Broadway Limited AC12

http://www.broadway-limited.co...ckphoenixsoundg.aspx

Matt,

Thanks for the BLI info but you really didn't answer my question.  I realize its been over 10 years now since any of them might have been produced but what happened to them?  I'm assuming due to the high asking price very few if any where sold given the state of the economy in 2008. You might not know the answer to my questions but did BLI dealers actually have any of them in stock and at what price?

My understanding is that none was produced, which is very unfortunate. I suspect the price would have been in the $6K+ range, for such model. Accucraft may have done a similar model, but I am not sure.

Yves

That looks like a very nice model Ives, but I think the Accucraft plastic locos really destroyed the 1/32 scale brass market. Many buyers couldn't tell the difference between a highly detailed brass model and one that has some oversize detail, but smoked and had yard sounds, which is really sad in itself.

I owned a ROW Samhongsa built Big Boy imported in the late 90's for $11K. I found a new one from the company who bought the remaining inventory from Dr. Row's estate in 2010 and paid $6K. It was a bucket list item and I figured at that price I couldn't get hurt. Amazing how many potential buyers kept telling me I wanted too much because Accucraft sold them new for $3500.      Some really got adamant when I tried to explain the difference, so I gave up. Got lucky a year ago and got most of my money back (less EB fees) after a long sales period. 

A friend had a Gary Kohs FAM 1/32 Allegheny, that he paid $15K for back in the early 2000's. Sold it about a year ago for $10K and felt lucky. When you have plastic versions for $2500 to $3500, the serious models take a hit.  If you think O scale is a small market, experience G scale. I would never venture back there again at any price. 

And, handling a 35lb 1/32 scale model without doing any damage is a lot harder than handling a 8-10 lb O scale model. Wife had to help me get it down off the mantle and said she never wanted to do that again. 

BH

Accucraft did not make any plastic locos in 1:32; they made some plastic coaches and freight cars. And an Accucraft articulated loco is prized above $5000, like this one: https://www.accucraftestore.co...rly-version-electric. They certainly did not destroy any market!

Regards

Fred

Well Then Fred,

It's another G scale 1/32 importer of plastic locos that caters to the "G" scale market. I haven't looked for a couple of years, but there were more than a few back then offered for under well under $5000. I think MTH and even Lionel had some offerings. 

But even these accucraft brass and metal models or the Aster models are a far cry from a museum quality all brass model like those imported by FAM models and even the ROW.

BH   

Aristocraft (sounds like Accucraft?) made plastic trains that run on 45 mm, but these are not 1:32 but some funny scale they call G.

I assume with museum quality you mean looks; since the running qualities of FAM and ROW are very bad. I asked (the late) Gary Kohs of FAM about the track radius I should use and he said that the trains he made were not made for running and he proofed to be right.

ASTER looks very good and runs very good:

There are some ROW cars in this train, these are the most troublesome runners.

Regards

Fred

Illuminating thread.  Yves' model appears to be an AC-10 - one of my favorites.  I have always lusted for an Accucraft SP 0-6-0 live steamer, and was temporarily paralyzed by the idea that they might be plastic!

I still don't understand the gauge/scale problem for this large scale, but I do have an S-9 switcher all blocked out and awaiting side rod machining.  Tedious - may enlist a foundry if I ever get it going again.  Kadee appears to have made the proper tender trucks . . .

I have added some more pictures of that fantastic model. As matter of fact, when it was announced I kept all the pictures published by BLI as I was considering seriously to buy that little marvel.

Yves

Yves,

No question those pictures you posted graphically point out what a fantastic prototype brass model BLI produced. To my acknowledge no one has ever made such an accurate detailed model in 1/32" scale brass model of an AC-10. Its a real shame it didn't get done and now we have only those pictures to admire of this remarkable model. I would be nice to think the model was donated to the SP Museum in Sacramento displayed along side the restored AC-12. My guess is the prototype might be in a storage box in the BLI vault or museum storeroom somewhere - a remarkable example of model making art never to see the light of day again!