Schuyler Larrabee wrote:

Sitting outside the museum in Spencer NC is a Southern box car. It is a PERFECT fit for one of IM's
models. I took a couple dozen photos and sent them to IM. Result: AFAIK, they've never done it.

Schuyler, in hindsight, your mistake is obvious. Should have told them it would be a great "special run" car.

Tony Thompson Editor, Signature Press, Berkeley, CA
2906 Forest Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705 www.signaturepress.com
(510) 540-6538; fax, (510) 540-1937; e-mail, thompson@...
Publishers of books on railroad history

. My biggest gripe with

IM over the years has been their willingness to put bogus
paint schemes on their models for special orders, while
neglecting their own product line (e.g. AAR 10'6" 1940 box
car) and exploiting the large number of actual prototypes for
their models.

Sitting outside the museum in Spencer NC is a Southern box car. It is a PERFECT fit for one of IM's
models. I took a couple dozen photos and sent them to IM. Result: AFAIK, they've never done it.

SGL

What is the "special run mentality?" Why is it doomed to fail?
Jerry Michels

I was wonderin' the same thing Jerry. My biggest gripe with IM over
the years has been their willingness to put bogus paint schemes on
their models for special orders, while neglecting their own product
line (e.g. AAR 10'6" 1940 box car) and exploiting the large number
of actual prototypes for their models. Maybe Marty meant something
along those lines, that the best way to grow the bizness is not to
get distracted by the specialty trade? (And I doubt that Marty was
referring to the Amarillo museum and Des Plaines Hobbies which are
willing to sponsor new tooling.)

Tim O.

In a message dated 3/27/2006 5:32:50 PM Central Standard Time,
STMFC@... writes:
And, when someone has a run of cars produced, and they
don't sell well (because the "word on the street" says they're
inaccurate -- the manufacturer has to try and move that product. Just
one of the many reasons the "special run" mentality is ultimately
doomed to fail.
Marty,

Can you expound on this. I am not quite clear. What is the "special run
mentality?" Why is it doomed to fail?

Jerry Michels