Manufacturer Survey

[Ken G Price]

I just went and pulled up some pictures of a Piggy Packer so I now know what they are. So now I agree that one is needed in N-Scale. Even if there are none for a year or more I would buy at least two or three Piggy Packers for the 2 inter-modal yards I have.

[Pray59]

I would like the piggy packer, but in a lighter "weight wise" version, as I built the original in '89 and is was both fragile and heavy, would not take a shock if you dropped it from 6-12" above the layout it would bend and or break.  So resin and Etched metal would be my desires for this model.

It was a top quality detailed model in it's day, as good as the best any GHQ model has offered in detail.

-Robert

[cfritschle]

I would like the piggy packer, but in a lighter "weight wise" version, as I built the original in '89 and is was both fragile and heavy, would not take a shock if you dropped it from 6-12" above the layout it would bend and or break.  So resin and Etched metal would be my desires for this model.

It was a top quality detailed model in it's day, as good as the best any GHQ model has offered in detail.

-Robert

Hey Robert (Bob),

The Piggypacker you built is still alive and well!



Carter

[pmpexpress]

Really appreciate your comments and assistance.

While I cannot provide any detailed specifics as of yet, it has been decided that John’s original Piggy Packer project is not to the level that is currently demanded and expected of modelers in 2011.

We realize the design, although ahead of its time in the late 1980s, was prototypically incorrect, too fragile, and difficult to assemble.

After acquiring copies of the actual builder’s plans for the prototype, it became evident that the original masters must be reconfigured, replaced, and/or supplemented with new parts that will render several different model configurations.

Most are still in use today.

We are confident that all of the alterations can be executed expediently, and at reasonable cost.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

As I said, I can't wait. I got a few of those Japenese models but they are too large and look out of place. These models do not have the swing down arms for lifting trailers, which was the main mode of intermodal on the Boston line due to single stack height restrictions.

Will we be seeing more PM items? They have been out of production for a long time. It would be great to see some detail parts, vehicles and other items. I love working with pewter kits, just wish there were more out there.

[James Costello]

Does anyone know if someone picked up the "master" for the lumber loads that NSN did for the MTL and Red Caboose centerbeams?

The kits were fairly simple with a printed load, Evergreen styrene and a couple of weights.

I know I could do with a lot more.....

[pmpexpress]

Daniel,

Repairing and/or replacing damaged masters, along with creating new molds, packaging, and instruction sheets for much of the PM detail parts line has been an arduous process.

If everything goes as planned, the remaining door and window castings will return to the marketplace during the first half of the year.

Given the wealth of interest in the utility pole products, an attempt will be made to add these items to the aforementioned door and window casting runs.

Although end of the year plans have not yet been finalized, customer input will most likely influence which products are re-introduced in the latter part of the year.

While the 57 Chevy Bel-Air, the Champ and Clark Forklifts, the Gandy Dancer Track Hand Car (in its original pewter kit form), and the Station Baggage Cart (in its original pewter kit form) will eventually be re-released, I anticipate the D-6 Caterpillar Bulldozer and Willys Jeep will be struck from the line.

Product arrivals will be announced on the PM Newly Released page.

[Brakie]

Neville,Being a short line modeler I have no need for a piggy packer(who names these fool things anyway? :)I fully believe a updated packer would be a welcome addition for those that include intermodal yards on their layouts..

[pmpexpress]

Once again, I turn to the RailWire N-Scale community for further, insightful input.

1.   As the answer to the following question may reduce the Piggy Packers’ project production costs, is it imperative that the various hydraulic cylinder assemblies be fully functional?

A)   Re-design reduced cost, easier to assemble, non-functioning cylinder assemblies that can be statically positioned by the end-user.

B)   Though it may impact the project cost and/or the parts may be slightly oversized, faithful to John’s original design, fabricate easier to assemble, operating cylinder assemblies.

2.   Having located the brass masters and pewter production masters for what have now been indentified as D&RGW / UP “Standard” and “Butterfly” re-rail frogs, is there still a need for these items?

3.   As there are numerous, still unidentified brass masters and pewter production master castings in John’s plastic masters’ boxes, does anyone know if the aforementioned re-rails were packaged with hangers?

Thanking you all in advance,

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I think as long as the lift can be positioned, it dosn't need to be moveable. I would rather have a stable durable model than one that can move.

[Ken G Price]

I agree with Daniel on this.

[Dave Ferrari]

Neville,

I hesitate to mention anything about projects that are only in the early planning stage what with the whole "vaporware" issue, but in fairness to you I thought I would chime in. We plan on making an injection molded plastic Piggy Packer in both kit and ready-to-run form. If things work out as they are currently planned, the official announcement will be made late this year. It will have a die-cast chassis for weight, a plastic body and etched metal and plastic detail parts. The model will be pose-able unless we figure out how to make it movable. Some of the Chinese construction equipment models have working hydraulic parts and we are looking at how they do it.

I like the idea of the rest of the stuff coming back and think there is a market for them.

Dave

[Dave Ferrari]

... for a piggy packer(who names these fool things anyway? :)...

Brakie,

I think this is one of the best names out there. It of course reflects their use in Piggy Back loading (packing)  ;D

Dave

[wazzou]

Dave -

If that is the case, I would strongly encourage you to look at the Wagner Log Loader as an additional product that could be adapted to your Piggy Packer.
I think most people would be satisfied with the correct grapple configuration on a similar PP chassis.  They aren't all that dissimilar.

I think the appeal for a manufacturer to be able to address two distinct industries with relatively the same product has got to have some merit.

[Dave Ferrari]

Dave -

If that is the case, I would strongly encourage you to look at the Wagner Log Loader as an additional product that could be adapted to your Piggy Packer.
I think most people would be satisfied with the correct grapple configuration on a similar PP chassis.  They aren't all that dissimilar.

I think the appeal for a manufacturer to be able to address two distinct industries with relatively the same product has got to have some merit.

Bryan,

Thank you for the idea. You are absolutely correct and that would fit our product line since we have woodchip gondolas. We are also working on a woodchip loader.

Dave