Large Scale Central

Aristo to cancel all R and D?

General Discussion
#21

Matt said:

Victor Smith said:
…Bachmanns only new items are reworked old issues…

Not in HO :wink: They just released a really nice Alco S4 (with sound) in HO scale. I know you meant large scale. This just gave me an excuse to post a photo of my new Alco S4.

(http://i.imgur.com/KqN5z.jpg)

Also in On30, they get all the good stuff these days, which still gives me the unairing worry that Bmanns prime focus in the bigger scales has already shifted to On30,. Aristo looks to be getting deaper into the RMT line, I can’t blame them. They will go where the profit is.

#22
Quote:
... No they don't require it, but they are pushing it very hard.
Why wouldn't they? They're job is to sell their own products. Of [i]course[/i] they're going to promote the benefits of their control system in conjunction with their locomotives. Look at how they're promoting the Revolution for HO scale, and they don't even make HO trains!
Quote:
... There was mention in one of the posts that the latest AC offerings were set up internally as to only accommodate the Revo board. Other products won't physically fit without modification . If that's true its a perfect example of a way of pushing the use of their own system whether you want it or not, it's the only thing that fits the given space.
With the exception of the PCC, all of Aristo's products made since the Revolution has been in development offer ample room for the installation of 3rd-party plug-and-play boards without modification. The PCC is an exception because the board is mounted under the floor where there are clearance issues in play. (And technically speaking, the QSI board does fit without modification, you just can't get the cover back on.) Personally, I don't see that qualifying as a conspiracy against competitors' products, but that's just me.

Later,

K

#23

Ironically, I chose the Aristo Revo for my Bachmann engines because of it’s “plug’n play” capability and then chose to go with all trackside recievers! :smiley:

#24
Kevin Strong said:
Quote:
... No they don't require it, but they are pushing it very hard.
Why wouldn't they? They're job is to sell their own products. Of [i]course[/i] they're going to promote the benefits of their control system in conjunction with their locomotives. Look at how they're promoting the Revolution for HO scale, and they don't even make HO trains!
Quote:
... There was mention in one of the posts that the latest AC offerings were set up internally as to only accommodate the Revo board. Other products won't physically fit without modification . If that's true its a perfect example of a way of pushing the use of their own system whether you want it or not, it's the only thing that fits the given space.
With the exception of the PCC, all of Aristo's products made since the Revolution has been in development offer ample room for the installation of 3rd-party plug-and-play boards without modification. The PCC is an exception because the board is mounted under the floor where there are clearance issues in play. (And technically speaking, the QSI board does fit without modification, you just can't get the cover back on.) Personally, I don't see that qualifying as a conspiracy against competitors' products, but that's just me.

Later,

K


Well they would wouldnt they, they’ve made a huge investment in the system and want that back. I’ll take your word for the space issue Kevin, I’m only stating what I had read. But I am convinced that for alot of LS mfrs, new product will be taking a back seat for the time being until the economy gets stronger. Piko is the only company offering a range of new products, but they are targeting disinfranchiezed LGB users who can no longer afford Marklins price structure and not the major US mfrs.

#25

FYI, if you’re looking for Revo receivers, Aristo’s showing the 6-packs in stock for 40% off today (total price would be c. $400 for 6 receivers). They’re showing “out of stock” on the individual ones.

Later,

K

#26
Victor Smith said:
But I am convinced that for alot of LS mfrs, new product will be taking a back seat for the time being until the economy gets stronger.
Yeah, with the economy in the toilet it's gotta be hard times for manufacturers of costly non-essentials like LS trains. Probably going to get a lot worse too, before it gets substantially better. I'm glad I'm not in their shoes.
#27

I think everyone is declaring Aristocraft dead and buried based on a post on a site that traditionally bashes Aristocraft, by a person with no official connection to Aristocraft, and has only made 10 posts on the other site. We will all find out the real story in York next month.
Paul

#28

No one is declaring them DOA, but based on this story, the ever increasing prices, Aristo and HLW dropping their slow sellers, Bmann focusing on reissues, the trouble all model RR makers are having in China, the severe slump in sales based on the economic slowdown, I think its clear that ALL manufacturers are going into bunker mode, offering only what they know will sell.

I think even with all this bad news that they would still be OK when the economy gets better save ONE thing that has had severe ripple effects across LS, the most severe threat to LS’s future is the ludicrous price of track, something has to be done to address track prices. $7 a foot has already spooked alot of people away and stiffled expansion plans, if it goes higher, say $9-10 a foot I think the hobby will end up being made up mostly of only those who already have a built layout. One can always downsize their planned roster and live with one or two engines and a few cars, but its all pointless without track.

I used to beleive that one result of the price hikes would be a return to the small compact R1 based layouts of 20 years ago, instead what I’m seeing is that instead of opting to go smaller, people are just simply dropping the thought of LS altogether and doing On30 or HO where track prices are a tiny fraction of LS, they can run what they want without having to 2nd mortgage the house just to buy track.

#29
Paul Bottino said:
I think everyone is declaring Aristocraft dead and buried based on a post on a site that traditionally bashes Aristocraft, by a person with no official connection to Aristocraft, and has only made 10 posts on the other site. We will all find out the real story in York next month. Paul
And who is going to tell you the real story at York?
#30

Ralph wrote: “While the PCC Trolley is a unique product, how many Large Scalers in North America model an urban environment”

I know what you mean: Hardly any…

Back to AristoCraft: over the years I have seen a lot of moves from Aristo that seemed pretty daft at the time… Weird paint schemes, (They weren’t unique in this - there was also the LGB ‘Cow’ and many others) , pretty shoddy mechs on some models, the eggliner… Then you learn that the eggliner, for goodness sakes, is a BIG hit with the ladies. We were right, back there in fourth grade.

Girls ARE weird…

Back to the PCC : Here in Toronto we’re famous for having had them running on our streets well into the seventies, maybe later… Anyway, the prototypes are well known and popular here.

And to try to answer your question, in our Garden RR Ass’n up here, a couple of the fellas were all abuzz and in a big hurry to get their hands on this model. Out of say sixty members, I know of two who bought them, one each, I believe…

#31

Whilst railroaders who post on a Forum can often be puzzled by a manufacturers choice of product I am pretty sure that we are in the minority when it comes to buying their products. No business puts up large amounts of money unless sure of a reasonable return at the best. Sometimes they get it wrong but the quantity that goes to a dealer for ‘close out sales’ seems to be not that great.

Many items made for large scale are, in fact, best sellers in the smaller scales: the Aristo Class 66 is a good example. Intended for Europe, where it has been well received, it now seems to have a following in the USA. As far as the PCC is concerned it was stated at the time that they would be produced that many would never run outdoors on track but be shelf queens. In this seafaring area where I live many folks have model ships/boats but have never taken them outdoors other than to an exhibition. Few are ever seen on water.

What is the difference between and Eggliner and the Thomas trains which have faces? None in my book: they are just for those that like a little fun on a railroad without having to get too serious about it. I admit to having neither here; I see enough of Thomas & Co. on my Heritage Railway. :slight_smile:

#32

Personally I think Vic hit the nail on the head…track prices are crazy! Doesn’t matter what material it is made from it might as well be “unobtanium” for the cost of it. New or used it is simply too much for a beginner to even consider.

Chas

#33

John.
You wrote:
“TonyWalsham wrote:
While the PCC Trolley is a unique product, how many Large Scalers in North America model an urban environment
Ralph”

I did not write that comment. It was made by Ralph in reply to a comment by me. Kindly remove my name from the quote.

#34

Oops! Apologies. Done, Tony.

#35

Thanks John.
I realise it was simply an “editing the quote” error.

#36
Alan Lott said:
Many items made for large scale are, in fact, best sellers in the smaller scales: the Aristo Class 66 is a good example. Intended for Europe, where it has been well received, it now seems to have a following in the USA. As far as the PCC is concerned it was stated at the time that they would be produced that many would never run outdoors on track but be shelf queens.
Smaller scales are run indoors, where people do frequently model urban areas. Large Scale and the smaller scales are two different worlds. The companies should do a little market research rather than rely on what sells in the smaller scales. Market research can be as simple as reading the forums, other than their own.

As for the shelf queens, I know people who collect LGB. I know people who collect Lionel.
I’m sure some people out there collect Aristocraft, but I don’t know any :wink:
Ralph

#37

Ralph Berg said:
[i]

Yes you do. But I’ve seen the light and sold off most of my Classics collection. I am still hanging on to at least one each of the EBT cars. They are not accurate models, but I still like them. This old picture snows a sneak peak at my then massive Classics collection. It filled two sets of those shelves :o

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Bridge-640-008.JPG)

#38
Jon Radder said:
Ralph Berg said:
[i][/i]I'm sure some people out there collect Aristocraft, but I don't know any ;)Ralph
Yes you do.

This old picture snows a sneak peak at my then massive Classics collection. It filled two sets of those shelves :o


:smiley:
Did you buy the PCC ?
Ralph

#39

No, but if I still was flush with cash like I was when I bought all those Classics I definitely would even though it is known to run like crap.

#40

I was under the impression the PCC was a fast sell-out no?