Next from PSC?

C&O 2-8-8-2 apparently has been built, as some prototype models have shown up, in websites like brasstainsdotcom. Other then that, Precision scale has been quiet, o gauge-wise, for at least 10 years. The C&O locomotive had been promised for at least 5 years. They are still doing HO.

The 2-8-8-2 locomotive has shown up? My dealer has said nothing to me asking if I would like to re-order. I cancelled my order YEARS ago when after it was just one delay after another. Same story with the Santa Fe 5001 class they were supposed to be offering Years ago that I had 3 reservations for.

What I find weird is that they don't even have a list for reservations, how can they figure what's profitable unless customers can cast a vote?

I think they are stuck in a holding pattern.

Who is left importing high end, high detail, high fidelity to prototype O Scale models these days ?     Only Glacier Park, Key, Overland for diesels, Kohs.  20 years ago there was an abundance of importers.

I suppose I could guess why PSC left O Scale (too low volume) - anyone know additional information?  Fortunately I bagged a good group of fine O Scale models during the salad days of the '80's, 90's and early 00's.

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

What I find weird is that they don't even have a list for reservations, how can they figure what's profitable unless customers can cast a vote?

 

I heard from a pretty reliable source they will be selling off or closing down their detail parts business sometime in the near future. I think they are looking to retire.  The 2-8-8-2 was wrought with problems/corrections that slowed it down and still bears some uncorrected issues. I think they just wore out trying to get the builder to do it right. 

BH

mark s posted:

Who is left importing high end, high detail, high fidelity to prototype O Scale models these days ?     Only Glacier Park, Key, Overland for diesels, Kohs.  20 years ago there was an abundance of importers.

I suppose I could guess why PSC left O Scale (too low volume) - anyone know additional information?  Fortunately I bagged a good group of fine O Scale models during the salad days of the '80's, 90's and early 00's.

Sorry, but I thought Overland quit O scale?

E-Joe - The only diesels I follow are old ones.....made by Key, Like E5's.......so I take your word for it, Overland is completely out of the O Scale marketplace.    

Sure hope someone takes over the PSC parts inventory, if true.

I'm not sure Mark. I should have posted it as a question? Buyers were hoping for another modern engine like an ES44. It was posted that Overland wouldn't be in O scale any longer. Maybe I read it wrong? Was it just that they weren't making that engine?

Perhaps if Precision sells their lost wax casting business, the next supplier will  sell the castings at better prices.  They have really raised their prices . It just does not pay to re detail models anymore. You can buy later runs with the super castings already on it.

I was a long time customer buying their castings. Priced me and probably others out

 My hope they retire in Good Health and the new supplier prices the castings a little more fairly.

Don't look for castings to get cheaper. With fewer customers wanting them the cost of producing, cleaning and painting them per unit will go up. In China, the new Chinese EPA is clamping down on all small companies, and I mean ALL. If they are found to emit smoke, odors or chemicals they are promptly shut down. As it is right now if we want nickel plated parts it has to come from Korea.

I hope China is able to clean up their environment. Seems that now they are serious.

Also, they are not accepting trash from the US anymore. They used to use the trash to get recyclables. They have enough recyclables now coming from their own consumers.

Sorry to get off topic, but I hope Mark Morganson (President of PSC) finds his sweet spot in life.

Scott

Originally posted by up148:

I heard from a pretty reliable source they will be selling off or closing down their detail parts business sometime in the near future.

I think they are looking to retire. 

Oh NOT not again! First Weaver models, Custom Signals, now this! I need to stock up on parts and complete my projects!

Soon no more brass and Shapeways will be the only sources for fragile custom parts... lovely! Just... Lovely!

I went on-line to get brass rods for cooling coils.  Detail Associates has nice .040 wire, and it used to be a couple bucks at the local hobby store.  On-line they tell me list price is $5.20 for four, and shipping is $9.95.  

This is the way it is going.  Four of these rods weigh just over .2 ounces.  That is $416 per pound of brass.  If you include shipping, it comes to roughly $1248/lb.

I can buy an Alco power reverser from Weizman (sp?) for nine bucks.  A bargain in comparison.

Scott is correct.  Nobody can make a living selling trinkets that appear to be grossly overpriced.  The days of nice lost wax, and even raw brass, are drawing to a close.

My other hobby - flying antique airplanes - is also seeing a sunset, except for the very wealthy.  I guess I lived at exactly the right time.

Thank you Scott for continuing to provide the wonderful projects you are doing for us. It’s such a privilege and I am grateful. 

The two E7s os Sunset that I just got from the Seacrest auction that are beautiful. Thanks to Scott. I guess I still don't understand how he produces the locos and ships when he says they will, eg. Atlas.

Keep it up, Scott.

Dick

I posted "Mark", but should have been more clear, that I am talking about "Mark Morganson" president of PSC. Not anyone else.

I just saw in the current episode of BrassTrains.com Monday Morning Express that they said in their next episode (9/25), there is a planned Skype interview with Mark Morganson of PSC to give an update on what PSC has in store for the future.  Maybe worth sending an email to the BrassTrains staff to add a question to specifically address PSC’s future O Scale plans.

https://livestream.com/brasstr...mondaymorningexpress

Scott

The last time I spoke with Mark about 1/48 was at Caboose when I was brass department head over a year ago the answer on O scale standard gauge was no more.

He is however doing On3 as evidence of the recently arrived WSLCo shays at the NNGC and they are drop dead gorgeous  

Erik - From your brass dept experience, did On3 sell better then standard gauge O Scale models (of course, you were in the state which is the narrow gauge capital of the world) ?  Any leak on why PSC is abandoning std gauge?

Thank goodness for Sunset 3rd Rail, our last, best hope !!