Jim and all,
The Hill Country Train Shop was before my returning to railroading and
Texas, but the local group visited him at some open house he held.
Apparently he held some lofty plans. I understand he was going to use
high school kids as part of some training program.
My bad experience was with Mid America Scale models run by a George
Sills, I think. He published a catalogue of engines most using SSL&S
parts. Because of past experiences you would send your money to Claude
Wade at SSL&S. He would then send the kit to be built to George. When
the engine was finished he then would receive the money from Claude. I
started out dealing that way and after several months was told the
engine had been shipped--would I release the money ($310.)--so I did.
No engine--he said "it must be lost in the mail, so I'll build
another"--sure! However, many months later it did arrive and I can say
it was state of the art at that time appearance wise--mechanically--not
so much!
Anyway we were able to make mechanical improvements to where it ran
nicely. At that point three of us bellied up to the bar and ordered
another round. We sent the money directly to George and the world went
quiet. I think all this happened about 1979 or 80.
Of course, in all reality having an engine custom made with all the
filing, fitting and tuning for about $100 in labor just didn't make
sense after the first one. But just like zillions of internet scams,
hope does spring eternal! At least I received a nice engine, just had
to pay twice the money in the end.
Bob Werre
PhotoTraxx
Anyone remember Melvin Frankel, YUK, who ran a scam in the early
70's--supposedly tried it in O-scale also. He advertised all sorts of
steam engines but it was obviously no way he could do anything.
Bernie Thomas was instrumental in handling recovery actions. DJE
----- Original Message -----
*From:* raisinone <mailto:[email protected]>
*To:* [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
*Sent:* Thursday, February 23, 2012 9:23 PM
*Subject:* Re: {S-Scale List} Status of Kaslo Budd Passenger car kits
Ever hear of Hill Country Train Shop, New Braunfels, TX? That one
cost me $300 in 1976 dollars! At least that debacle made the pages
of MR! I think Jan Lorenzen (Locomotive Workshop) went to the
bankruptcy auction to buy nickel silver bar stock...
You're right George - there is a real feeling of family with the
charlatans' of our past!! <G>
Jim
--- In [email protected] <mailto:S-Scale%40yahoogroups.com>,
"gsc3" <gsc3@...> wrote:
>
> One good thing about these kind of posts is I don't feel alone. (8-)
>
> George Courtne
>
> --- In [email protected]
<mailto:S-Scale%40yahoogroups.com>, "John" <armstong5717@> wrote:
> >
> > Where is my $865.00 that Omnicon still owes me for a Pennsy J. ?
> > Heard they skipped to Mexico!
> > John Armstrong
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Alex Binkley
> > To: [email protected] <mailto:S-Scale%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2012 4:43 PM
> > Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} Status of Kaslo Budd Passenger car
kits
> >
> >
> >
> > 
> >
> > Good point John, but thinking about things like that just
speeds up insanity. I've made worse investments.
> > cheers
> >
