Top secret hobby shop near Kato USA, whaaat....

[CBQ Fan]

Check out this from trainboard.  Apparently they had the F2s weeks before anyone else, and now there is a flyer for UP 4-8-4's.  No proof of course.



http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?158527-Kato-UP-4-8-4-844

[C855B]

Either BS, or the LHS referred to was Des Plaines. The management there is prone to gloat over inside info, being the home of Fox Valley and the closest shop to Kato.

[mcjaco]

The closest hobby shop to Kato is more a of toy/hobby shop in Itasca.  Biggest/closet shop is Des Plaines.

And I see TB is down....again. 

And anyone who knows anything about FVM, knows his history with Des Plaines. 

[ljudice]

Well Kato just Tweeted a pic of the 844....   

[mcjaco]

Yes.  Of the actual 844 with an excursion train.....

[peteski]

And anyone who knows anything about FVM, knows his history with Des Plaines.

Well I don't know know it, but I would love to read more about it. Is there anyplace this is documented?

[CodyO]

Yeah that tweet is a hint I'd say they normally tweet pictures like that

[mcjaco]

Well I don't know know it, but I would love to read more about it. Is there anyplace this is documented?

No.  Just have to have known Matt for a long time.

[sirenwerks]

Well, N scale manufacturers are notorious for not advertising, so maybe this is the same thing.  No marketing budget could mean secret squirrel status.

[spookshow]

If you want to play Sherlock Holmes, "Trainboard Post Guy" says that this shop is located "within a few miles" of Kato's Schaumburg, IL headquarters. To the Googlemaps-Mobile!

Well, either that or just PM the guy, lol 

Well, either that or just wait for Kato to actually make the announcement 

Cheers,
-Mark

[Denver Road Doug]

Well, N scale manufacturers are notorious for not advertising

Huh?

Notwithstanding significant magazine advertising from most manufacturers, let's look at what a single tweet (2 minutes of work?) did:
-Reached 771 followers, plus retweets.
-Was relayed in at least two major hobby forums, with 1538 and 8273 members, respectively.  All of them REAL PROSPECTS.

I'd say 10,000 potential exposures (and then some) for two minutes of work ain't too bad...

[DKS]

Well, N scale manufacturers are notorious for not advertising

Huh?

Notwithstanding significant magazine advertising from most manufacturers, let's look at what a single tweet (2 minutes of work?) did:
-Reached 771 followers, plus retweets.
-Was relayed in at least two major hobby forums, with 1538 and 8273 members, respectively.  All of them REAL PROSPECTS.

I'd say 10,000 potential exposures (and then some) for two minutes of work ain't too bad...

IMO sirenwerks is correct. Not sure how you can claim "significant magazine advertising from most manufacturers" unless you only refer to major manufacturers. A run-down of the broader market will reveal that many smaller N scale manufacturers are still virtual unknowns.

[Denver Road Doug]

Can you give me some examples of who you're talking about?

I can't think of something I've disagreed with more.  I've always thought...given their small size...that model train manufacturers have probably had an unusually high advertising budget.   With FB, Twitter, et al I think the playing field has leveled.   I would really be surprised if there was  a company that wasn't in any magazine and also didn't have a social media and/or website presence.

[DKS]

Check out this list of N scale manufacturers and see how many you recognize from advertising in major magazines... or any advertising at all, for that matter. FWIW, NZT has not advertised in any major mags...

I've always thought...given their small size...that model train manufacturers have probably had an unusually high advertising budget.

Oh, please stop, I am hurting from the laughter...

But seriously, with a few exceptions of Kato-sized companies, this is the very furthest thing from the truth. I know the owners of a number of other small companies, and they do not fit the model in your head (some do not even have a website). So, you will have to adjust your thinking.

[spookshow]

I think he's just old. Oh wait, most model railroaders are old 

Cheers,
-Mark