Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

GM is ending HO/N licenses for scale vehicles

19320 views
122 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: California & Maine
  • 3,848 posts
Posted by andrechapelon on Friday, September 20, 2013 1:32 PM

Train Modeler

The big difference between Ford, Chrysler and GM is that the government owns GM.

Note, I only read about 5 of the comments, sorry if I'm repeating.

Richard

Actually, no it doesn't. Gummint ownership of GM stock has fallen to 7.3% of outstanding shares.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130917/AUTO0103/309180017/

Which kind of begs the question, what does that have to do with the original post?

 

Andre

 

It's really kind of hard to support your local hobby shop when the nearest hobby shop that's worth the name is a 150 mile roundtrip.
  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: South Carolina
  • 1,719 posts
Posted by Train Modeler on Friday, September 20, 2013 1:21 PM

The big difference between Ford, Chrysler and GM is that the government owns GM.

Note, I only read about 5 of the comments, sorry if I'm repeating.

Richard

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sliver City,Mich.
  • 708 posts
Posted by Catt on Friday, September 20, 2013 12:22 PM

"Time to let this thread die again"Thumbs Down

Why if you don't like reading it don't read it.Big Smile

Johnathan(Catt) Edwards 100 % Michigan Made
  • Member since
    January 2013
  • From: PA
  • 481 posts
Posted by Schuylkill and Susquehanna on Thursday, September 19, 2013 9:09 PM

The original post is from 2005!

Based on current availability of GM licensed HO and N cars, I'd say that this worked out just fine.  Time to let this thread die again.

S&S

 

Modeling the Pennsy and loving it!

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Thursday, September 19, 2013 8:51 PM

Adelie

GM sold EMD in 2005 and I would guess the marketing/intellectual property rights went with EMD. I think they are owned by a subsidiary of Caterpillar these days.

It was a brilliant move, really.  GM opted to sell off something that was running in the black to get cash to prop up operations that were hopelessly hemorrhaging money.

 
But let it be said that when GM did own and run EMD the GM sense of public relations applied.  As a boy I wrote to EMD basically saying "send me information on all your locomotives I especially like the F-3."  This would have been in the 1960s and my best engine was a Varney F-3.  EMD replied promptly with superb  SCALE drawings of the then new GP35, GP40, SD40, and SD 35, together with those spectacular color painting ads that they ran in the mid 1960s in Trains and Railway Age magazines, and a typed note said basically the F3 has been out of production for many years and this is the best we can do -- a very decent drawing of the F3 and its interior. 
 
Interestingly the GP40 drawing was very early or even pre production.  A friend of mine is building a 1"=1' version of that engine to run at a local "live steam" railway park, and he was astounded when I could supply him with that drawing. 
 
Dave Nelson
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Santa Fe, NM
  • 1,169 posts
Posted by Adelie on Thursday, September 19, 2013 7:32 PM

GM sold EMD in 2005 and I would guess the marketing/intellectual property rights went with EMD. I think they are owned by a subsidiary of Caterpillar these days.

It was a brilliant move, really.  GM opted to sell off something that was running in the black to get cash to prop up operations that were hopelessly hemorrhaging money.

- Mark

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • 384 posts
Posted by Redore on Thursday, September 19, 2013 7:05 PM

By the way, I'm anxiously awaiting the day that 3D scanners and printers come down in price and I can make any d*** model car or truck I want.

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • 384 posts
Posted by Redore on Thursday, September 19, 2013 7:01 PM

I haven't read through all this thread, but what about all those other GM products we have a lot of.  Is this the end of F7's, GP 9's, and SD40's?  May as well kill the hobby.

I'd swear off GM cars and trucks, but I've already done that.  They made lousey trucks 15 years ago.  That's another story for another place.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, September 19, 2013 4:59 PM

Geared Steam

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

brothaslide
I guess we'll be running a lot of Fords on our scale highways.

That's OK with me, that's what I drive in real life too.

Government Motors iswelcome to keep their stuff.

Sheldon

Ford fans are the ones that trade in every 5 years, GM guys drive ours for 20 (because we can) Laugh

That's funny, my 2000 F-150 (13 years old) just turned over 200,000 miles, is not all rusty like a Chevy truck, and runs great, just getting broke in.

Question - number one selling vehicle in the world? Ford F-150 pickup.

I drove Chevys for years, until front wheel drive came along. Chevy does not even make a car to compete with this:

Big car comfort, all wheel drive, 360 HP, 360 lb ft torque, twin turbos, same engine as a Ford Taurus SHO, easy entry and exit for us old people, plenty of room for those trips to the train show, blue tooth, navigation, adjustable pedals. memory seats, leather seats, 20" rims, 390 watt audio, rear view camera, etc, etc, and 26 MPG highway.

Been driving Fords for 20 years, never got rid of one in only 5 years  - except for a crash.

But what do I know?

Sheldon

 

    

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: West Australia
  • 2,217 posts
Posted by John Busby on Thursday, September 19, 2013 7:21 AM

One interesting story I heard

Was a train manufacturer that ran foul of one of the railway company's for producing its trains livery on the correct model of train.

So they just said shove it and stopped producing it, they produce a lot of other company's trains using the same moulds because they are correct models. and they sell well

The rail company that jacked up is now bust must have had to spend all there money on advertising

No body has thought of all the free advertising the hobby industry can and in all probability does produce.

I think the fair usage argument has some merit our models look like a given car but they are not one hundred  precent copies 

You can't drive one into town to do the shopping for the week.

Some claim model making is an art form that's fair usage is it not

regards John

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Thursday, September 19, 2013 3:01 AM

Geared Steam

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

brothaslide
I guess we'll be running a lot of Fords on our scale highways.

That's OK with me, that's what I drive in real life too.

Government Motors iswelcome to keep their stuff.

Sheldon

Ford fans are the ones that trade in every 5 years, GM guys drive ours for 20 (because we can) Laugh

Geared Steam,

Just My Two cents,,,,,,,,Are you one of the guy's,that gets a Antique Ford body,puts a Chevy motor in it,with a Ford rear end??Whistling

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 918 posts
Posted by Kyle on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 9:38 PM
Geared steam, my uncle has the first model year of the Expidition, and it runs great, not to mention the fact that it is still comfortable. I admit Ford ha gone a bit down in quality since them, but they are still fine. If you look around in certain areas, there are these old ford trucks still running tough, some people have the several ford trucks in their drive way, a newer one and a older one. Though I do admit, my other uncle has a Chevy silverado that runs fine, and is a 74 I think, not sure. Personally, I would like to have a diverse lay out, and not have the same cars everywhere,
  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Big Blackfoot River
  • 2,788 posts
Posted by Geared Steam on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 6:34 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

brothaslide
I guess we'll be running a lot of Fords on our scale highways.

That's OK with me, that's what I drive in real life too.

Government Motors iswelcome to keep their stuff.

Sheldon

Ford fans are the ones that trade in every 5 years, GM guys drive ours for 20 (because we can) Laugh

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 2,314 posts
Posted by don7 on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 2:34 PM

I still see the 1955 Chevys offered by Model Power and a number of 1950 Chev pickups offered.

In fact when this thread was first posted I did buy enough 1955 chevs and 1950 pickups to last me forever, as well as a number of other GM cars such as the 1950's Buick and Caddys as well.

No years later and these are still available............

Then of course there is the Woodland Scenics vehicles, no brand names that look very much like cars that I remember, but without being identified as such

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 11:36 AM

CSX_road_slug

dknelson
...   More on topic, do we know if in fact General Motors followed through on this threat to smaller-than-S models?   I don't follow the scale vehicle market that closely to know.

I recently bought a 1971 Camaro in HO scale; don't remember who the manfacturer was or where I got it from, but it was brand new and I don't remember seeing it back in 2005.

Does,Classic Metals, 40's,50's era, Trucks and Cars count?? they are not a 71 Camaro,,but they surely were put out after 2005 and there are others..Whistling

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Baltimore, MD
  • 1,726 posts
Posted by CSX_road_slug on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 11:20 AM

dknelson
...   More on topic, do we know if in fact General Motors followed through on this threat to smaller-than-S models?   I don't follow the scale vehicle market that closely to know.

I recently bought a 1971 Camaro in HO scale; don't remember who the manfacturer was or where I got it from, but it was brand new and I don't remember seeing it back in 2005.

-Ken in Maryland  (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 11:09 AM

The issue is not General Motors...

More than that I cannot say lest I run afoul of the dictates against politics on this board.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 9:47 AM

maxman

steemtrayn

'bout time this thread got revived.

 
A waste of time.  Let's all do some modeling instead.
 

But other equally old threads insist that we don't do modeling anymore.   More on topic, do we know if in fact General Motors followed through on this threat to smaller-than-S models?   I don't follow the scale vehicle market that closely to know.

Dave Nelson

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 8:22 AM

steemtrayn

'bout time this thread got revived.

 
A waste of time.  Let's all do some modeling instead.
  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Detroit, Michigan
  • 2,284 posts
Posted by Soo Line fan on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 7:40 AM

Jim

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 7:27 AM

brothaslide
I guess we'll be running a lot of Fords on our scale highways.

That's OK with me, that's what I drive in real life too.

Government Motors iswelcome to keep their stuff.

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 2:21 AM

Steemtrayn,

Maybe and Maybe not,,,,,,,,,Some will not look at the date,of the thread and that will be a new beginning,,or so it would appear,to them..Whistling

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    July 2002
  • From: Jersey City
  • 1,925 posts
Posted by steemtrayn on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 11:51 PM

'bout time this thread got revived.

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 918 posts
Posted by Kyle on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 10:58 PM
Sadly, this is the world we live in today, something happens, someone gets hurt, and yea, now they can sue. This I as dumb as saying we aren't making trucks anymore because someone could get run over, or someone could get into a wreck. But sadly that is the world today.
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Lone Star State
  • 404 posts
Posted by bcawthon on Sunday, May 29, 2005 2:41 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by chutton01

I wouldn't mind if they sold stretched late-model Lincolns (yes, I know, not GM - however I could use some limos for a limo garage on my layout).
And you know, I see Ford F350/450/550s (Super Dutys) practically everywhere, hauling, towing, and pulling everything, and rather few Silverados. I think that if they actually started making Japanese models (German models are VERY well covered), plus Ford and Chrysler products, nobody would even notice the lack of late model GM products...
(except Police Car modelers - it seems the Lumina is becoming a Police Standard around these parts (New York/NJ).
Still, to be safe, when this news first came out, I brought 2 late model Boley Top-Kicks, just in case...


Stretch limos would be a neat idea, but it might be easiest to produce the long-wheelbase Lincoln first and let individual modelers work their own magic on a stretch version.

Japanese cars are very interesting, and a topic worth pursuing, but as I mentioned earlier, which ones do you make? Collectors will want things like the Z, model railroaders would rather have Camrys and Accords. Europeans will want something totally different.

To be really honest, my goal at this time is to persuade a couple of modelmakers to begin producing American cars from the 1960s and 1970s. There are plenty of Ford, Mercurys, Plymouths, Dodges, Chryslers and ,yes, Lincolns waiting to make their debut in HO scale.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Saturday, May 28, 2005 9:57 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsf6733

The first post on this thread has got to be the longest in the forum.



Hello BNSF6733,

With all due respect, as I may be reading it wrong, but your comment almost seems like you're taking a "pot shot" at Bill.

Bill Cawthon did something that absolutely exemplifies what this forum is all about...Helping and keeping fellow modelers informed!CaptainThumbs Up

How many model railroaders actually knew about the situation with GM? From what I've read, VERY FEW! Myself included. Even many hobby shop dealers were unaware! Since this forum has members from around the globe, word will travel. I've already posted Bill's info on another forum. Other modelers here will likely do the same.

I'm not putting you down, just suggesting that you read your comment carefully and think how the person that it pertains to might perceive it.

Peace!Cool

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 28, 2005 6:48 PM
The first post on this thread has got to be the longest in the forum.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Rhode Island
  • 2,216 posts
Posted by davekelly on Saturday, May 28, 2005 3:36 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by emeraldisle

PROSECUTE A FEW OF THEM FOR THE DEATHS INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE MONEY GRUBBING ATTORNEYS TO FILE THESE LAWSUITS, AND YOU'LL SEE AN END TO THIS STUPIDITY,


It takes an attorney to prosecute someone. And believe it or not if juries wouldn't give the awards then the "money grubbing attorneys" wouldn't make much on those type cases.
If you ain't having fun, you're not doing it right and if you are having fun, don't let anyone tell you you're doing it wrong.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 3,139 posts
Posted by chutton01 on Saturday, May 28, 2005 3:12 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Leon Silverman

The solution to the 2.25" minimum is to sell "stretched" versions of the smaller cars. The purchaser could then cut out the stretch section out of the middle of the model, glue the remaining halves together, and produce an authentically kitbashed (kit slashed?) model of the real vehicle.

I wouldn't mind if they sold stretched late-model Lincolns (yes, I know, not GM - however I could use some limos for a limo garage on my layout).
And you know, I see Ford F350/450/550s (Super Dutys) practically everywhere, hauling, towing, and pulling everything, and rather few Silverados. I think that if they actually started making Japanese models (German models are VERY well covered), plus Ford and Chrysler products, nobody would even notice the lack of late model GM products...
(except Police Car modelers - it seems the Lumina is becoming a Police Standard around these parts (New York/NJ).
Still, to be safe, when this news first came out, I brought 2 late model Boley Top-Kicks, just in case...

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!