BLI's new and exciting Conductor's Club

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've been thinking a lot about this.

I think BLI might be onto something.
It allows them to become a lot "stickier" with a certain set of customers.

It's a relatively low amount of money: about one freight car a year.
And I don't think the gang here is, in any way, the target market for it. I think the folks who used to be members of MBK's "Micro-Trains Club" were. These are the folks who, for a certain monthly car purchase commitment, got an additional percentage off the cars. They weren't "focused" modelers like many of us here, but generalists who just picked up trains they liked. Think the more advanced posters on https://www.reddit.com/r/modeltrains/ which, by the way, has 75,400 members.

I hope it does the same thing the Choo-Choo Shoes did for BLI: give them a bunch of capital to spend on more stuff I find useful.

[Jbub]

I've been thinking a lot about this.

I think BLI might be onto something.
It allows them to become a lot "stickier" with a certain set of customers.

It's a relatively low amount of money: about one freight car a year.
And I don't think the gang here is, in any way, the target market for it. I think the folks who used to be members of MBK's "Micro-Trains Club" were. These are the folks who, for a certain monthly car purchase commitment, got an additional percentage off the cars. They weren't "focused" modelers like many of us here, but generalists who just picked up trains they liked. Think the more advanced posters on https://www.reddit.com/r/modeltrains/ which, by the way, has 75,400 members.

I hope it does the same thing the Choo-Choo Shoes did for BLI: give them a bunch of capital to spend on more stuff I find useful.

That's along the same lines I've been thinking on this. I do think once they have stealth loco available in models and roads I'm interested, I'll be purchasing BLI equipment. For 30 bucks (same cost as my annual dues for Wasatch N Scale Club) I may join up just to see what's offered. Reading the Facebook comments on this is...entertaining, they sure are taking a lot of heat for this but they are defending it as well. I think there is a lot of misconception with people thinking there will be some newly tooled locomotive you have to pay extra to get.
Personally, I don't see this lasting more than 2 years. It may die before it officially starts even.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Personally, I don't see this lasting more than 2 years. It may die before it officially starts even.

I tend to agree. I think they underestimate the demands of "service" offerings like that.

But then again, this still exists: https://shop.atlasrr.com/t-gsc.aspx

[Point353]

I tend to agree. I think they underestimate the demands of "service" offerings like that.

But then again, this still exists: https://shop.atlasrr.com/t-gsc.aspx

The N Scale Enthusiast seems to be long-lived and is effectively a collector's club for Micro-Trains.
For $60/year one gets a unique/exclusive MTL N scale car, five issues of a member's magazine and lower prices on special run cars from MTL (and other manufacturers) issued throughout the year.  The various special run cars are a mix of prototypical and fantasy designs.

[signalmaintainer]

The N Scale Enthusiast seems to be long-lived and is effectively a collector's club for Micro-Trains.
For $60/year one gets a unique/exclusive MTL N scale car, five issues of a member's magazine and lower prices on special run cars from MTL (and other manufacturers) issued throughout the year.  The various special run cars are a mix of prototypical and fantasy designs.

True, but is this an apples-to-apples comparison? NSE is filing for not-for-profit tax status. BLI is in it for the moolah.

[peteski]

The N Scale Enthusiast seems to be long-lived and is effectively a collector's club for Micro-Trains.
For $60/year one gets a unique/exclusive MTL N scale car, five issues of a member's magazine and lower prices on special run cars from MTL (and other manufacturers) issued throughout the year.  The various special run cars are a mix of prototypical and fantasy designs.

I don't see the same type of following for BLI club as I see for NSCE.  BLI does not produce anywhere the quantity of models MTL does, and they are not really collectible in a way the MTL rolling stock is.

[reinhardtjh]

The first exclusive model for the BLI Conductor's Club was announced this morning.

https://broadway-limited.com/collections/conductors-club-2024-members-only ( you can see the page even if you're not a member )

For N-Scale it's a re-run of the UP BigBoy in two numbers - The modern excursion 4014 and 4019 w/smoke deflectors.  Available in Paragon 4 and Stealth.  Prices are definitely low.  $299 for a P4 and $199 for Stealth.

There is a disclaimer on the the Stealth version saying that there is a factory minimum to be met. If they don't get enough then the Stealth version will be cancelled.

The HO release is the UP Challenger. The excursion appearance 3985 and the 3977 museum in Greyhound.  $349.99 P4 and $249.99 Stealth

[Maletrain]

So, assuming you want one of these, the cost, including the $30 "membership" is really $329 for a P4 and $229 for a Stealth.

I am not surprised that these are basically just additional numbers for models with pre-existing tooling.  Limiting sales of something that requires new tooling to a "members only" clientele would be foolish, because it would very likely be unprofitable.

But, as a "pre-order" situation, at least it comes with knowledge that the tooling is completed and there is a realistic delivery date, which has some appeal compared to the usual pre-order situation.  So, giving non-members a chance to "sign-up" after a model is announced and before the order close date seems to be the "sweet spot" from the standpoint of the manufacturer getting a pre-production salable quota and the customers getting something with known level of quality on a reliable delivery timeframe.

We just have to recognize that the true price includes the "annual" membership - and not sign up until we see something we actually want.

[Point353]

If you wanted a DC/Stealth Big Boy, which would you choose?
A BLI model for $200+30 or a Kato model available for $260?

[greenwizard88]

If you wanted a DC/Stealth Big Boy, which would you choose?
A BLI model for $200+30 or a Kato model available for $260?

It depends on if you want to add DCC to it or not, I would think.

[muktown128]

Yes, the prices seemed reasonable until I saw the comment about the $100 deposit...

We are extremely excited to announce that we are offering 2 locomotive types available for purchase through our website, exclusively for Conductor's Club members! If you are not a member you will have to become one before being able to purchase these locomotives.

In HO scale, we are making the Union Pacific Late Challenger and in N scale we are re-running our Union Pacific Big Boy. The two road numbers for the Challengers are the 3985 and 3977. The two Big Boy road numbers are 4014 with the chalk writing applied on the front, and the 4019 with smoke deflectors.

We are offering both locomotives in Paragon4 and Stealth with a order deadline of May 30th, 2024. We expect these to arrive this winter.

Paragon4 Challenger with Sound/DCC: $349.99
**Stealth Challenger DCC-Ready: $249.99

Paragon4 Big Boy with Sound/DCC: $299.99
**Stealth Challenger DCC-Ready: $199.99

When you place your order, we're requiring $100 down payment, and you will be invoiced prior to shipping for the remaining balance.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STEALTH CUSTOMERS: In order to make the Stealth locomotives at these prices, our factory has asked us to make a minimum purchase order. So therefore, if we do not receive enough orders for the Stealth models of both the Challengers and Big Boys, we will have to cancel those offerings. So if you want a Stealth model, get yours in ASAP! When it gets closer to the deadline, we will give you ample notice so you can change your order.
Paragon 4 Conductors Club Locomotives will include a FREE Rolling Thunder receiver ready to be paired with any powered subwoofer with RCA input.

[Ike the BN Freak]

Was chatting with a buddy who owns a shop and we are basically in the same thoughts of it, its giving you access to an "exclusive" loco, and early access to what's coming. We were talking about it, and the early access neither of us can see it being worth it, as a club member, you can see CADs a month or so early? Not like BLI is super quick from announcement to in the shops. Now if a company like Tangent were to offer "early access" we'd both be interested as when they make an announcement, the product is available for purchase. Just wish they'd do more N

[DirtyD79]

Hmmmmm. Nope.

[learmoia]

Didn't they already make these in normal release?

[C855B]

4019 with smoke lifters has additional details.