Looky, Looky…Look what I found in my inbox…I’m sure others will get their copies…
An update from Scott Polk… he is alive and wishing everyone well.
There is new brass track being made, and SS track to be made as soon as the factory gets the material. The track should be available in August.
He admits that there is a lot of “Junk” (My interpretation of what he wrote) left from 4 years ago that he is trying to “Deal with”.
So, hopefully Scott has a future ahead for his efforts.
Here is the complete e-mail. It sure would be good for the hobby if he can make a go of it. It does sound like the biggest problem is old stock that no one wants.
Hi Everyone,
Hope you are doing well. Wanted to give a quick update on production and possible production.
Currently there is track being made. Brass items are in production now as the factory waits for the SS material which will then allow them to make everything else next month. It should be delivered, hopefully, in August. I’ll send a list of what is being made following this email.
Trains. You have to remember that we brought in 2 containers of old merchandise that was left at the factory. At this point we are still being held up by items that were ordered by AristoCraft 4 years ago. They are items that we really don’t want to start with so we have be trying to resolve how we can get around it. Once this is handled we will start producing trains.
Our business plan still holds strong. It has just taken a little longer then we expected. Believe the rumors if you want but the mess that was left in China is bigger then what has been left to believe. We are set on cleaning it up and moving forward.
Thanks,
Scott
I got it too. On the surface it sounds encouraging that we will see product this summer/fall.
I wonder how much old upaid for product is sitting over there?
Paul,
it could well be Heritage Dashs 9’s and ore cars. As far as the four year old orders are concernd that might be some more 2 bay offset hoppers in road names that have not been released before.
Supposition, of course, but it is anybodies guess. However it is good to know the PGN is still around.
Got this email today…Jim
Hi Everyone,
Hope you are doing well.
Wanted to give a quick update on production and possible
production.
Currently there is track being made. Brass items are in
production now as the factory waits for the SS material which will then allow
them to make everything else next month. It should be delivered, hopefully, in
August. I’ll send a list of what is being made following this
email.
Trains. You have to remember that we brought in 2 containers of
old merchandise that was left at the factory. At this point we are still being
held up by items that were ordered by AristoCraft 4 years ago. They are items
that we really don’t want to start with so we have be trying to resolve how we
can get around it. Once this is handled we will start producing
trains.
Our business plan still holds strong. It has just taken a little
longer then we expected. Believe the rumors if you want but the mess that was
left in China is bigger then what has been left to believe. We are set on
cleaning it up and moving forward.
Thanks,
Scott
Received the email too, and I’m happy to see it. Always bits and pieces from Aristo that I can use, even if my primary interest (in large scale) is not North American trains.
Well that takes all the fun out of speculating! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cry.gif)
Thanks for posting…
John
Hopeful but remains skeptical, will believe
when new upgraded products arrive.
If its the same old same old products, it just won’t fly.
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)
I’m sure the “mess left in China” is a horrible one. Dealing with the Chinese manufacturers under good circumstances is a spider web of red tape, misunderstanding, and outright lying, so I would not be anywhere near that problem! Good luck to Scott on that issue, and I wouldn’t hold my breath, it might be fatal!
“Trains. You have to remember that we brought in 2 containers of
old merchandise that was left at the factory. At this point we are still being
held up by items that were ordered by AristoCraft 4 years ago. They are items
that we really don’t want to start with so we have be trying to resolve how we
can get around it. Once this is handled we will start producing
trains.”
They are items he doesn’t want to start with. That leaves open a whole new line of speculation. I wonder if that also means that maybe, possibly, in the future, he would be willing to bring in those items, whatever they are.
But the question tugging at me is; If PNG is a new company, then why is it (he) saddled with satisfying Aristo’s unmet obligations?
Yeah somehow that email made thru to my inbox also !!
Soooo it is not just strictly Face’ communiques 
“…But the question tugging at me is; If PNG is a new company, then why is it (he) saddled with satisfying Aristo’s unmet obligations?..”
Obviously manufacturers ‘suits’ remember Scott and with same last name as Lewis figure they can strong arm him into taking responsibility for the olde corporation.
Good Luck straightening that out ! Cause even if ya speak the same language seemingly same culture and continental location, certain corporate (like-)entities will do whatever they can to make their profit and perks even if it causes financial stress to a ‘start-up’ simliar to PNG.
imho
p.s. shucks even the federal revenue service will pick a fight a family who have followed all the rules but since one or two RS staffers interpret it differently they will force the family to loose thousands to lawyers and subsequently also their business (worth million+). I’ve always wondered if the federal staffers involved in those ‘fights’ were same ones that were later nailed for misrepresentation, extortion re’ other files.
Always hope for the Carma angle !
If the PRC NOS is such a problem, instead of flogging it at ludicrous prices, why not just dump it thru Trainworld at costs +5%?
He’ll make some money, not alot but more importantly you get that 2-ton elephant off your chest and can then focus on track and new improved product?
Vic, there you go, making sense again. You are going to have to quit doing that.(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
I wonder if, instead of trying to feed the some old products to over supplied and choosy converts, it wouldn’t be more effective to use the surplus equipment to prepare boxed sets with loco+car+circle of track and place them at cost plus small margin at Target or other big box stores, outside the specialist market. Besides raising some cash and showing the brand, it would expose the general public to large scale and, who knows, push some of them to the hobby.
José Morais
Headmaster of the Lapa Furada RR
David Maynard said:
“Trains. You have to remember that we brought in 2 containers of
old merchandise that was left at the factory. At this point we are still being
held up by items that were ordered by AristoCraft 4 years ago. They are items
that we really don’t want to start with so we have be trying to resolve how we
can get around it. Once this is handled we will start producing
trains.”They are items he doesn’t want to start with. That leaves open a whole new line of speculation. I wonder if that also means that maybe, possibly, in the future, he would be willing to bring in those items, whatever they are.
But the question tugging at me is; If PNG is a new company, then why is it (he) saddled with satisfying Aristo’s unmet obligations?
My guess would be it’s kinda easy to figure out who placed those orders, and just because it’s a different name, China sees the same person…
Why would anyone sell to someone that owes them just because they change a name?
“Trains. You have to remember that we brought in 2 containers of
old merchandise that was left at the factory. At this point we are still being
held up by items that were ordered by AristoCraft 4 years ago. They are items
that we really don’t want to start with so we have be trying to resolve how we
can get around it. Once this is handled we will start producing
trains.”
I am also puzzled by what was not said.
Here are some summary questions from our ongoing thread:
1 - Does “brought in” mean actual possession or possession yet contingent on what constitutes “held up?”
2 - Does “start with” characterize or define produce sales to this point?
3 - What constitutes “it” that needs resolution?
As with the others, I wish him well.
Wendell
I do have to wonder if Scott would have parts made when he does have items produced. I know parts isn’t where the big bucks are, but I am sure, that by now there is a market for Aristo replacement parts. Also, if he does have improved products made, there would be a market for improved motor blocks (drives) for every make/model Aristo ever made.
I’d be careful about “improving” drives across the board.
The Aristo 2 x axle BB drive with the one pivoting axle is IMHO the best Large Scale drive ever made. It definitely does not need “improving”.
Tony, ok, but the steam drives could use some improvement. I am steam guy, I only run one RS3, and its a champ
