Years ago I use to buy the large Lionel Trucks with flatbed trailers that were carrying the Lionel rolling stock licensed from Lionel by RMT. I think the RMT back then stood for a different company name such as Ready Made Trucks or something like that. The rolling stock I believe was from old Kusan tooling dies, I ended up with the caboose, tanker, flatcar with helicopter, and Beep, all in the Lionel blue and orange paint scheme with the Lionel name. The tractor and trailers were also in the blue and orange paint scheme.
A new RMT came about after the truck company stopped production. The new RMT abbreviation now stands for Ready Made Trains. When the new RMT started production I picked up the BNSF, Bethlehem Steel, and Ohio Central Beeps. Great little diesels that are terrific for the young grandkids to operate.
I guess through that successful venture, Aristo Craft Trains either merged with or acquired RMT and a whole new selection of O gauge trains has become available. Over the past year or two RMT by Aristo Craft Trains has started using a lot of the K-Line tooling. Depending on which tooling RMT as acquired or leased there could be some really interesting offerings in the coming months or years.
Bill T.
The new "Bangs" are the real deal, Bill. Had the chance to see a few running on various layouts, and with the wide array of paintschemes, they may be the biggest niche product in O since the Mickey Mouse hand-car.
Fifedog, I have 2 of the original K-Line little diesels that RMT used as a starting point on their redesigned Bangs. From what I have heard and seen, RMT has made some dramatic changes in the K-Line switcher. Probably the best unseen change is the regearing of the little 2 motored diesel, the K-Line version was a real jackrabbit, super fast but no slow end gearing.
RMT has been running very aggressive sales for the last 6 weeks. Ran a 2 for 1 sale during December on all their product line that was in stock, locomotives and rolling stock. They must have been stuck with a lot of product that they didn't want to carry over into 2012.
I love the path RMT has been going down over the course of the past year. back in 2009 I bought a PRR beep at the Greenburg train show in NJ. I figured it was $50, so what the heck. I've had more fun with that little engine then some of my much more expensive ones by Lionel of MTH! but even then, I didnt really take RMT seriously as a real toy train company.
Fast forward to several months ago, I started seeing RMT cars in all my local hobby stores, with great road names I realize some of these are old K-Line tooling. I quickly aquired a set of LIRR "Boppers" as they call them.
After a look on their web site, I realized they're really getting into the train market. with the release of their new "Bang" switcher and Ore cas, and the upcoming MP15s, GG1s, and boxcabs, its become clear that in a way, RMT is trying to fill K-lines spot in the market. and I hope they do. K-line had some great stuff that shouldn't become rare or scarce due to being discontinued.
I also really enjoy the subtle things RMT puts into their trains. things like corrosponding road numbers. K-line released LIRR MP15 102 in a heritage livery some years back, RMT announced they're now doing LIRR MP15 104 (also in heritage paint) to go with it, because in reality both do run almost always in pairs and one without the other just isnt right.
As of now I have a a PRR Beep, 2 sets of ore cars (one LIRR and one New York & Atlantic) and a set of "Boppers" in LIRR livery from them. I definetly plan to be on the look out for more of their stuff and cant wait to see how much they grow during the new year.
"No childhood should be without a train!"
This might be a stupid question, but why don't the bangs have windows on both sides of the cab? It looks like they have windows only facing the back.
I have only seen pictures of the Bang but in the pictures you can see windows on both sides of the cab with an engineer sitting at the controls.
The forward looking windows are "molded" shut. Some careful scribes with a hobby knife should open them up. A little clear glazing would finish the job nicely. Wish they would produce an unpainted version.
thanks for the idea Dog. I might give that a shot, I'm in the market for a new switcher.
Have you checked out the track and switches that RMT is selling later this year? Looks like K-Line's snap track in 031.
Yep, part of the K-Line tooling that RMT by Aristo Craft has either purchased or leased. Seems like Aristo Craft wants to be a player in the O Gauge market.
Half of their 2012 catalog is K-Line stuff.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Yep, it is an interesting journey of the K-Line Tooling.
When K-Line went broke they owed big bucks to Sanda Kan
Sanda Kan ended up with K-Line's Tooling as part of the K-Line bankruptcy judgement
Sanda Kan got into financial trouble and was acquired by Kandar Holdings of Hing Kong.
One of the divisions of Kandar Holdings is Bachmann Trains
Bachmann Trains acquires Williams Trains
Williams by Bachmann now has possession of the K-Line tooling via their parent company
RMT / Aristo Craft Trains starts releasing trains & accessories from K-Line tooling.
Either RMT / Aristo Craft Trains either has purchased or leased K-Line tooling from Kandar Holdings.
Interesting scenario, Kandar Holdings has made available to RMT / Aristo Craft Trains with K-line Tooling which would then put them in direct competition with one of their divisions, Williams by Bachmann Trains.
I would not be surprised if Kandar Holdings is manufacturing the trains & accessories for RMT. Kandar Holdings is one of the largest model train manufactures in the world who has done manufacturing for both Lionel and Atlas.
Based on this thread I just looked at RMT's web site.
I'm tempted by the half price sale to get some of their freight cars and hoppers.
I've never physically examined any of their stuff; so I'm wondering about the quality, detail and accuracy.
How would it compare to, say early 50's postwar Lionel, or the later 'scale like' Lionel Standard O? versus cheesier MPC era stuff?
Their shrunken F3's and related passenger cars seem weird or cartoonish to me, so I'm not sure what to expect from the other stuff.
Since they don't accept returns,I thought I should try to get some feedback if possible before taking the plunge.
I'm also tempted to order some of their forthcoming 6464 cars at the two for one price.
runtime
I have some of RMT beer corp hoppers and depressed flat cars with containers or missiles. The rolling stock is of very good quality, die cast trucks, excellent couplers, and excellent paint. These are not scale size cars, I guess the new terminology is Traditional size. They would fit well with Lionel Post War rolling stock and locomotives.
RMT is another New Jersey based train company....gotta like that! (Atlas is there also)
I have 2 of their engines, limited edition CNJ's (Beeps). Love them both. I added an ERR sound cardin one and I absolutely love it even more. I usually run them together (lash up or MU...)and one pulls ok but 2 pull lights out. If I wasn't so bucks down this mont, I'd purchase a few items from them. I'm not much on the Peeps, but at 50% off, the engines are the bargain they originally set out to be. I like the flats and the box cars as well, and in my opinion, mesh well with all my rolling stock.
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Just took the plunge and ordered some Hoppers and some 6464's, based on feedback on this thread.
Hope I will be pleased.
BTW - the sale still seems to be in effect today.
I am guessing you will be pleased, they are excellent traditional size rolling stock.
With the RMT sale continuing they must have had a ton of product going into the Christmas Season. Seems like the list price was very high, the dealers are probably a little miffed at the current 50% off sale from the manufacture.
I just got my order from RMT, and I'm very happy w/ it for the most part. The 70ton ore cars are the same size as a 70ton ore car I have from the late 80's made by Lionel. The boxcar's proportions seem accurate to me, and I like the whimsical details (ie, the pierogie company that "owns" the Jersey Central boxcar I ordered). The Bang S4 runs great, I like the strobe and the directional lights. But the molded windows on the front of the cab are kind of a drag. I thought I could cut them out w/ a hobby knife, as suggested on the board a few posts ago, but there is some circuitry behind those areas, so I don't want to mess w/ it too much. The S4 does have some neat details, too. I would definitely buy merchandise again from RMT.
Just my $0.02.
I would have thought the ore cars would have been larger than Lionel if RMT was using K-Line tooling to manufacture the ore cars. The K-Line and MTH ore cars that I have are both larger than Lionel's ore cars.
I have been an avid Toy Train Operator and Collector since 1946, when my Uncle Joe came home from Europe and bought me a Marx Electric Train set.
When K-Line started manufacturing they did use Marx dies, as well as some Kusan dies. I like both Marx and Kusan as well as other old toy and model train companies.
After seeing Bob's Train Box review of the Beep, I purchased two Beeps from RMT for my Christmas layout in my office at the VAMC and liked them so well, I ordered two more. I called the company and spoke with Walter the President who advised me these are from Kusan dies originally.
RMT has me as a customer from now on!
Talked to Walter yesterday, ordered the Northern Pacific Budd car that was on sale. I plan on running the K-Line Northern Pacific Yellowstone business car behind it for a NP executive train consist.
The K-Line business cars were super nice, I wonder if RMT can get that tooling or if Aristo-Craft has plans for it.
My bad Bill, I wasn't totally accurate on my last post. Looked at them more closely and you are correct, they are slightly wider, but the length is exactly the same. I ran them around a bit and they still fit thru some of the tight spots on my layout (8'x8'). I'm still happy w/ them, though. I have the Delaware & Hudson pair.
My bad Bill, I wasn't totally accurate on my last post.
No problem, I have seen real deal photos of ore cars in action and there were different sizes of those little guys. You can use Lionel's smaller version along with RMT, K-Line, and MTH larger size and they would not be out of place.
Over the past 20 years or so I have collected the Gadsen Pacific ore cars of the Arizona Mines that were contracted out to Lionel to manufacture. A different mine company ore car each year is manufactured.
The newer RMT stuff is actually pretty decent quality. It tends to be on the PW size as far as scale, it's smaller than the new "scale O" from Lionel.
Received my (impulsively) ordered stuff from RMT. Some coal hoppers and some 64 series.
My first impressions:
They are pretty in a modern era plasticy sort of way.
They are nearly identical to '90 vintage lionel cars which I have picked up at auction NIB for 1/3 thew price.
Not sure the 64 series cars are a substitute for the original post war cars. Based on the prices for modern era new stuff at auction, even RMT's sale prices seem much too high; their list prices, given the market, are very unrealistic.
All in all, not sure what this stuff i bought will do for me that stuff I've bought at less than half the price will not do as well (including Lionel Standard O).
Does anyone plan to keep this RMT stuff NIB to preserve it's collector value? Shouid I?
I seriously doubt that any current O Gauge product from any of the manufactures will ever be considered collector value. A few items that were uncataloged or with very limited quantity could potentially be worth more than the original price but those will be few and far between.
I do agree that RMT's listed prices are way over the top and is probably what has been driving their very aggressive price reductions the past 2 months.
K-Line sold the Flat cars and hoppers as S Gauge items with a truck change.
At the current sale price, I am tempted to buy some of the flats and "re truck" them with American Models or S Helper S gauge trucks and couplers.
With the addition of some steps on the corners (bent from ceiltile staples) the flat cars look pretty good on a Flyer layout.
Little Tommy
Not sure how much longer the RMT sales will continue, I see one of their sale promotions is ending today.
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