Well Ed, While we as S Scalers may identify the names on your list as major companies, in the greater model railroading world, they are cottage industries. their resources are limited and get stretched beyond the means of keeping up with today's model railroad world.
It has been a blessing and a curse. We've all bemoaned the fact from time to time that S Scale is not very well known outside the bounds of we happy few, in spite of our best efforts. The main reason is because of the lack of a true major model railroad company with brand recognition being involved: Atlas, Athearn, Kadee(freight cars,) Kato, Walthers, etc. Now we have Lionel and MTH involved, although it's not instant gratification with either company. But, for good or bad and these companies will provide the recognition and exposure that S needs to grow beyond our little bubble of brothers. Rich G(ajnak) --- In [email protected], "Ed" wrote: > > > I know that it would be exceedingly difficult to have SHS' help, > > involvement, and personal touches in any size company. > > Rance Velapoldi > > Rance's comment caused me to think a bit. A conclusion, of sorts, is this: > > Major companies making S scale products have one thing in common. They > are/were owned/operated by S scale enthusiasts. SHS and AM both have/had S > folks at the helm. Kinsman and Lehigh Valley kits had known S guys running > them. Tomalco and The Supply Car the same. Not to mention River Raisin > Models and Omnicon Scale Models and G&W Models. And the dozens and dozens of > cottage industry products made in garages and spare bedrooms by enthusiastic > S modelers. All run by folks who were S folks first and became suppliers > later. Even S magazine publishers tend to be S modelers first and publishers > later. > > Every generalization has its exceptions. In this case, some of the big time > brass importers would be exceptions. Tom Marsh of Overland, Mort Mann of > Sunset and ALCO Models were not, to the best of my knowledge, S modelers at > all. Lionel and MTH certainly fall into this category as well. > > So the question is: Can a non-S scale businessman make a success of a > venture into the S scale world? Or is love of hobby a prerequisite for > sticking it out over the long haul? > > Just thinking.....Ed Loizeaux > (who actually signs both first and last name.) > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
