US Jobs and Trains:
I think Weaver Models is the only model train company prepared to make trains in the US readily. Joe Hayder and I had discussed this at length (we stand next to each other at York 3 days every 6 months). We trade stories about how difficult these builders can be. I say, support Joe (Weaver Models) in any project they are producing in the US, and ignore the extra 20% in price (if there is one), so he can do what most of you ask, make models in the US. It will cost more for new tooling and production but it will keep jobs here. (plastic) Maybe he can put the regular price with a US Jobs Incentive (20% added). Just a thought.
As for brass production, long ago, PSC under the direction of Dave Bush, brought Koreans over and housed them so they could work on brass castings and other projects in his CA facility in the 1970s.
The importers of the day, KEY, Westside and my father, would buy his castings and bring them to Korea and Japan to have them applied to the models. Eventually, the factories in Korea made their own casting master patterns. One such company is OSC, Mr. Oh. He and my father were good buddies for many years. I enjoyed getting to know his Son and watching them change their model train casting factory from trains to musical instrument keys for Yamaha and other manufactures. These guys are masters at making lost wax castings of every kind.
They make the trucks for Wasatch and do other small projects for others.
PSC still makes their own brass castings as well in the US for over 35 years. BRAVO!!!
But the rest of the brass steam engine production process is more like an art form and is rather complicated, requiring experienced designers, pattern makers and sample model makers. They basically build a sample from scratch in the beginning to prove a design. It can be done in the US, but the complexities of making drivers and plating and painting chemicals that might not be allowed in certain areas might cause problems for setting up a facility in the US. And you would have to import the expertice from Korea to start the process.
The main Chinese managers I wrote about earlier have been with the same company for over 12 years. They are masters of this art form. We would have to duplicate that effort in the states just to get started.
I really enjoy project management and working with the artists overseas and watching these amazing models come to life from 2D drawings and photographs.
So when you look at one of your Sunset / 3rd Rail models and think to yourself, how did Scott do that? I have a lot of help over here with folks sending data and reviewing drawings, and over there with some of the most amazing artists in the business.
I hope you enjoyed learing a little bit about how this end of the train business works. It is a pleasure to be a part of it to get to know the customers who are so passionate about their hobby.
Enough mushy stuff... Carry on....
Scott Mann
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