Post by Amtrak207 on Aug 10, 2019 13:39:44 GMT -5
Hello all! It's been a few years and I haven't been too active since my previous Amtrak modeling and my review on the Atlas ALP-45DP and Multilevel cars (man that didn't seem too long ago but it is!)
Quick update, while I have moved to the west coast, I finally purchased a house this month and while it isn't the dream house, it's the start to the dream house after I fix it up (and there is room for modeling finally!)
That all being said, it feels good to be doing some modeling again. The following predominately pertains to the NJ Transit model crowd with some good news and some crappy news.
Good news:
Those that have wished for a GP40P may very well get their wish. While I cannot divulge specifics, I will say that Athearn has not forgotten about east coast modelers. What we are possibly looking at is a GP40P for CNJ and GP40PH for NJT in a few road numbers. If (and this is a BIG "if") they are done, they will be in the 1970s-early 1990's versions (no ditch lights, etc.)
A GP40FH-2 (cowl unit) is Atlas' second most requested engine. This can naturally be done for NJT, AMT Montreal and Iowa Pacific. No promises but I did find this as some good news.
NJ Transit E60CP - Bachmann: They have no issue doing a few road numbers, but licensing seems to be an issue which I will get into shortly.
Comet IB cars - Rapido was actually surprised at the number of requests they got for this after they announced their Horizon/Comet II project. Having a lot of these cars go to Amtrak California helped. That being said, no plans at this time or for the foreseeable future or if any. It seems to me that the Comet IB trailer and cabs would be better suited as a side project for a company that would produce Arrow MU cars. Whether that remains to be seen, I can only hope. Is there a decent desire for Arrows??
Bad news:
Licensing... plain and simple. It's a sad thing but it is an unfortunate reality of today's times. It seems Atlas has the easiest "in" with NJ Transit with regard to licensing. I am not even sure how licensing works as it is not my expertise. Even Microscale pulled ALL of their NJT decals due to a licensing issue. Now this ticks me off, is it just a matter of a few dollars tacked on to each model sale that goes to the railroads as a cut, or is the payment for the license up front, or is NJT (and not just them) just being stingy. Last thing NJT needs is negative press. ;-)
Back to good news:
Manufacturers now, more than ever, have realized that there IS a demand for commuter modeling. My suggestion is if you want a GP40PH.... let Athearn know, if you want a GP40FH, let Atlas know, if you want Arrows and Silverliners...let SOMEONE know.
Things are looking good, but still a LONG ways to go.
Any other models come to mind? Sure wish Walthers would do some Jersey Builder cars, but Walthers sadly has changed majorly over the years.
Tom
Quick update, while I have moved to the west coast, I finally purchased a house this month and while it isn't the dream house, it's the start to the dream house after I fix it up (and there is room for modeling finally!)
That all being said, it feels good to be doing some modeling again. The following predominately pertains to the NJ Transit model crowd with some good news and some crappy news.
Good news:
Those that have wished for a GP40P may very well get their wish. While I cannot divulge specifics, I will say that Athearn has not forgotten about east coast modelers. What we are possibly looking at is a GP40P for CNJ and GP40PH for NJT in a few road numbers. If (and this is a BIG "if") they are done, they will be in the 1970s-early 1990's versions (no ditch lights, etc.)
A GP40FH-2 (cowl unit) is Atlas' second most requested engine. This can naturally be done for NJT, AMT Montreal and Iowa Pacific. No promises but I did find this as some good news.
NJ Transit E60CP - Bachmann: They have no issue doing a few road numbers, but licensing seems to be an issue which I will get into shortly.
Comet IB cars - Rapido was actually surprised at the number of requests they got for this after they announced their Horizon/Comet II project. Having a lot of these cars go to Amtrak California helped. That being said, no plans at this time or for the foreseeable future or if any. It seems to me that the Comet IB trailer and cabs would be better suited as a side project for a company that would produce Arrow MU cars. Whether that remains to be seen, I can only hope. Is there a decent desire for Arrows??
Bad news:
Licensing... plain and simple. It's a sad thing but it is an unfortunate reality of today's times. It seems Atlas has the easiest "in" with NJ Transit with regard to licensing. I am not even sure how licensing works as it is not my expertise. Even Microscale pulled ALL of their NJT decals due to a licensing issue. Now this ticks me off, is it just a matter of a few dollars tacked on to each model sale that goes to the railroads as a cut, or is the payment for the license up front, or is NJT (and not just them) just being stingy. Last thing NJT needs is negative press. ;-)
Back to good news:
Manufacturers now, more than ever, have realized that there IS a demand for commuter modeling. My suggestion is if you want a GP40PH.... let Athearn know, if you want a GP40FH, let Atlas know, if you want Arrows and Silverliners...let SOMEONE know.
Things are looking good, but still a LONG ways to go.
Any other models come to mind? Sure wish Walthers would do some Jersey Builder cars, but Walthers sadly has changed majorly over the years.
Tom