hibar posted:VGN64 posted:The industry is changing as injection plastic molds are less expensive to do. Time is money so the amount of time spent preparing for a brass model gets higher and higher as the customer demands more exacting rivets, bells and whistles. Judging by the success of Sunset/Golden Gates latest passenger trains and Atlas's Zephyr the world of $800-$1000 passenger cars may be disappearing. I can understand Key shelving the Zephyr and F units seeing what Atlas is doing.
I do not believe Atlas introduction of these sets affects Key at all, bear in mind if delivered within the next year or two a 12 car set from Key would probably fall in the 15K +/- range [truly serious collector level] F units on the other hand might feel some impact although they sold out all their last runs. JMO Unfortunately the quest for the ultimate detailed model continues to push this collectors market ever higher. As an aside I had heard just recently that Key was having some builder problems [talking a very high level of hand built craftsmanship on the part of the builders] There has been nothing out there from Key saying they are shelving these models, I do believe in recent years it has been much more difficult for importers to get models built to these detail levels. just saying!
As hibar has stated the he heard of Key having builder problems, I am very nervous if the projects I and my customers will get made. In my opinion the Big Boy is a safer bet ordered with Kohs due to The builder problems. Could someone explain about the builder of Key's very detailed Big Boy sample And why the dealer is no longer doing the project. Again I was hoping to see it at Chicago. Stephen
