Info on the Hornby site suggests that there will be North American passenger cars to be offered soon (in pre-order). It would be sad if Hornby got out of the North American loco market. I think that the Heisler remains a favorite and is somewhat unique on the market. Reliable and durable logging locos have value! I hope they will do limited runs in the future. Their Big Boy was somewhat more accessible for those with lighter wallets - I thought there was a niche there in that market.
Simon
Tinplate ToddlerHowever, Rivarossi seems to have given up the US market, now focussing on Italian and German prototypes.
As a data point, in a Q&A Jason Shron (Rapido) said it cost 2-2.5 X to produce a steam loco vs a diesel, and they don't sell 2 times as many steamers.
I don't claim any expertise in saying what has or has not been produced for the US market. There are many here that can, but filling a niche isn't good enough. A company has to fill a niche where there is high demand.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I thought they re-released the Big Boy sometime last year? Anyhow its a shame that Rivarossi/Hornby have seemingly given up on the US/NA market.
Tinplate Toddler RR_Mel To me Rivarossi dropped off the edge of the Earth in the early 2000s, the Hornby thing in 2004 was worthless. This is simply not true! The Rivarossi brand is thrieving under the Hornby management, after a step up improvement in product quality. However, Rivarossi seems to have given up the US market, now focussing on Italian and German prototypes. From a business point of view not a bad choice - why invest into new tooling for products which are already covered by other manufacturers, sometimes in duplicate or even triplicate?
RR_Mel To me Rivarossi dropped off the edge of the Earth in the early 2000s, the Hornby thing in 2004 was worthless.
This is simply not true! The Rivarossi brand is thrieving under the Hornby management, after a step up improvement in product quality. However, Rivarossi seems to have given up the US market, now focussing on Italian and German prototypes. From a business point of view not a bad choice - why invest into new tooling for products which are already covered by other manufacturers, sometimes in duplicate or even triplicate?
TT
That’s what the guy tried to avoid telling me the last time I talked to Hornby here in the States. After skirting my questions he finally said no more US locomotives under the Rivarossi name, that was about 5 years ago.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
gregc have you searched for NYC J3 Hudson on ebay
have you searched for NYC J3 Hudson on ebay
Not a big fan of buying stuff from Ebay unless necessary, especially for those prices...
RR_MelTo me Rivarossi dropped off the edge of the Earth in the early 2000s, the Hornby thing in 2004 was worthless.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
gmpullman RR_Mel Rivarossi has been defunct for many years. Hornby bought their assets in 2004. There have been a few releases under the Rivarossi name, the GE U-25-Bs come to mind, but I believe these were to be the last North American models produced. Good Luck, Ed
RR_Mel Rivarossi has been defunct for many years.
Hornby bought their assets in 2004. There have been a few releases under the Rivarossi name, the GE U-25-Bs come to mind, but I believe these were to be the last North American models produced.
Good Luck, Ed
Ed
Hornby never did much with Rivarossi. I tried contacting them again about five years ago and only got the run around. There is a fairly new Rivarossi parts site that has some parts.http://www.rivarestore.com/rivarestore_aboutus.php?lang=engTo me Rivarossi dropped off the edge of the Earth in the early 2000s, the Hornby thing in 2004 was worthless.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
RR_MelRivarossi has been defunct for many years.
That's a good question. I've been wondering about that as well, as I've been hunting (unsuccessfully so far) an HO scale FEF-3 that won't break the bank or get snapped up before I can make a bid on it. I know the don't make most of the steamers anymore, (I agree with you, they should re-release some of them. I think Hornby took them over, but why they don't do this makes no sense to me) but even a good source of used models would be nice.
Rivarossi has been defunct for many years. Try eBay for used locomotives. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Has anyone been able to find an online retailer for Rivarossi models? Trainworld and MB Klein don't seem to have any in stock beside some freight cars. Also why hasn't Rivarossi re-released some of their older steam locomotives. They were one of the few to actually produce a NYC J3 Hudson and Milwaukee Road Hiawatha among others.