First batch of Intermountain 3281 Covered Hoppers are on the water

[mu26aeh]

If you pre ordered, or remember pre ordering, IM 3281 covered hoppers almost 8 years ago I checked the website today and it says the first batch are in transit.  9 road names were produced this time around, with another 11 moved to a 2nd run and are taking reservations.

https://intermountain-railway.com/newsncomingsoon.html#n3281hopper

[bbussey]

Sticker shock coming unfortunately.

[GaryHinshaw]

Wow, pinch me!  To think, it only took 9 years...

If $32.95 is the correct MSRP (per their updated web page), it will seem like a bargain now.

[bbussey]

I don't see how that holds with the now 54% tariff on imports from China.

[Englewood]

Glad these are finally showing up, yet terrifying at the same time.

[robertjohndavis]

Want to be really terrified? Imagine you are the model railroad company. If you are bringing in product that’s $100,000 cost to you, you need to come up with another $54K if you want it. That’s a big nut for most model companies. Enough to bankrupt some.

[pmpexpress]

Sticker shock coming unfortunately.

Unless Vietnam reaches an agreement with the U.S., Broadway Limited Imports (who moved the manufacture of their product releases to Vietnam) faces a 46% tariff on its imports on April 9th.

[bbussey]

If traveling by ocean, I think that as long as a shipment leaves the origin port before April 9, it won't be subject to the tariffs.  If traveling by air however, it must arrive at the destination port before April 9.  So this InterMountain shipment will sneak in under the wire even if it arrives in port after Tuesday.

[robertjohndavis]

If traveling by ocean, I think that as long as a shipment leaves the origin port before April 9, it won't be subject to the tariffs.  If traveling by air however, it must arrive at the destination port before April 9.  So this InterMountain shipment will sneak in under the wire even if it arrives in port after Tuesday.

I hope that’s the case for everyone who ordered these. The ripples will turn to waves if this lasts. I will not pre-order anything except Micro-Trains rolling stock until this ends. Too unpredictable.

[GaryHinshaw]

If traveling by ocean, I think that as long as a shipment leaves the origin port before April 9, it won't be subject to the tariffs.  If traveling by air however, it must arrive at the destination port before April 9.  So this InterMountain shipment will sneak in under the wire even if it arrives in port after Tuesday.

That's good to hear.  Thankfully, my next two large planned purchases are both from Rapido (reefers and center-beams).

[mu26aeh]

Website was updated today, now shipping to dealers.  Retail price of 36.95, so $4 increase from Gary's earlier post

[basementcalling]

And possibly more increases to come. Maybe the only container of N scale cars to get more "valuable/expensive" as they cross the ocean?

[rodsup9000]

Maybe the only container of N scale cars to get more "valuable/expensive" as they cross the ocean?

If they were out of port before midnight, 8 April 2025, they will not have the tariffs on them as said up tread some place.

[GaryHinshaw]

These are posted at Midwest now: $30.59 ea:

https://midwestmodelrr.com/n-scale/n-scale-rolling-stock/

9 years for these.  I hope their QC is up to snuff...

[Englewood]

The ones I reserved in February 2016 didn't make it this run.
They're still showing as "Taking Reservations."