The Cost Of Modern Rolling Stock...

[Tracklayer]

Hey gang.

Has anyone else noticed how much more the price is of modern rolling stock vs that with built dates of the 70s and 80s?... I've got cars produced by the same companies (InterMountain and Micro-trains) that cost $10.00 or more in price just because they're modern... You would think that old time rolling stock of the 20s and 30s would cost more but it doesn't. Go figure.

Tracklayer 

 

[lvanhen]

Could it be that they are still using molds etc from the '60's & 70's?

[R. T. POTEET]

Tracklayer, I can't really address your issue of price differential based on era and I can't answer for Intermountain because, to be truthful, I haven't really paid an awfully lot of attention to their product line, but I have perceived a marked difference in the modeling/manufacturing philosophy of Atlas and Kadee/Micro-Trains - the reason I said "Kadee" is because this goes back to the days before the Edwards Bros split the company.

Atlas has, over the years, tended to be a new/additional roadnames outfit - they seem to do more recycling of old molds changing their "product line" in the "paint shop." This philosophy works for market share by enabling a modeler the opportunity to increase his quantity of a particular model. I have observed that when Atlas does introduce a new body style there does tend to be an increase in price.

MDC/Roundhouse tended/tends to also be a "paint shop" producer. 

Kadee/Micro-Trains, on the other hand, tends to be more of a "one-off" producer; they certainly do, sometimes, make "second" runs of a particular model and these are sometimes offered with multiple paint schemes, but you seldom see a Micro-Trains ad - nor a "new from . . . . . . . . . ." announcement in the hobby press - announcing new road names. For the benefit of "Kadee collectors" reruns tend to acquire different numbers on the box indicating something other than "first issue" items. Most new entries from Micro-Trains are accompanied with healthy price increases because most have required new tooling. Knowing that their next issued item will, most likely, be something never offered prior everyone awaits the next announcement from Micro-Trains with bated breath. With the latest inflation pressures I think that $30.00 price tags await not too awfully far into the future.

[loathar]

Might have something to do with the molds being made at a time when mold making is more expensive. Even though they're done by CNC and Cad programs now. (you know...those things that are supposed to make them cheaper...)