Well at least I tried....RE: Athearn Undec Airslides

[wcfn100]

It's not like I didn't know the answer, but what the hell.

Jason,

Thank-you for your inquiry. Please note that we do not produce an undecorated N-scale version of [the 2600 airslide]. 

Sincerely, Athearn Trains

I couldn't even get an "at this time". But somehow they can do an undec caboose with all it's pieces and parts. ???


Jason

[bigford]

don't feel bad i e-mailed kato about more N scale Norfolk Southern locos
they said they have no plans in the foreseeable future. 
and that i  should buy undecs and paint them.
  I can do that  but they just dont look as good :'(

[Walkercolt]

Jason, Athearn (and all model companies doing business in China) have a problem with kits/undec's. Quick version is, they contract with a plant to make X finished models. It would require a different contract for kits/undec's. This is why replacement parts can be so difficult to obtain. I have been told stories by manufactorers Rep's (which I believe) of taking apart assembled models for "spare/replacement" parts. The late Miss Bobbye Hall told me herself her repair department had to do this for many brass locomotives, as well as two other brass importers. It seems to us like it would be very simple to get undecorated models off the production line as well as parts, but that would "disrupt" the workflow and more importantly, cause several people not to be doing their jobs. Can't have that!

[Allentown Hump]

Jason, Athearn (and all model companies doing business in China) have a problem with kits/undec's. Quick version is, they contract with a plant to make X finished models. It would require a different contract for kits/undec's. This is why replacement parts can be so difficult to obtain. I have been told stories by manufactorers Rep's (which I believe) of taking apart assembled models for "spare/replacement" parts. The late Miss Bobbye Hall told me herself her repair department had to do this for many brass locomotives, as well as two other brass importers. It seems to us like it would be very simple to get undecorated models off the production line as well as parts, but that would "disrupt" the workflow and more importantly, cause several people not to be doing their jobs. Can't have that!

Atlas doesn't seem to have a hard time offering undecs and parts. If anything, you'd think it would be easier to offer them up. It's one less step the factory has to do...

[bbussey]

Atlas doesn't seem to have a hard time offering undecs and parts. If anything, you'd think it would be easier to offer them up. It's one less step the factory has to do...

You then have to worry about different packaging and minimum quantities.  It's just not feasible most of the time to do it. 

With the G26, we brought in some extra decorated drop ends for the occasional model that comes through with a missing end.  But the other components we did not.  And since the model is built from a flat kit in order to get the inside detail, there is no way an unassembled model would fit in the existing box.  Another issue would be the small parts such as the MTL couplers and trucks, which were supplied in bulk and not pre-packaged.  It would cost more labor-wise to sub-package the couplers into kit quantities rather than to assemble and install them on the model.

Even though the XIH is designed in the tradiitional form with a body shell and a floor/underframe that fits flush inside, there are no plans to offer the model undec or to offer the detail parts separately.  While the heater would be the most-desired component of the model to be used for other purposes, it's part of the main injection molding runner and can't be run separately.  What we might do is have the heater parts saved for the releases that don't need it, if it's feasible.  The painted/printed G26 ends are from the overage produced to allow for the scrap/reject in the assembly process and not run separately.  We couldn't afford to have a run just for the heater part.

Atlas no longer imports separate components for the freight cars.  They bring in a very small number of undecs with each series release, which disappear quickly.  They still import extras of some of the components for the motive power.  So the impression that Atlas has a number of parts on hand for recent models is inaccurate.  One such component -- the National C-1 trucks used on the Hart hoppers -- would be very useful for other projects (and prototypical for the NSK Pennsy F30 and F30A flatcars as an example), but they never have been available separately.  The Andrews trucks used on the USRA cars have a bolster frame that helps allow the cars to sit lower and would be useful to help lower the MTL wood USRA cars to the proper height, but they never have been available separately. 

Kato used to import extra parts for their passenger consist releases.  But with the exception of the heavyweight trucks from the BM70M, they have yet to offer any components for the Broadway Limited.  This is the first consist where they have not made body components available, and they knew ahead of time the demand for the baggage car components.

So, this is the current environment that all the manufacturers are working in, not just a select few.

 

[wcfn100]

Well if that's going to be the mentality of manufacturers, then I have some decisions to make.  Maybe 30 years is long enough.


Jason

[bbussey]

It has nothing to do with "mentality."  It has to do with what's affordable - both to the manufacturer and the consumer.

And I should refine an earlier statement regarding the XIH - ESM will be offering the charcoal heater as a detail part.  The repainted New Haven car in the first release will not have a heater (as the railroad had removed them by the mid 1960s), so the heater parts for that release will be repackaged as detail parts.  It will be released with the first wave of XIH cars in the Spring.

bb

[Walkercolt]

Bryan, having slaved on a "fish-finder" assembly line (7 seconds to do each piece), I DO understand. And I also understand a few of the problems of doing business in China. Everyone clamors "Build them here!" In what factory? With what equiptment? What states and cities can you comply with the enviromental issues? I already hear the chorus "Wadda 'bout Micro-Trains?" If you've never toured their "HUGE" plant (I've seen private model layouts in almost a big an area!), and seen the women who many are part-time assemblers, and MT can't begin to make all of their cars every month.

[nscalesteve]

Atlas doesn't seem to have a hard time offering undecs and parts. If anything, you'd think it would be easier to offer them up. It's one less step the factory has to do...

now they only have to tell their people in China not to use GLUE on undecorated models...
...one less step the factory has to do - interesting - why aren't they cheaper then ?   

[Allentown Hump]

Atlas doesn't seem to have a hard time offering undecs and parts. If anything, you'd think it would be easier to offer them up. It's one less step the factory has to do...

now they only have to tell their people in China not to use GLUE on undecorated models...
...one less step the factory has to do - interesting - why aren't they cheaper then ?   

It's all just a ploy to annoy you Steve. Haven't you figured that out by now? :-*