New Manufacturer

[BigDaddy]

Saw this on another site.  https://www.prototypejunction.com/

They say they will not be producing any USRA boxcars.  I don't think they have an actual product yet, but are planning something called the ATSF BX 11,12,13 extended height boxcar.  They will be going to some of the major train shows in the coming year.

Arrowhead was sort of a flash in the pan, a hopper and wheels and then not much, but I realize it's only one guy, who probably has a real job to make ends meet.

 

[drciesel]

BigDaddy

Arrowhead was sort of a flash in the pan, a hopper and wheels and then not much, but I realize it's only one guy, who probably has a real job to make ends meet.

 

 

I don't believe Arrowhead was or is  a "Flash-in-the-Pan."  Mr. Hadfield is pretty much a single owner/operator, but he has provided clues of a new forthcoming product and has indicated that an ACF 4600cf hopper will be next after that.

As a (very) small business with I suspect quite limited capitalization, he needs to generate income from the "committee design" hoppers before investing in all new tooling.  The hoppers, although premium priced, are the best plastic freight car models I have ever seen.

[riogrande5761]

I would say it's too early to count Arrowhead out.  It's true the closure of AFFA has probably delayed additional projects.  Why Trainworx is only now finally shipping product after a long delay due to the same Chinese factory shutdown.

[BigDaddy]

riogrande5761

I would say it's too early to count Arrowhead out.

You guys are right I was too harsh and underestimating the difficulty in starting up from scratch.

[SeeYou190]

BigDaddy

planning something called the ATSF BX 11,12,13 extended height boxcar. 

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I believe these modified boxcars are already done by Westerfield. I hope they do their market research and make sure there is enough demand before producing something that might have an already satisfied market.

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-Kevin

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[riogrande5761]

BigDaddy

 

riogrande5761

I would say it's too early to count Arrowhead out. 

You guys are right I was too harsh and underestimating the difficulty in starting up from scratch.

I know Blaine is very passionate about offering accurate model replica's and he has a lot of past experience having worked for ExactRail for many years.  In Arrowheads case, the closure of AFFA came at a bad time, just has he was launching his first major HO freight car offering.  Knowing Blaine, he has been hard at work on additional model projects but doesn't announce until the product is finished and soon to be available to purchase.

The first project, the committee desighned hopper, was a very nice model and all are now sold out.  I availed myself of all 24 D&RGW numbers and even picked up a few more before they were all gone.  We know that Blaine has announced an Arrowhead CF4600 hopper that should be out later this year, and possibly something else before then.

Keep your ear to the rail; we may be seeing something in the coming months.

[rrinker]

SeeYou190

 

 

BigDaddy

planning something called the ATSF BX 11,12,13 extended height boxcar. 

 

 

.

I believe these modified boxcars are already done by Westerfield. I hope they do their market research and make sure there is enough demand before producing something that might have an already satisfied market.

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-Kevin

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 Injection molded plastic, not resin, so easier to assemble, and also it says they will offer RTR. Given the leanings of the hobby, the RTR will probably be very appealing, I don;t think there's much overlap to someone with the skill and patience to build Westerfield kits and someone who would buy RTR. Also I checked the Westerfield list, they have BX-11/12/13 and a raised roof BX-12 but I don't see anything like the steel side conversion versions.

 If I wanted such a car - I'd pick the kit version, but we are not the majority.

                                        --Randy