IHC Mehano - Production lines now in China

[don7]

The production of Mehano model railroad items has been transferred to China.

I came across this news on a Euopean Model Railroad forum recently. Apparently production has just started. It will be interesting to see what the quality of this line will be like.

[selector]

If they truly have the wherewithall to effect such a change of venue, and that would have taken some notable capital, I hope they elected to enter the 1990's in terms of model fidelity and detailing at the same time.  Their Premier line was a nice start, all things considered, but they really need to catch up and offer something a bit more realistic than what they were offering lately.  Their drives were fine, as far as my own limited experience goes, but they need to spruce up them engines!

-Crandell

[richg1998]

 Time will tell. Hopefully, no toxic substances in the products.

Rich

 

[Darth Santa Fe]

Moving to China will probably lower production costs, so maybe they'll have the money for some really high quality realistic models. I just hope they don't lower the quality of their drives, which are very smooth runners. Maybe everything will cost less too.

[richg1998]

 I am sure cost will come down. No telling how much.

I do know the Bachmann Spectrum steam made in China have some quality issues with the drives.

I have some of the new Athearn/Roundhouse steam locos that are made in China but have not heard anything negative about them, though they are kind of plain next to the Spectrum's that have some nice details.

One can only hope.

Rich

 

[don7]

Which steam engines are not produced in China other than brass?

[cacole]

Just off the top of my noggin, I can't think of a single model item that went down in price when production was moved to China.  Quite the opposite, many prices went up.

[blownout cylinder]

Hey---part of the reason those prices went up was because of the reinvestment into the new tooling that also took place. After all there is the demand for more detailed-- and prototypically correct details at that--models.

The issue is also that there are some 'hidden' costs to outsourcing that a lot of companies--at least in the area of my interests--are discovering. Things involving increased shipping costs and cultural hinderences/interferences, as well as, currency fluctuations and what all else-----and my favourite issue--depending on who the company is that is doing the outsourced manufacturing---they may be doing another outsourcing of their own

And profit making---------after all, we do hear that companies exist to make money---don't we?

[SteamFreak]

 I hope they either drop the diesel line, or completely retool them. The steamers could use more detail as well, but seeing some of those same old locos fitted with RP25 wheels and blackened metal, there was a vast improvement in their appearance. They certainly fill a niche for beginners who want reliable steam power at a reasonable price, or for those of us who like to upgrade. I have a feeling the price will only climb if they start adding finer detail.

[selector]

Very probably so, Nelson.  And I guess we Canucks can kiss the President's Choice Christmas train sets for a mere CDN$99 goodbye...if they ever produce them again. 

If Mehano were to produce a new set of tooling every 18 months or so, they could have a nice varied line competing with Bachmann Spectrum inside of five or six years.  That may mean some lean years for them, but the cash return would eventually come to them when people could see the effort and the more appealing engines.  If they don't they are just putting off the same inevitability that led them to the events and anxieties of the past 18 months for them.  They really should make a concerted effort to grab a larger and more loyal following. 

My

[don7]

I wonder if the new Mehano will be like the new Rivarossi and focus primarily on the European market and only a minor portion of production aimed to the North American market>

. The first locomotive released by the new company was an European diesel engine.

[blownout cylinder]

don7

I wonder if the new Mehano will be like the new Rivarossi and focus primarily on the European market and only a minor portion of production aimed to the North American market>

. The first locomotive released by the new company was an European diesel engine.

Could very well be. It may be an issue of building up that market because IIRC towards the end of the reorganization there was some talk of concentrating on that market.

Lets just hope----hope being the key word here---that there is a sort diversification happening eventually here----

[Darth Santa Fe]

The price of some Rivarossi stuff went down when they were moved to China. The Italian Allegheny was close to $600, and they dropped to $400 after the move (which was good for me ).

IHC's diesel line isn't as bad as everyone might think. The cheap motor could stand to be replaced with a better one, but the gearing has always been very smooth for me. My C-628, GG-1 (ok, so that one's an electric), and Model Power RS-2 (Mehano made) all run smooth as silk.

[aloco]

The later Mehano diesels (SW1, Alco 1000 switcher, RS-2, GP18, RS-11, C-628, SD40, and dual drive F9) were good runners in the sense that they had flat can motors.  The body shells, by today's standards, leave much to be desired.

[simon1966]

Here is the thread from a year ago that details the decent into bankruptcy,  http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/143410.aspx

I note that the Mehano Slovenian web site is now down, at least I think it is down and all I see is the web hosts page in Slovenian. 

[don7]

I have seen the IHC passenger coach sets but do not have any myself. Who manufactured these for IHC, are they Mehano as well or are they from another source?

What about their building kits, who is the manufacturer?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 

Darth Santa Fe

Moving to China will probably lower production costs, so maybe they'll have the money for some really high quality realistic models. I just hope they don't lower the quality of their drives, which are very smooth runners. Maybe everything will cost less too.

Let's hope they don't try to save more money by cutting back on product quality like so many companies did back in the 70's. Tyco went right to trash quality as did Life-Like's amd Bachmann's standard line. Bachmann's Plus line was marginally better.