SP-CF Update?

Gang

When I spoke to Ada at Accucraft on Friday afternoon she offered up some specific items:

1] for NHSteamer - None of the CFs would ship until Monday 07 January because they were focused on unloading the container and getting stuff prepared for a Monday ship. So a UPS ground of 6 business days puts it in NH on Monday/Tuesday of Cabin Fever week. You, Ala, and I should be able to triple head. Charles promised to bring a proper SP caboose, and we should have at least 40 or so PFE reefers.

2] Accucraft has established a "wait list" for a second run of CFs. The minimum production run for cost recovery reasons is 25 units. IF they get orders for 50 more, they would probably build them. Money is money, and they are not as AR as the people who ocommision models with Aster. I am sure Aster could have sold another 75 9Fs beyond the 260 produced. That is a separate issue. I don't think Accucraft [as a company] gives a rat's pitute if their locos become "collectable".

3] MY personal understanding, subject to correction by ANYONE with better information: The current production run of CFs was approximately 63 units even though the original number was projected to be only 50. Just look at how many WHR [SAR] 16mm scale NGG16 Garrats have actually been produced, compared to Ian Pearse's original projected prodction of 90 units.

The current MSRP for a LS CF is $6950. That price compares very favorably with the Aster Berk and GN S2 4-8-4 in KIT form. Given the fall of the USD in the world market, and other forces in the Chinese economy [wages, raw material, greed], I would expect the next run to be in the $7700 - $8100 price range. Remember, an Aster Big Boy factory assembeled in 1984 cost $8500 in 1984 USD. Please don't ask why I know this; ask my wife instead. My failure to trade a new VW Rabbit for the Big Boy caused much marital strife, and is a sore subject to this day. She still doesn't have a LS Big Boy. At $8000 the CF is stilll an incredible bargin, although admittedly beyond the reach of many. But that has always been the case and will remain that way.

Charles, instead of seeing whether there are more Shays running at CF than DH [Bob Weltyks (sp?) wish], maybe we shouls see which venue has more CFs in operation.

BTW, all the roof shingles are on the new building, courtesy of Jon K, Scott L, Mike M, and Lee S. Probably won't have the yard tracks in there until the Fall meet.

Cheers

Jim

ALL

Now that my wife Jo Anne has seen the video clips, especially Pete Thornton's, she requested [demanded] that I post the following:
Let it be known that the SP AC-11 Cab Forward is MY engine, not Jim's [aka Dr Rivet], and that he operates MY engine because I
would rather watch it pulling a train than run it myself.

That said, thanks for the nice video and stills.

Cheers

Jim