Atlas and Exactrail new items

[Scottl]

What I'd really like is a better explanation from ER as to why they went the way they did, and an acknowledgement that hey are going against a VERY strong grain in the hobby.

I think it is self evident.  Why do we need to be handheld through this?  I don't like the ER model because of the punitive Canadian shipping limit which flies in the face of reality of the costs, but that is a detail, not a central concern.  LHS have been fading for a long time.  Some modellers may have access to them still, but many don't and the web is their primary source.   ER is probably trying to tighten up their margins by eliminating the middleman and to manage inventories more effectively.  I don't begrudge that.   In terms of the risk of ordering from pictures vs. holding in our hands, all I can say is it's a $25 dollar model.  Some models will not meet our expectations- that is natural, but most recent models have been tremendous.  I'll take a risk, sight unseen, if it fills a need. 

ER is producing beautiful models and investing in the hobby.  I would like them to keep doing it and I think it is in all of our interests for their business to be viable.

Atlas is tops in my books.  Lots of models, a wide range of paint schemes for the rtr crowd, and reasonable prices.

[Scottl]

Sorry for the rant.  I get tired of the glass half empty view of the hobby.  I've said it before but it bears repeating.  I think this is the golden era of n scale.  Thanks to all the manufacturers, big and small, for keeping a flow of great products coming out.  Between the quality of the products available and the artistry of people committed to superb modelling, things have never been better.  Cheers.

[Bendtracker1]

Sorry for the rant.  I get tired of the glass half empty view of the hobby.  I've said it before but it bears repeating.  I think this is the golden era of n scale.  Thanks to all the manufacturers, big and small, for keeping a flow of great products coming out.  Between the quality of the products available and the artistry of people committed to superb modelling, things have never been better.  Cheers.

+1 !

[Kev1340]

Well I'm very pleased with these new releases - the Gunderson 6269 cars I've wanted for a while and from ExactRail they will be cracking models. In WC they are a must have for me. The Atlas Thrall 4750 hoppers in SSAM are welcome too.

For what it's worth, ExactRail are still dealing with international dealers, so you guys in Canada need to get onto your local pushers.

I also contacted ExactRail direct to ask about the 'direct sales only' policy, as import duties here in the UK meant doubling (at least) the cost per car for me. They were happy to tell me why they had implemented the policy ... apparently they are switching production to the USA which meant a considerable rise in costs. They are hoping there new policy will enable them to retain retail price.

Hopefully that will make some of the complainers feel better ...... as I for one fine the repetitive whining quite tiresome.

Cheers,

Kev

[GaryHinshaw]

For what it's worth, ExactRail are still dealing with international dealers, so you guys in Canada need to get onto your local pushers.

They only support dealers overseas, not in the US or Canada.  And as Scott notes, their Canadian shipping rates are way too high.   The product is really nice though.

I'm pleased that a lot of the Atlas tanker schemes are pre-faded. 

[cv_acr]

The ER cars? I don't care until I can buy them from a hobby shop or online retailer.

If you're going to order online anyway, what's the difference?

Can anyone tell me the story about those Scoular grain cars? I've seen the scheme for years, but always wondered what their deal was.

In what way? I haven't really seen any shots of Thrall cars in Scoular colours, but there were definitely Scoular cylindricals. Intermountain did a model of these before. (Of course the IMRC model is an NSC prototype, and the Scoular cars are Marine Industries, but IMRC actually had a lot of stand-ins in their cylindrical line.

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=nmix465086&o=nmix

I don't really know anything about Scoular as a company, specifically.

[Bob Bufkin]

If you're going to order online anyway, what's the difference?

In what way? I haven't really seen any shots of Thrall cars in Scoular colours, but there were definitely Scoular cylindricals. Intermountain did a model of these before. (Of course the IMRC model is an NSC prototype, and the Scoular cars are Marine Industries, but IMRC actually had a lot of stand-ins in their cylindrical line.

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=nmix465086&o=nmix

I don't really know anything about Scoular as a company, specifically.

Some info:

http://www.scoular.com/markets/

[sdodge]

Yey.. Have only been waiting 2 years this month for the D&H C420 in high nose..
Looking forward to the next C420 delivery..

Indeed, I am assuming the order I placed with the first announcement on Oct 16 2010 is still good!

[bdennis]

sdodge,
Yeh thats a good question..
I placed and order with George all those years ago and am checking to see if I need to re order...

[pfs]

If you're going to order online anyway, what's the difference?

In what way? I haven't really seen any shots of Thrall cars in Scoular colours, but there were definitely Scoular cylindricals. Intermountain did a model of these before. (Of course the IMRC model is an NSC prototype, and the Scoular cars are Marine Industries, but IMRC actually had a lot of stand-ins in their cylindrical line.

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=nmix465086&o=nmix

Only seen the Scoular cylindricals IRL or photos as well.

[pfs]

ER boxes look excellent!

[Mark5]

If you're going to order online anyway, what's the difference?

For me, ER does not offer very much that appeals to me (gimme a Waffle though!), and I resent the additional unit cost forced by ordering ER stuff only from ER.

If I were ordering from MBK (Model Train Stuff) for example, a single ER item could be lumped into a much larger order, and thus the shipping cost is spread over more items.

[Zox]

I'm just waiting on my Atlas KB&S RS-11s. I've got a pair on order from Wig-Wag, but can't find any info about when/if they're supposed to arrive at the distributors...

[pennsyfan1361]

For me, ER does not offer very much that appeals to me (gimme a Waffle though!), and I resent the additional unit cost forced by ordering ER stuff only from ER.

If I were ordering from MBK (Model Train Stuff) for example, a single ER item could be lumped into a much larger order, and thus the shipping cost is spread over more items.

                  +1

[sirenwerks]

... but IMRC actually had a lot of stand-ins in their cylindrical line.

Reefers too. Way too many packing company schemes on PFE cars rather than NACC design.