Interview with Ron of American Models for S Gaugian

I can sure come up with some questions, but I don't know if it's worth it until we know that American Models will grant an interview???

Ben. 

Good Day,

Can you ask American Models about producing the Trinity 5161 Grain Hopper?  How many pre-orders would start this project?  With at least 4 to 6 unique car numbers! I'd be a buyer 48 Hoppers.

I'm ready to buy when they supply...............

Regards,

Swafford

Ben, I will call Ron Bashista after noon Eastern as I hear that is when he gets to his operation.  S Gaugian has interviewed him before so I don't anticipate a no for the interview.

Swafford, that question is too specific for the interview.  Here is a question that would work, " Are you considering building any grain hoppers?".

Swafford, I Googled that Trinity hopper and found out more about it.  That question might work.

I think I know the answers to these two, but I'll pose them anyway:

Will there be a new run of PA's? (Santa Fe in particular)

Is there a possibility of adding dome cars and baggage cars to the Budd sets?

Rusty

Hi Bill,

Ask him why doesn't he make his locos more DCC friendly by having "plug & play" motor/light boards equipped with NMRA 8 pin sockets? Seems like the AC versions could have their electronic reverse units plug into the same socket, as well, so there would be no need have separate inventory for AC & DC versions.

Bill in FtL

Rusty Traque posted:

I think I know the answers to these two, but I'll pose them anyway:

Will there be a new run of PA's? (Santa Fe in particular)

Is there a possibility of adding dome cars and baggage cars to the Budd sets?

Rusty

Discussing the possibility of adding dome cars and baggage cars to the Budd sets is a great idea.  

Be sure to thank Ron for the models he makes in S. I have most of his engines and six sets of AM passenger cars. As I recall there used to be a streamlined Hudson that went with the NYC passenger cars, it is no longer catalogued. Are there any future plans for the Hudson?

Hi Bill,

Ask if they are going to make a "rounded Reading Roof" for their passenger cars.  Since there sides and roofs are separate pieces, it wouldn't be alot to do.

I dare not ask for more.

Francine

  I agree with Bill in Florida . Can American models make DCC ready plug and play engines?

I just talked with Ron Bashista and he looks forward to doing the interview for the S Gaugian.  Ben send your questions.

Francine, I asked him about Reading passenger car roofs because that is not a broad enough question for the interview.  Sorry, his answer was no.  Too costly for the market size.

Bill,

Years ago, I interviewed Ron for a proposed article in Classic Toy Trains.  I submitted the interview and was turned down by the magazine.  Unfortunately, it's now so out of date, that it's only a footnote in my archives.  Good luck on the interview.  Ron's done SO much for S.  He's been in business now for longer than A.C. was.

Hi Bill,

     I was in my train room today and I have many of American Models Trains in my collection much more then I thought I had. I enjoy them all and have never had any operation problems. One question would be with the new building will there be an effort to rebuilding his inventory or producing new offerings? Will American Models be producing any Steam Locos in the future? I understand the probability depends upon if the tooling from China included the steam locos. How is his efforts to have American produced trains & parts going for him?  I would also like to ask if there would be any chance of full interiors on his Cabooses and Passenger Cars like the Bud cars have in the future? 

     With those questions I wish him and American Models a very healthy future. I know I am very happy with the American Model products I have and hope to have more in the future.

Happy Railroading

Don

Happy Railroading

1) Can we see dome budd passenger cars in the future?

2) How do you (American Models) decide when it is time to rerun a model? The SD60 and PAs are barren, yet we see new road names in the GP9s, the GP9s mind you are in full stock.  Can we expect to see the sold out and unavailable models rerun? And if so, will the take the form of the more high fidelity "DX" models (hope so). 

3) Any thought to expanding the turnout size offering beyond just the R27?

4) While I would not spend a lot of time throwing out "can you make this or that locomotive" questions, the desiel that seems to have the most support, and that no one is making, is the SD40-2.  Would AM consider making this model? 

5) Does AM monitor any of the popular online forums to see what the chatter is? 

That's all I got at the moment Bill. When do you expect to do the interview (that is to say how long are you taking questions for)?  And will this be in the same issue as the York interviews? 

Ben

Please ask Ron if he will produce a NYC Dreyfuss 20th Century Hudson.  Thank you.  He made the NYC Empire Express Hudson in chrome and satin silver so much of the chassis, drivetrain, etc. is there to take advantage of.  Any rendition of the 20th Century Hudson in terms of early or late paint scheme (with/without blue stripes), boxpok or Scullin wheels, etc. would be fine, or a few of them even better.  They all look great and represent a timeless, classic design of the streamlined steam engine era.  

Ben, No this interview will not be in the same issue and MTH and Lionel.  Those are already set to go to print.  No date for it yet, but my guess is late in the year.  

I will take suggested questions through the weekend.

Thanks

Id like to see American Models offer alternate paint schemes for their current offerings.

For example, I'm a New Haven fan, and New Haven had several paint schemes for their PA and FA among others.

I'm sure that's true for other roads too, and would probably help them sell a lot more without the need for new tooling etc.

I agree with the comment above - American Models just doesn't get the recognition they deserve - quality product , 

fairly priced and I' ve always had wonderful service and responsiveness.   

Only the Trainmaster was made in the pre McGinnis green with yellow stripe. I have one, nice engine. I have an RS 3 in McGinnis black/orange, it goes with the AM NH passenger car set. The AM NH Pacific also works with the passenger set. Releasing more DX paint schemes is a good idea.

AmFlyer posted:

Only the Trainmaster was made in the pre McGinnis green with yellow stripe. I have one, nice engine. I have an RS 3 in McGinnis black/orange, it goes with the AM NH passenger car set. The AM NH Pacific also works with the passenger set. Releasing more DX paint schemes is a good idea.

New Haven never had Train Masters, but they were proposed.  AM's model follows that proposal and looks pretty sharp.

I remember seeing artwork for the New Haven Train Masters in a magazine, but can't remember which one.  I scoured my Model Railroader and Trains Magazine CD archives to no avail.  Might have been in Extra 2200 South or RMC.

There's also artwork floating around for for an Illinois Central proposal.  IC once did consider buying 75 Train Masters.  If AM did those...

Rusty