Upcoming Dash 9

[Wikkus]

Is it just me or is this odd...?

From the perspective of someone who has more than a passing interest in US operations, I still find myself wondering over RSCs choice of this prototype. My thinking about this is that, seeing as how they've got an ES44AC in game already, why build a completely new model for, what amounts to, an earlier incarnation of the same thing..?

If they were to roll-out the D9 for free as a "bonus" then great, however, I'm not a massive fan of the things in the first place and would rather have seen a completely different model altogether, e.g. an EMD SD70(M/AC/whatever).

I appreciate that this is a UK forum, however, I know that there are a few fans of US traction present amongst the regulars, including some gen-yoo-whine Cross-pondians, so I'm interested to gauge reaction.

Rik.

[BenBlairL]

Rejoice! Finally someone who sees a hole forming in the US side of RW. Like you said, it is and odd choice for an engine, being the ES44AC already being in the game, as well as the other US diesels:

NS SD40-2 Highnose
CN SD40-2 Widenose
ATSF SD40-2
BN SD40-2

Am I the only one here that sees a pattern?

Honestly I'm a bit critical of the RW US addons because of this pattern. Don't get me started on the sounds and cabs. But we'll have to wait and see how the Dash 9 turns out.

[USRailFan]

Honestly, that's as meaningless as saying 'what's the point in Sly releasing a Class 56, when we've already got a Class 47' (which the Class 56 is a further development of). Despite the obvious similarities, the Dash 9 and the GEVO (ES44AC/DC) really are two different beasts altogether. Yes, the GEVO can be described as 'just a further development of the Dash 9', but the Dash 9 is still quite a bit more numerous, and can indeed be said to have been the 'standard' US mainline freight locomotive of the mid-late nineties and early 2000s - just as the SD40-2 was the same in the mid-late 70s and early 80s. Also, when you maybe don't have much source material on US stuff, it is easier to make variants of what you already have, than a new 'from scratch' loco which takes a lot more research.

[TransportSteve]

I've been a fan of diesel locos from across the pond since my Trainz days.....I have a shopping list of locos I'd like to see built, but, I think they really need an American/Canadian developer to assist with the intricacies of the job of creating anything that looks the biz.

I'd love to see more Geeps - GP15 / GP60.

And possibly a Dash 7 C30-7A, and a SD50 or SD60M, SD70Ace, and an MP15 (shunter)

As well as some 60ft and 86ft boxcars, here's hoping......

Anyway, I've got to sit by my keyboard now for the next few hours eagerly awaiting the release of the Dash 9 later this afternoon.

Cheerz. Transport Steve.

[Wikkus]

Honestly, that's as meaningless as saying 'what's the point in Sly releasing a Class 56, when we've already got a Class 47' (which the Class 56 is a further development of).

Not meaningless and furthermore, that's a poor comparison.

The 56 is not really a development of the 47 at all; it's a successor, yes, but shares little in common other than the very general overall body outline and the layout of the cab. It has utterly different bogies, running gear, etc.

Despite the obvious similarities, the Dash 9 and the GEVO (ES44AC/DC) really are two different beasts altogether. Yes, the GEVO can be described as 'just a further development of the Dash 9',

Meh... It's the same bodyshell 'cept for bigger rad-housings and a bigger equipment booth... Sure, they have different engines and primary equipment, but still... If we're drawing analogies, let's consider them as birds; the Class 47 is a Pigeon to the Class 56's Crow. On the other hand, the ES44AC and the Dash9 are just two different Ducks...

but the Dash 9 is still quite a bit more numerous, and can indeed be said to have been the 'standard' US mainline freight locomotive of the mid-late nineties and early 2000s - just as the SD40-2 was the same in the mid-late 70s and early 80s.

What about the SD70? Almost as many of them as Dash 9s...

Also, when you maybe don't have much source material on US stuff, it is easier to make variants of what you already have, than a new 'from scratch' loco which takes a lot more research.

I cannot disagree there, however, doesn't that make it something of a cop-out?

We've already got -- as Ben pointed out -- a handful of SD40-2s; are they going to do the same with the Dash 9, too? Release a "new model" which, in fact, is just the same old model with a different paintjob (SF and BN variants)?

Is no-one else thinking that we're going to get just the BNSF livery as default (presumably, there's a licencing fee to be made use of... ) and then we'll get to pay for incremental 'upgrades', e.g. an SP-livery and then a CN livery, etc.

Sure, do something like that in the fullness of time, when they're trying to eke a bit more revenue out of an otherwise flat line, but in the short term, let's have true variety, eh?

Rik.

[alexnick]

@ BenBlairL

Have you heard the Dash 9 sounds demo at oovee's website? They've been redone entirely.

I would also encourage fans of US railways to look at the britkits range - they seem to give more useful addons.

AN

[styckx]

Personally I don't mind the Dash-9. I almost never drove the ES44. It didn't feel right, the LODs were bad, and... Just something felt off about it. Never felt like I was driving a locomotive. Hope it does well, a lot of work seems to have gone into it.

I also agree I hope they don't do the same with this as they did with the SD40-2. Highnose was great since it was a big difference in body style. Same goes for the widenose. Both did a great job of bringing a different atmosphere. It should have stopped here. Santa Fe was a huge disappointment for me, and I didn't even bother with the BN.

What I hope happens is something Paul Jackson touched on. A new NA route produced by RSC. Honestly, freight we have covered for the time being I think. SD40-2, ES44, Dash-9, GP9, GP7, GP38, DD40X, Challenger, SW1500, SW1200, and even some old school F7's and E units, and some I probably missed. Then a buffet of rollingstock to pick from to attach to those units that are pumped out by various 3rd party modelers.

A true passenger service is in desperate need. One of the main reasons I started slowly falling in love with UK railroads is almost everything I touch is the perfect blend of freight and passenger service combined into one glorious route, across multiple routes. Which plays perfect for me since I love passenger runs.

[Wikkus]

@ BenBlairL

Have you heard the Dash 9 sounds demo at oovee's website? They've been redone entirely.

I would also encourage fans of US railways to look at the britkits range - they seem to give more useful addons.

Aye and aye

Don't forget Michael "Great Northerner" Stephan's good stuff here.

Rik.

[iceman2117]

sorry Guy's
I'am so free

Dash9
on STEAM
(own Sound and CAB)

[Wikkus]

Nice screens, Ice, but I'm still unconvinced

Rik.

[dean1986]

Stunning pictures. The 2nd one down looks like a real life picture

Dean

[BenBlairL]

Hmm. . . I'll be eating my words. . . after I buy the pack soon.

[SuperTux]

I'd like to see the EMD F59PHI in RW .

[styckx]

I just want what's in my avatar and I'll nev... Almost never complain about anything again.

Going to buy this tonight as seeing the reviews have been very very positive.

[TransportSteve]

It's definately worth 15 bucks, just had it on Bay of Quinte and the trackbed rumble from the bogies is astonishingly good, the enginesounds are quite brilliant there's CB chatter mumbling away in the background and the cab is superb. All in all, I can't complain, would just like to see it in other Railroad liveries though.

Well done Gray, another winner from the RS.com stable.

Cheerz. Transport Steve.