Mr. Bach-Man & 3rd Rail
I'm not sure how much time is required to design and manufacture items, so I figured I would put in my wish list for 2010 now.
In keeping with the Golden Memories theme, would you consider producing:
1) 0-4-0 slope back switcher, this was in the Lionel catalog starting in 1945-58
2) 2-6-4 or 4-6-4 Dreyfuss style locomotive, also in early Lionel catalogs
3) A really cool art-deco style transformer, with a big "W" or WbB" on it.
4) 2-4-2 Atlantic. Yes, I know Lionel still makes these, BUT they look cheap and I'm sure you guys could produce something more realistic.
5) Re-issue the B&M blue GP7
6) Re-issue the Budd RDC Car sets
7) Have you guys considered selling operating accessories?
8) 4-6-2 Pacific like the Lionel 2025
9) 4-4-2 Streamlined Hiawatha (way cool)
10) MKT NW2 in red
11) A 4-4-0 WARR or General set
12) True Blast III! Can we get upgraded sounds, something like the "Electric Rail Road Company's" sound chips.
13) On the Traditional line, can you convert the stamped metal handrails on the diesels to look like the handrails on your SD45's
14) AMTRAK HHP8 This the modern day GG1!
15) Change Traditional line to a Spectrum Line, Locomotives with some detailed interiors, engineer and fireman figures, detailed interiors for passenger cars etc. Or at least offer these as upgrades we can purchase an install ourselves.
16) Amtrak AEM 7
17) NYC Empire State Express set
18) PRR Streamlined K4
Thanks for listening/reading
Looking forward to the 2009 catalog! :)
UPDATE
I should have included these:
UP M10000
and
Flying Yankee
If these are produced by WBB they will A) Run great out of the box and run forever and B) Be affordable for the working man.
An AEM7 which runs on on O-31 track!
Very good list. Some cool ideas.
I hope to see some switchers.
I would be excited about the detailed passenger car interiors.
I think it would be best as an upgrade for us to install, like you said. This way if you wanted to stay old school, with less detail, you could. Plus, you'd always have the option of changing back.
I really hope this comes to life. Great idea!!
New roadnames on popular diesels like the F-3 is probably more economical. C&O, PRR, etc.
How about the correct shade of yellow on the Virginian FM's, and no road number on the cab?
The Main Street of the Northwest has been largely ignored.A Northern Pacific F7 in the black and gold freight scheme would be awesome.
Let me agree with TB 3 or bring back 1. Some basic sound system that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and works with a regular transformer.
Also I would love to see some Williams stuff at retailers like Hobby Lobby. They already have your n, ho and g.
I would love to see the F3's come out in Milwaukee Road freight colors, and Chicago Great Western in Deramus red.
I also think these special F3's that WBB offers should have an optional matching caboose. The Penn Central F-3 needs a green PC caboose!
While I'm wish-listing, I would love to see WBB offer an optional crew compartment w/ crew and a view block of the motor for our existing engines. That way I don't have to do it from scratch!
I have another wish, make the FP-45 in the Kool-Aid / Via paint job. I know that loco is a FP40H but I think that paint job on an affordable loco would be a hit.(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/3284293028_44b01534ca.jpg?v=0)
WOW thats cool ;D
Neat! However, I'm still hoping for the Milwaukee Road and CGW F-3's.
How about the UP4141 Bush unit on the SD90 body?
How about a Long Island RR GP38 and FA (dummy) combo! The Long Island RR used the FA on the passenger trains as a power pack!!
The LIRR also used an MP15 as either a power for HEP (power pack) or road power!
SD45's in Cotton Belt. SP grey type paint and lettering, except for SSW. And SD 45 in same lettering. (or SP powered, SSW dummy combo!) Both roads ran diesels over the other. Very common in Houston area!
Ok, I did not expect 3rd Rail to say 'Sure no problem we will start working on that list ASAP!" But at least say hey thanks for the info we will look into some of these OR go pound dirt, are you out of your mind! Some response would be nice. I can't believe you are guys are still laughing at this post. It was just a wish list. Can't blame a guy for asking. ;D
One thing I would like to see are crew figures and a view block in the cab of the engines.
I just got an FA-1 pair and BL-2 in Rock Island colors from JusTrains and the only thing I think could stand improvement is what I mentioned above.
Does WBB have any plans to add that to the scale engines?
How about Bachmann selling crew figures (engineer and fireman seated) as separate items for those of us who wish to put them in our locos? The loco prices would not be increased for the general public as these figures would be bought only by those Model RRers who wanted to put them in their engines.
Include a seat on which the figures can sit and sell as a pair!
I would buy a bunch of them!
Clay
Please make the Monon F3s. Lionel was going to and cancelled.
I think the recurring theme here that WBB needs to pick up is offer these dandy F-3 engines for fallen flag roads that used them.
Monon, CGW, Wabash, Milwaukee Road, etc. These are all railroads that aren lacking these engines. Heck a diehard CGW fan would have an ABBBBA consist or larger. This would be prototypical, FWIW.
Of course that means more powered units or upgraded dummies. I also would offer a matching caboose.
I've become a real WBB in the last few weeks. Sharks, FA-1's, a BL-2, and a CNW heritage engine have all found a home on my layout.
I'm ready for some F-3's now!
Hi Casey,
Sure we will have them all in the next catalog! ;)
But seriously, we look at all suggestions when we are deciding what to do in the future, but we are not going to show our hand... not even a little.
Regards,
3rail
Fair enough, thanks for listening ;D
How about changing the pressed steel handrails to wire handrails like on the older SD45's and the NW-2's.............................
hev (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-5/1182536/5436.gif)
Hi Hev,
Changing the handrails is not a simple change. We would have to modify the body shell of each model and make a different floor. The modification to the body shell would make our investment in paint masks unusable. Some people prefer the sturdy handrails because they are great for kids.
Going forward we will probably make most new models with the wire handrails like the SD-45.
Regards,
3rail
Here are the items I would buy from Williams by Bachmann if they were to be produced, and none require new tooling, just new paint schemes on old favorites:
1) Amtrak Genesis in the current "Wave" paint scheme.
2) Metroliner in the later paint scheme with the large word "Amtrak" accross the front with red above and blue below the large lettering.
3) A set of streamlined passenger cars in Penn Central to go with the PC F3's I just purchased. I think they should be aluminum with either green or black nameplates and PC markings.
4) F3 in Norfolk Southern Executive train paint scheme.
Here are some of my bad ideas:
(A) GE U-18B, of the sort used by SCL, Maine Central, et al. Most 3 railers have to put up with tight curves, so why not a relatively short-wheelbase locomotive.
(B) GP-15. OK, OK, so the NJ tool company makes one. Just a suggestion.
(C) Maybe an MP-15? I'm trying to think of a short locomotive that could go out beyond yard limits and use the pre-existing EMD Blomburg trucks already used for other Williams by Bachmann products.
(D) Shorty-version Pullman--Standard Osgood Bradley cars. The New Haven wasn't the only road that operated those passenger cars; so did the Boston and Maine, the Seaboard Air Line, the Cotton Belt and, briefly, the Southern Pacific. They needn't be scale length; rivet-counters would likely shop somewhere else, anyway.
I know I sound like a broken record,but some units in Great Northern Big Sky Blue would be awesome.Some Missouri Pacific units to go along with the BL2,the new Canadian Pacific Golden Beaver scheme.Plus some Canadian National SD45's,SD90's,and Dash 9's.
Mr. Bach Man,
Hey, we're all buying the Penn Central F3's and GP38's, so.....
How about making a Penn Central EP-5? Make it like a later class E-40 with only one pantograph. Study the photos of them closely, because their lettering and numbering was not symmetrical on both ends. The number appeared only one end of the unit, but I'm not sure if that was the "F" end. And, I'm also not sure which "end" the single pantograph would go on. You guys should have access to much more reference material than I have.
Make more than one number (or just add a dummy) and I'll buy two!
And, while you are at it, consider making a Penn Central scale FA. You can go with the pure white worms, or you can mix it up with a red and white version one of the units. You could even make a transition scheme out of New Haven one. This could be fun!
And, since MTH's new B&M F units are such a hit, how about making the McGinnis blue, white and black scheme on the F3's?
I'm just suggesting new paint schemes here for existing tooling. I like the Williams by Bachmann price and want it to stay that way.
Thanks for looking,
Fred
I would like to see a genset switcher. I don't want to pay $500 dollars for a local/yard engine, and this is something children of all ages see every day. Your present GM B-B trucks would work very well!
Bad ideas: part two
Scale-proportioned CF-7 diesel (They're shorter than most road diesels and they use two-axle Blomberg-type trucks). While the CF-7 was originally a Santa Fe-only engine, they've since showed up on a lot of short lines in the US (And also in Amtrak service in the Northeast) and some are still in use.
I'd like to see the small Alco FA-2 offered in a few more paint schemes. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Santa Fe in traditional blue and yellow freight
2. B&M in blue
3. CN in black, orange, and white
4. Berkshirers and Hudsons in undecorated paint (I love my Berk, but am not a fan of Luxury Lines)
5. F-3 in B&M, MEC, or BAR paint (Williams has done a nice job with BAR units. I have my Bar GP-9 and BL-2 running on my layout now.)
6. Maybe an upgrade sound board with steam and diesel sounds.
7. How about the K-Line switches that were made by a company that I believe Bachmann now owns
8. Keep up the good work!
Maybe a scale diecast J?
that's for sure Casey. You know if we don't make some kind of input to get these guys thinking about some odd out of the box things they don't even get to the table to be discussed. I think that some of these things would be great as Lionel has greatly gone by the wayside in the train business. I believe that they lost sight of what was truly a great company. Willimams has definitely stepped up to the plate so that we modelers who do not have a lot of Money can have some prestigious models and awesome engines running on our modest to small pikes. I for one like to see wish Lists for production cause it tells the Manufactures we are looking and we are paying attention to what they Produce.
Slap on the back to you Casey
Another suggestion: Please make a Passenger pilot for the F3's so that both a freight version and a passenger version can have the "proper" look. Everything out right now has freight pilot.
Thanks,
Fred
If Bachmann did this I would truly buy it without any questions...
Decorate the GP-38, FP-45, and E units (preferably the GP) as MARC along with matching passenger cars (The Amtrak streamliners will work for me) and I'll be the happiest guy around.
Come on Bachmann!!! ;)
How about offering just a single F3 "A" unit instead of AA or ABA sets. Some RRs didn't own "B" units or had very few (while you're at it, paint some for Seaboard Air Line ;) )
Desired roadnames for GP9's:
Illinois Central (orange and white)
Maine Central (green)
Frisco
Louisville & Nashville
Illinois Terminal
CNW (with the green correctly covering all the roof)
F3's or F7's (prefer A-B configuration with optional second A):
Northern Pacific (freight scheme)
CNW (freight scheme)
Chicago & Eastern Illinois
Boston & Maine (blue)
Thank you.
This needs a bump.
How about a Union Pacific F3?
Fred
an Acela !
I would like to see F3 ABAs in Pennsy tuscan and brunswick green. Also F3s in ATSF freight blue and yellow. GP9s in NKP and Erie paint.
Cobrabob.
How about some Cotton Belt stuff? Most SSW items were painted the same as parent SP, so you could have a "2-fer"! 9SSW did NOT have U36C's however!)
Scare stripes on the Burlington SD45's,plus maybe a U33C in Burlington colors
How about a WBB Alco RS2 or RS3. I am sure that a Williams RS3 would be better than Lionel's version. Equip it with dual motors and true blast and also offer a non-powered unit and that would be really cool! Maybe offer it with about 6 to 10 popular road names such as NYC, PRR, ATSF, UP, etc.
Cobrabob.
A Long Island RR GP38 and non powered FA unit would be nice (In the blue/white wave scheme). Nobody has done this yet!!! Considering that the sales of the Lionel LIRR M7 sets have been outstanding.... LIRR combined with the quality of Williams = homerun!!!
Sunrise
SB KCS on SD90 body. Or a powered KCS, and dummy KCSdeM!
One thing I would like to suggest regarding any F3 issues is that you no longer put the "GM" stamp on the back doors if you are doing "new" paint schemes. This was a Lionel feature in the 50's/60's. If these are in the Golden Memories line, then by all means replicate the Lionel. However, if they are to be in the Traditional line and you're doing a more prototypical representation, then please don't put them on. They are too much of a distraction. (They are very evident and obtrusive on the Penn Central F3's).
Thanks for looking,
Fred
Just a thought. For years we have all operated our Lionel and now Williams, MTH, K-Line, etc. steam locomotives on our layouts without STEAM ERA freight cars. They would need to be traditional sized ofcourse, not true O scale. 671s, 2046s and 736s pulling outside braced wood box cars, composite coal hopper cars, wood side reefers, and so on. If done in traditional size (6464 box car size) I am sure that I would not be the only one gobbling these up for a layout. Any chance on this WBB? I realize the cost involved, but the box cars could probably be done with just new shells and reuse the current frames and trucks.
Cobrabob. ;D
How about some GP-60's in the Norfolk Southern roadname?
Are you considering doing any Florida East Coast Railroad stuff? Like SD-70-ac's or GP-50's in FEC colors? While you are at it how about some FEC freight cars or TAXX?
Maybe some Reading Lines or Central of New Jersey would be good while you are considering new items. Other possible items might be freight cars lettered for the Reading & Northern Railroad, it is a regional railroad in northeastern Pennsylvania that is growing.
A few words of interest; the Reading Railroad owned close to 51% of the CNJ in the 1960's and 70's. Also there was the Reading Seashore Lines in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Lee F.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this list. I have seen some really nice suggestions that i never would have thought of. We have given Mr B and Larry H some great ideas for the future, hopefully they will make some of them a reality. ;)
I will say that I REALLY want an Amtrak work train set similar to the ones done by Lionel & MTH in the late 1990s (at least that is the last I know of them being made).
Please give me that Amtrak work train set.
Yes, an Amtrak work train would be great. Then every year follow it up with other passenger roads, NJ Transit, etc., etc. !
Cobrabob. :)
I would love to see these additional roadnames in the GP-9:
Nickel Plate Road
Erie
I echo the request made earlier for an Alco RS-3. Again, same road names as above. Wouldn't mind seeing a GP-7 either. Thanks
The boxcars WBB makes I think are the size of the "scale" ones Lionel made pre-war.
That being said, I can't see why WBB could not put wood and composite bodies on those frames. Only cost would be for tooling new bods, for the frames could be used.
I would like to see 60' aluminum 2-car add-ons for the Texas Special. I bought the engines and the 4-car set years ago and was told the 2-car add-ons wouldn't be far behind. That's about 3 years ago.
I don't understand why you don't make the Texas Special cars. They always sell out fast.
I have the 6 car TS set in 15" AL with the mostly red bodies. NICE SET! Fits the color of y Lion 2245, and W UP Katy Heritage. I can see why they sell out. Also, they would good behind the E7's. Many people do not have the space for the wider curves of the 72' cars!
Dominic,
do you have any pictures of those cars you could post?
I've posted some of them on the ORG Forum in the photo section.
Dominic
Thank you, love the B&W photos, great looking layout, looks like fun.
Sorry to bother you, but by any chance do you have any color photos of the TS cars?
I usually take B&W because it has a wide range: a pic may be over or under developed, but you still could get something from the negative. I also had some Kodak pro film I was burning up because I took some METRORail pics for a contest in TRAINS. I use the pro film which you develop with C-42 (color) processing. No need to take to a specail place to get it done.
I've got some 35mm C-41 color to take. I can take some pics of the TS cars, and the WBB Heritage Katy.
Thank you Dominic
A Williams vendor recently commented on OGR's forum that there are some changes coming to Williams Trains for 2010. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Williams has yet to reproduce the Lionel 675/2025. I think that would be a wonderful addition to the Golden Memories line. One with a silver stack and Baldwin wheels.
I'd also like to see some Alcos dressed in the New Haven scheme, perhaps repros of the Lionel 209s. Together with a set of 2400 cars, they would make a great starter set.
I would like to see some seperate sale Hudson/Berkshire diecast tenders in all of the popular roadnames to run behind our old Lionel Berks and small Hudsons. We could replace/retire the 2046 tenders with the new Williams tenders which are much more massive in appearance. Plus they feature TrueBlast! Williams could offer maybe 4 different roadnames per year. Start of with PRR, NYC, UP, SANTA FE one year, then maybe NKP, ERIE, RIO GRANDE, ETC. the next year. You get my drift... Any chance of this WBB????
Cobrabob.
Time for another idea!
I would like to see some "modern" Canadian Pacific paint schemes. IE CP Rail Pacman on F3's, GP9's and GP38-2's and the new Canadian Pacific Beaver on GP38-2's.
Thanks for looking.
Fred
Quote from: Cobrabob8 on October 04, 2009, 12:27:57 AM
I would like to see F3 ABAs in Pennsy tuscan and brunswick green. Also F3s in ATSF freight blue and yellow. GP9s in NKP and Erie paint.
Cobrabob.
Cobrabob;
Williams made an F-7 A-B-A set a few years back that had Tuscan Green on it, and I may have access to one set.
Lee F.
Thanks, but I am very partial to the look of the F3 ABAs. I"ll keep my fingers crossed for some F3s. ;)
I would like to see PRR F3's, too. But, please make mine the single stripe freight scheme. Same as the scale FA1's. ;D
Fred
1) How about a correct pilot for the BL2's like MTH has. 2)Round off the nose on the F7's to match the pilot instead of that square one. 3)Put in the correct horn to match the engine style and era.
I think that the WBB line is very good, but a little tweeking could make them great, to match there great affordability. Keep up the great work.
I'm still hoping for F-3's painted for the Chicago Great Western and greyback F-3's for the CB&Q.
"Include a seat on which the figures can sit and sell as a pair!
I would buy a bunch of them!"
You really don't need the seat. Take off the shell, and glue the engineer to the SIDE of the Loco at window level. You may have to amputate the figures legs
(horrors!) to fit.
I sell the Lionel figures if interested.
E-7's or F-3's in Amtrak phase I (red nose & arrow scheme)
A two car set of RDCs (Rail Diesel Cars), similar to their cousin the electric interurban but has a diesel engine in or both units, to go between major cities(Philly and Reading PA) and smaller cities.
Amtrak Genesis units in the current "Blue Nose" scheme
Amtrak Metroliners in the rehabed format with added roof blister and large "Amtrak" logo on the front.
Cab car made from a de-motored Metroliner
One good idea: ALCO PA's in Cotton Belt or New Haven (Hunter Green & yellow as well as the McGinnis).
For the sun-belters (Even if they have to put up deposits 1st) ACL purple scheme or the ACL black and yellow striped scheme for the E-7s.
Another bad idea: An H-15-44 4-axle Fairbanks Morse roadswitcher (NOT the one currently made by Bachmann in other scales, but the earlier Loewy-design. I'd probably buy an undec version, but I might be tempted by the New Haven version.
I like the idea of Alco FAs in both McGinnis and Hunter Green New Haven paint schemes. And Pennsy F3s in both Brunswick Green (single stripe) and Tuscan Red (5 stripe) paint schemes.
Cobrabob.
AA9ZY:
The CGW red, if in the same time period, would work with the late 1950's MKT F-Units.
Yup, because they had the same bos. Mr. Deramus, if memory serves me.
... --- ... ... --- ... Yes, the same guy. Was that also used when he went to the KCS?
I believe so. That's why it was called "Deramus" red.
I think WBB has a real opportunity to fill void that's needed for some of these railroads. If a person models the CNW in the late 60's or 70's, it would be prototypical to also run CGW equipment.
I keep hoping these guys offer F-3's in CGW before Atlas O or MTH, because I will vote with my wallet.
73 de AA9ZY
How about making GP-30's in roadnames for the northeast railroads?
Reading Lines had a small fleet of GP-30's in the 1960's.
Lee F.
I agree. GP30s could ride on the GP38 chasis and trucks!
Cobrabob.
How about SP, ATSF, and GN for GP30's!
I would sure like to see an ABA set of scale Alco FAs done in the same black and yellow paint scheme for the Erie Railroad as is being done on the 027 Alco FAs. ;D
Cobrabob.
First I want to say that I have not read all of the preceding posts.
I do a lot of wishful thinking also.IMHO one of the major draws of Williams trains was the simplicity,the nearness to older Lionel products and the cost.It seems to me that many of the suggestions would add greatly to the cost.I do not like the whistle/horn un-variable pattern either but will accept it if the cost stays low.
New paint schemes on existing locos and equipment should be reasonable however.
Maybe a poll of some kind developed from the many suggestions in the previous posts would be of interest to BBW.
Copied from JP's Wishlist for 2011: Hamish K replying to Jpstrainyard:
Bachmann produced the Peter Witt's in HO, and then introduced them into the WBB range. They have just introduced single truck Birney's into the HO range, so perhaps.....
One item I would like to see made is a GE Steeple Cab electric locomotive. These were used on trolley lines to haul freight cars. With one you could take a freight car from the railroad and run it over the trolley tracks, I have always thought that this would be an interesting operating possibility for a combined railroad/trolley layout.
I would like to see Bachmann expand the recently announced EZ Street track system (the former K-Line Superstreets) to include turnouts and connecting pieces for other tracks. The EZ Street track system has great potential for trolley layouts
Hamish
Copied From JP's wishlist for 2011 - Lee F. replying to jpstrainyard:
A couple of things that I would like to see made; Reading RDC passenger cars in either two or three car sets, and Super Street switches.
Super Streets look nice but must have power supplied every five feet, and need to be cleaned often. I use Super Streets on my layout so I know what problems the system has, due to the tight curve radius only smaller engines or trolleys would normally run on Super Streets.
Lee F.
My wish: A GEEP in U.S. Army livery. No new tooling required; just new paint and graphics on an existing GP model. ;D
ORG ED:
The RED one with YELLOW lettering?
Yep! Red one with yellow lettering.
A two door firehouse that is BETTER than the old Plasticville model. One that does not look like toy junk and is large enough to back two O scale firetrucks into!
I like the idea of "upgrade kits" for the diesels and cars. I hope they are listening!!!
Coal and hooper tops by themselves for the quad hoppers.
Replacement freight car trucks.
How about an affordable Acela train set! There is one out there but they want almost $2000.00 for it! Ouch!!