brianel_k-lineguy posted:In additional to Atlas, the following companies have made some sort of announcement that they are also affected adversely by the closure of Affatech (some of which have already been mentioned here): Bowser, Bluford Shops, ExactRail, Fox Valley Models, Intermountain, Spring Mills Depot, Trainworx Inc., and Wheels of Time. Two more firms, Tangent Scale Models and Moloco Models are also thought to be affected but have made no official announcement either way.
Although not involved in O scale/gauge, another manufacturer directly and adversely impacted by the closure is American Z Lines (AZL), a leading manufacturer in the world of Z scale that produces high-end Z locomotives and rolling stock based largely on U.S. prototypes. I believe all of their production came from Affatech. An aannouncement on their member forum strongly reinforced their commitment to the Z market and to finding a new supplier, but they also cautioned that consumers should avail themselves of product currently available and be prepared for significant delays in new product until a new supplier can be found and production resumed. That may take a considerable time.
My perspective on this whole unfortunate matter:
O gauge/scale consumers should also be prepared for a rather dramatic slow-down of new product coming in from overseas. This applies to ALL O gauge train manufacturers, including some not directly named or impacted by the Affatech closure. In short, if there's something you would like to have that is currently available or (especially) already in the pipeline on a container ship or in a warehouse, you may want to satiate your consuming desires now if you can possibly do so rather than pin your hopes on something that has already been cataloged or announced, but is still possibly going to be a year or even several years away.
