I like the old Kalamazoo stuff and have been getting some of the rolling stock when I can get a good deal on them. Im trying to find an old Kalamazoo train catalog. I lost a bid on e-bay. Does anyone have any around they are willing to part with?
Those catalogs are still available in Tim Buck Too
David Russell said:Thats in western Africa.
Those catalogs are still available in Tim Buck Too
Shawn said:No actually that's in Upper Outer Mongolia on the east west coast. :)David Russell said:Thats in western Africa.
Those catalogs are still available in Tim Buck Too
I’ll scan mine at some point if it’ll help; I’d rather not ditch it entirely.
On a related note, has anyone had luck with the new Hartland motors in Kalamazoo blocks? I sorta need one…
Walthers catalogs from that era are also good sources for catalog items
Shawn, in case you have not seen this before…
http://www.bangormihistory.com/Kazoo%20Toy%20Train/new_page_1.htm
Hi Shawn:
HLW has recently released an improved retooled version of their Forney “Princess” loco. The latest new version is the “La Porte”.
Very nice loco.
website:
www.h-l-w.com
I bought a HLW “La Porte” as I like 1:24 scale sized models. The Bachmann 1:20.3 Forney is obviously more detailed but 1:20.3 scale models are simply too large for tastes.
It has taken many years for the Kalamazoo utility switcher to reach the mold development stage of the present HLW Forney loco.
I wish that Kalamazoo had modeled Ward Kimball’s home 0-4-2T loco as the basis for their utility switcher.
Delton and later HLW could then have arrived at this present mold stage years ago.
Also, Delton gave up on the original Kalamazoo coach molds.
Delton instead developed their own Sierra coach molds which I personally don’t like as the coaches are two windows too short in length. It really bugs me!
Again, if only Kalamazoo had originally made scale proportioned molds of both the Sierra coaches and the American 4-4-0 .
Details could have been easily added later by Delton and even later by HLW for a scale 1:32 model of the V&T Reno and Genoa locos.
These molds must be extremely expensive for Delton and later HLW to gradually improve these non scale model molds rather than just discarding the non scale molds and starting over from scratch to produce a properly scaled model at first production.
I don’t think that Kalamazoo trains failed due to lower priced foreign product but rather Kalamazoo failed as their product was not properly scaled and was too toylike in appearance. Adults want models which reasonably resemble the prototype loco. A scale proportioned model lacking details would sell better than a non scale proportioned toy like model locomotive product. I can’t understand why Kalamazoo failed to understand this. Poor business plan.
Many of my friends entered large scale as they were not interested in toylike 027 locos. The scale O gauge die cast locos of present day did not exist at the time of their entrance into large scale. The entry of Mike’s Train House competion later forced Lionel to produce scale die cast models. Otherwise, they would have bought scale O gauge die cast locos instead of entering large scale. Hence, Lionel missed out on their purchases which went into large scale purchases.
The market is always right even if I don’t like 1:20.3 scale which is now the new standard and has now made 1:24 scale obsolete except for the limited product of HLW and Aristo Craft classics.
Are the original founders of Kalamazoo trains still with us? It would be interesting to communicate by email with them as to the development of large scale trains.
Norman
For those few of us who still prefer 1/24th scale, the latest sad news is that Aristo is dropping their “Classic” line, with the exception of the C-16 Bumblebee.
Ray Dunakin said:I heard that as well Ray. Its a shame the 1:24 stuff is getting harder to get.
For those few of us who still prefer 1/24th scale, the latest sad news is that Aristo is dropping their "Classic" line, with the exception of the C-16 Bumblebee.
Norman thanks for the info. I have the HLW Big John and love their engines and stuff. Im a hudge fan of HLW. Some of their molds are from Kalamazoo although Hartland added a few extra details. There is somethig about the Kalamazoo stuff that I like even though they are more toy like. For me I just add the details to get rid of the toy like appearance. Its a shame seeing less and less of the 1:24 stuff. They are so much more affordable then 1:20 plus they dont make my small layout look as small as a1:20 scale does. Their is very little info out their on Kalamazoo and looking on e-bay people think they can still charge an arm and leg for the stuff. Like the Civil War set. Almost $900 for it. It would be nice if HLW brought that Civil War set back especially since they have all the cars to make the set. I would buy that one in a heart beat. I also always wondered how does HLW survive with the market today. They are not easy to get and dont seem very popular. I just got a good deal on a Kalamazoo Mountain Central RR passenger set with engine. My goal is to leave the Kalamazoo stuff as is and have them on display running during club meets and shows to show how it all started with US trains in G in the US. From what I read they really started it with their 4-4-0.
Ray Dunakin said:Given the crap-conomy I'm not too surprised by this, I suspect it wont be the only older lineup item to fall by the wayside as the majors regroup on their most profitable items.
For those few of us who still prefer 1/24th scale, the latest sad news is that Aristo is dropping their "Classic" line, with the exception of the C-16 Bumblebee.
It doesn’t surprise me either. The last batch of Classics I tried to sell had no takers at all, so they were re-allocated to bash fodder.
I blame the 1:20 guys for this. You guys could not be happy with 1:24 scale when trains were doing well and prices were low. LOL 
(for the sensitive guys Im only kidding)
Shawn said:Just pray that those whom were not happy with 1:24 never need assistance from an east coast park ranger some day.... (I'm a sensitive guy and you hurt my feelings) ;)
I blame the 1:20 guys for this. You guys could not be happy with 1:24 scale when trains were doing well and prices were low. LOL :) (for the sensitive guys Im only kidding)
I picked up a Kalamazoo set that is like new. Plan to take it to Marty’s to try and sell it. Has solid brass track, no cheap Bachman stuff!
Jerry what set is it?
Has MCRR on the tender. Mountain City RR I think on the cars. Has a 89 Catalog also. I posted some pix in the General Gallery:
http://www.largescalecentral.com/gallery/index.php?level=picture&id=3370
http://www.largescalecentral.com/gallery/index.php?level=picture&id=3371
http://www.largescalecentral.com/gallery/index.php?level=picture&id=3372
Jerry I sent you an e mail
Hi Ray and Shawn:
Shawn: I order my HLW models from G Scale Junction. Jim is an honest dealer and his pricing is fair. You can also telephone or email HLW and order directly from them. Trains by HLW is just a side business for the parent firm as the past president (now deceast) simply liked trains and enjoyed meeting the group of train folks he came in contact with. Phil Jensen, of Delton locomotive works fame, acts as their mold design consultant to improve existing models and to create new models. The whole group are really nice folks who simply enjoy creating model trains.
Ray: Lewis Polk dropping the Classics Line does not surprise me. I bought several DRGW freight cars from TrainWorld during the final blowout. I think the freight cars were around 60.00. Lewis told me that the 1:24 freight rolling stock simply did not sell. It just sat in the warehouse. Only the C-16 Bee locomotive would sell. Given the large minimum orders now required by the China factory for each paint version I guess the Bee is the only version of the C-16 that Lewis can now manufacture. The USA Trains 1:24 caboose sells better than the Aristo Craft version due to the metal railings and other superior details. Perhaps Lewis may sell off his Classics Line freight molds to hopefully HLW ??? But given that 1:20.3 is the new standard maybe HLW would not want to invest in the molds. I don’t know.
So I guess the 1:24 hobbyist will now need to buy the Bee C-16 and repaint it to the other versions. Too bad to see such a high quality and finely detailed product line become obsolete. The wood burner D&RG C-16 had spectacular tender lettering.
Lewis finally got the C-16 boiler lowered with a new drive and great graphics and then no market demand due to 1:20.3 . Here is a prime example of meeting market demand while there is a market. Of course, Lewis could not have foreseen the impact that 1:20.3 would have on 1:24 when he started to redesign the C-16 drive.
At least we still have the USA Trains 1:24 scale passenger Overtons, ice cars, and caboose to buy. For now at least!
Norman
What I will miss most are the box cars, and especially the freight trucks. Hard to scratch-build without decent trucks.