08-13-2009, 01:56 PM
What do you think is the #1 missing product on the HO market today?
I don't think I'd consider a such and such variation of an SD-45, nor the NKP's H-6e 2-8-2s to fit the bill. On the other hand, the NYC's H-5 mikados were used by a number of roads, and so they could be it.
My entry is a 57" drivered 2-8-0. You may say that there are already several 2-8-0s on the market...and I do agree...but they are oddballs. The Spectrum 2-8-0 has 63" drivers...which were massive for 2-8-0s. Similarly, MDC's has 51" drivers...a bit too small. 51" drivers were primarily used in mountainous regions and by short lines (e.g. Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek, Colorado Midland, Nevada Northern). The vast majority of 2-8-0s were in between...typically 54"-58" drivers. My beloved Nickel Plate had none with 51" drivers and only a handful with 63" drivers, yet it had dozens (or perhaps hundreds since I'd don't have the roster in front of me) of 57" drivered 2-8-0s. Most of the NKP's 0-6-0s and 0-8-0s also had 57" drivers. From studying 2-8-0s from various railroads, I think that most roads were like the NKP in this regard: 56"-57" drivers were the rule...and since 2-8-0s were the most common of all steam locomotives...they are the #1 missing product on the market.
What do you think is missing?
I don't think I'd consider a such and such variation of an SD-45, nor the NKP's H-6e 2-8-2s to fit the bill. On the other hand, the NYC's H-5 mikados were used by a number of roads, and so they could be it.
My entry is a 57" drivered 2-8-0. You may say that there are already several 2-8-0s on the market...and I do agree...but they are oddballs. The Spectrum 2-8-0 has 63" drivers...which were massive for 2-8-0s. Similarly, MDC's has 51" drivers...a bit too small. 51" drivers were primarily used in mountainous regions and by short lines (e.g. Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek, Colorado Midland, Nevada Northern). The vast majority of 2-8-0s were in between...typically 54"-58" drivers. My beloved Nickel Plate had none with 51" drivers and only a handful with 63" drivers, yet it had dozens (or perhaps hundreds since I'd don't have the roster in front of me) of 57" drivered 2-8-0s. Most of the NKP's 0-6-0s and 0-8-0s also had 57" drivers. From studying 2-8-0s from various railroads, I think that most roads were like the NKP in this regard: 56"-57" drivers were the rule...and since 2-8-0s were the most common of all steam locomotives...they are the #1 missing product on the market.
What do you think is missing?
Michael
My primary goal is a large Oahu Railway layout in On3
My secondary interests are modeling the Denver, South Park, & Pacific in On3 and NKP in HO
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My primary goal is a large Oahu Railway layout in On3
My secondary interests are modeling the Denver, South Park, & Pacific in On3 and NKP in HO
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