ScaleTrains announcement 4/27

[ednadolski]

I think they probably could have picked a more popular car for their first freight car in N.  This one is somewhat niche.

If they want niche, there is the BNSF 82' reefer....

Ed

[James Costello]

Why would one risk their monies of a first run product from a new un proven company?

I'm very happy with their recent container offerings and I must say, their communication throughout the pre-order, manufacturing, delivery process was excellent.

But yes, the 5188s, a Thrall/NSC 53' well car, another 48' or 53' spine car, or the BNSF icicle reefers might have been better options for mass sales.

[NS-CRE]

I saw pre-production samples of these cars in person at the train show at the North Carolina Transportation Museum last weekend.  Just like everything else I've seen from ScaleTrains so far, if what I saw was pre-production then we are going to be completely wowed by the final version.  The cars have fine detailing, metal wheels, body mount couplers, and crisp lettering.  In a nutshell, they seem to have everything the N Scale market has been asking for.

I have personally seen these prototype cars for years and have always wished someone would produce them in the model market.  I'm thrilled that ScaleTrains has chosen to produce these cars.  I took advantage of their special offer tonight and pre-ordered six of them. 

With so much duplication of same or similar cars in the market, I'm glad to see them step off the beaten path and produce something different.  It shouldn't be too hard to work these into any 1970's to present railroad that serves the automotive industry.  I don't have a tire plant on my railroad either, but I know of two that I could very plausibly move these cars to "beyond the basement."

[Denver Road Doug]

Man, this hurts my heart.

They announce these a year earlier and I probably don't leave n-scale.   These are cars that I've studied for a good 15 years, and have tons of research and even basic plans. (short of detailed drawings needed for getting a model done.)   I considered various avenues to produce one of the variants of carbon black cars.   About the time I was getting close to make a move, "life happened" and I was also told by more than one "industry guy" that up to 3 different companies were undertaking one of several models of carbon black car.

Now I just have to sit and watch, and the fact that they're struggling out of the gate is disappointing.   I was planning on a series of articles to promote them if I would have moved forward and it's unfortunate that model railroad manufacturers don't try to coordinate some "free publicity" in this manner.   But it's really too late now...by the time I finished even one article, these will probably be well on their way across the ocean.

For those interested, Google "Borger, TX" and go to satellite view and you'll see the Panhandle Northern yard and industrial trackage and among other things there are two carbon black plants on the west side of the city.   Kind of neat to see the "signature".....if you look, you will know exactly what I'm talking about.        

The PNR would make a very cool model railroad, with the shortline operations and the interchange with the BNSF Transcon at Panhandle, TX.   I am actually considering modeling the PNR in HO eventually and I'll buy a ton of those ScaleTrains cars in HO.    But that will be several years down the road, if it ever happens.

[jagged ben]

If they want niche, there is the BNSF 82' reefer....

Ed

Yeah well, that might sell better?   

I mean, who knows what makes some models more popular than others.  I just hope Scale Trains doesn't judge N as a scale by the sales of one model.

[ljudice]

Does ScaleTrains sell through most dealers?  I've only seen their containers at MBK and Lombard, niether of whom do pre-orders.

Could this be the issue?

[jagged ben]

Does ScaleTrains sell through most dealers?  I've only seen their containers at MBK and Lombard, niether of whom do pre-orders.

Could this be the issue?

It certainly could be.  People who only check the sites of dealers won't know about pre-order opportunities for ScaleTrains.  You really have to get on ScaleTrains e-mail list (and who wants more e-mail?) or you have to be paying attention on forums like this.  Maybe Facebook, if you do that, but it's not reliable.

OTOH, it didn't seem to a problem for their turbines and containers, or as far as I know for any of their HO stuff.

[ednadolski]

Does ScaleTrains sell through most dealers?  I've only seen their containers at MBK and Lombard, niether of whom do pre-orders.

Caboose has 'em.  I thought they got their stuff thru Walthers 

Ed

[mu26aeh]

Does ScaleTrains sell through most dealers?  I've only seen their containers at MBK and Lombard, niether of whom do pre-orders.

Could this be the issue?

They only have select dealers they work with.  My LHS contacted them about becoming one but did not like their terms so decided it was in their best interest to not carry the product line.

[jagged ben]

They only have select dealers they work with.  My LHS contacted them about becoming one but did not like their terms so decided it was in their best interest to not carry the product line.

I think that has been the case with the vast majority dealers whether they have a lot of online sales or not.  Especially those that take pre-orders.

[Philip H]

I preordered a couple - there's a carbon black plant in Baton Rouge - but I agree their sales scheme and lack of dealer network may be hurting them.

[mu26aeh]

I think that has been the case with the vast majority dealers whether they have a lot of online sales or not.  Especially those that take pre-orders.

I'm not certain of their online sales but they do have them and their brick and mortar store does a pretty good business.  They also take pre-orders, in many cases offering 20-25% off retail on said pre-orders. 

[OldEastRR]

Pick a niche car for your beginning N scale production, restrict the number of your sales outlets, then complain that N scale is not worth the effort if sales are dismal. A guide to success for any model RR manufacturer....

[ljudice]

I wonder if they had added some fantasy schemes  (Goodyear or something) if it would help...

[Philip H]

I wonder if they had added some fantasy schemes  (Goodyear or something) if it would help...

Probably not. There may be some secondary uses somewhere, but down here the carbon black hoppers are in fairly captive service.