Classic Metal Works and Round 2 Models

[cfritschle]

What I think has happened is that Bill and Joe have set up a "succession plan" for the work they have accomplished over the last 20 years.  They are still owners of CMW Holdings, Ltd, which in turns own the Classic Metal Works and Mini Metals brands and tooling.  By licensing those assets to Round 2 Models, we should be able to continue to see models released that Round 2 determines can be profitable to produce.  I will not even attempt to speculate which models those might be.

Anyone that was into N scale model railroading in the 1960s or 1970s should remember the Boyd Model line of N scale vehicles.  Their 1968 Fords (which were initially released in 1968) were the first N scale vehicle models that were based on North American prototypes.  They also released a White 7400 semi-tractor and an International Harvester CO Loadstar straight truck with a variety of service beds.  Some European prototype models followed, including an Opel GT that was sold in the US by Buick dealers.  While the manufacturer of these models was Roskopf Miniatur Modelle (RMM ) of Germany instead of Boyd Models, and other companies such as Atlas, Con-Cor and Preiser offered portions of the line, apparently there was no "succession plan" to the continue making the models available for the N scale model railroaders that wanted them after Boyd Models ceased doing business.

Granted, the Boyd Models offerings are definitely "dated" by today's standards, but they could have been updated with better wheels and window inserts if the tooling for the bodies was still available.  I did hear rumors about what happened to the tooling, but I won't discuss that here. 

What I am hoping is that we will continue to see releases of Mini Metals in N scale for those who appreciate and want to use them on their layouts.  Not everyone feels comfortable, has the time, or has the ability, to assemble and paint a kit with results that are acceptable in their eyes, as well as in the eyes of the more accomplished model builders.

With that, I hope we can let Bill and Joe know how grateful we are that those two men committed their resources and 20 years of their lives to producing models for us to enjoy as part of our hobby.

Carter 

[up1950s]

Thanks Bill and Joe for the past fodder , but think of me as a baby pterodactyl in the nest and in need of more . I scream ... givememorcars awrrk .

[Mark5]

Carter,

Thanks for the background on Boyd models - I still have a few.

Mark

[cfritschle]

Carter,

Thanks for the background on Boyd models - I still have a few.

Mark

Thank you Mark.  There will be some photos of the Boyd Models trucks updated with Trainworx truck parts in the May/June 2017 issue of the N Scale Enthusiast member's magazine.  New wheels and a few other details really make a difference!

Carter

[daniel_leavitt2000]

If profitability is what Round 2 is after, we can pretty much give up on any future N scale releases. CMW has stated multiple times that their N scale models were not profitable and were a labor of love with HO vehicles subsidizing the program.

Johnny Lightening is by far the best looking "Matchbox" sized toys out there. They also produced those Monopoly token cars in the early 00's. If it were 2005, I would say that we would have a good chance of seeing R2 use their distribution chain to get HO models on the shelves of Walmart and ToyrRUS, but that craze has subsided and I doubt we will see a resurgence of it, never mind N scale.

CMW had a good run and succeeded in what no other model manufacturers could: getting those damn Micro-Machines off N-Trak layouts.

[Catt]

I think if they had put the effort into the N scale line that they put into the HO line the N scale line would have been very profitable.

[up1950s]

I would have thought , and did , that the n scale auto racks would have racked up sales for cars .

Fright cars ... few types and many schemes .

Cars ... many types and few schemes .

Does die cast cost more money than plastic to make ?

If that guy on Shapeways who offers an outstanding variety of N cars could get together with a manufacturer that would offer a RTR car at a decent price .... and pigs fly . And then the windows problem .

[Lemosteam]

[sirenwerks]

I would have thought , and did , that the n scale auto racks would have racked up sales for cars .

But you can't put 50s era autos on a 60s or 70s era rack. Similarly, if you're modeling a line with Ford plants on it and have Chevys rolling out of the production yard, you're violating a couple rules right there.


As has been pointed out, auto models are a requirement that we need in quantity, quality, and variety. The business model that says create a limited model production and rely on sales to gauge interest and to fund next stage of model line is just wrong. You can't ask modelers to buy large quantities of one or two models in order to get more out of you later; and the quality issues CMW's N scale line had shot that notion in the foot more. And I have a pretty good hunch more N scale modelers model post-steam transition eras, so basing your line heavily on transition era models is another negative. It's the "what's good in HO is not necessarily good in N" circumstance repeating again.

[C855B]

Don't forget the wrench thrown into the works by GM and FCA, who refuse to license N scale reproductions of their designs after ~1954. I really wonder how much time is remaining before @Rasputen and the fellow on Shapeways pop-up on the radar and get cease-and-desist love letters from the car makers.

[Lemosteam]

Don't forget the wrench thrown into the works by GM and FCA, who refuse to license N scale reproductions of their designs after ~1954. I really wonder how much time is remaining before @Rasputen and the fellow on Shapeways pop-up on the radar and get cease-and-desist love letters from the car makers.

I don't think that can happen- its the equivalent of a paint by numbers Picasso- these guys are not using the logos or anything else.  In @Rasputen 's case, he is making shrink molds of die cast cars that were already licensed in the past.

This amounts to his own proprietary artwork and design that is copyright protected in and of itself.  I can't address the other fella because I don't know his process.

[peteski]

Does die cast cost more money than plastic to make ?

I'm really puzzled by this drive to make die-cast N scale vehicles instead of just plastic. and many of the CMW N scale vehicles were really a hybrid with some major parts being metal, some plastic.  The models are clunky and the door line engravings are also oversize and not very sharply defined. The bodies were also very thick with the window "glass" "deeply recessed, making them look even worse.  The wheels are also very clunky and often set too far into the body.

I wonder of the die-cast thing was simply a fad which they might have thought woudl appeal to collectors of die-cast models in general (not just to model railroaders)?  I really don't know.

Looking at other plastic automotive models from companies such as Tomix, Kato, Bush, or Wiking shows how much better those models can be. They have very thin bodies and with very fine and well-defined door and panel lines. The wheels don't turn on most of those, but who cares?  They are very finely molded and look more realistic than CMW offerings.

[sirenwerks]

I'm really puzzled by this drive to make die-cast N scale vehicles instead of just plastic. and many of the CMW N scale vehicles were really a hybrid with some major parts being metal, some plastic.  The models are clunky and the door line engravings are also oversize and not very sharply defined. The bodies were also very thick with the window "glass" "deeply recessed, making them look even worse.  The wheels are also very clunky and often set too far into the body.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that. The only benefit to working with white metal is the ability to reuse bad product - just melt it back down. Of course, the fumes might kill you eventually...

[peteski]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that. The only benefit to working with white metal is the ability to reuse bad product - just melt it back down. Of course, the fumes might kill you eventually...

Polystyrene (and other plastics) can also be recycled, so that theory is out of the window. 

[sirenwerks]

Polystyrene (and other plastics) can also be recycled, so that theory is out of the window. 

Did I mention a theory? Nope. Just a fact. Ya wanna get technical you can burn wood and use it to grow another tree too.