cars gone missing

[mrp]

I noticed that Rapido trains is offering a model of the old ACF flexi flo covered hopper.
Ad at https://rapidotrains.com/products/ho-scale/freight-cars/ho-scale-acf-flexi-flo
These were made many years ago by AHM I think, and offered by Eastern Seaboard in various pretty good paint schemes.
Does anyone know what happened to the molds for N scale version?
I know the molds are not up to current standards, but the ESMC painted ones still look OK to my eye.

In a similar vein, Railyard Models offed a kit for an N scale coil car, I think PRR prototype.
The last I heard the molds were bought by Eastern Seaboard, but the molds seem to have gone missing.
Does anyone know their fate?

Michael Pennie

[thomasjmdavis]

According to the ESMC website, the Flexi-Flo models were made by Roco and ESMC discontinued their part of the line in 2010.
http://www.esmc.com/1100/Item1101.html

But my guess would be the expert on who owns the tooling (or at least whether ESMC ever owned the tooling) would be @bbussey

[dougnelson]

Here is the Railyards Models N scale PRR G41a resin kit.  No idea about the molds, but this was a well-done kit.

[bbussey]

AHM/Roco tooled the 3500pd fifty years ago. The tooling was pulled out of retirement and pressure tested back when we commissioned them to mold a batch in the 1990s. The tooling was on its last legs back then. Most likely, the tooling has been destroyed by now. Rapido’s model is HO, the first 3500pd in that scale as far as I know.

Regarding the coil car, we did acquire the molds from Railyard Models. They need some repair and some upgrades, to the point where it may be cost prohibitive to bring it back. But we will see.