Classic Metal Works N scale

[CBQ Fan]

I agree, I do not care for their double-mint gum marking.  Cost driven or not.

[wes_sutton]

If you are happy with clunky (I'm not) then Bachmann makes some really good vehicles for you (and they are priced accordingly).

Aahh the elites of the Railwire. I now remember why I visit much less frequently these days and rarely bother posting.

You guys forget you are the 1% 

[peteski]

Aahh the elites of the Railwire. I now remember why I visit much less frequently these days and rarely bother posting.

You guys forget you are the 1% 

LOL!  I really think that much more than 1% of modelers found CMW vehicles clunky.    But yes, I want my models to look good and I'm nowhere near what you would consider the "elite". 

[mplsjct]

The Ford sedan delivery wagons were really poorly done.

That being said, I have a lot of their vehicles on my layout, but will wait and see with any new models they bring to N scale, really disappointed with those sedan delivery wagons.

[garethashenden]

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).

I think the reason that Oxford got drawn into this discussion is that both they and CMW are makers of diecast vehicles in N. Comparing them isn't completely ridiculous.

[MVW]

How many years ago was it that CMW polled N scalers about their interests? Seems like they did a pretty abrupt about-face.

Jim

[peteski]

I think the reason that Oxford got drawn into this discussion is that both they and CMW are makers of diecast vehicles in N. Comparing them isn't completely ridiculous.

I have to dig up couple that I bought last year. IIRC, the VW Bus has a clear plastic body that is painted with pad-printing (the paint covers all the "metal" parts of the car while the unpainted windows are see-through). But maybe I'm not remembering it correctly

[cfritschle]

I have to dig up couple that I bought last year. IIRC, the VW Bus has a clear plastic body that is painted with pad-printing (the paint covers all the "metal" parts of the car while the unpainted windows are see-through). But maybe I'm not remembering it correctly

Peter,

The Oxford models I have are consistent with your bus.

Carter

Edit:  Here is a link to a photo that has a Wiking model with an Oxford model.  http://nscalevehicles.org/resources/oxford_diecast.php

[towl1996]

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.

If I recall correctly, CMW originally offered two of the same color, but only recently began offering two different  colors. Clunky or not, I'm a CMW fan and hope they return to N scale.

[asarge]

Aahh the elites of the Railwire. I now remember why I visit much less frequently these days and rarely bother posting.

You guys forget you are the 1% 

BINGO!!! Having spent 16 years on the retail side of the business in a brick and mortar store(until last may), I can tell you the vast majority had no problem with CMW. PERIOD. Somebody posted on here are a picture well blown up to show the deficiencies in the model. Ok, fair enough but most people are modelers and vehicles are more of a scenery item than anything to them and therefore the buying priority will be a little lower than other things.

CMW has responded to comments on their FB page that they are not out of N scale, but sales have not met some of their goals and that makes it harder to commit resources to more. In short, if you want more, you have to buy more. If you don't it goes away.

In HO scale you still have quite a few collector's involved in the mix with the modellers and that helps sales. You don't have that in N scale and maybe CMW didn't count on that but the same economics apply.

[sirenwerks]

CMW has responded to comments on their FB page that they are not out of N scale, but sales have not met some of their goals and that makes it harder to commit resources to more. In short, if you want more, you have to buy more. If you don't it goes away.

Sales require product that consumers want to buy.  That "support the manufacturer no matter what" argument has got to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.  If I buy cr@p to support CMW, it'll think I'm okay with cr@p and keep churning cr@p out.  I don't want cr@p.  CMW's disappointed in sales because the consumer's disappointed in its models. CMW needs to improve it's product to sell more.

[wazzou]

If I recall correctly, CMW originally offered two of the same color, but only recently began offering two different  colors. Clunky or not, I'm a CMW fan and hope they return to N scale.

Not true. 
When the original releases of N Scale models, like the Ford F100 P/U's and 55' Chevy's hit the market they were offered in multi color packs.  Then for a long period they switched to two like colors per package.  After sales declines and customer feedback, they again recently offered autos in packages with different color schemes.

[towl1996]

Not true. 
When the original releases of N Scale models, like the Ford F100 P/U's and 55' Chevy's hit the market they were offered in multi color packs.  Then for a long period they switched to two like colors per package.  After sales declines and customer feedback, they again recently offered autos in packages with different color schemes.

Yes this is correct. The first release 50201 was the '48 Ford convertible in black and beige, still have one in the package. I just remember people complaining about the same two colors being in the same package. Can't imagine why they would switch and then start offering the same colours. No matter, I don't think that's what ultimately hurt sales.

[SkipGear]

I would really hate to be CMW. They have us griping on one side and the manufactures telling them no on the other side.

My druthers would be more variety of simple cars rather than added detail and cost. If you have a street full of cars, who has time to look at them all and pick them apart. When you only have Dodge sedan and station wagon variations all based on the same body, it's easy to pick them apart because every car looks like the next. When the street is full of cars, they are scenery, when there is only one or two, they are a focal point.

[Upstate Gator]

@CBQ Fan In your Double-Mint gum comment, are you referring to the ads on the Railway Express Agency trucks/trailers? The real Railway Express Agency  carried advertising placards, so those are most likely prototypical. However, many of the ads were for Camel cigarettes and I'm not sure whether CMW would want to or be allowed to use them today.

BenW
Fairport, NY