ESM "Made In America" Keyser Valley Caboose kits have been released!

bbussey Mar 30, 2013

  1. Backshop

    Backshop TrainBoard Member

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    x600, yes, not much stuff of interest to us on the swap meet tables out here ...
     
  2. bbussey

    bbussey TrainBoard Member

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    A LIRR caboose currently is not in the plans, but you always can use the Bowser N5 as a prototypically-correct model.
     
  3. MCB

    MCB TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hi,
    OK x600 you go first. I'm assembling some old Intermountain kits to warm up before I build my two.


    Good Luck,

    MCB
     
  4. x600

    x600 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks MC,
    I'll need the good luck, lest I find out how Not to build it!!
    I plan on adding lighted markers, just to have a challenge.
     
  5. DaveD

    DaveD TrainBoard Member

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    I agree. People whine about everything being made in China, then they treat people who try not to, like garbage. I've never really understood the mentality of trying to dis a product. If you don't want it, then fine... Don't buy it. The obvious underlying message is... 'I think this is a rip off, and I'm going to tell everybody so'.

    I have a business where I manufacture products in the US, and let me tell you... the whole 'this is a rip off' attitude from many people, gets old really fast. People who make things have feelings like everybody else. Getting treated like a con artist, simply for trying to make a decent product AND a living, is very exhausting. I can only imagine how many people have just gotten fed up and started making their stuff in China, like everybody else. I know I certainly have considered it.
     
  6. Pete Steinmetz

    Pete Steinmetz TrainBoard Member

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    I think it's a very fair price for what's in the kit.

    Jason at Rapido once did a study on what one of his passenger cars that are currently made in china and sell for around $50.00 would sell for if made in North America.

    They would be around $150.00.

    Look what dealing with China has done to the model RR industry. Yes stuff is cheap, but if you can't buy it because of various factory situations, where does that leave us?

    Cheap stuff you can't buy.

    Canadian modelers have been used to buying resin kits for years. Many are not as detailed as this kit.

    I applaud ESM for stepping up with a quality kit made in America.
     
  7. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    If I remember correctly .. Intermountain used to make tank cars kits made in the USA , they sold for 10-13 dollars . I was told they were poor sellers and that more people wanted the models RTR. The RTR cars were closer to 20 bucks ea. Its clear that WE are driving the market. I would prefer a box of parts and build my own ..Sadly the Trainboard members are a miniscule cross section of the N scale modelers out there making the market unpredictable otherwise the manufacturers would take our words and wants as gospel and we would have everything we desire... I wish this were the case .
     
  8. LOU D

    LOU D TrainBoard Member

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    And since I moved over to caboose,rolling stock,& MOW scratchbuilding instead of locomotives because of cost,[and I really have almost every loco I want..] That's exactly what I'll be doing..I don't have one of anything,I'd like 3-4 of these,I'll just bang one out and make a mold,probably take me an afternoon..
     
  9. fifer

    fifer TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    There you go.
    Please post pics as you go along.
    Mike
     
  10. Scott Lupia

    Scott Lupia E-Mail Bounces

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    I don't know if it is a new generation of instant gratification driven modelers or enthusiasts/collectors. The concept of "modeling through building" is slowing disappearing. People want ready to run models that require little or no building/modification. The simple fact is that you cannot achieve the level of detail and craftsmanship that you see in the magazines without modeling skill and that skill is honed over years of crafting models. Museum quality work will always require you to have to build or paint something. I started this 25 years ago and my early work sucked when compared to what I do today. God, if you compare my early attempts at the KV caboose to Bryan's KV it it will make your eyes orbit your head. I didn't read books on building models, watch DVD's or have a personal modeling tutor in house. I worked at it, got better over time and am doing the best work I have ever done now. The only reason for that is because I built kits, kitbashed stuff and wasn't afraid to take on a project that required effort on my part. RTR is killing off the craftsman aspect of the hobby.

    When I show a model to people I know that I would rather smile and say, "yes, I built that" instead of "yes, I bought that".

    Scott Lupia
     
  11. joetrain59

    joetrain59 TrainBoard Member

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    If you read further, I got one, as it is a very wanted/unusual model. My opinion has been swayed by the kit.
    Joe

    "I think it's a very fair price for what's in the kit.

    Jason at Rapido once did a study on what one of his passenger cars that are currently made in china and sell for around $50.00 would sell for if made in North America.

    They would be around $150.00.

    Look what dealing with China has done to the model RR industry. Yes stuff is cheap, but if you can't buy it because of various factory situations, where does that leave us?

    Cheap stuff you can't buy.

    Canadian modelers have been used to buying resin kits for years. Many are not as detailed as this kit.

    I applaud ESM for stepping up with a quality kit made in America.[/QUOTE]"
     
  12. cnw mike

    cnw mike TrainBoard Member

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    I put together some kits for some private sales a while back, and am working on a few other similar projects. Those of you complaining about price do not understand the cost both in time and materials to create a well engineered kit. I think he did an amazing job keeping the price point where he did. Anybody check the price of o-scale kits lately? If anyone thinks it can be done for less and not for a loss, by all means step up! But until then...
     
  13. BurghThing

    BurghThing TrainBoard Member

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    (sigh) After all these years and still no ACL cabeese.
     
  14. x600

    x600 TrainBoard Member

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    Finally had the chance to complete my ESM KV Caboose.
    I added working DL&W style electric marker lights using fiber optics, track power, and a bridge rectifier circuit.
    Great kit. Some of the small parts were tedious at best, and it sometime challenged my skills, but I pushed through, as
    I couldn't be without this caboose!
    I numbered it 882 after the one that is currently operated by the Delaware-Lackawanna. DL+W882_001_857x643.jpg DL+W882_004_857x643.jpg ESM_Caboose_630x722.jpg
     
  15. mmagliaro

    mmagliaro TrainBoard Member

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    Scott, you have my undying gratitude for expressing this so well. It has been in my head for years.
    My quote is a little different from yours, but the sentiment is the same:
    "I don't want my trainroom to be full of what I bought. I want it to be full of what I made, warts and all."
     
  16. bbussey

    bbussey TrainBoard Member

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    Greg, beautiful work. It sure seems you met and exceeded the challenge. We're very pleased that you are happy with the product, and hopefully you will submit a photo featuring your finished caboose with marker lights blazing in our annual photo contest before December 15!
    :cool:
     
  17. rrunty

    rrunty TrainBoard Supporter

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    Very nice, Greg. Love the markers.

    Bob
     
  18. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    N scale has come so far... I never imagined we'd see such jewels. Very nice!
     
  19. fifer

    fifer TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    Greg , Well worth the effort.
    Mike
     
  20. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    I am reminded of the saying that goes, "We have met the enemy and it is us." I think the enemy here is N scale itself along with Ntrak to a degree. It is often said that the smallness of the scale means you can pack a lot more into a given area. That implies that quantity has priority over quality. So we can run prototypical length trains where in larger scales that possibility does not exist even on some club layouts. I include Ntrak here as well for being an avid Ntrakker I know how crowds are awed by long trains and how kids will stand and count every car that goes by. But Ntrak, by its very nature of being portable, means a lot of layout set ups and tear downs. It also means that rolling stock gets handled quite a lot. That is not conducive to keeping fragile detail parts in place. I shy away from the stuff with the "separately applied" detail parts because I know that with the necessary handling and given time, those detail parts will be more separated than they are applied. That does not mean I do not appreciate the efforts of those who choose to have detailed models. It just is not my cup of tea.

    To me the modeling aspect in N scale lies in the bigger picture. It is the layout or the module. People don't have to ask if you built it. They will know. But in all likelihood, when viewing a piece of rolling stock, they will, unless told, need to ask if you bought it or build it. And when did putting a kit together become modeling? I always thought real modelers were scratch builders armed mainly with a set of plans, some tools, raw materials, no instructions and a lot of time.
     

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