ST C39-8 and PS 4785 hopper pushed back

[unittraincoal]

I would be willing to bet most people would still buy the River Counter version even with the price increase, including me.  The detail sets you guys apart from everyone else.  Also offering a DC and a Dcc version is awesome. Not all of us want DCC....

It seems a “operator” version would be easiest to offer by simply offering the model with details on the side like FVM.


***SP AC4400*** hint hint hint

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Shane, which would cost less for you to make? A rivet counter shell without the extra detail added or a totally new shell with details molded in? I feel a rivet counter shell would be the cheapest way to go. And you can offer detail add on packs to bring the model up to RC looks.

As for freight cars... I have a theory. Box cars are a natural for Operator lines... A nicely tooled shell can be made cheaply but still look good. In fact, the old MDC box cars still look great, though they could use finer steps under frame and brake wheel.

Tank, most hoppers and anything intermodal really need the extra detail. You simply can not make a great looking covered hopper without a lot of detail parts for the end cage and brake details.

[Kev1340]

Another vote for moulded on details for an 'operator' model. I don't have the time/inclination to add detail parts that are inherently fragile and liable to break when used regularly. I haven't bought any Fox Valley locos for exactly that reason... (and I could really use a few GP60's) lack of moulded details looks horrible to my eye.

Thanks for asking the question.

Cheers,

Kev

[scaletrains]

We appreciate everyone taking the time to share your thoughts about molded-on vs. offering a detail kit for modeler applied detail parts.  Based upon the feedback, here are a few more thoughts.

1. Our Rivet Counter N Scale line will continue.  This is what differentiates us in the marketplace and is our flagship brand in N.

2. Utilizing the Rivet Counter shell and essentially leaving off the detail parts would be less expensive than tooling new mold inserts for molded-on detail or tooling a new body.  However, if the market is mostly not interesting in adding their own detail parts and sales are low, little is gained by offering a body with pre-drilled holes (BTW: pins are part of the tooling so the holes are done during molding; not actually drilled).

We're discussing which is better (inserts or new body) with our toolmaker now and we'll be having the best option quoted.  If the tooling cost is reasonable and we anticipate unit sales will be strong, amortizing the tooling cost would be worthwhile in the long run.  Since we're sharing tooling between the Operator and Rivet Counter brands, tooling would be considerably less than 6-figures.

Thanks,

Shane


Shane Wilson
President
ScaleTrains.com, Inc.

[Specter3]

For locos I would say put the details in abag and save the tooling cost. Gets me the least expensive option as I need 5-6 if you make something I can use in my 1976 time frame.

For rolling stock, when you do do something, how about a no number option for those of us that need 6+ of a car and would like to keep all of the rest of the nice placards and labeling the factory puts on these days versus a strip and redecal. This is from a guy who is currently gently scraping numbers off of 88 Atlas 90 ton hoppers. I have a bunch of MTL boxes with very nice lettering that are not lending themselves to renumbering very easily as well. Like some posters have mentioned, N scale is great because it lets you have more. My planned train length on the layout is 23-25 cars. When you look at pictures from the era, most are home road. 18 home road cars in a train. It would bother me to have 3 or 4 of the same road number in that 18 cars where it would be common to see 3-4 identical car types. How practical is this? IDK. But since you are asking....

[packers#1]

@ridinshotgun:.

So here's a question for everyone... if we offered an Operator diesel locomotive, would you prefer (1) the grab irons, coupler cut levers, MU hoses, train line hose, etc. be molded-on the body or (2) holes pre-drilled in the body and a detail kit available separately (like the HO counterpart)?

Thanks,

Shane


Shane Wilson
President
ScaleTrains.com, Inc.

@scaletrains I’m going to be a bit annoying with my response, because I’d love to see the grand predrilled but everything else molded on. I feel like grab irons are really easy to see stand out on n scale models, but everything else gets a little difficult to tell the difference between molded on versus stand alone. Plus it’s way easier to break those stand-alone details off

Allow me to also add that I’d love to see a 4 axle road switcher from y’all next; either a GP50 or a GP30, as I have a soft spot for Norfolk Southern GP50s and is love to model a couple GP30us from the short line back in my home town

[IronRiver]

Here is another vote for molded-on details.  I am part of a club that sets up a modular layout for public display a few times a year.  Quality locomotives that can be handled without damage are what we are looking for.

[peteski]

We appreciate everyone taking the time to share your thoughts about molded-on vs. offering a detail kit for modeler applied detail parts.  Based upon the feedback, here are a few more thoughts.

1. Our Rivet Counter N Scale line will continue.  This is what differentiates us in the marketplace and is our flagship brand in N.

2. Utilizing the Rivet Counter shell and essentially leaving off the detail parts would be less expensive than tooling new mold inserts for molded-on detail or tooling a new body.  However, if the market is mostly not interesting in adding their own detail parts and sales are low, little is gained by offering a body with pre-drilled holes (BTW: pins are part of the tooling so the holes are done during molding; not actually drilled).

We're discussing which is better (inserts or new body) with our toolmaker now and we'll be having the best option quoted.  If the tooling cost is reasonable and we anticipate unit sales will be strong, amortizing the tooling cost would be worthwhile in the long run.  Since we're sharing tooling between the Operator and Rivet Counter brands, tooling would be considerably less than 6-figures.

Thanks,

Shane


Shane Wilson
President
ScaleTrains.com, Inc.

Your decision is exactly what I have expected (and follows my way of thinking).  Hopefully it will be reasonably economical to create a mold with molded-on details.  But if not, your Rivet Counter models are the cat's meow anyway. 

As for the holes, I own the Big Blow set, but haven't had a chance to closely examine it yet.   Good to know that the holes are molded in. That saves on the labor cost.  My speculation that they are drilled manually was based on other similarly detailed models which  I have examined closely. For example the FVM Hiawatha appears to have grab iron holes hand-drilled, as there are telltale signs of that process  inside the shell.

[jagged ben]

I just don't really believe that if a sought-after model is produced then people will not buy it because there are details in a bag instead of molded on.  Ask FVM if that was a problem for their GP60Ms and Bs.   

Now if you're producing something like an SD40-2 or C44-9W where there's competitors versions to compare against, it might be a bigger factor.

[RockGp40]

@scaletrains, any word on when the N scale 4785s will be here? The website has said the same thing for weeks, if not months.

[Mark5]

The website says they are on the water

https://www.scaletrains.com/pages/product-schedule

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I have one on order. Since IM has yet to produce theirs, I'll probably pick up a few more of these.

[RockGp40]

The website says they are on the water.

Must be on a rowboat...

[peteski]

Must be on a rowboat...

No: just a slow boat from China. 

[ai5629]

I received an email from ST indicating the PS 4785’s will be in stock by the end of May.  Thanks.

Jeff