Bachmann/Kader Buys Sanda Kan

[ljudice]

Apparently this is big news... Sanda Kan supposedly is the #1 manufacturer of model trains in the world (for other companies)...

Anyone know any more about this?

[bobcat]

Haven't we been through this before?

[tom mann]

Haven't we been through this before?

once, at least:

http://therailwire.net/smf/index.php/topic,17008.0.html

[ljudice]

ooops!!! I guess I just realized that was an old message I was sent!

Got to pay closer attention here!!!

Sorry!!!!   Mr. Moderator, feel free to delete!   :-[

[TrainCat2]

Sorry!!!!   Mr. Moderator, feel free to delete!

The Post or Postee ??  ;D

[ljudice]

Either, or!!   :'(

[tom mann]

lol, we'll keep this around, it has a good vibe to it.

[ljudice]

Well here is some actual news for you...

Of course Roco bought Fleischmann earlier this year. Well, Roco is now dropping N-scale, while Fleischmann will become the "flagship" N-scale manufacturer. The big question is, will Fleischmann now be made in China?

Roco is continuing TT scale stuff and supposedly is doing something in 1/100th scale???

[Allentown Hump]

Sorry!!!!   Mr. Moderator, feel free to delete!

The Post or Postee ??  ;D

Postee...   

[Erik W]

Haven't we been through this before?

once, at least:

http://therailwire.net/smf/index.php/topic,17008.0.html

I never caught the first thread.  This is interesting news.  It really shouldn't change anything as far as what we see as a finished product.  To clarify with IMRC though (having worked there).  Most of their stuff is injection molded in Longmont, CO and sent over to Sanda Kan for assembly.  They also work with a company, Affa, in China as well.  In that case, Affa has completely done the design, injection molding and assembly.  The Trinity 5161 is an example of this.  

Also, you've no doubt noticed a difference in quality from Atlas and IMRC stuff coming from Sanda Kan.  This is because each has it's own completely separate factory and workers, so though they're assembled by the same compnay, the results can be quite different.

Erik

[tom mann]

Also, you've no doubt noticed a difference in quality from Atlas and IMRC stuff coming from Sanda Kan.  This is because each has it's own completely separate factory and workers, so though they're assembled by the same compnay, the results can be quite different.

Thank you for explaining this.  I've wondered about this for years.  So, can I guess that one of these is a cheaper, entry-level factory (where glue and fingerprints are common), and the other is more expensive?

[FrankCampagna]

Hopefully, Bachmann will move diesel production to the same factories that turn out Atlas and. Bachmann diesels were always spotty. However, their steam program seems to have reached high levels of quality.

Frank

[Erik W]

Also, you've no doubt noticed a difference in quality from Atlas and IMRC stuff coming from Sanda Kan.  This is because each has it's own completely separate factory and workers, so though they're assembled by the same compnay, the results can be quite different.

Thank you for explaining this.  I've wondered about this for years.  So, can I guess that one of these is a cheaper, entry-level factory (where glue and fingerprints are common), and the other is more expensive?

Tom,

I think the problem is QC not that it's an entry level factory.  I also think that it would be better, as far as assembly goes, to do the entire design/manufacturing process over in China. 

Their may be a technology difference as far as equipment goes in the Atlas factory compared with IMRC's.  I'm not sure. It does seem odd to me that the finishing (painting, lettering) can be so different between IMRC and Atlas.  This was something that Marty, Matt and myself were constantly bugging the factory about, on nearly 100% of the projects.  I can't stress enough the enormous challenge of having your product made by two entities half a world apart with completely different cultures, languages, etc.

Having been in the industry for a couple of years, I really admire the way Atlas does things.  There are a lot of disfunctional model railroad manufacturers out there but Atlas is a role model not just for a MRR company, but for a company in any industry.

Erik

[GaryHinshaw]

The QC difference between the Trinitys and, say, the 4750 hoppers is like night and day (or day and night in this case).  The only issue I've ever had with a Trinity is a loose weight, but they're otherwise quite predictable (one of my favorite N scale cars).  I won't buy a 4750 without seeing it first to check for roof-walk bulges, crooked end frames, etc.  I'd just assume it be a kit in this case.

[tom mann]

The QC difference between the Trinitys and, say, the 4750 hoppers is like night and day (or day and night in this case).  The only issue I've ever had with a Trinity is a loose weight, but they're otherwise quite predictable (one of my favorite N scale cars).  I won't buy a 4750 without seeing it first to check for roof-walk bulges, crooked end frames, etc.  I'd just assume it be a kit in this case.

This is my experience too.  Also, the printing on the Trinitys is awesome.