Large Scale Central

What is it about the Great Northern Railway Company...

General Discussion
#1

…that so excites model train manufactures and importers? Its one of this things that makes me go… hmmmmmm.

USAT has used the GN Pumpkin paint scheme to promote several of their models, despite being located in New Jersey, the GP 7-9, the S-2, the S-4, the GP 30. Aristo promoted the Mikado wearing the GN colors, the FA-1, the SD-45, and the U boat, if memory serves. Atlas consistently uses the GN scheme to promote their products. Even their current catalog has a pumpkin front and center.

Is it that the GN was built without government help, without debt? Or is it that Jim Hill was the consummate self promoter? Or that the GN conquered the plains, Maria’s Pass in the Rockies, then Stevens Pass in the Cascades?

What is so attractive about the GN to entrepreneurs, primarily on the east coast?

#2

Steve,

Quick correction, then an answer, USAT is in Massachusetts, Aristo was in NJ. The reason is simple, it sells. The same reason locomotives that never wore the Santa Fe warbonnet get painted in that scheme. There are far fewer prototypical modelers in large scale compared to the smaller scales. What sells is what gets made.

George

#3

George, I understand that it sells, but that really doesnt answer the question. NYC, PENNSY, ATSF, UP, SP all sell far more than GN, yet GN still gets top billing in a lot of cases, far more than is warranted by sales. Why? I don’t have the answer, that’s why I’m asking the question.

#4

I think it is featured a lot because it’s a really good looking paint scheme.

#5

I agree with Joe it might be the colour scheme. I know in my early days buying up stough I thought was cool without concern for the road name I bought a GN boxcar with a 2 tone orange and olive colour scheme. I have since sold it since it didn’t fit in with my local flavor.

Otherwise the popularity who knows? I say blame it on the goat!

#6

Yeah, it’s the colours.

tac

Ottawa Valley GRS

#7

I say blame it on the goat!, Makes a change from a rooster!

The GN livery is very sharp and I am sure that’s why it is featured often particularly in promotional ads.

#8

I am thinking it is all of the above. The colors are great, the goat is cool, and it is an iconic RR built by an iconic guy. When other roads struggled GN excelled. I think it just represents the RR empire mentality. To me when one thinks of the conquering the west I think of either UP or GN, even though I am an NP guy and they beat Hill to the punch.

#9

Maybe because “Great” is in its name. So they think it must be great then (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

#10

If memory serves me correctly, wasn’t GN the theme, title, and/or in the lyrics of a Grateful Dead song ?

Just reminiscing back to my drinking/stoner days.

Pat

#11

Drinking/stoner days … I don’t remember them … Maybe I forgot because I was drunk or stoned? Hmmm …

#12

I always liked the goat!!