Hi all,
I feel like I opened Pandora's Box with my reply about the F7's, it
certainly has generated a lot of opinions about models Canada/US.
As a US citizen and having the "Horn of plenty" model wise at my front door,
it easy to select models to run out of the box or to modify to be a more
accurate prototype. Selecting CP models is a difficult task as they are
lacking here on the west coast (Sacramento) or are so unrealistic they look
funny. For me to get CP locomotives necessitates my contacting a dealer in
Canada to purchase something that is a CP likeness. Detail stuff must also
be purchased in Canada from a dealer or manufacture if I want to up-grade
any CP unit.
My experience in the manufacturing of brass models is you can manufacture an
exact prototype in limited quantities and charge enough to pay for the
car/locomotive and a small percentage of profit. A good friend is importing
a couple of Virginia and Truckee brass locomotives, it has been five years
in the making of these locomotives and his take per engine $10.00, not much
when you consider the five years and headaches to get them made.
Plastic is a horse of a different color so to speak. Die cost are real
culprits and all the assorted parts that go along with the locomotive, steam
or diesel. Like socks, one size from 6 to 10 fits all. Making an exact
replica of a locomotive when there were so many railroads with different
requirements, is way to costly and impossible.
In order to have a couple of CP F7 units, I bought an Athern Geneses model
(with sound) and stripped it, I then painted it in the CP maroon and grey,
added the winterization hatches and ended up with a good looking CP unit
with sound.
Yes we pay allot for our locomotives and cars, but they look really good. I
can remember the wood floors and roofs with printed paper or wood sides, if
fact I have some of the paper printed sides in O - S - HO scales if anyone
would like to build a box car from almost scratch..
We have come a long way in modeling realism and yes we are spoiled. You
can't get what you want in Canada and I can't get what I want in the US.
Like my friend Duane Buck who is President of the Great Northern Historical
Society has said, if you want a manufacture to make what you want. You must
let then know, work with them with plans, drawings, color chips, and photos,
give them an estimate of there sales (unpadded) so that they know they have
a market.
Five years ago I talked to Kato about there N Scale business car and asked
if they would produce one in HO. The first reaction was it was not
economically feasible. I then sent them the projected numbers of model
railroaders and the percentage that would buy it. Low and behold two years
later it was on the market and I now have several on my layout. So given the
right information, you can get things done.
If any of you would like to contact Duane for more information on how to get
manufacturing information, you can contact him on the G.N.H.S website or a
direct email link to:
Duane Buck buckgnry@xxxxxxx He will be glad to help.
Sincerely,
Keith
