Forthcoming products (Commercial)

[Chris Veitch]

Thinking about sales potential, wouldn't an obs car (eg 102) be the most marketable as the most recognisable FR tin car, the others being essentially just "variations on a theme" (except to we cogniscenti, obviously?  ;))

Probably - but I've found that you can never really predict how 009 stuff will sell. For example, where do all my brake vans go? I must have sold literally hundreds of them over the years and I think I've probably see two on exhibition layouts. I'd agree that the observation coaches are the most distinctive and, let's face it,  all trains have to have an end...

My thoughts re "tin cars" are that doing one would probably get of the one-off costs out of the way and subsequent variations would be reasonably easy. The major cost is really the amount of time that goes into designs and test builds - the bought and manufactured components are a relatively small proportion.

Regards,

Chris

[Chris Veitch]

I guess the problem is the availability of the worsley works basic kits. Perhaps a model of 103 the new super barn would be worthwhile given Allen doesn't do that one. ?? Colin

Colin,

Sorry I missed this one a couple of months ago. I'm not sure that the availability of Allen's kits is really an issue for me - we already both do the bug boxes and mine sell well enough (and I assume Allen's do as well) - as I think they're probably bought by slightly different modellers. I try to sell a complete kit whereas Allen's buyers know they may need to source some of their own parts (which they may already have) and that they should probably have a bit of etched kit experience already. Also, I sell the trade and Allen doesn't so the range of outlets is slightly different.

Regards,

Chris

[rhydddu009]

true thanks Chris - any thoughts on a 103 though?  she's a 'super' barn!

[nigelk]

I was pleased to see you have sold lots of brake vans & John Wooden says the coach kits would be good sellers. I have great respect for anyone prepared to put the time in to producing a decent 009 kit; I'm sure it won't be for the financial reward. And if you produced bogies, seat castings, roofs & vac pipes etc as seperate detailing packs you could sell them to worsley works kit builders as well & double your market!

[Chris Veitch]

true thanks Chris - any thoughts on a 103 though?  she's a 'super' barn!

I wouldn't rule out any of the current FR stock and 103 certainly looks attractive. It's just a case of getting the spare time to selflessly devote to producing the artwork...  ;-)

The carriages fall into two basic groups - those with simple curved roofs and those with domed ends (which includes all the observation cars). The domed roofs will need to be resin (somehow I think whitemetal's a bad idea) but the "flat" roofs could be plastic or brass. I've been toying with the idea of preformed brass roofs as it makes things simpler for the builder and saves me faffing about with bits of plasticard, although I'd have to get a decent rolling mill. Anyone have any thoughts or preferences?

Also, I've debated over whether or not to provide interior detail such as seats and tables. PArtitions are necessary as they define the areas of light and shadow within the vehicle but in 009 seats don't tend to be very visible. What are members' thoughts on a cheaper kit with option interior details?

As Nigel mentions, there is market for other detailing parts but it's generally small (i.e. even smaller than that for the kits). I did market the FR bogie sides separately for a while but had few takers.

Regards,

Chris

[nigelk]

Sorry, not wishing to monopolise the discussion or anything......

Provision of rolled roofs would be a "nice to have" for a straight roof but presumably have an added cost & the feeling that "I could do that relatively easily." Domed roofs would be a "value adding" item, by which I mean it would make the kit less daunting.

I think seats & tables are pretty visible in these coaches. They have large-ish windows & end windows. Seats are straightforward to scratch-build but tedious. I saw on Colin Leas blog that he had some resin seats produced as some sort of repeating unit, something like that could be used as a common component?

Personally I would like as many pre-formed bits as possible & would like rolled roofs & seats but I have no feeling for how price sensitive the market is.

[nigelk]

Bumped up for 009 news