<*>[Attachment(s) from scale S only included below]
Hi Ed and all --
True enough. Not mentioned was Alco Models, Oriental Models and Sunset who
got he S brass ball rolling early on.
And I don’t think enough can be said for Bill Peter’s and “Swede” Norlin’s
contribution to the scale with their Sn3 products stimulating all kinds of
structure companies, figure companies, decal makers, etc., etc.. And the
same for Ron Bashista’s American Models – they are what created the
“critical mass” for modern S scale.
Even I got into the supply business with a set of EMD Blomberg B truck
sideframes to replace the original stuff that came on the AM FP-7, with a
large supply of support from Mort Mann of Sunset and Linda Mortensen of
Keystone Models. (photo)
Thanks for the history lessons!
Bill Winans
------------------------------
> Ed...
> Loved learning the real history on this project.
> Bob H.
-----------------------------
Having been active in S scale since 1969, I can tell you that almost all of
S scale has been accomplished by little guys working in their little homes
making little things. But each of these little things contributed to the
much larger overall S picture that we enjoy today. One guy made wheels, one
guy adapted couplers, one guy imported flex track, one guy cast brass
details, one guy made decals, one guy made a drive system from pieces and
parts, one guy made a magazine, one guy did resin castings, one guy did this
and one guy did that. It is a very long list of individual accomplishments
all aimed at filling a void in S scale.
There was a time when the guy who made wheels was so busy, he could not make
more wheels. Yes, he owned an automatic screw machine, but it was fully
occupied with productive profit-making projects unrelated to toy trains. Not
much different from Jim King's situation today. But S scale went without any
wheels for an extended period of time. Eventually, all the kit makers and
NASG pooled their orders and arranged for 10,000 wheels to be made at one
time. Until then, this degree of cooperation and volume of production was
almost unheard of. But it worked and S wheels have never been completely out
of production since then.
I find it interesting to realize that the really significant contributions
to S scale have mostly been made by people who were S scale modelers first
and S scale manufacturers/importers later. Folks like Ron Bashista (AM), Don
Thompson (SHS), Jim Kindraka (RRM), Frank Titman (LVM), Don Heimburger
("S"cenery Unlimited) etc., etc.....and the list goes on and on.
I also find it concerning that nobody from outside the S scale modeling
community has produced S scale products and stuck with it for an extended
period of time. Yes, Overland Models made some brass imports, but quickly
exited S and let RRM assume all the risk. Southwind Models stuck with S
(thanks, Jettie), but retired without a replacement. MTH and American Flyer
have entered the S scale market, but longevity and significance are not yet
known.
I guess we could say Kadee is a non-S modeler that entered the S scale
business for an extended period of time, but they produced an On3 coupler
and labeled it S. Not sufficient in my book. NWSL has done well for S with
various wheels, gearboxes, motors, flywheels, etc., but most of their
products are usable in many different scales and are not totally S-specific.
Same general comment for Grandt Line except for the S scale A-B brake gear
which was financed for them by PRS which was a partnership of two S scale
modelers (Porter and Verser).
S scale history is an interesting assortment of cottage industry folks all
doing things to the best of their abilities. It is amazing that we can
actually build a complete layout with as a result of their efforts. Nothing
from Athearn, Bachmann, Kato, Atlas, etc., etc. for us to enjoy. But S life
goes on........
Ruminations are fun when you get old. Apologies for names of S contributors
accidentally omitted -- like Kinsman, The Supply Car, PBL, etc.
Cheers....Ed L.
http://sscale.org/
<*>Attachment(s) from scale S only:
<*> 1 of 1 Photo(s)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/attachments/folder/919420383/item/list
<*> 1863_edited-1.jpg
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