The first run of the SP Bay Window caboose sold out instantly back in June. MT announced a second run with a different number for October. There were many pre-orders. Now when they are released, MT is sold out and can't fill additional orders. Most dealers, even ones that ordered extras, are sold out. There is one on E Bay for $99 on a "Buy it Now" LOL There are a couple of others starting at $24.99. It seems like MT is losing revenue by not producing enough cars, while many of their cars are plentiful. They could have sold more, had they increased their production run. Short runs drive the speculators price up, but it does not generate additional revenue for MT. Is there a method to this or just poor planning? Before the economy tanked, one electronics supplier I deal with took all customer forecasts, then added 20-40% to the number. That was their production for the year. It was always pretty accurate and eliminated 28 week lead times.
My crystal ball says...ha ha ha ha...well...what does it know anyway. I have no idea what MT is thinking. I never realized there was that many SP fans out there. Me thinks someone is hoarding them in hopes of selling them later for a profit. They don't know me. I won't pay over MFSR priceand I suggest you don't, either. We really need to do what we can to kill this false over inflated market. I got to get my layout fixed up for visitors. Humm, has this been a negative morning or what? Have fun.
I just received my Athearn SP caboose, I feel there is no comparision to the MT one. The Athearn one is way better.
I really don't know, but am not surprised to see the SP cab selling out and then some. I think most MRR mfgs do put about 20-40% over estimates, and probably most dealers order more than their pre-orders, knowing many of us won't pre-order. And, it still sells out. Kato isn't nuts to focus on those western roads, and this proves it! UP, SP and SF are all just very attractive roads to model. That said, I guess we have some IM Cab sales in UP that would have been equally successful, and I don't recall if those flew off the shelves or not, when done in proto body styles.
Thankfully the MT caboose is way out of my era. The N Scalerailroading magazine article about building an accurate early bay window has kept me busy, three so far and a couple more to go. I wish that Athearn and MT would have split the eras and one built an early one and the other a later version. I would think that manufacturers would try to avoid building the same thing as another manufacturer
Amen, brother. It's funny how the manufacturers come up with the same projects to do. Although Athearn will be doing three variants of the C-50's. We SP modellers do need updated early bay windows and steel cupola's. Outa here,
There are plenty of the first run SP cabooses here in Minneapolis/St Paul, if anyone is looking for one, try the LHS. I personally think hoarding MTL cars is an exercise in futility.
Wow! If that $99 one sells maybe I should see if I can find some MTL "factory air" I can pump back in these cases and then sell both mine. They're nice, but they're not that nice.
