Skip to main content

This info is second hand from someone who was there yesterday ( and will be again today )  . At least he made an appearance . He had painted samples of the gons which apparently looked very nice . He was quite defensive about not updating the site or communicating with customers which shows a real lack of  understanding of how you need to relate to your customers .  I didn't get any indication of there being any schedule for delivery the long overdue SD project engines either - guess I'm not surprised . He had a lot of traffic / interest at his table from what has been relayed to me . This person intends to talk to him again today so if anything of interest is passed along to me I'll do the same .

I got the same email, too. Apparently 2 craftsmen on the SD40-2 project have quit and Erik has not been able to travel to South Korea in 2 years because of COVID. He hasn't updated his website because he's been too busy with his day job.

I don't take any of this as encouraging news. He can produce fantastic preproduction samples and I'm not questioning his ability to design a museum piece but it seems like he's taking on too much at once. How about delivering the SD45's then focus on the SD40-2 project before building BetGon's. I know he's already checking to see if there is interest in 73' centerbeam flat cars.

@Bryan D. posted:

This info is second hand from someone who was there yesterday ( and will be again today )  . At least he made an appearance . He had painted samples of the gons which apparently looked very nice . He was quite defensive about not updating the site or communicating with customers which shows a real lack of  understanding of how you need to relate to your customers .  I didn't get any indication of there being any schedule for delivery the long overdue SD project engines either - guess I'm not surprised . He had a lot of traffic / interest at his table from what has been relayed to me . This person intends to talk to him again today so if anything of interest is passed along to me I'll do the same .

As a reservation/deposit holder, does he provide any updates to you?

I don't have any Midwestern Modelworks on reservation but the last thing I reserved years ago ended up screwing me by taking my deposit money, providing no meaningful updates over 7 years and then shipping me versions of the model that weren't even close to what I reserved. 

I have no basis to critique Erik so this is not meant for him but I'm soured on reserving high dollar things with "nonrefundable large deposits" from builders with a so-called "track record of delivering". 

I've stayed out of this - but this is so amazing I can't help myself

I was at the show, the MMW models on display looked great

At the hotel, there were impacts on meal service; COVID and the current economy

When I fired up my computer a couple minutes ago; one of the popup stories is a major airline canceling flights this weekend, impacting many; COVID and the current economy

If you have watched news recently; a message is buy your Christmas presents now if you want to be sure you have some this year; COVID and the current economy

As there is no way to reasonably get to the far east right now to work models; how do you suggest MMW moves this project to completion at this current point in time ?

@Bryan D. posted:

^

Hey Rob ,

               We've gotten nothing .   There is just no excuse . My engines are mostly paid for and I will NEVER get involved with anything like this again . Never thought anyone would outdo the '' other guy ''  .

I certainly know that COVID has taken a bite out of everything but my seven-year tale of woe is long before COVID.  Amazingly, public complaint was few and far between.  I wonder if folks are/were worried about losing their money so they hushed up any complaints?  In my case there were certainly others who complained "hey, I ordered one thing and he took my money and he shipped me something else".

Production delays due to COVID and supply chain are to be expected in nearly every industry.  I have much sympathy with anyone trying to do offshore manufacturing or business.

With that said, honest and open communication has nothing to do with COVID.

It's simply good, honest business.

Last edited by Rule292
@Bryan D. posted:

^

Hey Rob ,

               We've gotten nothing .   There is just no excuse . My engines are mostly paid for and I will NEVER get involved with anything like this again . Never thought anyone would outdo the '' other guy ''  .

I ordered this model in 2019 only because Atlas canceled their SD40’s (I had 6 ordered) and 3rd Rail’s SD40-2’s had yet to receive sufficient reservations (I had 2 reserved at that time).

Now that 3rd Rail’s SD40-2 is a go I reserved 2 more and have pretty much given up on MMW’s model. Needless to say, I won’t be investing in any brass models ever again.

I have no stake in any of this debacle, but like others, it seems that things have gone on WAY too long.   Don't give me the Covid excuse crap, either!   These projects were started long before Covid, and too many use that as the excuse.    The engine project has not advanced much other than the dog and pony show put on since this started back in 2012......long before the current state of the world with Covid!   I agree, some things are out of Midwestern Model Works control, but open and honest communication certainly is not!    The fact is, this guy does not have a solid track record....Period!    Talk to anybody who sent him engines to be repowered in past years, and never got them done.  Always an excuse as to why things were not done on time, or as promised.     I have nothing against Eric one bit, just stating my observations.      The Beth Gons on display at the show at the show are beautiful....but they should be at $600.00 a pop!    Too rich for my tatses, however....   Still, I did not see any actual locomotive models, other than the same one displayed at Chicago back in March of 2020.

Last edited by R Nelson

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×