Product announcement: NCS 42' Coil Car...maybe Ladies and Gentlemen, I like to present this trainz by eNKay-Design product, my first complete car designed from scratch. The car is made from nickel-silver etched parts, actually you see 104 parts not incl. trucks and load, soldered together... I think it’s a car our scale needs, hundreds of them on the railways, but non in 1:220. The prototype is just painted with primer to show all details. The trucks are AZL in this case, but can be FT or MTL, I just have heaps of AZL trucks flying around. So far so good, so why the “maybe”? Before I’m going to offer this car I’d like to figure out what or better is there a demand . I’m talking about a small series product similar the FR models with, because of the high degree of detailing and therefore work involved same price tag attached. I have to re-design the car is certain areas to assemble it more economical. So please post your comments here so I can figure out the demand. It’s not an order you commit to, just an info for my planning. I know small series business has dried out a bit over the last couple of years due to the poor buying power of the USD. I can think also about an “economy” version of this car with reduced details; might be interesting too. What means economy? Less details and less parts, for example simplified handrails, steps, side sills, break wheel and a casted hood for example. I’m thinking about offering a complete assembled cars incl. load, painted and decaled, weathering as an extra option. If there is demand for a kit version I would consider this too. But don’t think this will be the kit to earn your first merits in soldering an etched car together; you need to be an expert not to be disappointed and frustrated for years… To the model: it’s showing the latest version of National Steel Coli Cars, some call it Type 5. It’s in use with CSXT, KCS, NOKL and CAGY. In case this car is accepted I would make more variants of NSC Coil Cars such as the Type 3 car. So, please review the pictures and post your honest opinion; please have in mind this is the first prototype and the quality is not up to the level you can expect for the small series.
I'd certainly be interested in 1 - maybe 2 max. Obviously this is based upon selling price. If the price starts getting into high 2 figures I'd have to pass. In addition in my case I would not be interested in having any access what-so-ever to the interior, especially if closing it up would reduce the cost. ...don
Gerd, Contrats! Welcome to the wonderful world of Z scale manufacturing! I will definately be purchasing these. All the best! John
Gerd, the car looks great. I think there is a demand for this car, but the high cost is going to limit it. I would like to see the car priced closer to $100 if you can, but I dont like the loss of detail. Like Don, I dont mind losing the interior, but its a nice feature.
Gerd the car is awesome! I have been hoping these would be offered at some point. They are one of my favorite car types. I am definitely in for one. I do like the interior detailing and have no problem paying FR pricing for the car. CSX is a must for me. If you would like me to run this in Ztrack to see if you can get some additional feedback, I would be more than happy to. My email is ztrack@aol.com Rob
Outstanding, Gerd! Another work of art! Count me in for one of each road-name... with Full Throttle trucks/couplers and weathering and maybe some graffiti. Now I have to hunt for some proto-photos. Type 5? What is the AAR classification?
Very nice work, as usual! However $100 is too high for me. As I shouldn't like to loose detailing I'd be interrested for a few kits if ever.:tb-wink: Dom
ThankZ, Gerd... very helpful. If this list is accurate, seems to be more than a few road-names to choose from... http://rrpicturearchives.net/rsRRAARList.aspx?aid=E241
Alex, a car in this class doesn't mean it's an NSC Type 5 . There are several other designs too. The ARR classes and types are covering a certain characteristics, not a manufacturer. There are only those 4 roadnames I have mentioned above. But I think I'm doing to do more types to cover a wider range in the future...
Chris, I'm aware of those cars, the HO is exactly the same type, the blue CSX and NS paint schemes are not prototype, but a normal approach by "mass" manufacturer.
At $50 per car, I'd buy one of every NS / CSX livery you want to decorate, and maybe a few others. But I think at $75 or above the overall demand goes way down. Just my opinion though, no basis in fact. And I agree that perhaps an option for interior detail and removable cover vs. sealed top may increase sales by a few, if it takes the price down by $5 or $10 per unit. Again, just numbers off the top of my head. I would love to see them come to market.
Gerd, Very nice coil car. I've seen a number of similar or same coil cars here in the southern part of Indiana. (Many were stored CSXT cars.) I would be interested in some should you move forward with a production run. Also, noticed that NS has a number of ex-CSXT in the 164380-16479 range that look very similar to yours. I don't know if they are NSC Type 5, but "mass" manufacturer approach would seem to be able to applied. ~Paul E.
Thanks guys for your intrest in this car. Due to some very good feedback from z friends all over the world I will produce following versions: 1) National Steel Car "Type 3" 42' Coil Car, example: Type 3 in following roadnames NS, CN, CSXT, DRHY, IMRL, LW, TR, ATW, HS, ICE, MBKX 2) National Steel Car "Type 4" 48' Coil Car example: Type 4 in GTW colous 3) National Steel Car "Type 5" 42' Coil Car example: Type 5 in CAGY, CSXT, NOKL, KCS, AOK, WRWK "Fantasy" paint jobs are possible too if desired... I offer 2 versions: A) complete assembled, painted und decals with fixed hood............$99 B) complete assembled, painted und decals with load, removable hood and detailing inside .......$119 Weathering and simple graffities: $15 challenging weathering and graffities: please ask for quote Shipping: flat $15 To order please send email to: service at trains.enkay-design.com Delivery prior to Christmas 2011 Some roadnames are subject to pending trademark licenses, but I'm not expecting any problems so far. The prices might sound a lot to some guys, but those are highly detailed, true scale, handmade articels in metal (...like the real thing) and not some injection moulded plastic with probably some chunky bits attached you have to pay $30 per piece too...your choice
Gerd, You have supported me over the years and so count me in for one "Type 3" 42' in fantasy paint job will email you with details. All the best, John
