I have nothing against producing cars from any era but, historically speaking, steam and transition era cars sell MUCH better than modern. My SR waffle box was the only modern car I produced and it barely crossed the 110-kit market. And, before the critics say "it's road-specific", I can assure you that with just the addition of 2 waffles per side, you can accurately model all of the Family Lines Systems predecessors and CSX. Without the waffles, you can model 2 Southern paint schemes and at least 2 NS schemes.
Conversely, the B&O wagontop box, which was also produced in brass, peaked near 200. If modern diesels create a market for modern cars, I'll be there but only if the prototype is of interest. On a related note, I created a web page of "what if" cars that some folks expressed interest in. NONE of the modern cars (grain hopper, either bulkhead flat or the Ugly Duckling box) have come remotely close to the 80-kit minimum needed to justify a project. Some haven't crossed the 30-kit threshold yet! Numbers don't lie. Of the 154 members on my emailing list, only 52 replied (a topic in itself!) and the results clearly show that cars built in the 1940s and 1950s are of primary interest, so that's where I'll focus (for now). Like I tell some individuals who want their "pet" car to become a reality: go drum up the interest, drawings, photos, etc. and present it to me for consideration. Jim King President, Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc. Ph. (828) 777-5619 www.smokymountainmodelworks.com Trainmaster, Craggy Mountain Line RR www.craggymountainline.com
