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@gunrunnerjohn

Hey John,
I have an old JLC TMCC Challenger.  I had planned to install your super chuffer kit.  Do I need to also remplace the TMCC boards with ERR components.  I think the latest ERR board has (had) 100 speed steps, while the old TMCC stuff had less...I think.

Since the demise of ERR is eminent I thought I would buy what I needed now for future application.

thanks!

Until some clarity comes from the ERR fiasco, I'm not ordering any new Super-Chuffer boards, so right now they're "out of stock".  I was ready to place a large order, but I have to order 100's from the Chinese supplier, and I'm afraid I'd be stuck with a lot of useless inventory if there's nothing to upgrade!  I have a handful of Chuff-Generator boards, but I suspect they'll be gone soon.

Lionel has put me out of the smoke upgrade business!

Unless some TMCC upgrade is available, there's no way I can justify the up front money it would cost to order a new shipment of the Super-Chuffer boards.  The boards have to be ordered in quantity to get any sort of decent price on the parts and assembly.  That being the case, I've put any orders on hold until I know for sure there is still an upgrade path that would be able to utilize my product.

Dear John

I think that with ERR closing down to the hobbyist has unleashed pend up demand for their product. I was planning on purchasing ERR equipment install over a period of two years. With this latest news everyone and their brother is get their order in now with ERR. I believe you would do just as well with your products line. Heck I would even purchase two or three from your product line if not more due to the uncertainly with ERR. That just me and with all of us on this forum that could cover you min order if not more.

Last edited by nvocc5

Kris, I have to order a LOT more than two or three to get any reasonable price on assembly and parts.  Until I know there is a continuing TMCC command upgrade product, I simply can't justify tying up the significant amount of money in stock that could take years to sell, if ever. I have both the Super-Chuffer and Chuff-Generator that are ready to be reordered.

Obviously, if there was a certainty of selling a significant part of a new production run, I could change my mind.  However, getting dozens of people all to make firm commitments is somewhat akin to herding cats.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Until some clarity comes from the ERR fiasco, I'm not ordering any new Super-Chuffer boards, so right now they're "out of stock".  I was ready to place a large order, but I have to order 100's from the Chinese supplier, and I'm afraid I'd be stuck with a lot of useless inventory if there's nothing to upgrade!  I have a handful of Chuff-Generator boards, but I suspect they'll be gone soon.

Lionel has put me out of the smoke upgrade business!

What a sad time in this hobby , never thought it would come to this ! Unfortunately it has, and not only is my great friend GRJ out of business because of this decision , so am I. I have enough ERR , and super chuffer product to finish my last 5 upgrades. Can’t believe this is happening.

Alex  

John

I imagine that there are a lot of TMCC Locomotives out there that would benefit from the SC/CG upgrades.  Whether that translates into sales is another matter.  I'm installing my first one now in a TMCC K-line Mikado and I have 2 other locomotives that I would like to do.  But I'm guessing that the lion's share of installations are done with new ERR upgrades of conventional engines, and that's what Lionel has killed.   I don't blame you for holding back on ordering new boards. 

Bob

 

Laidoffsick posted:

You can still put the SC and CG in a TMCC engine as is, it dont have to be upgraded to ERR. John I think you will still sell tons of them even w/o ERR

Yes and I have a few locos that I wanted this done to. TMCC PRR J1, M1a, K-line USRA 2-8-2, PRR H9 steamer, K-line K4's [two] PRR T1. I loved what You did with my Weaver C1 Switcher!

Last edited by prrhorseshoecurve

Over half the sales to this point have been in ERR upgraded locomotives.  If I were to count on only existing TMCC stuff, there's only a finite number of those around, when they're gone, they're gone.  Also, the lack of the Cruise Commander M means that some people won't want to upgrade the existing TMCC locomotive if they can't get cruise, I know I wouldn't.

I'm keeping my options open, but as of now, I don't see my way clear to tie up thousands of dollars in inventory that I may never sell, or would end up selling for fifty cents on the dollar.  As others here, I am still holding out hope for a change in Lionel's posture, but quite frankly it's a pretty slim hope IMO.  The message we all received seemed pretty finite that the ERR end user sales would cease.  Since not even a hint of an alternative was mentioned, that didn't bode well for the future.

Let's just assume this posture and hope for the best.

Image result for fingers crossed

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Over half the sales to this point have been in ERR upgraded locomotives.  If I were to count on only existing TMCC stuff, there's only a finite number of those around, when they're gone, they're gone.  Also, the lack of the Cruise Commander M means that some people won't want to upgrade the existing TMCC locomotive if they can't get cruise, I know I wouldn't.

I'm keeping my options open, but as of now, I don't see my way clear to tie up thousands of dollars in inventory that I may never sell, or would end up selling for fifty cents on the dollar.  As others here, I am still holding out hope for a change in Lionel's posture, but quite frankly it's a pretty slim hope IMO.  The message we all received seemed pretty finite that the ERR end user sales would cease.  Since not even a hint of an alternative was mentioned, that didn't bode well for the future.

Let's just assume this posture and hope for the best.

Image result for fingers crossed

Well that answers most of the questions I just sent you in a email.  As of right now I could use two super chuffers and three chuff generators.  The boards I just purchased from ERR won't help me with my brass engines that still have EOB with out John's products.  Hope the electronics last.

 

John, would you willing to give us total numbers you have produced to date?

Last edited by superwarp1
NelsonW posted:

Well that was bad timing for me. I was just about to upgrade 2 K-line TMCC puffer engines to fan units using your boards. I shall wait as will others to see how this shakes out....

That sir is a fine market for John's product. Have one factory puffer in a scale loco, you can't even tell they are puffing anything and to make it worse, 2 chuffs!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

 

Let's just assume this posture and hope for the best.

Image result for fingers crossed

A good positive outlook and patience has usually worked for me in the past. Most of the time anyway. We never know for sure, but we can sure hope and try to wait them out. You have some great products and it would be a shame to have to abandon them. I also feel bad for you, Alex M, GGG, Marty F and all the others here that provide a lot of help, great upgrades and many other things for the rest of us.

I too have my fingers crossed, but I also have a good feeling here and am thinking something good will eventually come out of all this. It will just take time to get it all sorted out. Who knows, maybe Lionel has another plan that they are just not yet ready to announce?

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