Large Scale Central

Kalamazoo Toy Trains

General Discussion
#1

Can anyone remember why Kalamazoo Toy Trains went belly up back in the early 90’s I beleive it was? I’ve been collecting their freight and passenger cars for a few years now and can’t see where they are inferior to any of the other stuff out there. Anyway, the collection got out of hand storage wise and spouse wise so I’m keeping around 30 of them and plan to sell around 40. The 30 will go out on the railroad so I can enjoy them. To me they are really fine merchandise and they should have stayed in business and they were always made in the USA! IMG]

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#2

Rudy,
This just touches on Kalamazoo, but I think you will enjoy it.
Maybe you’ve read it already.

http://archive.mylargescale.com/articles/articles/philjensen/PhilJensen01.asp

Have fun running your collection.
Ralph

#3

Aesthetics. The detail on their cars was very, very coarse compared to LGB (which at the time was the only comparison). The 4-4-0 was something of a caricature, with very narrow domes and ultra-tiny pilot wheels, which were very prone to derailing–especially on the 2’ radius curves which were far more prevalent than they are now. (LGB’s not-quite 4’ radius was considered “wide” at that time.) They were also noticeably smaller than the cars LGB was producing, so they looked a touch out of place in a train. While there are plenty of examples of mixed-size rolling stock, the prototype seems far less concerned with matters of aesthetic than the model railroader.

When Hartland reintroduced the 4-4-0, they gave it a decent makeover to correct many of the aesthetic flaws of the original. I think they’ve got some other Kalamazoo molds, though I haven’t seen the box cars, flat cars, or anything like that since the late 80s. I think they’d still make good kitbash fodder, though I suspect today’s market would be equally as unfavorable as it was 20 years ago.

Later,

K

#4

Kevin-
Any further insight as to the status of Hartland?
I am able to get onto their website “membership” offerings, yet, I don’t think they are producing any new products or listing some of their previous loco offerings --e.g. the Big John logging loco.
Am I accurate as to their product limitations?
Wendell

#5
Kevin Strong said:
Aesthetics. The detail on their cars was very, very coarse compared to LGB (which at the time was the only comparison). The 4-4-0 was something of a caricature, with very narrow domes and ultra-tiny pilot wheels, which were very prone to derailing--especially on the 2' radius curves which were far more prevalent than they are now. (LGB's not-quite 4' radius was considered "wide" at that time.) They were also noticeably smaller than the cars LGB was producing, so they looked a touch out of place in a train. While there are plenty of examples of mixed-size rolling stock, the prototype seems far less concerned with matters of aesthetic than the model railroader.

When Hartland reintroduced the 4-4-0, they gave it a decent makeover to correct many of the aesthetic flaws of the original. I think they’ve got some other Kalamazoo molds, though I haven’t seen the box cars, flat cars, or anything like that since the late 80s. I think they’d still make good kitbash fodder, though I suspect today’s market would be equally as unfavorable as it was 20 years ago.

Later,

K


I understand about detail. I’ve had to wear bifocals many years so I guess I don’t notice much of the small detail. As for the Kalamazoo engines–I have a few of them but gave up on them. Not so much for the way they look or don’t look but because they don’t pull more than two or three cars.

#6
Ralph Berg said:
Rudy, This just touches on Kalamazoo, but I think you will enjoy it. Maybe you've read it already.

http://archive.mylargescale.com/articles/articles/philjensen/PhilJensen01.asp

Have fun running your collection.
Ralph


Thanks Ralph,

I’m saving the URL on this one.

#7

Ralph,
That was an interesting read, thanks!

#8

Wendell, Hartland’s doing good business, near as I can tell, but I’m not sure about “new” products. Phil Jensen’s the owner, and is very good about answering e-mail and telephones.

Later,

K

#9
Ralph Berg said:
Rudy, This just touches on Kalamazoo, but I think you will enjoy it. Maybe you've read it already.

http://archive.mylargescale.com/articles/articles/philjensen/PhilJensen01.asp

Have fun running your collection.
Ralph


Thanks for that link. Me being a hudge HLW fan I never seen that article about that. Its too bad some of the locos and rolling stock never made it into stores or production. they had some neat little engines.

#10

I have a hand built prototype of the Kalamazoo 0-4-0 that really needs a new home to someone that will appreciate it for what it is. Much of it is hand made of alum and other metals. Got it and a few other things from a Gentleman that bought what was left after Kalamazoo went belly up. Much of it was unbuilt cars and engines. This one is in the black and yellow paint scheme. Cheers Mike