Atlas SD45's

[peteski]

It would be boring TRW then.   

Exactly!     Besides, most of the "juicy" stuff is not about the model that doesn't yet exist, but (in a typical TRW off-topic fashion) are about detail level on other existing models. 

[GhengisKong]

I got a crazy idea...maybe, for once, we don't ***** all over a model that doesn't even exist yet? There are Veronica Moser videos that are cleaner than this discussion thread...

Now your forum handle makes so much sense.

[tehachapifan]

I got a crazy idea...maybe, for once, we don't ***** all over a model that doesn't even exist yet? There are Veronica Moser videos that are cleaner than this discussion thread...

What are you even talking about?

[basementcalling]

All this discussion over a model so ridiculously priced I doubt I buy one. Inflation? More like INFLATION. Wow. $135-145 street price? And no free standing details? That's a lot for a scale width hood version.

[mark.hinds]

I get it, to me it just seems unfortunate if that is the justification for shying away from trying to improve models.

Ed

I am all for improvements.  It's just that for certain things, our preferences differ.  I remember discussions in the 1/6 scale figure forums from decades ago where people were lobbying for "improved" metal helmets, as real helmets were not made of plastic (this is on a model...).  So manufacturers went to metal helmets, which sat too high on the figure's head, and in addition made it top-heavy (these 1/6 scale figures are pose-able, so you don't want top-heavy). 

My modeling visual aesthetic is generally "top-down", so overall scale is most important; then overall "mass"/"chunkiness"; then proportion of the model's various parts to each other; and then lastly it's details.  In other words, the things which I can see from normal viewing distance are most important to me.  So scale hood width is to me an improvement, but separately applied grabs not so much.  Also, we should consider cost and durability as a factor. 

YMMV of course; no offense intended. 

MH

[mark.hinds]

All this discussion over a model so ridiculously priced I doubt I buy one. Inflation? More like INFLATION. Wow. $135-145 street price? And no free standing details? That's a lot for a scale width hood version.

Inflation is depressing isn't it; but many things have gone up a lot in price over the years.  My parents' Volvo station wagons from the mid 60s were IIRC about $4K.  Nowadays they are over 10 times more expensive. 

[ridinshotgun]

 

My modeling visual aesthetic is generally "top-down", so overall scale is most important; then overall "mass"/"chunkiness"; then proportion of the model's various parts to each other; and then lastly it's details.  In other words, the things which I can see from normal viewing distance are most important to me.  So scale hood width is to me an improvement, but separately applied grabs not so much.  Also, we should consider cost and durability as a factor. 

YMMV of course; no offense intended. 

MH

This is a most important aspect for me especially the durability part.  I have numerous IM locos with a pile of detail parts that now float around in the box along with my Scale Trans locos having the same problem.  None of my locos live an life of relative ease on a permanent home layout instead living a life of in and out of storage boxes coming and going from shows.  Those highly detailed models have a hard time standing up to that kind of life and I am kind of tired of them shedding parts.  Like you I wnat goodlooking models at the normal viewing distance.

[oakcreekco]

This is a most important aspect for me especially the durability part.  I have numerous IM locos with a pile of detail parts that now float around in the box along with my Scale Trans locos having the same problem.  None of my locos live an life of relative ease on a permanent home layout instead living a life of in and out of storage boxes coming and going from shows.  Those highly detailed models have a hard time standing up to that kind of life and I am kind of tired of them shedding parts.  Like you I wnat goodlooking models at the normal viewing distance.

While I don't go to shows, my equipment on the rails changes regularly on my little layout.

Add on parts falling off is common for me too, and I'm very gentle handling my equipment.

Over the years, certain things seem common with certain manufacturers. Too much CA upon assembly, and too much factory lube are common.

Neither of the above "help" long term running quality in my experiences, so I rate a manufacturer based on these and other previous quality issues.

A new model is just that, a new model. The past quality issues usually are still there.

I do not pre-order anymore for these reasons.

[lock4244]

All this discussion over a model so ridiculously priced I doubt I buy one. Inflation? More like INFLATION. Wow. $135-145 street price? And no free standing details? That's a lot for a scale width hood version.

It's more than just a scale width hood, it's also the prospect of greater than a release every 10 years 

[Specter3]

This 👆. Kato is a really nice but just doesn’t get released very often. Add now that I wont have to convert to high hoods and I will be happy camper. By the time they do SOU, I should have the staging done and be ready for some multiple unit SD action. Long hood forward of course.

[basementcalling]

It's more than just a scale width hood, it's also the prospect of greater than a release every 10 years 

Maybe, but Atlas has a whole bunch of engines they need second runs on. If they can get over the everyone needs a U23/30/36B trend, they might get around to more SD24s to go with those SD45s. 

[C855B]

Yeah. I need a couple of SD24s in Santa Fe to go along with the BLI RSD-15s. They ran 'em that way, you know.

[ednadolski]

My modeling visual aesthetic is generally "top-down", so overall scale is most important; then overall "mass"/"chunkiness"; then proportion of the model's various parts to each other; and then lastly it's details.  In other words, the things which I can see from normal viewing distance are most important to me.

It would be interesting, even if only as a thought exercise, to take three models that were otherwise identical (save perhaps for road number and such), and have one with molded parts, one with “coarse” separately-applied parts, and one with “fine” standalone parts; then run them together on different layouts and under various types of lighting and viewing conditions, and see at what point people start to notice the difference.

It would be a separate exercise to try to figure out the value (in terms of Mr. Wallet votes) that folks place on each level, tho I’m sure there would be at least as many answers as the number of folks that were asked 😉

Ed

(@peteski.. yes i am thinking of hodd deisels but of course feel free to extend 😁)

[Jbub]

Yeah. I need a couple of SD24s in Santa Fe to go along with the BLI RSD-15s. They ran 'em that way, you know.

That's a HOT combo there!!! This is the type of combo that makes me want to model that era.
 

[peteski]

It would be interesting, even if only as a thought exercise, to take three models that were otherwise identical (save perhaps for road number and such), and have one with molded parts, one with “coarse” separately-applied parts, and one with “fine” standalone parts; then run them together on different layouts and under various types of lighting and viewing conditions, and see at what point people start to notice the difference.

It would be a separate exercise to try to figure out the value (in terms of Mr. Wallet votes) that folks place on each level, tho I’m sure there would be at least as many answers as the number of folks that were asked 😉

Ed

(@peteski.. yes i am thinking of hodd deisels but of course feel free to extend 😁)

That is an interesting idea, but where wlll you find a factory-made model with “fine” standalone parts.  No glue stains, and all grabs applied evenly?   

I guess maybe if you included brass models (where the low production volume allows for better quality assembly, and the details are soldered on before painting).