What was the MSRP of the ALM Pennsy 2D-P5 trucks?

[bbussey]

Does anyone remember what the MSRP was of the Pennsy 2D-P5 trucks when they were offered by American Limited?

[wcfn100]

$9

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/American-Limited-N-PRR-2D-P5-Passenger-Truck-p/aml-8190.htm


Jason

[bbussey]

Thanks.

[dougnelson]

Hi Brian:

I believe that is not correct.  American Limited's MSRP for the trucks was $5.98 when Bob Fingerle ran American Limited, he did produce and sell the trucks.  I believe that that was the same MSRP from East Wind Mfg. who originally created and marketed the trucks.  East Wind contracted with Bob Fingerle to produce the trucks.  When East Wind closed, they "licensed" Bob Fingerle to produce and sell the trucks, but East Wind retained ownership of the molds.

After Bob Fingerle passed away, San Juan acquired the American Limited molds including the PRR 2D-P5 trucks.  At that point the trucks showed up on the San Juan Car Co./American Limited website for $9.00, but I am not sure that they ever produced them (although they apparently wound up on the Model Train Stuff website for that price).   

I believe there was also a change of ownership at San Juan and when I contacted them (the new owners) they knew nothing about the trucks.  This led to the sad state where we are today.  Will there be a happy ending??

[wcfn100]

although they apparently wound up on the Model Train Stuff website for that price

And at least a half a dozen other places.


Jason

[bbussey]

... I believe there was also a change of ownership at San Juan and when I contacted them (the new owners) they knew nothing about the trucks.  This led to the sad state where we are today.  Will there be a happy ending??

John Parker also passed, and John Engstrom left Athearn to take over San Juan.  I have the contact information for the owner of the 2D-P5 tooling and I sent an email to inquire about ESM having a run done, but I haven't heard back as of yet.  If I do, and the tool owner agrees at a reasonable cost, I will offer the trucks online at the $6 price point.  At this point though, it's a waiting game to see when/if I get a response.

[wcfn100]

I don't know if this has any impact on anything (or if it's even true) but when I had talked to John about the trucks a year or so ago, he said that there were only a handful of machines that worked with the truck tooling (which he had one of).

Again, I know nothing, just an FYI.


Jason

[bbussey]

That is quite plausible.  The ALM tooling is all two-part brass tooling, same as the two ESM passenger car side tools, and SJC always had injection-molded the ALM products.  The design of the 2D-P5 truck mimics that of the various ALM trucks.

Most likely, the tooling would have to be shipped to SJC for a short production run and then returned to the owner.

[wcfn100]

A couple other things that I (think) remember is there was more of a claim of ownership than documentation of such (I think John just didn't care to deal with it) and that said 'owner' was looking for royalties.  If that's the case, they'd probably be happy to have you do something with them.


Jason

[Ike the BN Freak]

John Parker also passed, and John Engstrom left Athearn to take over San Juan.  I have the contact information for the owner of the 2D-P5 tooling and I sent an email to inquire about ESM having a run done, but I haven't heard back as of yet.  If I do, and the tool owner agrees at a reasonable cost, I will offer the trucks online at the $6 price point.  At this point though, it's a waiting game to see when/if I get a response.

I emailed the new owner also, haven't heard back either.

I need 3 sets, might end up doing the shapeways ones, but rather do Bryan's at $6 vs shapeways at almost $10

[bbussey]

I've established contact with the owner of the tooling, and now know the full history of events. We will be exploring the options on bringing the trucks back to market through ESM. Hopefully sometime in 2015. There are a number of hurdles to cross and arrangements to make though. And we have to keep the price reasonable. We'll see.

[towl1996]

Good play, Bryan. Thanks

[peteski]

I've established contact with the owner of the tooling, and now know the full history of events.

Will the general modeling population ever know what really happened (instead of those wild speculations being tossed around)?  Enquirery mind wants to know. 

[bbussey]

Hmmm ... not from me, since it's not my story to tell.    I'm going to concentrate on getting the product back to market at a reasonable cost. 

[chicken45]

That's great news, Bryan! We are thankful!