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Fine Scale Miniatures (price depreciation)

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  • Member since
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  • From: west coast
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Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 7:04 PM

mbinsewi

I just checked out what there is for a web site:

https://fsmkits.homestead.com/index.html

And it says to make personal checks out to John Mattinson.

He has quite a list of kits.

Unless he's talking about this place, that has some FSM castings

http://www.railroadkits.com/

I dunno! 

Mike.

 

Jimmy owns Railroadkits. He used to have a forum site but sold it. It was a site mainly for manufactures and wanabe manufactures and some kit builders. Kathy Mallet used to hang out there along with people like Dave Frary. He also owns some famous model railroads and is a manufacturer himself (we once tried to buy a kit manufacturer at the same time, Jimmy was faster at the draw). Many of todays owners used to hang out there, miss that site.

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  • From: Culpeper, Va
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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 3:16 PM

riogrande5761
that is your choice to take on all kinds of other stuff that prevents you from the hobby.

I agree. 

riogrande5761
the honey-do list

Skip the wife. 

riogrande5761
the house that has a lot of work needing done

Skip the house - rent and let the landord do the work.

riogrande5761
Yes, I've heard some say they have less time when they retire from F/T work,

Skip retirement.

Paul - who is happily retired with a life.  And a hobby called model railroading.Laugh

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
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  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 3:08 PM

mbinsewi
For me it's the time period of the models.  I have no interest.  They might be cool for a diorama, or such, but I have very different modeling goals and wants.

Not into the "old timey" stuff.

As far as time?  I find it much more enjoyable using my time to scratch build things that I'm interested in, and not some kit, that represents a period i'm not modeling, or have any interest.

Mike.

This is exactly the situation with me.  I want a modern building and I want to build it myself.

York1 John       

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 3:08 PM

I just checked out what there is for a web site:

https://fsmkits.homestead.com/index.html

And it says to make personal checks out to John Mattinson.

He has quite a list of kits.

Unless he's talking about this place, that has some FSM castings

http://www.railroadkits.com/

I dunno! 

Mike.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 2:44 PM

maxman
Who is Jimmy?

He might be John Galt's business partner?

Otherwise, I'd like to know who Jimmy is also.

Thank You, Ed

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Fullerton, California
  • 1,364 posts
Posted by hornblower on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 12:55 PM

For me, its more a matter that most of the commercially available structure kits are of east coast or midwest styles that don't fit into the architectural style of my Southern California based layout.  Due to constant ground movement, Southern California construction needs to be a bit different from other parts of the country so the area has a fairly unique look.  Since neither craftsman or plastic kits fit the bill, I tend to scratch build most of my structures.

Hornblower

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    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 10:45 AM

 Well, perhaps now I will be abe to get some of those kits I wanted but could never afford. And actually put them together instead of storing them away sealed in their boxes as some sort of collector's item. 

                                  --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 10:44 AM

For me it's the time period of the models.  I have no interest.  They might be cool for a diorama, or such, but I have very different modeling goals and wants.

Not into the "old timey" stuff.

As far as time?  I find it much more enjoyable using my time to scratch build things that I'm interested in, and not some kit, that represents a period i'm not modeling, or have any interest.

Mike.

  • Member since
    April 2011
  • From: About 20 minutes from IRM
  • 430 posts
Posted by CGW121 on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 10:39 AM

I am retired and I don't have the time for that or the steady hands orr the sharp eye either.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 10:31 AM

rrebell
Well it seems that the new generation is not as interested in the craftsman kits of old or they are just streaming out of closets as the price of these kits is going down, way down.

Would you have a guess as to why the lack of interest?  My guess, based on personal experience is it's hard to find the time to build kits.  The new generation have F/T jobs, often long commutes, wifes and families who demand their husband/hobbyists time.

My kid is grown and working now but between work and the honey-do list and the house that has a lot of work needing done (including getting the basement finshed).  Wife was in an accident in Dec, myself a couple days ago.  All that and other things suck up time like a vacuum.

How is the above relevant?  Because kits take time to build and non-retired people often find it hard to find time.  This appears to be the reason so many kits are availble for not only buildings but rolling stock kits as well.  And it's not because people are lazy or want instant gratification (a few probably) but by definitition, a hobby is what you do for enjoyment in your free time.  You need to have enough free time for those kits and all the other things needful to build and operate a layout.

Yes, I've heard some say they have less time when they retire from F/T work, but as my wife would say, howay now, that is your choice to take on all kinds of other stuff that prevents you from the hobby.  Learn to say no so you can have more time for the hobby. 

/soapbox

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by maxman on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 10:21 AM

Who is Jimmy?

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Fine Scale Miniatures (price depreciation)
Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 10:18 AM

Well it seems that the new generation is not as interested in the craftsman kits of old or they are just streaming out of closets as the price of these kits is going down, way down. I used to collect these kits to build for my layout and was overjoyed to get a deal on one but the tide has changed as far as price (I still buy when they give them away, nostalga?, like a mint in box #115 coal and sand shed for $66.20 out the door).  Another thought is that now you can just buy the castings from my old freind Jimmy as he bought the rights to them.

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