Well it looks like Bachmann is going to finally produce the K4 in N scale! I know I will be in line to pick up several of these in the near future! Can't wait to see them. I hope that many of you that posted on this thread are as eager to get your hands on them as I am.

I am also very grateful that Bachmann has released this new locomotive. I got a up close look at it at the National Train Show in Atlanta and I must say they look pretty darn sweet! Detail on these locos are very good. I model the N&W but I think I could squeeze in some kind of an interchange where I could use a few of these bad boys on my layout! Thanks again Bach-Man!

Talk about unique, the N&W produced only 14 class J 4-8-4s yet Bachmann chose to model that prototype in N scale two different times with completely different designs. The first time was before the rebuilding of #611. There may not be many N scalers out there that model the Pennsy but I guarantee you that there are far fewer N scalers that model the Norfolk and Western!  I don't think saying that there are fewer N scalers out there than HO is a really good reason that they don't develop a K4 in N.

Is there a chance that Bachmann will be re- ;Dreleasing the auxilliary water tenders in N scale in the near future? I would be very interested in purchasing several of these units if they became available.

I started a thread about this in 2009 an it is still the most viewed and replied thread on this forum. That has got to tell Bachmann something.

As in my earlier thread on this subject I would also like to see this locomotive added to the selection of very high quality engines that Bachmann already produces.

First of all, I would like to see a K4 Pacific or any other type of Heavy. While we are at it I would like to see an N&W Class A in my lifetime. The EM-1 would be great as well.

     Well maybe we will see a K4s next year.... or the year after.... or the next....

     If a model manufacturer decides to build a certain locomotive prototype of course there are alot of initial costs involved.  R&D, mold design, marketing,and testing all cost alot of money.We all know that. But after the initial costs are covered then more of the money from sales go to profit.     
     Even after a second and third run there may be additional costs like material cost increases, machine maintenance, employee issues, etc. But they will no where equal initial startup costs. So if Bachmann is already making say eight different types of locomotives in steam the price per unit cost in the end should not be that much higher if they decide to make one more for this year. 

      ABC I seriously doubt that you have ever paid MSRP for any N scale items. You have paid what the dealer wanted for them. Now if the dealer can charge whatever he or she chooses to make a profit then they will be charging more than what they pay for it. How much more is up to them. Even when Hobby Lobby cleared out their model railroad inventory they made a profit albeit a very small one.
MSRP is exactly what it means! Manufacturer's SUGGESTED Retail Price.   

     This is the reason I titled this thread like I did. I wanted to show Bachmann that there is a very good interest in building this locomotive. No one else makes this particular model. The last one of these made by Trix was many years ago.

 Same dealer website:
Bachmann Spectrum N scale Class J $109
Kato SP GS-4 Daylight                       $135
....... I don't see a $100-$200 difference, sorry.

      That is my point, David. Bachmann can't deny that this locomotive is a hot topic to most n scalers. Wouldn't you say Kato's customer base for the Broadway limited sets they offer is about the same size? They did't seem to mind it was only .000000693% as ABC stated.

 It' not only me that thinks this loco would be a success but at least every other person that viewed and/or replied to this thread. I take it then, ABC, that you do not think that an N scale K4s would be a successful model?

      Ok, Bach man, let's see. I started this post in Feb. of 2009. As of today there have been over 2600 views and 74 replies (ranked #1 and # 3 respectively as of today). If everyone that viewed this post on average purchased just one engine each that would be 2600+ right there. And that just includes this forum! Compared to the other forums that I have been reading, 2600 is a small percentage of the possible total of sales you would have.
     The other Spectrum models that you have produced in N scale are of excellent quality and price. You definetly have established a very good reputation for building quality locos. But I don't understand why Bachmann won't build one of the most requested engines ever!
     A large part of N scalers that don't normally model the UP have purchased a Big Boy or Challenger just because of its popularity. Another example is your very own N&W Class J. This model is very specific to that road. No other railroad ran these locomotives, period. And yet they sell very well! I have two of them myself. Now this loco proves that if you build a K4s that they will buy it in droves!!!!!
If word ever got out that Bachmann was going to build a K4s the hits on this site and other forums would skyrocket. You would have modelers reserving their locos quicker than a jackrabbit on a date!!