Classic Metal Works N scale

[nkalanaga]

Has anyone talked to the folks at CMW about their N scale plans?  There's nothing new on their website, and I have some reservations at a dealer that are going on two years old.  They aren't advertising in the N scale magazines, and their MR ad doesn't mention a scale at all.

[Chris333]

Would like to see that 1941-46 pickup in N.

[Rich_S]

According to their web page

COMING DOWN THE ROAD IN 2016

Coming in March 2016 will the first ever vintage 1960 Ford 4×4 F-100 pickup truck from Mini Metals!  And like every Mini Metals model each model is highly detailed with a detailed chassis with accurate 4×4 running gear, heavy duty wheels, and off-road tires!

We’re also introducing a number of great Delivery Trucks, Tank trucks, and Stake Bed trucks in authentic paint schemes just begging to be collected or added to your busy model railroad!

And finally! An all new run of Mini Details with authentic prototypical company logos on each load!

Not sure what vehicles you are looking for? But have you tried Buy Hobbies? http://store.buy-hobbies.com/

[jimmo]

Would like to see that 1941-46 pickup in N.

What about GHQ's '41 Chevy pickup? http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/57007.html

[Chris333]

What about GHQ's '41 Chevy pickup? http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/57007.html

D'oh,  I have 2 of those sitting on my layout now.

[nkalanaga]

Rich:  Yes, they're announcing, and apparently releasing, new models, but only in HO.  They're website didn't mention anything in N, new or rerun.

[peteski]

Judging by several deep-discount purges of their models (at that point the price seemed reasonable for what the made and at that time I bought bunch of their models), I don't think they did well in N scale.

But if you look at the execution of the N scale versions of their H0 models you can easily see why.  While the H0 models are fairly nice and well done, N scale versions are rather crude.  The detail is soft, the bodies are thick, window inserts are too small and the wheels are a joke.  On most cars the track is way too narrow. That is because of the overly thick bodies. Look at a model straight-on from the front or back and you'll see what I mean.  This mostly applies to their passenger car models (the truck's aren't as bad).  They can be made into better models, but not easily. They will never be as good as some of the German or Japanese models out there.  Which is too bad since they made models nobody else makes.

One of my half-finished projects is making one of their Dodges into a semi-presentable model. One of these days I'll finish it and post some photos comparing the original and "fixed" model.

[Catt]

For two guys who claimed to be N scalers ,I think for the most part their N scale offering sucked. Their HO product on the other hand aside from being pricey is very nice.

[pdx1955]

Some of the challenges are the automakers themselves. I believe that GM won't allow models that can be choked on so that pretty much eliminates a huge chunk of possibilities for N. There may be other restrictions with Ford as well. There's a reason why CMW is mostly International, White, Dodge, etc. The N scale vehicle market with this restrictions will always be hamstrung. At least CMW provided some variety - it also caused modelers to off-load their unbuilt Road Apples kits (I still have many as these cover models that can't/won't be done by CMW.

Peter

[cfritschle]

Classic metal Works is trying to concentrate on models that will be profitable for them.  Right now, that seems to be limited to the HO scale models.

Carter

[wes_sutton]

Classic metal Works is trying to concentrate on models that will be profitable for them.  Right now, that seems to be limited to the HO scale models.

Carter

Obviously that has to be their number one priority, but you always wonder what is behind their thinking?

I don't think the 'clunky' appearance is a problem for the majority - it is N scale after all and personally I'd rather have couple of hundred CMW models as they are, rather than nothing at all.

Interestingly while CMW contracts in N, Oxford Diecast from the UK have more and more of their N-gauge models available through MB Klein - and they really know how to do 'clunky'

Bachmann do a line of buses in their N-gauge Graham Farish range - in plastic and very nicely done. They goofed completely and made them 1:160 instead of 1:148 and despite the internet outrage when first released these must still be selling two years later as they still release the occasional model.

[nkalanaga]

Wes:  I agree.  They may be on the "clunky" side, and I'll agree that some of them could be better, but they're also better  than nothing.  And their trucks weren't bad at all, although the drive and trailer axles were a little long.  Cut a little off, and file the spring detail, and the results look fine.  They were a little old for major companies on my 1974 railroad, but worked fine for local and farm trucks, supposedly bought second-hand. 

At least in the Northwest, many of the 50s autos were fairly common in the early 70s.  There wasn't as much salt used out there and cars lasted much longer.  Mom drove her late 40s Desoto, her first car, used when she bought it in 53, into the late 60s, and the guy who bought it from her had it at least into the early 80s.

[peteski]

Obviously that has to be their number one priority, but you always wonder what is behind their thinking?

I don't think the 'clunky' appearance is a problem for the majority - it is N scale after all and personally I'd rather have couple of hundred CMW models as they are, rather than nothing at all.

 Coudl you have really been able to buy couple hundred of CMW vehicles at their original retail prices?!

Their clunky models cost as much as the high quality ones made by other companies. Nobody was buying them so they ended up in a clearance bin for couple of bucks a package.  At that point they were finally worth their price.  If you are happy with clunky (I'm not) then Bachmann makes some really good vehicles for you (and they are priced accordingly).

Interestingly while CMW contracts in N, Oxford Diecast from the UK have more and more of their N-gauge models available through MB Klein - and they really know how to do 'clunky'

I did not know that Oxford and CMW were related.  I also don't know what MBK selling Oxford models has to do with anything (or with CMW). MBK sells them as Oxford Diecasts.  Oxford models are 1:148 scale so they look huge compared with 1:160 scaled vehicles.  I do agree that they are a bit clunky, but at least they use clear decorated bodies so the windows are flush with  the body (similar to the recent Trainworx trucks).

[nkalanaga]

I came close to buying "a couple hundred", at a mix of hobby shop and online prices.  At least for semis, they sold two tractor-trailers for the price of one of the fancy tractor models, and since I didn't need most of the trailers, I got two tractors and a bunch of trailer wheels at a good price.  Even their autos weren't that bad, in packages of two.

[wazzou]

It's my opinion that CMW's sales decline began with their decision to stop offering two packs of autos in mixed colors and force the consumer to buy packs with both cars of the same color.
I have quite a few of their cars and trucks and like mentioned above, with some modest modification, the trucks can be made into nice models.
The cars I look at differently in that they do what I want and create volume in scenes.  They aren't that poor in this regard.