New N scale lighted bicycles and scooters

[Philip H]

http://www.alliedmodeltrains.com/NewItems-index.html

Discuss

[DKS]

Discuss

Very nicely done. Beat me to it, actually.

[Philip H]

David,
That may be a first!

[DKS]

David,
That may be a first!

Hah! I wish. I can't count how many product ideas I've had to scrap because someone else brought them to market first.

[seusscaboose]

so why can't http://classicmetalworks.com/site/ do this with vehicals?

EP

[Dave Schneider]

Hah! I wish. I can't count how many product ideas I've had to scrap because someone else brought them to market first.

Of all the things on your suggested detail part wish list thread, $30 lighted bicycles and scooters are probably way down at the bottom.  Cool, but I have other uses for the $$$.

Best wishes, Dave

[sizemore]

so why can't http://classicmetalworks.com/site/ do this with vehicals?

EP

It's called 3.2v LED, a 750 Ohm resistor, fiber optics and a good football game.

The S.

[DKS]

so why can't http://classicmetalworks.com/site/ do this with vehicals?

Probably because they'd have to be installed inside the vehicles. The advantage posed by the cycles is that the LEDs could be attached to their exterior, without any need to modify them. Super-fine solenoid wire, bonded to the cycles and painted black, all but disappears (in fact, the wires for the tail lights look exactly like the metal braces holding the end of the fenders in place--genius).

For vehicles, you have to drill holes, install fiber optics, couple the fiber optics to the LEDs, wire them up and stuff everything inside somewhere, etc. It's all very labor-intensive. (Been there, done that, don't want to do it on a full-time basis!) Also consider the Classic Metal Works vehicles are metal--not as easily drilled!

[wes_sutton]

so why can't http://classicmetalworks.com/site/ do this with vehicals?

EP

From their web site it would seem N scale is no longer a priority for them.

[cfritschle]

From their web site it would seem N scale is no longer a priority for them.

Wes,

Classic Metal Works was in the business of manufacturing "large scale" model vehicles long before the Mini Metal line was introduced.  And, the HO scale vehicles predated the N scale vehicles by several years. 

So, if Bill and Joe from CMW were not N scale modelers, I doubt that the return on investment that the N scale models generate would be sufficient incentive to produce any N scale vehicles.

Most manufacturers will tell you that mass produced N scale vehicle models are a high risk/low return venture.

Carter

[James Costello]

Most manufacturers will tell you that mass produced N scale vehicle models are a high risk/low return venture.

If only we could convince them to consider trailers that are usable as intermodal loads.

Right now there are about a billion BLMA spines screaming for an accurate 53' trailer to carry.

[cfritschle]

If only we could convince them to consider trailers that are usable as intermodal loads.

Right now there are about a billion BLMA spines screaming for an accurate 53' trailer to carry.

James,

New tooling for accurate 53-foot trailers is in the planning stages by at least one manufacturer.

Carter

[GaryHinshaw]

Please let it be Athearn!  All they need is a Shrink Ray (not to be confused with a Link Wray).

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH28437
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH28461

-gfh

[James Costello]

New tooling for accurate 53-foot trailers is in the planning stages by at least one manufacturer.

I know, but that is only one style. Needless to say I am very excited by this prospect.

Sometimes you just wonder if manufacturers realize they'll get more sales if it can be marketed as a load, not just a static display item.