N Scale of Nevada - New Owner?

[spookshow]

Does anyone here know who it was that bought out the N Scale of Nevada product line?

Thanks,
-Mark

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I think it was Period Miniatures, but they have not produced anything from the molds yet.

[spookshow]

Whoever it was contacted me a couple of years ago about NSN's telephone poles (since I rave about them rather rabidly in my modeling blogs). They asked if I had any assembled poles I could send them (since all they had was the crossarm molds and no idea how to build an actual finished pole). So, I mailed them my remaining supply... and then never heard a bloody thing from them again.

Unfortunately, this was all a couple of computers ago and I don't have access to the email exchange anymore. But I'd sure like to have my poles back 

Cheers,
-Mark

[spookshow]

Somebody pointed me to the Wiseman Models website, where they say they have all the old NSN tooling. I'll have to contact them and see if they're the guys who absconded with my poles.

-Mark

[pnolan48]

Mark,

The old coot--his description, and I can't recall his name--who founded that firm was on his way on a cross-country motorcycle trip, and I was on his first or second stop. Unfortunately he ran into 120 degree temperatures, and nearly died before he turned back. This was 2007 or so. We had talked on the phone many times, and we were going to discuss my buying his company. He never made it to Albuquerque, and I think that aborted trip might have contributed to his death. Someone bought all his molds. This was during the time I was going through some drastic life changes, so I didn't bid. The new owner announced, and posted pictures, of all the molds he had purchased, and then disappeared. Perhaps a search on Atlas or Trainboard, with the date criteria set to "way back when" might turn up a name or email.

[peteski]

Mark,

The old coot--his description, and I can't recall his name

IIRC, his name was John Coots.

[pnolan48]

Of course. John Coots, RIP. Thanks, peteski. My memory is fading much faster than I would like.

We started talking about a line of N scale winches, since I had just built the C3 Beavercove freighter, with 32 winches, all scratchbuilt by me. Winches are everywhere in industrial settings, let alone ships. And perhaps I'd like to buy his business?

As I recall, John was setting off on his Harley, at age 77, from Las Vegas to the East Coast. He told me it was a final hurrah. Unfortunately, the weather across Arizona was inhumanely hot, 120 F, and he turned back, and told me he barely made it back home, and then went to the hospital.

I think he never recovered. I remember waiting for him, and waiting and, when he didn't come, waiting some more and thinking something bad had happened. He emailed me about the heat, his dehydration, and turning back before he passed out, which he didn't do from sheer force of will. I think he was gone less than two weeks later. I was shattered and stunned, because he was a guy who seemed to absolutely love life and have an authentic joy living it.

I really miss talking to him about the little things like casting winch beds, and the big things like enjoying life.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

John's layout IS the insparation for my model trains. It just looked right. Sure it may be a little dated by today's technology and building techniques, but it was decades ahead of its time.

Gotta respect a man who builds what he can't find.

Just wish that piggy packer kit was arround. I have photographic proof of a PC70 being used in Boston and I want one.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Somebody pointed me to the Wiseman Models website, where they say they have all the old NSN tooling. I'll have to contact them and see if they're the guys who absconded with my poles.

-Mark

Yes, it was Keith Wiseman. I sent at least a couple of unbuilt kits to him. I believe it was a single Gunderson well car and a SP 65' gondola. Haven't heard anything in over a year. Not sure if he's planning to use them or not. Would be nice to know what you hear from him.

http://www.wisemanmodelservices.com/

[peteski]

Just wish that piggy packer kit was arround. I have photographic proof of a PC70 being used in Boston and I want one.

I still have that kit sitting unbuilt in its original box.    Bought it (through BLW) when they originally came out. I didn't even realize that the new WOT model is of a different vehicle. The NSN Piggy Packer kit still show up on eBay from time to time.

[spookshow]

I got an email reply back from Keith Wiseman and the bad news is that he says he never had anyone send their NSN poles to him, so it must've been somebody else who asked me (possibly the Period Miniatures guy, who was somehow involved in acquiring the NSN stuff as well). However, the good news is that he says that the poles will be available again this summer. I sure hope so - those were great poles.

Cheers,
-Mark

[bbussey]

... Just wish that piggy packer kit was around. I have photographic proof of a PC70 being used in Boston and I want one.

Can't you back-date a Wheels of Time PC90?  Seems it would be less costly (financially and labor-wise) to go that route, plus the finished model would be less delicate.  I acquired and built one of the kits when they first came out and substituted stainless steel wire in place of the brass wire for some added strength.  Great kit and model, but it took me two man-days to build.

[TrainCat2]

Guys,

There really is no new owner of NSN. The company was never really sold, only the assets parted out to different people. Purchase of either the molds or just the masters does not constitute ownership of a company.

Keith purchased the molds, but not the masters since they had already been sold. Since the molds were in OK to poor condition, Keith needed the masters or donor kits to remake the molds and use the directions to see how things were assembled and what parts went in to what kit. IIRC, there was a flare-up on TB about this around Nov 2010.

Neville from Period Miniatures purchased the masters in an eBay auction several years ago, but not the molds due to their condition and the shipping costs. The masters were offered for to me in an exchange and I have examined them, but not accepted the offer. Anyway, with the masters in hand, anyone can always make new premium molds.

IIRC, Daniel (or someone else from TRW) had bidded against Neville in that eBay auction for the masters. Also, there is another manf working on a better modular telephone pole. I did see the design file at the last Springfield show.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Just wish that piggy packer kit was arround. I have photographic proof of a PC70 being used in Boston and I want one.

I know someone who has one and might part with it. Rich?

[MichaelWinicki]

I guess I'll be waiting a bit until I put poles out on my layout.

I was going with Atlas (that need a lot of help) but I can wait for better.