Thursday, April 23, 2009, 04:31 PM
With the next 4 disks coming out in the next week (HO first) I can finally start thinking about completely new kits. these 4 disks will clear the decks with almost all of the 40 kits we make represented. we have learned a lot about building with paper. Some of our earliest kits do show some less then wonderful techniques. Even though the results are fantastic, we have learned how to make them even better. All of the new kits we develop will be head and shoulders above what we are considering the classics. don't miss understand me. All of the current kits work great and go together easily, It's just that I don't want to go back and spend the next year revising the old kits (I've already done major revisions on many of them).
So It's onto fresh territory. I expect (hope) to release a new collection every quarter. the fifth disk, "brick and Mortar Vol2" is already coming together with the completion of the "Cream city tool Co." as it's center piece. this is the most flexible set of 50's light brick (cream city brick) industrial buildings I've ever scene. originally designed by master modeler John Kosma, we have reworked it and are test building it right now.
happy modeling
Thom
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Saturday, April 11, 2009, 03:49 PM
First the important stuff "Happy Easter"
I lurk/cruse the forums to get ideas and to get and offer feedback about our projects. Usually I am surprised and pleased with the unsolicited comments I read. I don't expect them to be all positive and on occasion they are not. thats the point, to get honest comments and use the info to make improvements.Truth is we get possitives at least 97% 0f the time and the 2% is usually small stuff that I can do somthing about.I get involved with the lists and start dialogs with the people to let them know they have been heard and we are on it.
www.kitforums.com is great by the way.
BUT The Atlas list is pissing me off. I have tried several times to become a list member and they are just completely dropping the ball. this PO's me because there is one particular poster over there that is spreading in accurate information and i can't respond.
What this know it all is saying is that one of our competitors who shall go nameless (paper creek) has better quality printing then we do and that our printing doesn't cut it. Well, I'm sure all of you know this is just false.The resolution of our printing is at least twice the competitors. We recently saw a large selection of this competitors
product at a train show and I tell you I was shocked by how poor it looked. Im not saying that PC doesen't make a fine product. they do. They were an early inspiration to me though not THE inspiration. They were decidedly a bar to beat and we have.
There using a lithographic process. there are very noticeable dot patterns in the images. We ink jet and laser print and there are NO dots. SO, I want to know what the hell this guy is ranting about. Did he get a bootleg kit or somthing.
Since Atlas won't facilitate my rebuttal you have it here. And as soon as i can get a sample of our competitors product I will post pictures of our proof. microscopic proof.
Ahhhh, I feel better now.
Thom
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Thursday, April 9, 2009, 01:12 PM
Yes i think perhaps we are. First let me acknowledge that the web page is sadly out of date. It will be completely new soon. the only part I'm hoping to salvage is this blog which gets read more than you might think.
OK, so heres the crazy part.
Bro Dave and I sat down to decide what to put on the next two disks. originally we had planned 4 disks. well, its going to be a lot more then that. response to the first two has been fantastic with the engine house and water tower combo almost sold out. I think there are 7 left as of this morning. I digress....
What goes on the next disks?
The wood frame building disk Vol 1:
1. Furniture factory, revised with a new add on wing and a new out building.
2. The mercantile
3. The timber dock with an extension
4. The cannery, a brand new kit
5. McElder cycles, a brand new kit. a western style false front. 2 complete different versions, one with an loading dock and raised stone foundation for track side use.
6. The frame garage
PLUS 6 textures:
yellow clapboard
distressed red clapboard
tan clapboard
tar paper
gray asphalt shingle
AND the dark wood fence and the white wood fence
ALL for $39.95
I look at this list and I think, Are we nuts?
Disk 2 Brick buildings Vol 1
1. The small forge, Revised and even cooler if you make it twice as big (which you can now that you are printing the parts)
2. The warehouse, Same thing make a whole warehouse district.
3.Woolworth's warehouse flat (not so flat, about 2" deep) Brand new with lots of signs and ducts.
4.Plant#2 a classic (no there is no plant #1)
5. The Turbine house
6. Akron tools, Brand new. A big, long gothic brick building with rail access.
Plus a bunch of texture.
You get my point... This is crazy, we have more buildings left over. maybe we should break this into two disks. Give us your opinion. I could add two more brick buildings including the brand new "Cream city tool works" a huge kit, and break this into two $29 collections or leave it as it is for $39
Next up steel buildings, Don't get me started.
Thom
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Monday, April 6, 2009, 10:59 PM
This came my way wile browsing a structure model forum. Its our turbine house re imagined as the Daily Planet. AND it's in N scale. I don't know who built it but if I can find out I'll try to get better pix.
beautiful work.
Thom
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Friday, April 3, 2009, 05:55 PM
This sound crazy but the G&D engine house is almost sold out. We didn't make that many because we really didn't know if they would sell but apparently I was wrong. (personally i think it's the water tower people want) So we have maybe 10 left.
Next up we will be releasing a collection of HO wood frame buildings (as soon as we decide which buildings) Everyone has seen the mercantile and the furniture factory but we also have a new cannery, a section house, A gas station and a false front business called McElder's cycles.
Also we will be releasing either large brick factories which will include the the small forge, turbine house, plant #2 and two brand new kits the Akron mfg (it's big) and the Cream city tool works (also big and very flexible). That's a lot of kit on one disk. Well over $100 bucks separately. we will be selling that collection for $39.95 and we will take advance orders. delivery in about 5 weeks from now.OR all of our steel buildings which will include several never before seen kits.
So that our stimulus package.
Happy modeling
Thom
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