Remanufacturing a Railname

[rkneisel]

I posted this question also on the OGR forum, but also wanted to post here also, since the are many who are so knowledgeable. Having just gotten back into the hobby about a year and a half now, it seems I missed the opportunity to purchase the MTH version of Norfolk Southern's F-7 Office Car ABA diesel set. Outwardly, it looks like a sharp model and smart paint scheme. Many of you have been in the hobby much longer that I, so I am asking what is the possibility that the set will be run again or that some other manufacturer will make a go of it? I never see that set offered on any retail place's website nor on e-Bay so it must have been a good seller and one that many people hold onto. Not sure that I could afford any new engines at this moment anyway until I get my two girls out of school, but it will be very tempting to go into debt if they ever are offered again. Any ideas if they will?

Rick

[wcantrell]

Hey Rick, I liked those too. It is a beautiful set. I told my wifes uncle about it since he retired from NS. I wonder what Jeff Sohn would charge for a repaint if they dont get produced again?

[rkneisel]

Wayne, I have thought that that might be a solution. I am curious as to what response MTH might have if a written request was made and they might produce that set through their RailKing line? It might be worth a try. I have looked at some of Jeff's work, though I am not sure that I have seen a NS paint scheme that he did on an F-7. He does great work though.

Rick

[wcantrell]

Yeh I had thought about finding a Mikado that resembles the 4501 with all the latest gadgets and having Jeff repaint it in southern colors. I am hoping one of the manufacturers will reproduce her soon.
He definately does awesome work.

[cwarfel]

Rick:

You may have tried this already, bit I have had quite a bit of luck finding older MTH stuff by looking it up on their website and then clicking on "find it". It is surprising how many dealers have older stuff setting on shelves in their warehouse or back room and have forgotten about it. While not 100% accurate, ordinarily if the website says a dealer has something in stock, they do, even if they are unaware they have it. In about 90% of my searches, I'll call the dealer and they'll tell me they don't think they have it. I'll leave my name and phone number and will hear back from them within 2-12 hours saying they do have it in stock.

If you haven't already, give this a shot and let me know how it turns out.

Thanks,
Curt

[rkneisel]

Thanks Curt.... I have never tried that. (And never knew that was an option.)

Rick

[cwarfel]

Rick:

If you have the actual MTH item number, try that first. Otherwise you sometimes have to play around with variations and then spend some time skimming through the pages.

I think I forgot to mention, start your search under the Product Search icon on the MTH home page.

Curt

[rsedgley]

Here's the MTH site -- http://www.mth-railking.com/detail.asp?item=20-80007B

and here is wher they say you might find it. http://204.156.4.220/external/panel2.asp

Dealers
The following dealers meet your selection criteria. Click the Show button next to a dealer to get more detailed contact information for the dealer (and to see what items are in stock, if you requested any).

Name City State Zip
TRAIN WORLD BROOKLYN NY 11218
BRADYS TOY & TRAIN OUTLET GREENSBURG PA 15601

[rsedgley]

Train world as of May 30th had it. and Bradys toy had it as of July 3rd.

Now go into debt...

[rkneisel]

Ron,

Thanks for doing some leg work for me. Unfortunately, I could not find the item in either place. As for TrainWorld, I even visited the place in person when we went to Brooklyn for Cookie's daughter's wedding. One of the "off days", I took the subways to that part of Brooklyn. I asked the guy there if he had any and at that time he said no. The Norfolk Southern was a Dealer Appreciation Item in the 2007 catalog. That was prior to me getting back in the hobby. The response in the OGR forum was that Tony Lash had one boxed, unused, but he hinted that it would be expensive and was willing to sell. Another said that they saw a set in a museum somewhere and that the asking price was $1500.00. I will wait I suppose until it may me made by someone else or reissued by MTH.

Rick