There is a new company that says they are going to debut a new product. It is run by Blaine Hadfield out of Sheridan, WY. He was at Exact Rail according to other comments I have seen.
What they are producing is mysterious. Their website shows a gondola, with quotes from people lauding the accuracy of their models and mention of a 42' flatcar. The website also says today there will be a big announcement. Stay tuned at 11.
They also produced a couple very short trailers that claim they are producing things that have never done before, and the website says they are a leader in customer experience.
To my mind, that would require a product that is in the hands of customers. What do I know, I'm just a guy at the end of the caboose track.
https://arrowheadmodels.com/
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I'll let what I wrote stand. I have no affiliation with this company, just found them on the internet yesterday and am a bit cynical today. However they have a page that describes their dedication to customer service:
We post about manufactures closing, it seems to me we can post about a new manufacturer, as a news item, not to promote them, per se, but to inform our forum members. If management thinks I am violating the rules about promotion, that was not my intention, please delete these posts.
Good to hear of a new startup; now they need to get some product out to us modelers and prove what they are claiming. It was not so long ago that Rapido and Exactrail were at the same stage in operations, and look at them now.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
BigDaddy The website also says today there will be a big announcement. Stay tuned at 11.
The website also says today there will be a big announcement. Stay tuned at 11.
From what I hear, it's noon, not 11.
But which time zone?
Anyway, all will be revealed.
Ed
BigDaddy What they are producing is mysterious. Their website shows a gondola, with quotes from people lauding the accuracy of their models and mention of a 42' flatcar. The website also says today there will be a big announcement. Stay tuned at 11. They also produced a couple very short trailers that claim they are producing things that have never done before, and the website says they are a leader in customer experience.
From what I understand those quotes about the 42' Flatcar and gondola are from reviews on some of the ExactRail products Blaine developed before he left the company. I actually bought one of those 42' Flatcars from ExactRail after Blaine had left the company and moved to Wyoming, its a good car even if the accurately scaled brake wheel shaft seems fragile (I am afraid I am going to break it off on accident while handling it!).
As for what Blaine's new product is, I have no clue. I have no clue which factory he licensed to build this product either. I have been hearing bits and speculation down the grapevine as to what it is, but nothing solid yet.
Blaine runs the Prototype Modelers meet in Evanston, so I might meet him there in September and learn abit more about his new product line during that.
It is a 3 bay hopper. I'm not savvy enough to know what makes it different from other common hoppers.
Video of announcement on the Arrowhead website: https://arrowheadmodels.com/pages/videos
Regard, Volker
Here are the available models: https://arrowheadmodels.com/collections/shop
For me it's not clear if the painted models are RTR or kits. The undecorated models are kit but cost just $0.45 less than the painted.
If painted models were RTR that cast an interesting light on the discussion about producing cheaper kits.
BigDaddyStay tuned at 11.
That's what the local TV stations say about the weather or anything else at 6 pm to get you to tune it at night.
Interesting that it is a composite of styrene and brass. Nothing in their website would lead you to believe they were aiming for the low end of the market.
I asked on their Facebook page about RTR vs Undec. The decorated models are RTR and the price on the Undec is a typo.
It was supposed to be the same price However they said they won't change it, so freelancers get your order in.
I asked the question and they answered, while I was typing this post, so they are attentive.
BigDaddyI asked on their Facebook page about RTR vs Undec. The decorated models are RTR and the price on the Undec is a typo. It was supposed to be the same price Crying However they said they won't change it, so freelancers get your order in.
I haven't found anything on their facebook site, but I'm not a member.
In one sentence you say the kit's price is a typo, in the next they won't change it.
So what will the pricing be for the kits, did they say? Their website still shows $48.50 per undecorated kit.Regards, Volker
They will honor the $48.50 as I understand the following reply to my pm question.
"Thank you for pointing this out. No, that is actually a mistake on part. Undecorated kits are meant to be the same price as the RTR versions, but I won't change it now."
Thanks, I misunderstood completely.
I thought, the kits were intended to be less expensive. Now your former post makes sense.Regards, Volker
There is a picture of a three bay ribbed side hopper on the website.
.
It looks good.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
The Rio Grande car is the only western version offered by Arrowhead in this run and it represents a Bethlehem series built for the D&RGW in 1966. They look exquisite! I think Blaine has a winner hear.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I'm guessing these are HO, as scale seems to not be mentioned on the Shop page or anywhere else that is prominent.
Nice cars, a little out of my budget right now, but looks to be worth it.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
mlehman I'm guessing these are HO, as scale seems to not be mentioned on the Shop page or anywhere else that is prominent. Nice cars, a little out of my budget right now, but looks to be worth it.
Yes they are HO, it only seems to bementioned in their video announcement.
Looks very nice, but too new for my 1954 era.
Sheldon
VOLKER LANDWEHR Video of announcement on the Arrowhead website: https://arrowheadmodels.com/pages/videos Regard, Volker Here are the available models: https://arrowheadmodels.com/collections/shop For me it's not clear if the painted models are RTR or kits. The undecorated models are kit but cost just $0.45 less than the painted. If painted models were RTR that cast an interesting light on the discussion about producing cheaper kits.
As one who buys a lot of undecorated kits for my freelance ATLANTIC CENTRAL, I can tell you that high detail undecorated kits are not less expensive by any real measure than their RTR counterparts.
So making a decorated kit would not be less expensive either.
The problem with high detail kits is that careful packing and quality control of many small pieces into the kit box is similar in labor cost to full assembly.
This has been true ever since the first Proto2000 freight car kits, or Branchline passenger cars for example.
That hopper is a very nicely-done model, and, in my opinion, at a very good price for what's being offered. Unfortunately, it's too modern for my late '30s-era layout.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL...As one who buys a lot of undecorated kits for my freelance ATLANTIC CENTRAL, I can tell you that high detail undecorated kits are not less expensive by any real measure than their RTR counterparts....
I certainly agree with that, Sheldon. There are probably less than a dozen r-t-r cars on my layout, and most of those have been customised in some manner. The majority of the kit-built cars are from shake-the-box type of kits, although I do tend to shake a little more vigourously than some.
For highly detailed cars, such as those from Exactrail or Rapido, I tend to favour kits, mostly because there are improvements which can be made that make the cars less liable to damage through handling, as my rolling stock cycles on- or off-layout, and back into their boxes at various intervals.Like Sheldon, most of those cars are for either my free-lanced home roads or for prototypes not offered by the manufacturer.
I'll definitely be keeping an eye on Arrowhead Models to see what future releases might be suitable for my operating era.
Wayne
ATLANTIC CENTRALAs one who buys a lot of undecorated kits for my freelance ATLANTIC CENTRAL, I can tell you that high detail undecorated kits are not less expensive by any real measure than their RTR counterparts.
I have just looked up Intermountain kits. They are all $19.95 unpainted and undecorated. The RTR assembled models are between $30 and $40.
That is what I'd expext. For painted and decorated kits I accept that there is no or almost no price difference between kit and RTR as painting and printing is a high cost factor on the models.
But manufacturers can rightly price their models as they see fit, sometimes perhaps out of the market.Regards; Volker
Intermountain does seem to be the exception, and it may actually have to do with the fact that their injection molding is done in the USA, but RTR assembly is in China. Maybe they have a shipping advantage by packing the kits here.
Intermountain is not the only exception. Look at Walthers Proto 2000. Their RTR cars are $10+ more expensive than their Timesaver kits.Regards, Volker
I was hoping for something a bit different. Not sure what. They do look nice though.
VOLKER LANDWEHRI have just looked up Intermountain kits. They are all $19.95 unpainted and undecorated. The RTR assembled models are between $30 and $40.
Yes, Intermountain advertises $20.00 kits, but they are rarely available. The undecorated refrigerator cars have been unavailable for 2+ years. Talking to the guys from Intermountain at the National Train Show 2017 they said they were going to release more undecorated kits, but I have not seen it.
VOLKER LANDWEHRIntermountain is not the only exception. Look at Walthers Proto 2000. Their RTR cars are $10+ more expensive than their Timesaver kits.
Yes, but again, where are they available? I have not seen a Timesaver Proto 2000 undecorated kit anywhere in years.
If you can't get them, the price does not matter. They might as well be $8.00 each if they are always on backorder.
The only reliable sources for upper tier well detailed undecorated kits are Kadee and Tichy. Everyone else is spotty or rare.
At the prices of current undecorated plastic we might as well buy Westerfield or Yarmouth. Resin kirs are more unique anyway. You can get brass freight cars on the used market for around $100.00, so that is an option as well.
However, I do applaud Arrowhead for making this available as an undecorated kit. Unfortunately, like Sheldon and Wayne, it is just too modern for me.
SeeYou190 Yes, Intermountain advertises $20.00 kits, but they are rarely available. The undecorated refrigerator cars have been unavailable for 2+ years. Talking to the guys from Intermountain at the National Train Show 2017 they said they were going to release more undecorated kits, but I have not seen it. .. Yes, but again, where are they available? I have not seen a Timesaver Proto 2000 undecorated kit anywhere in years. -Kevin
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That is not the question. My question is, if it is justified that the price for highly detailed, undecorated, unpainted kit is the same as for the same car as painted and decorated assembled model. I have my doubts but it is the manufacturer's decision.
My two examples show that the prices need not necessarily be the same as Sheldon suggests.
I wouldn't buy a kit at that price. Regards, Volker
VOLKER LANDWEHR Question is, if it is justified that the price for highly detailed, undecorated, unpainted kit is the same as for the same car as painted and decorated assembled model. I have my doubts but it is the manufacturer's decision. I wouldn't buy a kit at that price. Regards, Volker
Knowing Mr Hadfield I expect he has done a great deal of research at his target market. Based on what you said, I'd guess you are not what he is aiming at, nor any one else who is put off by the price. To some a BMW isn't worth it, but I see an aweful lot of them around here on the roads. Just saying...
VOLKER LANDWEHRMy two examples show that the prices need not necessarily be the same as Sheldon suggests.
For my needs, price really does not matter. What I need are kits. I hate RTR cars because they never meet my standards (except for Fox Valley), and I need to re-kit a RTR car if I buy one.
Every kit I build gets Kadee trucks and couplers (+$11.00), custom paint and decals (+$10.00), and non-magnetic weights. To obtain the car I want, I will gladly by a $60.00 Yarmouth kit, $50.00 Westerfield kit, or even a $90.00 Sunshine kit from eBay. I would prefer simpler plastic kits, but there are not that many available.
Tichy makes quite a few nice freight car kits in the sub $20.00 range that build into beautiful models. These are always readily available and easy to obtain.
My freight car fleet is my love, my pride, and my pleasure. I know that is not normal, but it is me. Freight cars are center stage, with passenger cars and locomotives playing supporting roles.
I will gladly pay the same price as a RTR car to get the undecorated kit I want.
However, the 2-3 cars I will buy is not enough for a manufacturer to justify offering these. So, like I said, I am very thankful Arrowhead made these kits an option even though I will not be buying one.
riogrande5761 VOLKER LANDWEHR Question is, if it is justified that the price for highly detailed, undecorated, unpainted kit is the same as for the same car as painted and decorated assembled model. I have my doubts but it is the manufacturer's decision. I wouldn't buy a kit at that price. Regards, Volker Knowing Mr Hadfield I expect he has done a great deal of research at his target market. Based on what you said, I'd guess you are not what he is aiming at, nor any one else who is put off by the price. To some a BMW isn't worth it, but I see an aweful lot of them around here on the roads. Just saying...
I'm not put off by the price of the RTR model. It looks like it is worth is. The equal price for the unpainted, undecorated kit puts me off. Here I have the feeling the manufacturer is taking advantage of the kit builders, compared to different price structure of other companies.
Usually you buy your BMW assembled I think. Otherwise, from spare parts, it gets even more expensive in proportion to the Arrowhead kit.Regards, Volker
VOLKER LANDWEHRUsually you buy your BMW assembled
I can absolutely 100% guarantee you that if you could buy a kit of an automobile it would cost at least double of the RTR version.
I once got a quote for a kit to finish and assemble my own Fender Stratocaster, Good Golly! It was almost triple an assembled off-the-shelf model with the same features!
SeeYou190For my needs, price really does not matter. What I need are kits. I hate RTR cars because they never meet my standards (except for Fox Valley), and I need to re-kit a RTR car if I buy one.
Then you are in a lucky position that many here, like me, don't share. As I said I wouldn't buy the kit at this price.
We all have different needs, preferences, and financial capabilities.Regards, Volker
user="VOLKER LANDWEHR I'm not put off by the price of the RTR model. It looks like it is worth is. The equal price for the unpainted, undecorated kit puts me off. Here I have the feeling the manufacturer is taking advantage of the kit builders, compared to different price structure of other companies. Regards, Volker
Regards, Volker
Based on what I quoted of your post, I was talking about the undec Arrowhead kit. Arrowhead isn't aiming the undec kit at customers like you would be my guess here.
Maybe the BMW comment sent everyone down a rabbit trail it looks like. Focus please.
I can see that this thread is going to get merged with the "This hobby is too expensive" thread.
We all have our price points for cars, beer, trains and women.
I have a cousin who owns a winery and he charges high dollars for his wine, because some people think a more expensive wine must be a better wine. He can only produce X bottle of wine per year. If he can sell them at $70 each, why would he want to sell them at $50.
That probably isn't the case here, but we aren't entitled to buy a super detailed car for the price of an Accurail or Tichy car. Buy it or not. The good news is that even if you aren't going to buy a car in this price range, it still raises the bar for detail lower priced cars.