This question is to <snip> anyone <snip) who has <snip> knowledge of the
subject. How many confirmed orders
would it take to make a diesel locomotive <snip> I ask
the same question regarding freight cars
Ed Davis
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Mr. Ed....
I have heard from a reasonably knowledgeable source that the Chinese factory
wants a minimum quantity of 5,000 freight cars in order to begin tooling
efforts for a new car. Also, a minimum of 300 for each different paint
scheme for new paint masks, etc. This information is at least two or three
years old and the numbers might be different today. I have also heard from
other sources that the Chinese tend to look at these projects with a minimum
dollar value. Thus, you could have minimum order quantities less than
stated above, but you will end up paying the same dollar amount for a
smaller quantity as for a larger quantity. Makes good business sense -- at
least for them. Brass imports in S scale are generally done in the range of
50-100 units -- maybe 150 at the most. Looking at River Raisin's web site
will give you a good idea of the quantities they have imported. I've heard
of brass locos imported with as few as 40 or 50 units, but the prices are
understandably somewhat higher. PBL imported a standard gauged 3-truck Shay
decades ago as a minority version of the narrow gauged project for the same
loco. Rumor has it only 25 of the standard gauge version were produced.
Seems to me that a short-run producer using cast resin or white metal
castings would have much smaller minimum runs. Thus, for unique, oddball or
specialized items, a domestic manufacturer would probably be more realistic.
For generic products used by many RRs over several decades, perhaps the mass
production capability of an offshore company would make more sense. Just an
opinion, of course.
Last but not least is my personal opinion that the impediment to getting new
products made is NOT with the manufacturers. It is with us, the modelers,
who like to wait around until our favorite widget is on a local shelf,
assembled, RTR, painted in our favorite colors, and raved about by the guys
on this List. Then we will buy it -- but only if we have enough money left
over after the mortgage payment that month. This is a rather passive effort
to obtain new products. More investment of time, money and effort can, and
usually does, result in more accomplishment much sooner.
Gathering up photos and blueprints is the first step. Then approaching a
firm with the needed capabilities and desire is next. Once a ballpark cost
is established, getting maybe 50-75 other S guys on your bandwagon is next.
Collecting reservation deposits and forwarding them to the manufacturer also
helps. A genuine sugar daddy won't hurt either. In general, making things
easier for the producer is one way to get your favorite project to the head
of the line. Both the Pennsy and NYC guys discovered this years ago which
accounts for much of the stuff made for these two roads. Yes, it takes time
away from building a layout, but then you will have some of the right stuff
to run on said layout when the time comes.
It is not hard to rattle off many products resulting from the collaborative
approach described above. But I am not aware of any products that were made
from "I wish" lists sent in to a Yahoo Group. Maybe I missed some along the
way, but I do not recall any off the top of my bald head.
As I look over my own personal mighty NYC empire, it truly saddens me to
realize that virtually nothing I have is readily available any more. A few
SHS and AM products are still available -- although in other paint schemes.
None of the brass is around any longer -- except on eBay once in a while.
Most of the structures cannot be purchased. The specific brand of turnouts I
like the best are no longer around. And so forth. While S scale has more
stuff, in total, these days, the specific stuff desired for my personal NYC
layout is just not available any more. NYC-specific Hudsons, Niagaras,
Mikes, Pacifics, 0-8-0s, 0-6-0s, E-7s, 20th Century Limited passenger cars,
full scale length heavyweights, etc., etc. are not to be found anywhere --
except maybe with great difficulty and considerable expense. Many folks
come for a visit and ask "Where can I buy these things?" An honest answer
would send them off to the local HO dealer.
The good news is that I have been into S scale since 1969 and already have
everything I could possibly want -- except for some full scale length Budd
cars and an 0-6-0. So my needs are satisfied and I am happy and I do not
complain. Just getting the darned layout finished is challenge enough for
me. The joys of more ballasting await me.
Cheers....Ed L.
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