I heard Intermountian spoke at the 2010 National N Scale Convention Manufacturers Breakfast this morning, and kicked N on it's side, (Z) and showed a flyer with a 4 bay cylindrical hopper in Z? Anyone able to corroborate this story? We want to know the facts, and nothing is posted on the Intermountain site yet.
Here you go, yes it is real . I have a long talked at Inter Mountance table, today at MFG breakfast IM made anounment 4 bay cylindrial in Z scale and will be available late this Nov, I took some photos of the sample. Walkway is stanlees, front and end --brass they will also release undec as well, pricing is 26.95 come with metal wheels, truck and coupler won't be MTL. They are also proposted Z scale offering from with 10 items. I have some engines caboose centerbeam from Robert to show them as well. Hien.
Thank you Robert, I got your email and will print out and will give them some more input of your sugesscion list. You need a cell phone Robert Please list what you guys think, I will check tomorrow morning. Hien.
THIS IS GREAT! Another manufacturer in Z! And straight away undecorated units, what more can I ask for!
MTL , any idea and value for this Z pack ? only 50 made. Someone offer me at N convention and he have some more. Hien
More good Z news Even though it was the N scale convention, Eric Smith of Micro-Trains Lines announced an EMD E8 in Z scale is in the works for 2011. The Micro-Trains booth had all the latest releases and promises of more news at the National Train Show next month. From MRN. Almost time to find out what MTL has for us in July and Jan! For IM I don't see much that duplicates MTL offering. Any of their N cars would be fine in Z. Having 6 numbers for available cars is a big step forward!
This is good news for Z-scale, I would say! I would like to see a drop bottom gondola and a SW1200 for switching it. 7 4750 Cubic Foot rib-sided (18 Rib) 3-bay covered 2 R-70-20 Refrigerator Car 9 ATSF Rebuilt Caboose 3 R-40-23 Refrigerator Car 1 USRA Composite Drop Bottom Gondola 8 1958 Cu. Ft 2-bay hopper- open sides 10 USRA Northeastern Caboose 4 Trinity 5161 Cubic Foot Hopper 5 53' 70-Ton Flat Car (bulkhead / non-bulkhead) 6 Thrall 86'6" High-cube auto parts boxcars Other: EMD SW1200
Even though I'm an N-scaler, and don't plan to go Z at all, I'd like to congratulate you guys. This proves Z is growing! Looks like Z is the new N! (And N is the new HO!)
I do think, something behind the fog. As Sandakan canceled contracts with Märklin, that could be time for another big new player in Z. I dont think that they specially canceled the Z-line if they have no alternate. Surprise, surprise.
Intermountain....in Z! Be still my beating heart! Can't wait until they replicate their billboard reefer series in Z...
Tell 'em to offer a good generic 8 coupled steam mechanism and some steam era hoppers (PRR H21) and I am onboard with Z:tb-biggrin: Great news for you guys, IM makes good stuff; a few good manufacturers makes a huge difference!
this is good news. i have known for some time that there was interest a Intermountain, and that they would want to use a "signature" product with which to test the market, if they were to make the jump. their cylindrical hoppers were well received in N scale and they did a marvelous array of graphics in them. so they are doing in Z what they know will work because of N. i would venture to say that if Z doesn't sell well for IM that they will think twice about getting in much deeper. they will make good stuff in Z and make them colorful too (they already have the artwork figured out). i would NOT bet a penny on IM producing a switcher. they weren't interested in it in N because it just wouldn't pull enough. THEY MIGHT, HOWEVER, BE THE BEST BET FOR PRODUCING A NEW F-7 OR F-9 IN Z!! that would be another safe product for them to test based on their previous success in N. It's an engine they would win with, don't you think? IM has a policy of not (formally) participating on web forums. it's a lose/lose endeavor in their opinion -- too much grief from people who complain about every little thing. but i bet we will be (covertly?) visited by one or two of the principals who are eager to keep tabs on what's up in Z. i can't say i'm surprized by this, but neither was i readily expecting it. if you ask the folks at IM i'll bet dollars to donuts that the 2008 NATS in Anaheim had a LOT to do with them making these plans to enter the market. Z swept the modules contest and wow-ed the crowds on that occasion, and the level of craftsmanship was clearly evident. i talked with my friends at IM many times during that convention and i KNOW they were impressed by what they saw happening with Z. the timeline for deciding, developing, and then marketing a product is about right too -- two years time. this is good for Z in general. i hope you support them. dave f.
Well, I can't wait to get some new cars. I already passed along my list, and it's all the stuff I have seen people talk about over the past few years here on Trainboard. The Z Scale market is very much WIDE OPEN! Welcome Intermountian!
These items have been on my wish list for awhile. MP15/SW1500 switcher Coil Cars Ore Car (BN/BNSF style) Modern Tank cars Of the proposed list I would prefer the R-70-20 reefer, and the 86.6 auto parts box. I would buy modern era equipment produced though. I would hope that they produce equipment that is not available in Z scale to prevent duplication. Or team with Mark 4 or Pennzee to better utilize existing castings. I agree that an operating knuckle is important. I would also like to see body mounted couplers, not truck mounted ones. bh
I hope the venture works, right now I am worried. Frankly we already have cylindrical hoppers, and I think some will pass on this. If they don't sell well, then they won't go further. The thing is I am glad they are here and trying. I think the stuff they do in N is top notch. With the f-7 finished at MT, an F-units would be a hit. Especially with a new mech. I hope for the best, and will support them with a purchase, I just hope they stay.
Joe, it's a different style Cylindrical, it's 4-bay, Full Throttle's is 3-bay, so it's different enough I guess, how many 50' or 40' boxcars are released looking similar and are still selling? You are absolutley right, we don't need another manufacturer doing exactly the same bodystyle as some other volume manufacturer or small series manufacturer. Also the approch offering undec straight away is very good! It's like Tenshodo's steamer, get the first production and more will follow, I'm sure!
Gerd, I hope you are right. I hope buyers see the relevance in the difference between a 3 and a 4 bay and make a purchase. Without buyers, they will leave. That being said, my hope is we get some unuique product, like the coil cars and such. Of course I'll keep saying it. Affordable steam that looks good. You can cut it any way you want. The first manufacture that can produce a kato running style American looking steamer for around 100-150 will rule the Z world. I am just not interested in the Tenshodo steammer becuase it doesn't look good to me. (flame away if you want) I
