[rwjenkins]

Of course, it's easy to point out that Accucraft UK tends to go for smaller engines than their American counterparts, it's also important to remember that while something the size of a USRA Pacific (or a Southern Pacific P-8, coming eventually to an Accucraft dealer near you) would be considered relatively small compared to all the 4-8-4s and articulateds, it would be considered a BIG engine for much of Accucraft UK's market. By UK standards, the A1, A4, and Merchant Navy are all very large engines.

One thing I have noticed though, is that the UK models seem to follow a philosophy of producing beautiful, well-detailed models that are ruggedly simple in the mechanical department. While we over here are demanding things like cross-ported D valves, fully functioning valve gear, axle pumps, metering lubricators, etc. etc., over there they are merrily producing two-cylinder models of three-cylinder Pacifics with slip-eccentrics, that by all accounts run very well. My GWR 2-6-2T, beautiful engine, love it to bits, but no frills under the hood (er, bonnet); unsprung drivers, Ruby-style piston-valve reversing. And that's great, it keeps the cost down while allowing them to produce attractive, moderately-sized locomotives that run well and apparently sell well too. Of course it also helps that the generally clean lines of British locomotives mean that fewer bells and whistles (quite literally in the case of the bells) are needed to make a "well-detailed" model too.

Would that kind of philosophy work in the US market? Hard to say, the 1:29 stuff seemed to go that route, smaller prototypes (4-6-2, 0-6-0, 0-4-0), simpler mechanics, lower price point, and that seems to have been maybe not quite the success they were hoping for. I suspect, however that it might say more about the 1:29 market than it does about the AML locomotive design and pricing strategy. 1:29 as a scale seems to be more geared towards modern era modelers and those who just like to run toy trains, who simply don't have either the interest or the budget to splurge on a live steamer, even a well-detailed one that squeaks in under four digits (barely).

 

[BigRedOne]

I certainly echo what Graham posted. However, Cliff and I are both quite envious on the success Accucraft UK, Accucraft Australia (Argyle Loco), and MBV Schug (Germany) have enjoyed with their recent releases -- most have all “sold out” very quickly! Meanwhile, our U.S. warehouse still has small stocks of Pennsy T-1 class 4-4-4-4s, UP “Big Boy” 4-8-8-4s, and a few others. In this and most any product related business, healthy cash flow is crucial in providing the necessary capital to invest in new product development. The more items sitting in our warehouse means less $$$ available to invest in new models.

At my income, products closer to $10,000 are going to be very rare purchases. That calls for saving money, and for awhile. Not only would I have to aspire to ownership of a specific locomotive, I would need to maintain that aspiration long enough to amass the savings, and not have something urgent come up in that time. And the product would still have to be available when I was able to buy it - meaning, inventory is an investment in securing a sale.

Are appropriate rolling stock available, and at a price and quality which look good and run well with the locomotive? Examples, the German BR 45 class would have a huge selection of rolling stock from Marklin's range. A Big Boy should (might?) get interest due to the restoration underway, and a modeler could create a train using period freight cars or a modern excursion train. Probably the 1:32 smoothside passenger cars are a good fit for the latter. Me, I like the H8 myself - but butane as an only option ???

Less expensive models, like the Merchant Navy or Pennsylvania 4-4-2, are closer to something I can buy and still be able to pay the credit card bill, so more likely to happen on impulse. (Impulse requires inventory.)

I'm curious to see what the Pennsy models look like, and actual prices (both the E6 and M1.) Yes, seeing before committing to purchase. In person. At a show.

 

[JoelB]

the UK models seem to follow a philosophy of producing beautiful, well-detailed models that are ruggedly simple in the mechanical department

True statement for many Accucraft UK offerings, but I'd argue (gently) that my Accucraft Countess is a pretty sophisticated model -- it scales out to within fractions of a millimeter of the prototype and is loaded with detail. Best of all, it defies accepted wisdom by combining scale fidelity with flawless running. Even though I'm moving to 1:13.7 (and have a Bagnall on order), I'm keeping the Countess just because of its performance. No surprise that the most recent re-issue of this engine has sold out, and quickly.

In my view, Graham's remark on backing winners is really the key. AC UK have a well-defined, two-tier strategy and have made wise choices with well-loved prototypes for their higher-end models. I'm sure that's a bit of an over-simplified, rosy-tinted view, but they haven't put a foot wrong yet.

 

[rwjenkins]

In my view, Graham's remark on backing winners is really the key. AC UK have a well-defined, two-tier strategy and have made wise choices with well-loved prototypes for their higher-end models.

Oh, absolutely, I was just exploring another piece of the puzzle. What they seem to offer are the right engines at the right prices, put those things together and you get success.

Admittedly, I'm a little guilty of generalizing in what I posted earlier, and lumping the G1M offerings into that generalization too. Not that there's anything wrong with rugged simplicity anyway. As I said, they seem to run well and the price is right, certainly nothing wrong with that!

Would that be equally applicable here? Probably not. For example, using a simplified two-cylinder mechanism for a three-cylinder Pacific seems to work in the UK market, but I'm not sure how it would fly here if Accucraft (USA) was to produce something like a UP 9000 4-12-2 or (probably more likely) a Southern Pacific "Stuttering Deck" 4-10-2, using only two cylinders instead of three, when having three cylinders is one of the things that made the prototypes unique, and the three-cylinder exhaust cadence was one of their hallmarks. For that matter, a two-cylinder Pennsy Duplex would theoretically have been possible with inside gearing between the #2 and #3 axles, and I doubt that would have been very well-received, although it could have probably shaved a pretty significant amount off the price tag. On the other hand, something like a Baldwin catalog shortline 2-8-0 or logging Mikado, following the AML engineering and pricing model but in 1:32 scale, might have mass appeal? Just a thought.

 

[Accucraft UK]

Thank you for some of the above comments, nice to occasionally get positive feedback! We (Accucraft UK) are not afraid of big machines (think of the NGG16 and NG15) and may return to some of these designs in future. If we had a 'slow seller' it was the NG15 of which we have only, thus far, made one batch; it may be that when the WHR recommission one of theirs that we will run the model again, maybe in two variants, one with the 'Kalahari' tender, the other with the WHR tender - what do you think?

Graham.

 

[JoelB]

The NG15's a magnificent locomotive, but it's been a bit overshadowed by the NGG16, in my opinion. First off, there are no NG15's that I know of that have been restored and are running outside of South Africa, so there's not the same visibility as the bigger engines have enjoyed in Wales. And let's face it, there's something unique and intangibly attractive about Garratts.

That said, I'd bet that part of what moved Garratt models off dealers' shelves was that they were offered in WHR liveries. If you were going to reintroduce the NG15, I'd suggest doing the same -- that is, offer one in WHR trim (to include the revised tender) at around the same time as a restored engine is being put into service.

My two cents' worth, at any rate.

 

[David Fletcher]

There are two really cool NG 15s in preservation in Perth WA. One is currently in working order. It is painted up in original SA colours and lettering. They even have a driving training program you can do on this loco!

David.

 

[rwjenkins]

Another South African narrow gauge prototype that might have broader appeal is the NG-10 4-6-2, since there's also one of those running in Wales (Brecon Mountain Railway no. 2), dressed up in the style of a Maine narrow gauge locomotive.

 

[zubi]

Another South African narrow gauge prototype that might have broader appeal is the NG-10 4-6-2, since there's also one of those running in Wales (Brecon Mountain Railway no. 2), dressed up in the style of a Maine narrow gauge locomotive.

Not to mention the replicas of the SR&RL Forney #10 and the SR&RL 2-6-2 #23 which are both being built at Brecon Mountain shops in Pant. Their engine #2, a 4-6-2 Pacific NG10 is a beautiful locomotive, restored to pristine condition. I discussed this engine with Ian Pearse a few years ago. However, he thought that there is not enough market for this model. Well, I hope he was not right. Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

 

[Phippsburg Eric]

I would get excited about either of those Maine prototypes! Scaled for two foot track they could be 7/8th scale...number 23 would be huge...perhaps as big as anything Accucraft has built to date...it could also be scaled to fit O gauge at 1:19 which would be more reasonable. They may not have broad appeal though at least in this country, though there are a good few die hard Maine two foot fans.

In general, I am in favor of more moderate sized models...perhaps priced so more people would afford them. Less specialized, more common type of engines suitable to more different prototype railways. Smaller would also be suitable to more backyard railways. If more are built, the design and tooling can be cheaper per copy, thus the model cheaper.

Perhaps a family of moderate sized engines with inter changeable details that can be used out of the box or customized. The detailed parts can be a profit center too.

 

[zubi]

Eric, strictly speaking, they are not 2 footers. Brecon Mountain uses 1 ft 11 ³⁄₄ foot;-)!! The only reasonable models are 1:19 scale. These are large engines. I have the Forney #10 built by Gordon of Argyle fame. It is a large and heavy model in 1:19. This will be Brecon Mountain #4 in the future. Both Brecon Mountain #2 and #3 (SR&RL#23) would be huge! Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

 

[Phippsburg Eric]

The WW&F museum also has plans to build a Two foot gauge Baldwin Forney Replica Be fun to see these two new engines come to life!

 

[East Broad Top]

At my income, products closer to $10,000 are going to be very rare purchases. That calls for saving money, and for awhile. Not only would I have to aspire to ownership of a specific locomotive, I would need to maintain that aspiration long enough to amass the savings, and not have something urgent come up in that time.

In my house, I'd have to add the mandatory contribution to the divorce attorney fund, because I'd need one if I spent that much money on a loco. That, and be my luck Allison would get the loco in the settlement. Some roads are best left untraveled.

All kidding aside, that same thought pattern is true for most folks even looking at locos in the $2K - $4K range. These aren't small purchases. Families with school-age kids have a ton of other expenses to keep up with, and putting together that kind of money for a "toy" instead of a family vacation or something that benefits the whole family is a tough sell. And if one was to pull off such a coup, the next similar purchase had better be sparkly and fit her finger.

Locos in the $1K range are a little easier to justify for those in my situation. I keep looking at the "Emma," and some of the Forney conversions that have been done. That's right up my alley! Unfortunately, it would require adding another scale, and I refer you to the above note about the need for the divorce attorney. (That, and the 1:20 stuff is taking up enough room already. A proper 1:13 train? I don't even want to think about it!)

The other issue with regard to squirreling a little money away here and there for future purchases is the uncertainty of delivery. Accucraft has lots of products in various stages of development that maybe we'll see next month, maybe next year, maybe who knows?

If I'm saving money for model "A" because it's what I really want, but model "B" comes out in the mean time and it's something I'm interested in, I have a choice to make. Do I spend my saved cash on "B" because it's actually on the shelf and I can physically take possession of it? Where am I if "A" all of a sudden comes available next? Or, do I just stay the course in the sometimes seemingly futile hope that "A" is produced, missing my chance to enjoy some other very fine models in the process?

Later,

K

 

[JoelB]

The other issue with regard to squirreling a little money away here and there for future purchases is the uncertainty of delivery. Accucraft has lots of products in various stages of development that maybe we'll see next month, maybe next year, maybe who knows?

If I'm saving money for model "A" because it's what I really want, but model "B" comes out in the mean time and it's something I'm interested in, I have a choice to make.

I'm in a somewhat similar position myself. I've ordered a 7/8" scale Bagnall, but yesterday I found out that the availability date has been pushed back to December 2015 (which really means some time in 2016) -- perhaps there weren't enough pre-orders and the Bagnall got pushed back in the queue, or maybe the first engineering model wasn't up to snuff and it needs to go back for a re-do.

In the meantime, there are still a few Fairymeads available. It's a very attractive model, although it wasn't my first choice and it doesn't necessarily fit with the prototype I'm modeling (mid-20th century quarry railway). But I can have it now versus waiting for the Bagnall. Can't have both, however.

I suppose if I dither long enough all the Fairymeads will sell out or 18 months will have passed, thus resolving the problem. It's the wait that get under your skin.

 

[JoelB]

On second thought, I'll stop whining and learn to live with the wait. After all, the engineering model of the Accucraft Heisler ran at Diamondhead almost a year ago, and it's likely going to be quite a while longer before anyone takes delivery of one...

 

[Nick Jr]

Question for Accucraft?? Do you have a consignment program? Or maybe I named it incorrectly, where a person or company will guarantee to purchase, and of course provide a substantial deposit, for a determined amount of locomotives to be produced strictly for their sale?
Just a possible conclusion I came to while looking at adds for certain locomotives and comparing that to the locomotives on your adds and the development schedule?

 

[Accucraft UK]

Yes, Nick, we produce commissions for dealers, the GVT tram, Sea Lion, the IoM railcar and the proposed K1 are all examples. Check out the 'Exclusives' page of the UK website.

Graham.

 

[Nick Jr]

Graham, thank you, that clears up the ?'s I had about the conflicts between the web site and the ads I see. I don't see an 'exclusive' category on the US website, can you direct me there?

 

[Accucraft UK]

Nick, I am not sure the US site is set up that way. In future you will start to see a coordinated policy develop to the growing number of international businesses operating within the Accucraft 'family'. The business is growing up and growing globally!

Graham.

 

[Nick Jr]

Graham, thank you, and glad to see Accucraft is growing.