New S Scale Manufacturer

....Fingers crossed for something like this....

Ben

The test shot of the DPH Thrall gondola from Yahoo S Scale a while back:

Rusty

Track is good. Switches are better.

It would be nice if they would produce models based on their wonderful N and HO rolling stock selections eventually.

I wonder if the Hi-rail turnouts will also handle Flyer...

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Here's an image liberated from Yahoo S Scale of Fox Valley Models code 138 (Fastrack and S-Trax compatible) flex track.

No images of the turnouts yet.

Rusty

Pictures of the track and turn outs with some info on the fox valley models Facebook page. 

Ben 

These look like nice products and needed in S gauge. I am curious where they sourced the rail. Neither Tomalco nor Micro Engineering offer code 138 rail. It is not MTH, however it could be from the same offshore source Lionel is using.

Nice looking forward to any new rolling stock offerings.

That looks like a gondola that has not been offered in O gauge yet. I would be tempted to buy one when they come out and try some three rail trucks under it................Paul

The second run of the hoppers has new road names. 

See Des Plaibes hobbies website for info. 

They look nice! 

Ben

Anything new in S scale is a treat.

Jeff C

There should be more interest in S scale since O gauge guys keep saying O scale steam, diesel, and freight cars are way too big. If these guys do not have a lot of room for O scale, then they should get into S scale. 

Andrew

falconservice posted:

There should be more interest in S scale since O gauge guys keep saying O scale steam, diesel, and freight cars are way too big. If these guys do not have a lot of room for O scale, then they should get into S scale. 

Andrew

I’ve played around with S for years, but it can be extremely frustrating, as product availability is hit or miss. A lot of the stuff I want has been made, but often the money isn’t there during that 3 hour window when the magic item is actually available to buy.

S often just seems to take a little more dedication and patience than I can muster—but it’s fair to say that the above statement is just as telling about me as it is the scale...

Jeff C

leikec posted:

S often just seems to take a little more dedication and patience than I can muster—

Jeff C

I agree

Brendan posted:

 I don't know if it is wrong to want certain items; other scales have that luxury.  It has been expressed on this forum in the past that it looked good for us when Lionel came out with the SD70s and ES44 units and some scale(ish) rolling stock but it has been somewhat downhill since.  Luckily, I am ok with traditional flyer, but that seems to have stalled, as well.

 

Brendan 

It's not wrong to want certain items.  I just wonder how long traditional style Flyer will be marketable, even with improvements like FlyerChief.

We'll have to wait and see where the Legacy Berkshire leads to...

Rusty

Tired of waiting...

Does anyone actually believe there will be MORE S products in the future when there are FEWER S scale modelers? Didn't think so. I love the scale, but I have limited time and no interest in becoming a scratch builder. Puts me in a tough spot...

About a yer ago I was excited to go in to S scale but  thought it best to be patient.  I 100% love the size and quality as stated many times before in this forum.  I just don't think the manufacturers are willing to invest in S at all.  That leaves anyone who has committed to this scale at a disadvantage of collecting models of trains they like.  I like all eras and a lot of different road names as well as steam.  I am ready to spend money on my trains.  I work very long hours and do not have time to fiddle with things.   I need to buy it, put it on the track and enjoy it.  After all this is a hobby and hobbies should be enjoyed not causing frustration.  Sad to say but this sways me to HO which I can barely see. 

In a perfect world for me who is more of a scale guy I wished S was like HO in offerings and other characteristics.  I understand the market is just not large enough to  support this and I suspect the companies have their hands full with what they currently do.  I can not blame anyone who loves S and wants to stick with it nor can I blame anyone who as chosen not to pursue it.  For me I just don't think it is worth the hassle of lack of product availability.  It still pains me to think this way as again the appeal is the size but what good is the size if nothing is available?  Its too bad wished I had the funds to develop S scale I still think there is a potential market but it is a risk and not an immediate return as not only do you need to develop the products but you need to convert people as well.

Any new products from any manufacturer will grow the pool, probably from existing scales.  Either people downsizing from O Scale or upsizing from HO.  Everyone says S is the "Goldilocks Scale" - not too big, not too small.

There is a lot of stuff I would like to have, but if it starts to arrive after retirement, it becomes questionable.

Francine posted:

Any new products from any manufacturer will grow the pool, probably from existing scales. 

And that is the magic phrase.  However, there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of new product coming down the pipeline to wave the wand. 

MTH is missing in action.  Pure and simple.  They seemed to be more concerned with wi-fi, bluetooth and slapping mini-LED strings on everything.

While Lionel is producing some new stuff, they seem to be pretty much content with sticking with "traditional" styled Flyer.  FlyerChief or the Legacy Berkshire alone will not produce a great influx of new S folks, scale or otherwise.  Plus unless an aftermarket scale conversion becomes available for the Legacy Berk, the Scale Folk will ignore it.

While there's always American Models and they have come out with some new stuff recently, they lack the "bells and whistles" today's customer base has become so enamored with.  However, at least AM has everything on their website in stock.

Either people downsizing from O Scale or upsizing from HO.  Everyone says S is the "Goldilocks Scale" - not too big, not too small.

Unfortunately, Goldilocks is a fairy tale.  The lack of new product availability and glacial pace in S is the big bad wolf.  And the wolf is winning.  Modelers from HO will be disappointed there's no real equivalent to likes of Athearn Genesis, Broadway Limited, ExactRail, Rapido Trains and others. I doubt HOer's will really want to scratchbuild everything they can't buy off the shelf.  Given the glacial pace of S, I don't see a lot of downsizing O gaugers entering S.

There is a lot of stuff I would like to have, but if it starts to arrive after retirement, it becomes questionable.

That's the position I'm in right now.  While i have enough S accumulation over the past 30 years to keep me busy, I'm being very careful now on what I decide to buy new.

Rusty