|
|
Post by Rob Albritton on Jun 27, 2017 11:13:23 GMT -5
I was also hoping for a BNSF Heritage II release early on for the ES44s. I know I could get an SD75 but the detail looks so much better on the ES44. Hans or Rob, can you give a timeframe for the Heritage II? Next production run. We will do a sales analysis at the end of this cycle (Say Q1 of 2018) and if sales are strong enough we would place the next production run order at the same time. Production runs usually take about a year, so you are looking at delivery and distribution about 2 years from now. That assumes that the ES44AC sells VERY VERY well. What does that mean? If you want a BNSF ES44AC, buy it now. Waiting for the perfect color will take at least 2 years, and maybe 3-4 years. |
|
|
|
Post by dave on Jun 27, 2017 11:26:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the update, Rob, but that is not good news; at least for my plans.
|
|
|
|
AZL ES44AC
Jun 27, 2017 11:42:24 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by shamoo737 on Jun 27, 2017 11:42:24 GMT -5
Forge BNSF, and released the CSX.  |
|
|
|
Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Jun 27, 2017 13:34:22 GMT -5
We have 22 different paint schemes and 41 road numbers that are part of the 1st run.
|
|
|
|
Post by DAZed on Jun 27, 2017 14:14:46 GMT -5
I was also hoping for a BNSF Heritage II release early on for the ES44s. I know I could get an SD75 but the detail looks so much better on the ES44. Hans or Rob, can you give a timeframe for the Heritage II? Next production run. We will do a sales analysis at the end of this cycle (Say Q1 of 2018) and if sales are strong enough we would place the next production run order at the same time. Production runs usually take about a year, so you are looking at delivery and distribution about 2 years from now. That assumes that the ES44AC sells VERY VERY well. What does that mean? If you want a BNSF ES44AC, buy it now. Waiting for the perfect color will take at least 2 years, and maybe 3-4 years.  For the record, it's not "waiting for the perfect color". It has more to do with era. These BNSF schemes aren't interchangeable. If you model 2005 or before, the Swoosh scheme doesn't apply. The Heritage II scheme, applied to THOUSANDS of BNSF GE locomotives, was still the prominent scheme until the 2010's. So you've effectively ignored about 60% of your market for one of the "Big Four" (or Big Six/Seven with Canada and KCS) North American railroads....in lieu of one-off and shortline schemes. That's a brow-raising decision for any bean-counter I know. |
|
|
|
Post by domi on Jun 28, 2017 3:30:14 GMT -5
So you've effectively ignored about 60% of your market for one of the "Big Four" (or Big Six/Seven with Canada and KCS) North American railroads....in lieu of one-off and shortline schemes. That's a brow-raising decision for any bean-counter I know. I imagine not many shortlines are currently running ES44ACs...  And to speak of BNSF modellers, as 2010 seems to be the transition year between the last two paintschemes, maybe AZL determined that more folks are seeking models for the very current era rather than the 2000-2005.... Anyway, I will wait as long as needed for a Ferromex sample...  Dom |
|
|
|
Post by DAZed on Jun 28, 2017 8:12:22 GMT -5
Yeah, that was sort of a jab at Iowa Interstate. Not a shortline, but I wonder how many IAIS modelers there really are, especially in Z. I'm sure there are 1 or 2. I feel pretty confident that any BNSF scheme would outsell IAIS 40:1 or more.
That would be an outstanding point except....modern modelers need the other scheme also....it's still going strong, and works for any BNSF era except immediately post-merger.
Also, to clarify:
-BNSF Heritage II era: Mid/Late 1997-2017
-BNSF Heritage III era: Mid 2005-2017
As applied to GE diesels.
|
|
|
|
Post by Commodore on Jun 28, 2017 9:09:17 GMT -5
Yep,
I remember that Marklin made a very great model of a very great engine; the Commodore Vanderbilt.
It was a great engine...
But a very bad business decision
....and it likely hurt the entire hobby.
Appeal to the masses almost never can be a terrible idea.
|
|
|
|
Post by DAZed on Jun 28, 2017 9:53:34 GMT -5
Yep, I remember that Marklin made a very great model of a very great engine; the Commodore Vanderbilt.It was a great engine... But a very bad business decision ....and it likely hurt the entire hobby.Appeal to the masses almost never can be a terrible idea. Well, sounds like it was good for you personally though! It's refreshing that you can recognize it was a bad idea even though it was something you liked. I feel that way about some things like the TRE RDC's in Z. I do know a few people that bought them but a pretty limited market overall. I'm sure some folks bought them to strip and repaint. Conversely, there are releases that I thought were gonna be a bust but weren't....Atlas Coalveyors in N seemed to have done very well....they did close to 100 numbers in UFIX so I think they could consider that a success. 7 or 8 reruns. To get back on topic...we can only hope that the run of ES44AC's is successful. Then perhaps we'll see another run, and hopefully eventually some ES44DC's too. |
|
|
|
Post by emaley on Jun 28, 2017 11:07:25 GMT -5
I understand the disappointment in not getting the paint scheme you really, really want, but think back a bit when we had basically Marklin stuff and very few MTL F3's. Times are great for us in Z. We are a very small market and we have a diverse assortment of very nice equipment to choose from. It could be much worse. Have a look at Nn3 offerings.
Trey
|
|
|
|
Post by cwrr on Jun 28, 2017 20:13:51 GMT -5
Well said.
|
|
|
|
Post by kbreck on Jun 29, 2017 14:38:55 GMT -5
I know this has probably already been stated but what road names are going to be offered in the first run? My accountant/wife might release emergency funds for a loco purchase.
|
|
|
|
Post by domi on Jun 29, 2017 15:42:34 GMT -5
Yeah, that was sort of a jab at Iowa Interstate. Not a shortline, but I wonder how many IAIS modelers there really are, especially in Z. I'm sure there are 1 or 2. I feel pretty confident that any BNSF scheme would outsell IAIS 40:1 or more. That would be an outstanding point except....modern modelers need the other scheme also....it's still going strong, and works for any BNSF era except immediately post-merger. Also, to clarify: -BNSF Heritage II era: Mid/Late 1997-2017 -BNSF Heritage III era: Mid 2005-2017 As applied to GE diesels. Ok Doug, sorry for mistaking, I thought Heritage II was no more current... Dom |
|
|
|
Post by Rob Albritton on Jun 29, 2017 16:12:53 GMT -5
I know this has probably already been stated but what road names are going to be offered in the first run? My accountant/wife might release emergency funds for a loco purchase. UP NS BNSF CSX Ferromex KCS CP CN NS-Heritage (Subscription program) ...and a few others! |
|
|
|
Post by kbreck on Jun 29, 2017 17:25:41 GMT -5
I know this has probably already been stated but what road names are going to be offered in the first run? My accountant/wife might release emergency funds for a loco purchase. UP NS BNSF CSX Ferromex KCS CP CN NS-Heritage (Subscription program) ...and a few others! thanks Rob!! Any chance one of the few others could possibly be a Florida East Coast |
|
And to speak of BNSF modellers, as 2010 seems to be the transition year between the last two paintschemes, maybe AZL determined that more folks are seeking models for the very current era rather than the 2000-2005.... 
