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Post by dti406 on Jul 19, 2015 12:51:17 GMT -8
I'm sure I'm starting to sound like a broken record on some of these forums, but it would be awesome if someone could finally produce an accurate model of a Tropicana reefer. I know that a lot of contemporary modeler a like the big, white Millenium Rail cars, but the FGE-built cars from the TPIX 200-250 series were built in 1980 and served for 30+ years, appealing to a much larger audience. TPIX 250 just happens to be sitting at the Florida Railroad Museum, just waiting to be measured: I prefer the era when the Juice Train was orange. Dave Dave, as another broken record, we could also request our FGE Smooth Side RBL's with the Offset 12' Doors. dti.railfan.net/Pototype_Images/rs/DTI20175JE80.jpgRick J |
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Post by roadkill on Jul 19, 2015 13:30:16 GMT -8
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Post by rails4dmv on Jul 19, 2015 14:01:13 GMT -8
How about Amtrak California or Surfliner cars (the correct ones)? Still surprised Athearn hasn't tackled them since they run right in their backyard.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2015 14:30:48 GMT -8
Congratulations, and best of luck! It's always good to see new manufacturers come into the market, especially ones made up of teams with extensive experience. The only request I'll make, if you don't mind, is that you please produce undecorated models for those of us freelancers who still paint and decal our own equipment.
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Post by calzephyr on Jul 19, 2015 15:04:02 GMT -8
Per a post on T.O., Shane Wilson, formerly of Athearn is starting a new company.....Scale Trains. Maybe you guy's that want a quality SD40-2 just might get it from them. It will be interesting to see just what they do produce. They will be at Train Fest. Great news. I talked to Shane some time back but had no idea he was leaving to start a new company. I hope he has a lot of financial backing to get his products out to us. Larry |
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Post by calzephyr on Jul 19, 2015 15:12:32 GMT -8
Was Shane the guy who would do the good Athearn promo vids from the train shows and actually answer your questions on facebook? Yes, and he got parts for me that really were not available to the public!!! Larry |
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Post by nebrzephyr on Jul 19, 2015 16:54:28 GMT -8
Yes, and he got parts for me that really were not available to the public!!! Larry Yep, Shane also got me replacement parts that Horizon/Athearn told me were not available. Let's just say it was related to replacing those short life bulbs (but it wasn't the bulbs  Bob |
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Post by Judge Doom on Jul 19, 2015 19:12:17 GMT -8
Oh great! Just what we need. Another frikin' F unit!! No, no, no. The trend for 2015, is not another F-unit-- it has to be another Big Boy. You simply must keep up on these things. Nah, another SD70ACe  |
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Post by atsfan on Jul 19, 2015 20:11:12 GMT -8
No, no, no. The trend for 2015, is not another F-unit-- it has to be another Big Boy. You simply must keep up on these things. Nah, another SD70ACe Al's DeWalt blade still has some life in it. |
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jul 19, 2015 20:19:45 GMT -8
Think of all the foobie paint schemes they could do? Besides of course GM&O. They could do ICG. I think B&O and Pennsylvania would be a natural. New Haven in original and McGinnis. Oy!  FWIW, a friend of mine at our RR club has two Ingalls 4S's in two different GM&O) schemes. He runs them back to back. It's...interesting...in a mind twisting way. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2015 5:59:40 GMT -8
Greenwizard,I have the latest version of the Bachmann E60 (DCC unit). The drive isn't all that great. The body, while nicely proportioned and doesn't look bad, is crude by today's standards. It features: super-thick rubber ladders, molded on cab access handrails, molded windshield wipers, dummy painted gyra-light housing, light bulbs for headlight illumination, and mounted rooftop cannons that Bachmann has the nerve to call "horns". It is on my "To do" list as, imho, it does have good potential.....once spruced up.  I was completely joking about that comment. I have that engine too, and while I can't fault it at all when I compare it to the rubber-band drives and sparking Blue-box diesels I grew up with, its only good quality as far as I can tell, is that it can pull a string of amfleets which - no matter whose you buy - drag more like a sled than roll like a car on wheels. But yes, the body I believe is more accurate than any other model. Bachmann FTW? |
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Post by antoniofp45 on Jul 20, 2015 7:12:56 GMT -8
Greenwizard, It's all good ....I knew you were joking. But since you mentioned the E60, I just commented to add to the discussion. I think a newly tooled "Amtrak Brick", in all versions (CP, CH, MA, Phase 2, Phase 3 and New Jersey Transit) would be super. But the market seems to be saturated with HO E60s. Early Bachmann white box "toy" unit, newer Bachmann DCC versions, American GK and Walthers. All crude with big shortcomings. Hopefully down the line someone will produce accurate versions. But since this is a brand new company, I'm skeptical that the owner(s) would start out with a locomotive that, currently, is not high on the demand list. Personally I hope that we will see some 1960s-70s era freight rolling stock and something that I don't think has been mentioned: Road vehicles! There are still a good number of trucks and automobiles that have not been produced in the 1/87th scale in RTR form. Hopefully this will be considered as well. |
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Post by bnsf971 on Jul 20, 2015 8:29:36 GMT -8
Whatever is first produced and released, I hope it is popular and acceptable enough to sell in sufficient quantities so they can make more stuff.
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Post by 12bridge on Jul 20, 2015 8:39:57 GMT -8
We have a severe lack of late 70's and early 1980's lumber cars (Bulkheads, flatcars, Evans Side Sliders), Vehicles in all forms from the late 70's-90's, and frankly, I would rather see cars with moderate detail, and affordable, (20-30$) then super detailed, they implode if you look at them wrong 45$ cars..
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jul 20, 2015 8:50:37 GMT -8
...they implode if you look at them wrong 45$ cars.. Mikey!! Get me Universal on the phone. I've got a GREAT idea for a new superhero movie. Props are gonna be expensive, but the profit potential...... Ed |
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Post by ScaleTrains.com on Jul 20, 2015 13:59:12 GMT -8
Thanks again for the well wishes and product ideas. It's good to know we're on the right track. At least one of the models suggested here and on our Facebook page will be unveiled at Trainfest and several more will be revealed throughout 2016. From past experience, finding time to read all of the forums will become increasingly difficult as we draw closer to November. If you're a Facebook user, we encourage you to "like" our Facebook page. If you do not use Facebook, we'll be launching a blog on our website soon and you can always e-mail suggestions and ideas to Sales@ScaleTrains.com. www.facebook.com/ScaleTrainsShane Shane Wilson President ScaleTrains.com, Inc. |
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Post by antoniofp45 on Jul 20, 2015 15:25:34 GMT -8
Shane, You're definitely going to be really busy for a while, but hopefully you'll continue posting here and the other forums. I think that most of us here believe that you will be producing quality freight rolling stock. Quick question: .....(understandable if you can't answer at this time) Would it be safe to assume that you are planning to produce locomotives in the future? I may be mistaken, but the impression I have is that you may be "basically" following Rapido's business pattern (which has proven to be quite a success, to say the least. Thanks again for the well wishes and product ideas. It's good to know we're on the right track. At least one of the models suggested here and on our Facebook page will be unveiled at Trainfest and several more will be revealed throughout 2016. From past experience, finding time to read all of the forums will become increasingly difficult as we draw closer to November. If you're a Facebook user, we encourage you to "like" our Facebook page. If you do not use Facebook, we'll be launching a blog on our website soon and you can always e-mail suggestions and ideas to Sales@ScaleTrains.com. www.facebook.com/ScaleTrainsShane Shane Wilson President ScaleTrains.com, Inc. |
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Post by ScaleTrains.com on Jul 20, 2015 16:13:07 GMT -8
Hi Antonio, We recognize the importance of forums and will do our best to read and post from time-to-time. We'll definitely be offering locomotives and will have at least two different HO and N scale platforms (hopefully more) ready by the end of 2016. Jason and the Rapido crew are super people and great friends. If we're able to follow in his footsteps, that would be fantastic! Shane Shane Wilson President ScaleTrains.com, Inc. Shane, You're definitely going to be really busy for a while, but hopefully you'll continue posting here and the other forums. I think that most of us here believe that you will be producing quality freight rolling stock. Quick question: .....(understandable if you can't answer at this time) Would it be safe to assume that you are planning to produce locomotives in the future? I may be mistaken, but the impression I have is that you may be "basically" following Rapido's business pattern (which has proven to be quite a success, to say the least. Thanks again for the well wishes and product ideas. It's good to know we're on the right track. At least one of the models suggested here and on our Facebook page will be unveiled at Trainfest and several more will be revealed throughout 2016. From past experience, finding time to read all of the forums will become increasingly difficult as we draw closer to November. If you're a Facebook user, we encourage you to "like" our Facebook page. If you do not use Facebook, we'll be launching a blog on our website soon and you can always e-mail suggestions and ideas to Sales@ScaleTrains.com. www.facebook.com/ScaleTrainsShane Shane Wilson President ScaleTrains.com, Inc. |
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Post by stevef45 on Jul 20, 2015 17:55:58 GMT -8
2 questions i hope you can answer and if you can't im sure people will understand since your just starting out.
1. Will you be doing limited runs on your products/pre orders so there's never any extra's available?
2. Will the freight cars be more affordable then current competitors?
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Post by atsfan on Jul 20, 2015 18:01:05 GMT -8
2 questions i hope you can answer and if you can't im sure people will understand since your just starting out. 1. Will you be doing limited runs on your products/pre orders so there's never any extra's available? 2. Will the freight cars be more affordable then current competitors? These questions most likely are not answerable. They most definitely will not be making unlimited runs. Nobody does. Never any extras? Probably no either. More affordable? Than who? The most likely scenario is they end up in the Tangent, BLMA, Rapido, Fox Valley, and the like area. Not bad company. I would add in Exactrail, other than the direct sales only model. Most of what they showe on the website is in my swim lanes, so I am looking forward to 2016 for them. |
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Post by drolsen on Jul 20, 2015 21:00:38 GMT -8
Dave, as another broken record, we could also request our FGE Smooth Side RBL's with the Offset 12' Doors. I'm hoping that since Shane and company were the team that developed Athearn's excellent 57' FGE reefer, we'll see this and other FGE prototypes from the new company. He did say that they'll be announcing one of the prototypes that was suggested here... The most likely scenario is they end up in the Tangent, BLMA, Rapido, Fox Valley, and the like area. Shane mentioned (either here or on Trainorders) that they will be offering several different levels of detail, kind of like ExactRail with their Platinum, Evolution, Express, etc. series. However, in ExactRail's case, they seem to be offering much more in the way of the high end lines, which I think is an indicator that the more detailed models continue to sell. I believe it's been several years since they released an Express series model. Dave |
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Post by ScaleTrains.com on Jul 21, 2015 4:19:49 GMT -8
2 questions i hope you can answer and if you can't im sure people will understand since your just starting out. 1. Will you be doing limited runs on your products/pre orders so there's never any extra's available? 2. Will the freight cars be more affordable then current competitors? Thank you for your questions Steve. 1. As ATSFan noted, no company can stock all of their products in perpetuity. We have a strategy for carrying inventory and will share more at Trainfest. On a higher level, here are a couple of things to consider. a. Several years of data tell us a model not sold-out at the manufacturer level within 30-days will likely languish on the shelf for month/years until placed on a clearance sale. I've spoken with many manufacturers and all experience a similar phenomenon. Of course there are a few exceptions such as #844, #3985, #4014 and some specialty paint schemes. A clearance sale is good for the consumer but not the manufacturer. This takes financial resources away from attending trade shows, creating new tooling, purchasing other more popular inventory, hiring more people, paying the bills, etc. b. Disclaimer - this information has been shared publicly on the company's Facebook page and at trade shows so I'm not divulging company secrets. My previous employer decided to test the "chicken or egg" theory a few years ago. In other words, if there was a significant overrun of product, would the extra stock drive demand and increase sales? After nearly 18-months, the answer was emphatically NO. The 30-day rule held true. Sure, the company sold a piece here and there after 30-days. However, calculate the thousands of items shipped over 18-months x extra cases x their cost and you have tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars of unsold inventory. Unfortunately this is not a sustainable business model. c. As much as many people do not like the preorder model, it helps manufacturers determine their needs so they do not carry too much extra stock (see point a.). Preorders will be one piece of our inventory puzzle. We know not everyone will be able to accept their preorder when it arrives and not everyone preorders. This is the downside of the preorder model. 2. Over time, we'll have products targeted to every price point. Stay tuned... Shane Shane Wilson President ScaleTrains.com, Inc. |
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Post by atsfan on Jul 21, 2015 4:30:33 GMT -8
Personally I like the Tangent model.
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Post by WP 257 on Jul 21, 2015 5:02:39 GMT -8
ScaleTrains--
Thank you for making those points clearly and plainly for all to read. It's nice to see some honest comments like those to answer "why things are being done this way?"
I wish you much success and look forward to seeing and hopefully purchasing some of your products.
John
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Post by autocoach on Jul 21, 2015 9:49:00 GMT -8
Will ScaleTrains focus on strictly modern or include freight or passenger equipment from earlier periods, 1940's, 1950's are my personal interest. I am just not interested in anything after the mid-1950's.
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Post by atsfan on Jul 21, 2015 10:28:41 GMT -8
Will ScaleTrains focus on strictly modern or include freight or passenger equipment from earlier periods, 1940's, 1950's are my personal interest. I am just not interested in anything after the mid-1950's. See Kadee for your needs, including a new tank car. |
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Post by stevef45 on Jul 21, 2015 10:28:58 GMT -8
2 questions i hope you can answer and if you can't im sure people will understand since your just starting out. 1. Will you be doing limited runs on your products/pre orders so there's never any extra's available? 2. Will the freight cars be more affordable then current competitors? Thank you for your questions Steve. 1. As ATSFan noted, no company can stock all of their products in perpetuity. We have a strategy for carrying inventory and will share more at Trainfest. On a higher level, here are a couple of things to consider. a. Several years of data tell us a model not sold-out at the manufacturer level within 30-days will likely languish on the shelf for month/years until placed on a clearance sale. I've spoken with many manufacturers and all experience a similar phenomenon. Of course there are a few exceptions such as #844, #3985, #4014 and some specialty paint schemes. A clearance sale is good for the consumer but not the manufacturer. This takes financial resources away from attending trade shows, creating new tooling, purchasing other more popular inventory, hiring more people, paying the bills, etc. b. Disclaimer - this information has been shared publicly on the company's Facebook page and at trade shows so I'm not divulging company secrets. My previous employer decided to test the "chicken or egg" theory a few years ago. In other words, if there was a significant overrun of product, would the extra stock drive demand and increase sales? After nearly 18-months, the answer was emphatically NO. The 30-day rule held true. Sure, the company sold a piece here and there after 30-days. However, calculate the thousands of items shipped over 18-months x extra cases x their cost and you have tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars of unsold inventory. Unfortunately this is not a sustainable business model. c. As much as many people do not like the preorder model, it helps manufacturers determine their needs so they do not carry too much extra stock (see point a.). Preorders will be one piece of our inventory puzzle. We know not everyone will be able to accept their preorder when it arrives and not everyone preorders. This is the downside of the preorder model. 2. Over time, we'll have products targeted to every price point. Stay tuned... Shane Shane Wilson President ScaleTrains.com, Inc. FINALLY!! FIANLLLLLLLY!!! Someone is able to explain it in as basic of terms the whole preorder side of the business and why they do it nowadays. Thank you Shane. Now I understand, and Im sure plenty of others understand it better now. |
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Post by atsfan on Jul 21, 2015 10:33:09 GMT -8
Pre order concept is well understood.
His comment of helping to determine demand to not stock too much inventory makes sense.
What does NOT make sense (and this new company is not included obviously) is saying made to pre orders only, required one year in advance,
Sight unseen. That extreme model is not good.
So a happy medium is fine. I know if I don't pre order and I want something badly to not sit around and wait for months after they finally come out.
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Post by ScaleTrains.com on Jul 21, 2015 12:03:16 GMT -8
Will ScaleTrains focus on strictly modern or include freight or passenger equipment from earlier periods, 1940's, 1950's are my personal interest. I am just not interested in anything after the mid-1950's. Autocoach, Over time, we'll have products that fit a variety of eras. Thanks, Shane Shane Wilson President ScaleTrains.com, Inc. |
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Post by ScaleTrains.com on Jul 21, 2015 12:08:48 GMT -8
Pre order concept is well understood. His comment of helping to determine demand to not stock too much inventory makes sense. What does NOT make sense (and this new company is not included obviously) is saying made to pre orders only, required one year in advance, Sight unseen. That extreme model is not good. So a happy medium is fine. I know if I don't pre order and I want something badly to not sit around and wait for months after they finally come out. atsfan We understand the importance of seeing the model to make an informed buying decision. We'll only announce a new product when we have a painted and decorated sample. Thanks, Shane Shane Wilson President ScaleTrains.com, Inc. |
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