WTB Micron Art car kits, N scale

[SandyEggoJake]

Seeking Micron Art car kits in N scale (#2021 Model T Touring, #2025 Model T Sedan, #2029 Olds Runabout and I've even buy a #2039 firetruck)

I've plenty of trucks (2019 & 2035).

email me. 

<<If someone could help me by moving this to the trading post, it would be appreciated>>

[peteski]

I wish I knew why Micron Art closed shop, and what happened with the artwork. Did Reynard just retire, or did something tragic happened to him? 

[SandyEggoJake]

Don't know the details, but I spoke with Rey twice about year and a half ago, and a few weeks later - right after I noticed his website went dark.  He mentioned "oh, it was just time".  He didn't say more and I didn't pry.  I asked about the future of his biz and he said someone had expressed interested in buying out all his HO stuff, but didn't seem to know if the HO guy was going to be taking is his N & Z stuff.  But I may have been confused by his reply. 

I asked for a list of his N inventory on hand for the purpose of making an offer, and he said he'd be happy to provide me with such a list, as he suggested he had much of some items but none of most.  Even mentioned he had be thinking of "throwing away some of the junk" referring to his Archimedean Ground Throw which I guess never caught on?  The calls were friendly and promising, though a bit confusing.  Unfortunately, he never followed up.  Last time we connected he mentioned his wife would need to make a list for him (as she handled the "business" while he focused on the art.    Over the last year,  I've tried him twice again, about once each 6 month, but we've never connected and never got a return to message left.   

It's been a few month, so I'll try to raise him again - at least to see if we can close the loop. 

[peteski]

Thanks Jake!
I always wondered what happened to Reynard.  I've corresponded with him via email some years ago, but I didn't know he was going to close shop.  While the kits were not the easiest to put together or best-fitting, he had quite a range of etched brass models available.  Too bad that nobody took over the business.  I don't remember if he did the etching himself (or he owned an industrial etching business), of had the etching contracted out.

[randgust]

I think I've made two purchases off of Ebay on those where what I ended up with was the Z scale kits instead of the N scale as mis-listings where I had to turn around and resell them - some went at Altoona.

I never understood the heavy focus on Z when the N stuff is now pretty much gone.   I'm looking for the very same stuff.

Most of the work on etchings is in the design, after you get that if you've got a good etcher and are willing to make the up-front batch investment it's a pretty easy process.   Certainly easier than injection molding.

Before those came out, there was the "Ted's Novel T" etched brass kit and I've got several of those now; had a Model T sedan and a pickup.   First-rate parts.    Don't know how many years since those were produced though, still show up periodically.   Bring money.

I've seen some nice stuff on Shapeways, too (Mack AC among them) but incredibly fragile when printed in FUD.

[peteski]

I never understood the heavy focus on Z when the N stuff is now pretty much gone.   I'm looking for the very same stuff.

I suspect that there is a glut of Z scale items now because they made just as many Z kit as N, but since there are fewer Z scale modelers, lots of Z scale kits are still around, while N scale ones are mostly gone.  All the stuff you see on eBay is old stock.

[jargonlet]

Id like to have some more of his z scale bridges, mainly the box girder bridge. I have one on a diorama but would like to have a few for a layout.

[spookshow]

I'm curious if anyone out there has ever actually used those Archimedean ground throws? I picked up a couple of them many years ago and pretty much decided that I'd need to be Archimedes himself to figure them out 

 

-Mark

[Brighid]

Good morning all. I have also been looking for these vehicles. I do have a single 2021, Not the complete kit. Just a single touring car. I would be willing to trade it for a single 2035, If anyone is interested.
Also , has anyone bought the "first edition" kits and what is your opinion of them.

[cfritschle]

Good morning all. I have also been looking for these vehicles. I do have a single 2021, Not the complete kit. Just a single touring car. I would be willing to trade it for a single 2035, If anyone is interested.
Also , has anyone bought the "first edition" kits and what is your opinion of them.

I bought the First Additions Model T Ford delivery truck.  As I was putting it together, I began to notice that it was going to be rather large.  So, I checked the diameter of the wheels, and they measured 40 "N scale" inches in diameter.  I checked the diameter of the wheels on my Dad's actual 1925 Model T, and they measured 28 inches in diameter.  Doing the math, it looks like the First Additions Model T kit I have is closer to TT scale than N scale.   

[SandyEggoJake]

I too have a pair of the "Tel's Novel T" etched brass kit (series 1 & 2) but the white metal wheels are rather rough (missing spokes, oversized tires with flash), as well as a "First Addition" by Neal's N-Gauging Trains (the ford touring) which is highly similar in design.  Spoke with Neal recently and he is still well stocked, and now these kits come with directions. 

[cfritschle]

As an alternative to the Micron Arts Model T Touring car, Artitec has announced they will be producing one.  There is a link to their 2020 catalog here:  https://www.artitecshop.com/nl/blogs/nieuws/onze-nieuwe-producten-voor-2020/ 

The Model T announcement is in the "civiele producten" (civilian production) link.  The N scale models are on page 6.

[SandyEggoJake]

Thank you all! I think I've got what I need now, but if you find you have some, feel free to toss me an offer. 

By the way, I've recently connected with Rey and his wife.  Both are doing well, but yes, he has no plans in the near term to re-open or make more model railroad stuff as he's been busy with art (painting) and another project.... modeling lighthouses.  Not sure if he will produce them for sale yet or in what scale.  But says his plans are to make them in PEB.  (If your layout could use a light house, you might suggest which one, as he seems open to suggestions on which to design next.)  (I suggested he might consider making a PEB gas holder kit with lattice girders, and he seemed honestly intrigued by the idea, given the simplicity of design.   

After some pause, they've finally started to liquidate remaining inventory (via ebay / Seller elizwel3812) but don't have any plans to make more runs of existing models.   

[peteski]

Thank you all! I think I've got what I need now, but if you find you have some, feel free to toss me an offer. 

By the way, I've recently connected with Rey and his wife.  Both are doing well, but yes, he has no plans in the near term to re-open or make more model railroad stuff as he's been busy with art (painting) and another project.... modeling lighthouses.  Not sure if he will produce them for sale yet or in what scale.  But says his plans are to make them in PEB.  (If your layout could use a light house, you might suggest which one, as he seems open to suggestions on which to design next.)  (I suggested he might consider making a PEB gas holder kit with lattice girders, and he seemed honestly intrigued by the idea, given the simplicity of design.   

After some pause, they've finally started to liquidate remaining inventory (via ebay / Seller elizwel3812) but don't have any plans to make more runs of existing models.   

Thanks for that info. I was wondering what  happened to Reynard.  I'm glad that he is doing well, but it is sad that those wonderful kits are no longer being made.  Too bad that he didn't try, or was unable to sell the business.

[GaryHinshaw]

Too bad that he didn't try, or was unable to sell the business.

Make him an offer.