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Why aren't more MTH dealers taking advantage of this program. The ones that are, are doing great. The thing you have to remember is to do a local name car or engine. You should start with a freight car. My opinion its a great way to make money and probably a few new customers.

Last edited by jim sutter
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@DMASSO posted:

Mel. The risk with motive power is much greater than freight which I know you are well aware.

A large NE dealer would need to step forward but most likely have no interest.

Don,

That's my point. Where is there a dealer in New England who would do my project? So, the custom-run business model leaves us without new product. Especially motive power.

I'm pleased that JR Junction Train and Hobby in Syracuse, New York has proposed custom runs of New York Central, Boston & Albany, and Rutland cabooses. But I think that's primarily due to the sales potential of the New York Central version. Same question regarding New Haven locomotives and rolling stock.

MELGAR

Last edited by MELGAR
@jim sutter posted:

Why aren't more MTH dealers taking advantage of this program. The ones that are are doing great. The thing you have to remember is to do a local name car or engine. You should start with a freight car. My opinion its a great way to make money and probably a few new customers.

How do you know they are doing great?  Just because people are ordering the custom pieces doesn't equate to "great" for the dealer.  Most dealers take pre orders with little or no money down, so there is no immediate influx of cash.  Furthermore only dealers and MTH know when and how much money is exchanged prior to product being delivered...if the dealer needs to shell out money up front that could be a strain on their day to day.  You have to wonder how many people don't follow through with their commitment and back out of the order when the piece is delivered months/years later.  As far as getting new customers, speaking from my experience, I've ordered special run items from place I never ordered before, but still go to my regular dealer for everything else.  While the custom run stuff is cool, all the risk is on the dealer, so I can see why they might be hesitant to jump in.

Typically, dealers stay away from custom runs because of the risk of getting stuck with unsold product.  If the minimum order quantity is not met, that dealer gets stuck with purchasing the remaining units.  Not everyone can afford to take that risk in what is a fairly low profit business model.  This is a brilliant business decision on the part of MTH as they have successfully shifted a majority of the cost risk to their dealer network. 

Just my opinion based on experience with doing custom run projects.  I cannot speak directly to MTHs current business practices, but if one wants a custom run, I would think that they could approach MTH and have anything done they want with the current tooling as long as they front the cost for the MOQ.   

@SIRT posted:

With the state of the supply chain / economy, I have to wonder if all these proposed products will ever be produced?

Been waiting almost a year now on 3 items.

If you get a product within a year after it was announced, that is good given all the obstacles. We may not like it - but that is the way it goes.

With that said - a good number of my recent purchases have been custom runs. Love em.

Paul - all good waits come to those with things - Licata

Last edited by Railrunnin
@GG1 4877 posted:

Typically, dealers stay away from custom runs because of the risk of getting stuck with unsold product.  If the minimum order quantity is not met, that dealer gets stuck with purchasing the remaining units.  Not everyone can afford to take that risk in what is a fairly low profit business model.  This is a brilliant business decision on the part of MTH as they have successfully shifted a majority of the cost risk to their dealer network.

Just my opinion based on experience with doing custom run projects.  I cannot speak directly to MTHs current business practices, but if one wants a custom run, I would think that they could approach MTH and have anything done they want with the current tooling as long as they front the cost for the MOQ.   

That's correct - (our club continues to do customs runs with MTH).  

-Greg

Yeah, what you guys are saying makes sense to me, regarding the risk of making custom runs. I definitely have my mental list of locomotives and rolling stock I'd like to see done, even if they aren't mass produced, but of course the question is will they ever happen? For example, I wish Atlas would make LIRR and NY&A schemes for their MP-15's. I know MTH has them, but they are hard to find, and I want the better detailing of the Atlas models. If I have to, I will make my own custom models, but I'd rather the manufacturer makes them first.

@jim sutter posted:

Why aren't more MTH dealers taking advantage of this program. The ones that are are doing great. The thing you have to remember is to do a local name car or engine. You should start with a freight car. My opinion its a great way to make money and probably a few new customers.

You akso need colorful graphics snd a popular road name. You dont to be saddled with inventory at years end.

I think it also has to do with the dealer and the consumer base that surrounds them.

For example; here in the Syracuse area, we have @JR Junction Train & Hobby.  Not only is Phil the proprietor, but also is our CNY-NRHS Club President, a member of the O gauge club attached to the Chapter, a Central New York area railroad modeler, NYCSHS Member and our age (mid/late 40's) and we have a "band of brothers" about the same age and modelling interests, which are also popular amongst the general public, and have direct lines to manufacturers which respect the level of detail and research we provide to release fun and accurate models.  We're all active here on the forum and can gather interest in custom runs, such as the upcoming NYO&W sheathed boxcars, NYC and B&A cabooses.  But not all the ideas we have come to fruition; some crash and burn.

It's the enthusiasm we encourage each other with that really gives our custom runs life.

My 2¢.

Thanks!

- Mario

Last edited by CentralFan1976
@MELGAR posted:

Which, or where, is the MTH dealer that will sponsor the Premier Boston & Albany 0-8-0 switcher or 4-6-2 Pacific that I would like to buy?

MELGAR

We were indeed looking at custom runs of a NYC Pacific, but the details on the MTH Premier were just too much off from actual NYC classes that we deemed it was not worth the reward.  So research efforts were placed into the MTH Premier O&W F3A/B sets, Premier Finger Lakes Railway GP9, 2nd run of Railking NYC RS3 8223, Solvay Process tank cars and other yet to be announced.

Thanks!

- Mario

Speaking of custom runs! The TCA still has the Buxom Melons 36' reefer available here.  I believe they originally commissioned 150 units (75 of each number), and as of today, they still have 45.  Every TCA member should have one!

Meanwhile, the Strasburg snowplow sold out very quickly. 

As someone who collects MTH 36' woodsided reefers, I find the sold-out custom run pieces rather hard to find on the secondary market.  These are coming out fast and furious lately.  I currently have 46 on pre-order!

We're all active here on the forum and can gather interest in custom runs, such as the upcoming NYO&W sheathed boxcars, NYC and B&A cabooses.  But not all the ideas we have come to fruition; some crash and burn.

It's the enthusiasm we encourage each other with that really gives our custom runs life.

My 2¢.

Thanks!

- Mario

Mario is 100% correct.  We are doing the most we can do while keeping within our limits.  We had plans for several years to eventually do a custom run caboose using MTH Premier N-6b caboose tooling.  Unfortunately for us, the tooling has fallen into Lionel's hands and now we must acquire currently available MTH models and redecorate and customize them ourselves.  Its disappointing for us, but more custom run projects are on our drawing boards that will get produced.

Speaking of custom runs! The TCA still has the Buxom Melons 36' reefer available here.  I believe they originally commissioned 150 units (75 of each number), and as of today, they still have 45.  Every TCA member should have one!

Meanwhile, the Strasburg snowplow sold out very quickly.

As someone who collects MTH 36' woodsided reefers, I find the sold-out custom run pieces rather hard to find on the secondary market.  These are coming out fast and furious lately.  I currently have 46 on pre-order!

I'm no prude but, that TCA Melon car was not a smart choice. I'm with you on the majority of 36' reefers being produced, MTH and Atlas.

We were indeed looking at custom runs of a NYC Pacific, but the details on the MTH Premier were just too much off from actual NYC classes that we deemed it was not worth the reward.  So research efforts were placed into the MTH Premier O&W F3A/B sets, Premier Finger Lakes Railway GP9, 2nd run of Railking NYC RS3 8223, Solvay Process tank cars and other yet to be announced.

Thanks!

- Mario

The unfortunate fact is that MTH is not offering (especially steam) locomotives and (especially passenger) cars in the same quantities that they once did. So, the loss of MTH in the marketplace is becoming apparent. As of now, there hasn't been any MTH custom-run item that I have purchased. MTH was my preferred train-maker.

MELGAR

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