I just got this as a PM: Alan Curtis’ models will soon be produced by N Scale Kits. Please visit www.NScaleKits.com fro the previous range of AC Models. New products will be available later this year too. If you want to contact us please mailto: peter@nscalekits.com Peter Harris N Scale Kits Dear colleague There has much speculation in American N Scale circles about the future of Alan Curtis’ excellent range of intermodal and flat cars. We are delighted to announce that N Scale Kits have purchased the patterns and moulds of AC Models. Work is taking place to start production by the start of April 2007. If you would like further details, please contact Peter Harris at peter@nscalekits.com With best wishes [FONT="]Peter[/FONT]
I am around on this Forum too - as a lurker for the most part I'm afraid. However, we hope to be in production by the end of the month, so do keep in touch. Please contact me by PM if you want, or e-mail on the address above. I would be interested to hear of ideas for new developments. Alan and I have discussed a new car which he has been thinking of for some time - so more details of this will come out soon too. Looking forward to developing the range of N scale intermodals and flat cars, and possibly other types too. Peter Harris N Scale Kits
Pete, Congratulations on purchasing Alan's excellent line of kits, look forward to seeing them back in production.
Boy would I love some RTR cars. Glad I'm not the only one who isn't a "kit" man. When I had to add handrails and numberboards on my Kato AC4400, I was pushed to the limits of my skills! Pathetic, I know.
Kits and rtr Well we are starting with the kits - but rtr is in the business plan but not for the immediate future, I'm afraid. We will keep folks informed if you email me directly at peter@nscalekits.com In the plan, too. is coming to a number of conventions in the US. It might be helpful to know which would be the best to go to, as a start up. I will post here, if the mods allow, progress on the start up - but we are to plan at present with restart of shipping early April. Peter N Scale Kits
I think it's great. We got N Scale Kits here, and even Alan Curtis himself as a "consultant" , as well as the new owner of DeLuxe Innovations and a few other manufacturers as well (BLMA, etc). It's a great community we have here! Atlas already has their own forum, which nearly everyone here is on...I'd sure like to see some Athearn , Intermountain and Kato folks find their way here!
I wanted the right person to take over my kits to ensure the quality continued and that the line was developed. Peter is very enthusiastic and has plans to visit shows here in the UK and also in the USA. He is also very keen to develop new models. I will be doing the development work and pattern making for one I have been thinking about for some time, so it will now come to fruition. He only lives about one hour's drive from me so I can assist if necessary. (I like the word "Consultant") I hope you will support him as you supported me over the years.
I would recommend going to the N Scale Collectors Conventions. Huge crowd of N Scale modellers there, many N Scale manufacturers there. Great show, great time.
ATSF Welded Rail Cars would be a great kit I think. I'm still working on my Alan order. It's great news that I will be able to get the Well Cars after all.
Other cars for development? Thank you Steve An interesting set of cars - not sure about its commercial possibilities - especially as the sets seem to run in MoW consists, so there will need to be some collaboration with other people. Or am I misreading my initial research. What do folks think? Any other suggestions? Regards Peter peter@nscalekits.com
American welded rail cars travel in unit trains the length of a stick of rail. This can be VERY long! http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=87973 http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=96956 http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=72396 http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=60569 Looks like the "racks" are just stuck onto old flat cars, similar to what you already produce. Then again, you could sell the flat car separately, widening the base. Producing a train that requires the modeler to buy at least several dozen cars is not necessarily a bad business opportunity! :teeth: I would get one! (train that is, probably 24 cars)
Many different railroads had several sets. Anyone who wouldn't get at least one would be crazy. You could make a couple different cast flatcar styles, and each kit could include different heights of racks sold in sets of five maybe. If they were cast in pewter, they should be heavy enough to actually be loaded with either a low code rail, or Plastastruct I beams. I'd buy a bunch, BN, SF, UP styles please. Thanks Peter for at least considering it.
Welded rail flats on UP (Price Canyon, UT) I saw one of these for the first time last week during a visit to Utah. Wish I'd taken more pictures of it, but here's one: --Bryan
I would be in for the rail cars. If you figure 1000ft, 50ft per car, that's 20 cars. A little modelers license let's call it 18 cars...three 6-packs of cars. The key would be producing n-scale "rail" out of some very flexible material. One modeler built a train in n-scale and laminated some styrene strips to simulate the rail. Real n-scale nickel-silver rail will not work.
