So I saw some pictures today of new USA products being announced at the show in CA. Can anyone who went shed more light on this. I have seen pictures for in engines a K4, Challenger, Dryfuss, and the UP FEF-3. Also an Amtrak F40PH diesel. Also they are doing their own pre-war heavy weight line of passenger cars, Amtrack Amfleet cars, 40 and 50ft gondolas, Hi cube box cars, and an 89 foot all purpose flat car. What I can’t tell is if they are making all these or are people voting on these to be made as they had a thing in front about a survey.
Well since they are making the auto carrier, just making the flat car should be simple. I for one would like to see more product come to market. None of the items you listed are on their site, nor in their catalog. So maybe they were testing the waters.
If they make the F40ph, I will be uploading the files for my F40ph to Thingiverse, so that anyone with a 3d printer can download them and make them for the price of the plastic…
Joseph,
Where did you see the pictures? This just doesen’t sound like the way USA does things.
Here are the pictures from the USAT group Facebook page:
The pictures were on Facebook of posters they were displaying out at the show in CA this weekend.
Vincent just beat me too it. Though the one picture he didn’t post from set was a sign in front about a survey. So that is what is making me question are these being made or are they surveying everyone about making them?
Joseph Lupinski said:
Vincent just beat me too it. Though the one picture he didn’t post from set was a sign in front about a survey. So that is what is making me question are these being made or are they surveying everyone about making them?
Sorry, missed that one when I was downloading them!
Notice that these are all pictures of HO scale models… Somebody with more HO scale knowledge might be able to source the manufacturer of the models.
David Maynard said:
Well since they are making the auto carrier, just making the flat car should be simple. I for one would like to see more product come to market. None of the items you listed are on their site, nor in their catalog. So maybe they were testing the waters.
Based on the pictures of disassembled autoracks it would look to me that USA would have to completely rework a new set of molds.
If I had to speculate of the “easiest” ones to make new molds, I’d guess either the gondolas or the high cube boxcars.
Oh wow I will have to stop by the booth today, F40 yeah 
If people have problems already with the 90’ autoracks and sharp curves, this car is going to cause even more problems with single axles. I have one in HO and it hates curves less than 30"… Even the prototype quickly realized how unsuccessful the single axle cars can be.
Kind of confusing. We need to hear from someone who actually took the survey. And if it is a survey, why don’t they (USA) put it up on their website? I would like to participate.
I would love the F40PH diesel. The picture they used looks like the Walthers Trainline model. Its definatly not the Bachmann or Kato HO scale version, so that leaves the Walthers one. And yes, those Frontrunners love to pick rail joints, switch points and frogs. They are espicaly prone to it when running empty, atleast in HO scale. We got rid of those at the local club layout pretty fast. It kind of looks like USA is trying to fill some voids left by Aristo and LGB. LGB Amfleets are in short supply and who knows if the new MLGB will ever run them again. The gons remind me of the Aristo ones. And big steam is just that big and needs huge curves to run and look right.
Paul Burch said:
Kind of confusing. We need to hear from someone who actually took the survey. And if it is a survey, why don’t they (USA) put it up on their website? I would like to participate.
Yep, seems like they would be shooting themselves in the foot to only get responses from people attending a single train show. If they had this planned prior, why not announce at the East Coast show?
OK, I spent some time with the 2 gentlemen in the booth at the show on Saturday.
These are things they are THINKING of producing.
They had a 2 page survey of locos and cars and wanted you to vote on them, had 3 checkboxes per item, very interested, somewhat, and not interested as I believe.
I asked them more, and in terms of locos, and rolling stock they are going after more modern and larger/longer.
In locomotives, they are interested in extending the “prestige series” (see their website if you don’t know what that means)…
By the way, they did 2 runs of the big boy, so I believe the challenger would be successful, they also had a K4 pacific (which AML made), a Dreyfuss and a FEF I believe. All smart moves I believe.
I take this as a great sign, I cannot remember any time in the past that USAT asked the opinion of it’s customers, Charlie Ro Jr. was there too, a bigger commitment than any other mfg.
Greg
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Here’s another confusing question…
Why build this.
When the competition is planning this. (AML)
Granted us prototype modelers know the difference but does the general public really care?
Greg Elmassian said:
OK, I spent some time with the 2 gentlemen in the booth at the show on Saturday.
These are things they are THINKING of producing.
They had a 2 page survey of locos and cars and wanted you to vote on them, had 3 checkboxes per item, very interested, somewhat, and not interested as I believe.
Greg
Greg,
Did you happen to suggest an online survey for those not attending the show?
No, that would be a good idea, we were a bit burned out on the show, and did not stay very long. Usually I stop and spend time talking to Charlie.
Greg
Craig, but the general public isn’t, I mean, ah, but, you do have a point, but the general public isn’t shelling out the money for expensive locomotives. I would probably have to rework my storage area for a high cube, and I don’t really do modern.
I would love to have a Dreyfus Hudson, but I am afraid to even ponder what the street price of one would be.