I tend to thing that manufacturers do this on purpose. Ive had this conversation a number of times with various people in the trade.
Manufacturers always seem to do obscure locos thinking i guess of the collectability - for example the Bachmann Large Logo 47535 was flat ended at both nose ends - the only one of the class like this and thus stopped renumbering, but, it sold out.
Similarly, most loco releases have names again due to the collectability - but, yes, always long names where you cant just put a nameplate over the top.
Now is there a conspiracy against modellers here - probably not, but it does make you think.
I've been saying till I'm blue in the face - release generic locos un-numbered ... that way the buyer has the choice and will probably buy more than one and then, when they've sold out the first release, its quick and easy to do another run of them .......
Leave obscure liveries and namers to exclusive / limited / collectors club editions.
Simples .....
Ben