MTL Made In America...

[rodsup9000]

Pittman's still around? Amazing. I remember using Pittman motors in slot cars 60 years ago!

 Mike,
 I forgot all about Pittman slot car motors of the '60's and '70's.

[John]

  Ametek Pittman still makes precision motors here in the USA (Pennsylvania).
They are known for their high quality servo motors.
Although they don't have anything small enough for N scale (that I know of), they do have some for all the larger scales.
I've use them in repowering some of Bachmann's 20.3 locomotives and some old 22.5 scale 4-6-0's

Thats going to be very useful for making the millions of drones we will need for the next conflict

[Missaberoad]

Thats going to be very useful for making the millions of drones we will need for the next conflict

[Maletrain]

Well, maybe it is better that they shoot at my robot, rather than at me. 

On the other hand, their robots probably will shoot at me.   

[JoeD]

If enough of the darker predictions wrt import costs turn out to be accurate, then it seems USA-based ops like MT could be looking at some real expansion opportunities.


its possible, its posible   
.

Ed

[JoeD]

that's the great unknown is the availability of raw materials going forward. Great idea to produce in the USA but i think it will be problem getting getting plastic and paint.

[bigdawgks]

If enough of the darker predictions wrt import costs turn out to be accurate, then it seems USA-based ops like MT could be looking at some real expansion opportunities.

Ed

Unfortunately it would take many decades before any such companies reach the level of capacity and level of quality of manufacturers in China, and that's only considering time and not the investment and labor costs.

[JoeD]

 
 

If enough of the darker predictions wrt import costs turn out to be accurate, then it seems USA-based ops like MT could be looking at some real expansion opportunities.

Ed

[Ed Kapuscinski]

So what is it that holds MTL back from going bigger?

[pmpexpress]

So what is it that holds MTL back from going bigger?

Following the 2020 Almeda Fire that ripped through the Rogue Valley and destroyed about a third of the town of Talent, Oregon, employees.

Years later, the town continues to rebuild.

[JoeD]

So what is it that holds MTL back from going bigger?

It takes time and money to grow the business "bigger"  You need the staff and a way to pay them before production catches up with demand.   Like jumping into the lake vs dipping a toe..

[learmoia]

It takes time and money to grow the business "bigger"  You need the staff and a way to pay them before production catches up with demand.   Like jumping into the lake vs dipping a toe..

I have always believed what makes Micro-Trains 'work' (apart from a small team of dedicated people who willing wear all hats within the company.. ).. Is the simplicity of parts and assembly on the products they sell.

If Atlas-Trainman or Scale Trains-Operator were to subcontract Kadee/MTL to tool and produce the next lower detail level cars then sure it could work..

But the High Detail stuff is going to be tough to do in country.. simply because it's not cost effective for the labor to assemble the model.

[nkalanaga]

Those who want all the details might have to go back building kits.  I often have to take the things apart anyway, for painting or or other changes.

[pmpexpress]

Those who want all the details might have to go back building kits.  I often have to take the things apart anyway, for painting or or other changes.

And/or fixing Chinese factory assembly errors and/or remedying sloppy assemblies (e.g., as was the case with the Intermountain 3281 Covered Hoppers).

[basementcalling]

And/or fixing Chinese factory assembly errors and/or remedying sloppy assemblies (e.g., as was the case with the Intermountain 3281 Covered Hoppers).

What did they mess up on those? They just came out.