Hello N Scalers! Please visit our website at http://www.deluxeinnovations.com/ and download our new Pre-Order List. Our full N Scale Catalog and our latest Newsletter are also availalble for you to download. Dave Ferrari DeLuxe Innovations, Inc.
Man, why are the deLuxe containers so dang EXPENSIVE?!?!? In 2-packs the containers can go up to $7 EACH! The Walthers containers are $4 each and they even come with interlocking pins whereas the deLuxe containers DON'T! (you gotta buy their "Container Glue" putty or install magnets like was recommended in this forum to stack em). Of course, Micro-Trains has the most expensive containers ($14 EACH and it's just a plain silver one with very simple markings) but for an Intermodal nut like me, this is just insane. I mean really, how much does it REALLY cost for a block of plastic (well technically two pieces) that don't really have too much fine detail, plus paint? It would be nice if the new owners of deLuxe would re-price their containers to a more reasonable cost, but...impossible concepts like world peace are nice too. I NEVER buy my deLuxe containers in stores or even online, I have to resort to the "black market" of eBay and swap meets.
I agree on the price of containers. If you need a whole slug of em for background purposes you might look into this: http://www.igshansa.de/igsdownload.html I tried making a few of em and think they'd be just fine for loading up a ship or constructing a background wall. here's a quick test shot I did a while back. Only 1 container is store bought. Food for thought. Brian
Please keep in mind that I just took over this business, I can't "fix all the problems" overnight. I too have been waiting for the spine cars for 18 months and now that I have control of the process I know why they won't be here for a few months more. There are 2 spine cars, the GHQ collaboration has its own special problems, they may be the second ones out. Meanwhile, the Maxi IIIs will be shipping in about 4 weeks. The Maxi IVs will be out next, then the spine cars. No firm dates on them yet. Dave
You can't really compare the decorating on the Walthers containers (particularly the 48' X-Post) to that on the deLuxe/DeLuxe containers.... there's an order of magnitude of difference in the quality, accuracy and detail of the lettering. The Walther's X-Posts are pretty translucent and spartan.... unlike the deLuxe ones. Don't get me started on paint scheme accuracy either....which is a shame because there are schemes Walthers could do suit - I'd love a trainload of 48' X-Posts in EMP for instance. I don't rate the interlocking pins much either...but thats another issue. Check out the new Hub Group 53'ers from DeLuxe to see just how good their decorating is. They look Sharp!
Dave - Welcome to TrainBoard!!!!!!! I know I will be ordering some D&H Box and Hopper cars soon from you! :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:
The biggest factor in the cost of our containers is the printing. Walthers' containers are fine if you don't mind them ALL having the same number. We are working on a way to connect our containers without container glue. Personally, I've used CA to make pairs for my stack trains but now I see that container glue is a pretty good option. Each DeLuxe run is priced independantly so if I can do them for less I will. Unfortunately, that's not too likely. Dave
Hey Dave F., Welcome to Trainboard & good luck with DI. Since you've moved here into Jersey, I'll be doing my share to support you,a local business,the best I can !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:shade: :thumbs_up:
I've resigned to the fact that the numbers are too minute and illegible in N scale to be a concern. Besides, a little weathering can take care of duplicate numbers. That's an encouraging tidbit to know, thanks. If I may have any input as a consumer, I would lobby for pins down, as both Walthers and Kato have their containers set that way and are compatible with each other (Con-Cor has pins-up but they're so out of scale anyway I make a conscious effort to avoid getting any of those!). Also, if DI containers go pins-down, they can fit in the holes of the Walthers and Kato well cars. As you know, prototype containers were built according to universal standards so it would be appropriate to have the models follow suit. Ideally, Kato-like magnets would be awesome, but then I probably will complain even more about the price... I use container glue for now but the putty is very sensitive to heat and humidity conditions, containers can go very unprototypically out of alignment. I'm a relative newcomer to N scale so I never got to know the old DI folks, which is a shame since they were based about 7 miles from where I live. But Dave, I do appreciate that you're in communication with us N scalers and are actively participating in the forum! I tell ya what, If you go pins-down on your future containers, and price them the same, I'll keep my mouth shut about container prices! My main attraction to the DI containers are the availability and diversity of shipping line schemes, and my only real complaint about their construction is the lack of connecting pins.
Yeah I'm aware of the cardboard containers. The pic does look convincing save for the stacked Evergreen container, which doesn't have the correct font in the lettering (sorry, I can pick out those things easily...The one in the crane is the store-bought Walthers Evergreen hi-cube). You're right, they are good for sitting in yards or on a ship, but I wouldn't put them on my trains.
Dave Thanks for putting up with us modelers. I have been waiting for the Maxi IV ever since it was announced. I did look at the Kato model but I believe your model will be even better because of the etched parts. About the containers for background. Did anybody think of producing background containers that come in 4 pieces. Front, 2 sides, and top while the front is 5 (or more) containers high and wide with the possiblility to cut them to the number you need. It would be like a wall piece that gives you multiple oportunity to piece them together. They could be undecorated with decals provided. I don't think the decals have to be as detailed as the single container since we are talking background.
Thanks for the list Dave, my wallet's probably gonna take a beating... Regarding the costs: Obviously we all want to spend less money. On a hopefully constructive note, though... If much of the cost is the printing, I wouldn't mind having undecs available on a regular basis (particularly 40' corrugated, 8' tall, not high-cube) at an appropriately cheaper price. I've got some decals lying around without much to use them on.
Dave, thank you for running the new releases of the box cars. IC and all PRRs have been preordered some time ago when I first found the announcement. Modelling the 50's one can never have too many box cars
