Why not?

Except for the fact that the B&O had two (I think) of these. Some may buy them for the cute or the neat factor but I doubt that there is now that big of a demand for this locomotive..

Gotta admit though that I had one back in the day...probably lettered for the Pennsylvania.  The motor and gears died after too much time playing chicken on the Aurora race track/train track crossing!

I believe the originals were

I believe the originals were quite popular. I also suspect there were several similar types around the different terminal railroads as they were quite agile.

Love to see it in S scale

There was one years ago, but I was too late to S scale for it.

Paul

Wouldn't mind seeing them again,

but I already have three of the originals. I'm looking at re-motoring them in the future with micro-gear motors for a slower speed.

Bernd

I'd buy one in a heartbeat...

For one thing, they are a great test of trackwork. In my teenage modeling years, a docksider and a hustler comprised my entire roster. I don't miss the hustler any, but the docksider was a good slow puller. After reading an MR article on superdetailing I added some pipes and a compressor.

pqe

Part of the reason this particular locomotive was chosen

Because it had already been done by dozens of manufacturers in the past, it has acquired somewhat of a cult following, as many people have very fond memories of these, and I think many would appreciate having one that is up to 2017 standards.

The reason that I suggested Walthers produce it is because of their superlative Plymouth released earlier this year, proves they can make small locomotives look and perform well, and even if sold as "blank slates" with minimal detail people can use them as a base to customize to their hearts content.

From a nostalgic standpoint . . .

. . . it might pique interest among many of us 50-year-old-plus modelers. I'd like to think that 20,000 or more would be sold to make it worthwhile. 

But I just don't know if the market is sufficiently broad enough these days for a Docksider to sell even one-fourth that well. The price point would be around $250-300 I'd bet, or higher, and that's a lot of coin for something to sit on a shelf just for a few moments' wistful remembrance now and then of the old Varneys.

'Course, I've been wrong at least once before. ...

I would think the price point would be slightly lower

They are able to sell the Plymouths for $150 DCC w/ capacitors

For the added complexity of the steam locomotive mechanism, I feel $200 would be about reasonable.

The Docksider (either variation) has quite a lot going for it, especially with the trend for smaller sized layouts, the compactness, and nostalgia factor.

If it runs well, has optional DCC/ + sound? I doubt it would be be a novelty shelf queen.

If Walthers package them like the Plymouth; painted/unlettered, with the decal sheet in the box with names/logos of some of their industry kits, it gives people options for customization with minimal work involved.

In both N and HO scales

I model in N scale and fool around in HO to try out sound decoders.  I have three docksides in N and one in HO.  The N scale items are Bachmann.  Two are early with full side gear one later with abbreviated side gear. The earlies have pick up problems the later is much better.  For the few minutes when they work they work good.  They go slow enough you can switch with them.  In DC!  They have power.  The late one pulls 8, 50' boxcars at 120%  of NMRA  recommended weight slowly.  

The HO version I bought off ebay.  I was mfg. by International Hobby Corp.  I looks brand new.  It pulls very low current which means the magnets are up and has very low mileage.  The two problems with this item are pick up problems and a show coupler in the front.  You can't switch and it doesn't run long without a push.

So my recommendations to those mfg'ers willing to try again

1. Make sure Kadee or M-T couplers fit on both ends so the switcher can be used as a switcher.

2. Make the pick ups work all the time.

3. Make sure the wheel flanges are to spec in the N scale version.  I like to run on code 40 track. 

4.  Add lights.

6. Design the HO version so an ESU micro sound decoder fits.

7. Design the N version so a small motor decoder will fit.

Mike Lee

@ MLee

Including a front coupler most certainly a requirement, a switcher isn't much of a switcher without one.

If the DCC equipped versions have capacitors, pickup issues are non existent, (my Plymouth is so equipped, and will travel ~40" at speed step 1 without faltering)

Personally I'd prefer a TCS WOW sound system over anything else, failing that a Tsunami 2. 

Wiring a Loksound for capacitors is a PITA (been there, done that)

I would be down for it!

I'd buy one in a heartbeat... if the price wasn't higher than about $200.

Brass one

At one time I acquired a really nice brass one, but sold it off (i think) when I was anticipating a move to Thailand.

Can't remember the maker?....might be able to find an old photo on one of my thumb drives?

We'd probably buy them. . .

I think Walthers is the best candidate to produce it,

especially with the experience in developing a good running 4-wheel locomotive  ready to run with capacitors.

Bachmann might too, if motivated enough.

I don't know if Bowser would re-enter the steam locomotive market to produce the Docksider, but I would be over the moon if they released one as an executive line product.

Oddly enough there were three

Oddly enough there were three of the older models of the docksider being worked on at my railroad club the other day. I suspect that there is likely a market for them.

I'm contemplating doing an online survey

Then sending the results to Walthers, Bachmann, and perhaps Mantua/MRC

I think plenty of people with fond memories of the old Varney and other models, would buy a 2017 version.

I have one of the Bachmann

I have one of the Bachmann 0-6-0 tank engines with DCC and it runs great. I really don't see a need for a smaller tank engine and I don't believe the market is there for one but I could be wrong. I expect one day soon all steam locomotive models will come with DCC/Sound as DC dies out.

Barry, who relies on good, reliable, Bachmann, 2-8-0s, with DCC/Sound for an IC railroad. 

I don't see a need for the number of large engines

But how many manufacturers have made Bigboys (3?)  and their ilk, I think a locomotive that is actually small enough for most people can actually afford, let alone run on their layout.

I really think its about time for someone to make a good running, reasonably detailed 0-4-0 steam locomotive, I only selected the Docksider due to its legendary status among modelers, instead of another display shelf juggernaut. 

I know that there are several

I know that there are several large steamers that run on our club layout. I run 2-6-6-6s, 2-10-4s other folks run 4-8-8-4s, 2-8-8-4s 4-8-4s 2-10-2s and 2-6-6-2s and I suspect others. I see a market for all of them.

Old simi brass Docksider

Here is an HO Docksider imported by Tenshodo probably 50^[?] years ago.  It has a cast "pot metal" body but had brass valve and and main rods.  It runs well and with the cast metal body it is really heavy and has amazing tractive effort for its size.  However it could benefit from some regearing to run a lot slower. 

I plan to use it for my logging operations.  A receiver, even an N scale one would be nearly impossible to put in the engine so I plan to do a water car that the engine would tow. 

@Cabhop re: Dockside

Hi Cabhop (name?),

You have a Sakura Dockside, pictured here:

 

Have fun! 

I wonder if one of the

I wonder if one of the reasons manufacturers build larger models is that they are easier to construct and have more room to include decoders, speakers, lighting electronics? Maybe using a smaller gauge size, decoder which fits inside the boiler area would be the answer?  

While larger engines are fun to run many don't have the curves to support them on home layouts. 

I have a couple of Bachmann 2-6-0 s purchased with DCC/Sound and they easily negotiate tight curves although mine are around 28" radius. With the tiny little tank/tender this short, engine easily goes around 18" radius curves,  with sound and front/rear lights looks and operates great. I bought mine new for less than $200. and recently traded one to another modeler for some work he had done for me. He loves it and is a favorite on his small layout. I believe he has a an up coming MRH article on how he customized it for his road.

There are options for smooth operating steam locomotives without being too large or too small.

Barry

I know of folks in my club

I know of folks in my club that run all sizes of steam locomotives. Some like me run nothing smaller than a 2-8-2  others run nothing larger than a 2-6-2 . I believe the market is there regardless of the number of prototypes there were. I suspect there are many more models sold than ever ran on real roads.

While the argument of "too small to be made to run well"

might have been valid in 25 years ago, the technology now exists to fit a good motor, DCC sound decoder with keep -alive capacitors, and a speaker into a models smaller than the Docksider.

Thousands of 0-4-0T's were used by a myriad of online industries, and 0-4-0 + tenders were used by short lines and class 1's in branch line and urban switching.

The Docksider represents a fairly large 0-4-0 too, they were significantly smaller examples.