MT just posted this on Facebook regarding MT1500

[basementcalling]

That might be so, but this is the year 2017 (not 1983) and we have to readjust our thinking and realize that any regular-priced (non-DCC) N scale model locomotive will cost us at least 60-70 dollars (and that is the low end).  The days of $19.99 Bachmann locos are long gone.  Yes, there will be bargains and blowout sales, but regular street prices are now higher than they were over 30 years ago. Sad, but true.  Part of the problem is called inflation.  Remember your salary in 1983?  Remember how much a Subaru cost back then? Well do a reality check and compare those with today's salaries and car prices.  Models followed the same trend.

Well in 1983 my dad could afford a Con Con PA1 for $35.99. Me, it took a summer saving lawn mowing money to buy a second.   The sw9s from Life Like were a post 2000 initial offering. Everything from China is showing some large jumps in price,  and i expect a MT item to cost more, but there are limits.  The new sw1500s are 30 to 50 bucks above last year,  much less the LL units.

 

[Philip H]

So mine is about to take a bath:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Since the cancellation means no KCS white.

 

[nkalanaga]

The biggest problem with prices is that, in most of the US, wages haven't kept up with inflation over the last 40 years.  So, many people have to work longer to afford the same purchasing power.

Price inflation, in itself, isn't a problem, as long as income rises at least as fast.  A $30 loco, when I'm earning $3/hr, costs the same as a $150 loco at $15/hr, in terms of how hard I have to work for it.

[Albert in N]

Maybe the price increase anticipates the threatened 45% tariff on imports from China??? Also, could it be that the Chinese CEOs want to catch up to the pay of their US counterparts??   

[cjm413]

So mine is about to take a bath:

(Attachment Link)

Since the cancellation means no KCS white.

 

All of the "collectors" are probably out gathering their pitchforks and torches...

[MichaelWinicki]

Maybe the price increase anticipates the threatened 45% tariff on imports from China??? Also, could it be that the Chinese CEOs want to catch up to the pay of their US counterparts??   

A lot of it is due to rising labor costs in China.

The world is small and the Chinese worker sees what the European worker has, what the Japanese worker has, what the western worker has... And they want that for themselves. 

[Point353]

A complete Kato NW2 is available at a discounted "street" price of about $70.
What might just the chassis cost MTL if they could buy it on an OEM basis and how would that compare to the cost from their present source?

[jagged ben]

In light of this thread, this is kind of funny....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/N-scale-Atlas-MP-15DC-Custom-Painted-SP-Kodachrome-2539-Decorder-Ready-NIB-/132058050592

Only a few more dollars than the MT version! 

[cjm413]

In light of this thread, this is kind of funny....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/N-scale-Atlas-MP-15DC-Custom-Painted-SP-Kodachrome-2539-Decorder-Ready-NIB-/132058050592

Only a few more dollars than the MT version!

The first 5 pictures show an Atlas MP15 painted as SP 2539.

The 6th and final picture is of the prototype SP SW1500 #2539.

 

[peteski]

The first 5 pictures show an Atlas MP15 painted as SP 2539.

The 6th and final picture is of the prototype SP SW1500 #2539.

 

Into the eBay amusement thread this goes! 

[cjm413]

Into the eBay amusement thread this goes! 

This gave me a different idea...does anyone know if the MTL SP SW1500 cab be used to replace the Atlas MP15 cab?

[tehachapifan]

This gave me a different idea...does anyone know if the MTL SP SW1500 cab be used to replace the Atlas MP15 cab?

Not without some work as the Atlas MP15DC uses as separate piece as a cab sub-base whereas the MT cab extends all the way down to the frame sill. I believe you would basically need to remove the bottom portion of the cab so it can sit atop the Atlas sub-base. Even then I'm not sure if the other dimensions are compatible enough. All this said, it still might be the easiest way to obtain the SP-style number boards and light appliances on an MP15DC...assuming that's what you're after. I have an SP MP15DC model underway where I used the number board off of an Atlas GP40-2 cab like on my SW1500 bashes. This gives me light-able number boards but it is a pretty tedious operation.

[tehachapifan]

....Regarding the eBay Kodachrome unit, before the MT offering came out the Atlas MP15DC was probably the closest you were going to get to an SW1500 without undertaking a serious kitbash. Without commenting on pricing, it looks like the modeler did a pretty decent job of painting and decaling (that little warbonnet is a $#@! to get just right!) and the unit probably did a good job filling-in as a crud. Most folks would probably not pick up on the discrepancies, although the no-box-hood would certainly have been a better choice (if the modeler even knew there were different hood options).

[cjm413]

....Regarding the eBay Kodachrome unit, before the MT offering came out the Atlas MP15DC was probably the closest you were going to get to an SW1500 without undertaking a serious kitbash. Without commenting on pricing, it looks like the modeler did a pretty decent job of painting and decaling (that little warbonnet is a $#@! to get just right!) and the unit probably did a good job filling-in as a crud. Most folks would probably not pick up on the discrepancies, although the no-box-hood would certainly have been a better choice (if the modeler even knew there were different hood options).

If SP had a MP15DC in Kodachrome paint, the lack of a SW1500 is pretty much irrelevant.

[tehachapifan]

Not exactly sure what you mean by irrelevant, but the sole kodachrome MP15DC (#2700 pictured above) was painted in an entirely different take on the kodachrome scheme as compared to the 2539 (but was very similar to SW1500 #2575). Perhaps the modeler wanted to get as close as possible to modeling SW1500 2539 and its particular scheme.