have custom painted. But my experience installing grabs has been very frustrating. I have no problem buying models with pre installed and preprinted grabs or models with molded grabs, but I have no interest in installing grabs and I have not bought any FVM models. Granted most of them are too modern for me anyway.

if you have some jigs to space and hold them I might be interested, but honestly if I want free standing grabs I would rather buy the more expensive model to begin with.

+1

Including a jig for drilling would be awesome.  That would make the detailers happy, and the molded would make most of the market happy.

[bdennis]

Pre drilled holes and additional details included would be great..

[Missaberoad]

This thread could really use a poll!!