Some folks think that despite all their excellent N scale structure releases, that they should somehow, in some vague way, do even more for N scale. There is also the legit concern with Horizon taking over Athearn that the shrinkage of the hobby to fewer mfgs (combined with the two major wholesalers) might mean greater than expected price increases as competition decreases.
Venom against manufacturers, etc. On every forum about model railroading, you will find at least one participant with an abiding hatred for at least one of each and every manufacturer, wholesaler, or dealer. Most of the venom against Walthers is plain old green envy of the amount of HO offered vs. the amount of N. Walthers did get burned badly with some N scale offerings because they were decades behind the market in the level of detail. The sight-glass fiasco on the GP38-2's indicates that perhaps they still are not fully up to speed on that today. Putting down manufacturers just makes those doing it feel powerful, it has never gotten any new model made. :cat:
Walthers puts out a fine catalog each year, which shows you about everthing that is avilable in N scale a good reference book. My problem is that walthers seems to want to be the only source and place you can aquire model railroad products. I don't like to hear that phrase when you are looking for something "check with Walthers" only to have to pay their prices, or be out of stock, or the ever favorite caption back ordered!! I don't blame a small manufacturer of a product to sell their rights,on an invented N scale product to another company and move on to invent another N scale product. But I don't want to see Walthers own every blasted N scale product in the market place.
Walthers' catalog is obsolete. It used to be that it was the easiest single way to find out what all the smaller manufacturers were making, or what obscure products were out there. Nowadays with the Internet, you don't need a print catalog or a distributor like Walthers. Between e-tailers and forums like these, the information flow and the prices are better.
Distributors vs. Manufacturers Small manufacturers are NOT selling their rights to Walthers by having their parts listed on the Walthers catalog. Although Walthers does manufacture some things, it is mainly a wholesale distributor that buys in large quantities from many manufactuers and then resells in smaller quantities to retail hobby shops. Horizon Hobbies is exactly the same, it manufactures Athearn and MDC trains, and acts as wholesale distributor for many other lines, including some of the same lines as Walthers. If Walthers or Horizon show an item "back ordered", 99 times out of a hundred, the blame is with the manufacturer and not the distributor. WALTHERS AND HORIZON DO NOT OWN EVERY PRODUCT IN THEIR CATALOGS! :embarassed:
Back on topic, as per another thread here and transferred over to Atlas, DI was sold and is moving to New Jersey. No word on who the new owner is, but could it be Atlas itself?
I just received a fax from DI announcing that Dave Ferrari (Squeak N Products and and former employee of Atlas) has purchased Deluxe Innovations. Steve Rogers and Craig Ross will remain with Deluxe. Atlas veteran, Wayne Shortman, has also joined Deluxe. Headquarters is in the process of moving from California to Whippany, New Jersey. Steve Rodgers will remain in his Illinois sales office. Deluxe will now be spelled with a capital D. Production of all previously announced body styles will proceed to move forward.
Hey- Thanks for being patient with us. We're not completely sold as yet, and the rumor mill has gotten ahead of the facts, but essentially we are selling the company to Dave Ferrari, formerly of Squeak N Products and Atlas. We were in negotiation with another group that was not able to come up with the money, and Dave stepped in and made me an offer. (Hey, he is from New Jersey!) Here's what is going to happen: The company is right now being loaded into a 53' CSX container (yes, I know- how fitting preparing for a transcon train ride to New Jersey. It will be on Union Pacific to start, as we have been told. Dave is retaining the services of Craig Ross, our production manager, and Steve Rogers, our sales manager, and involving them in the new venture. They are well funded, and are able to get back on a relatively agressive release schedule in order to catch up on all of our product announcements. This is good news for all fans of containers, well cars, trailers, and the rest of our product line. I expect to see great things from this combination of folks, and trust that my dream is in good hands. Here's what's NOT going to happen: I am not quitting all of my activities in the scale. I am NOT leaving at the NSC chairman. I am NOT quitting my efforts tomake a stronger Ntrak. I am NOT going to stop trying to cause the N manufacturers to work closer together. I am NOT abandoning my pursuit of excellence with deLuxe (now Deluxe), as I am staying on as a consultant for Dave and his team. Roberta and I appreciate the support, encouragement, and, yes, even the criticism that we have recieved over our 11 and a half years of deLuxe innovations. Our favorite times in the business have always been those hours we spent running and talking trains with y'all at shows. I trust that we will see each and everyone of you down the tracks in the future. Best- George Johnsen
DI's transcon trip How about DI having the container specially decorated so we can spot it as it travels West to Each and THEN make an N scale minaiture of it for all of our collections - just one road number - it could be a first in this day and age. The best of luck to Dave - he's done great stuff in years gone past and will coninue doing so in his new role. Toots
You mean you'll have some time to model trains? That would be a switch! : ) Before anyone hounds me, I've known George long enough to know he hardly gets time to sleep, much less do anything else. Kel
:thumbs_up: That is a truly excelent idea! Of course if the taggers have gotten to it it may already have it's own "custom paintjob".
Just stepped over the new address in Model Railroader's Trainfest Report (lower section) http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=916 Now that I kept up reading pages 4 to 6 of this thread I see all has been already announced :lightbulb: My vote is for more transition era cars, like the box cars and the flat cars because this is where I spend my hobby money. I got most of their box car schemes and think that their policy to have "1-sets", 2-sets and 3-sets with different road numbers is one of the best ways to offer several roadnumbers. My best wishes to the new owners :thumbs_up:
The change at deluxe causes me to pause ........with mixed feelings. George, his family and the deluxe crew have been a wonderful, positive force within the N scale community. George has given out many an encouraging comment, and worked tirelessly to help make N scale better. We have many neat items in N scale because of his leadership and his example. THANK YOU, George & Roberta, - may you enjoy the best of times..... Dave has a solid reputation and the new Deluxe and George's dream will be in good hands. I am very glad to see Craig stay on. The MRR industry is always changing....... Best wishes for even greater success, Steven
Hello, this is my first time posting. Deluxe now has on its website a picture of the container that shipped the company across the country. And it seems clear from the statement with the picture that they will also be replicating it and selling it as some sort of special run.
http://www.deluxeinnovations.com/ I hope they did a better job latching those doors before the truck left, or half of D.I. is going to be spread along the interstate!
Best of luck to all involved. Good luck to you George. I have alsways found the DI products to be a great value, nicely detailed and good quality. I particularly like the 40' box cars in the midwestern roads, and have been snapping them up whenever I run across them - hope the new owners continue with these as well as the 2 bay hoppers.
Page 56 of the new NSR states that the company is in the process of being sold and is moving to New Jersey. Safe and sound away from Kim Il Jong.
