That is interesting news. I'd be interested in hearing more about the Silverliners and the Baldwin baby face locomotives.
Dear Santiago, et al,
Central Loco Works is owned /operated by Lou Houlemarde. His email address is clwusa@verizon.net
Lou's phone number is 760-221-5553
As Marty pointed out he is a "boutique" model builder with many steam/diesel locomotive built up / kits and parts.
He does not have a website.
Great guy !!
John
I used to follow MWMD updates until they stopped in 2019... hope they can still bring their sds to market.
^ Yes - a lot of us are really pulling for him .
Before assuming the importers have given up it might be a good idea to ask a few of them why there are no or reduced offering s offerings in brass.
Hey Phil ,
Here is the little I know or could speculate ; Jack at Division Point decided there just wasn't a market for O ( what he told me ) , Key might be in a lull because of the fire they suffered in Korea ( I know a couple guys on here know Dave and could offer a better explanation ) , Kohs just goes along slowly and eventually delivers even if the wait times are maddening , Jimmy at GPM is probably overwhelmed with the HO he does in addition to all the work at PBL on Sn3 , and Erik at Midwestern was diverted by work for his ''day job '' - as of early 2020 when I last inquired . Those are the only importers I could offer any insight into ( little as it is ) and maybe we'll see more activity when covid begins to abate and the overall worldwide economy recovers . Let's hope .
Regards,
Bryan
Guys, let’s not forget about the awesome Bill Davis at American Scale Models. He has brought some spectacular imports in recent times. He’s also helped move thousands of previously owned brass items in the market.
As far as Key is concerned I do not believe he will do anymore brass as he did not take all of the cabforwards. He has no brass manufactures that will that the risk of doing his projects. Jack at Division Point could not get sales not because of interest, but because he wanted a excessive price for a model that others as MWMW and OMI were offering with more details and a lot less price. An example is he wanted to use an expensive motor when other dealers have had very excellent results with the new Pittman motors. I talked to Jack and he would not listen to anyone. I guess it is the military way and only way. Also remember retirement as PSC is to be expected. My 10 cents for now.
@biscuitag97 posted:It’s too bad weaver is gone. They had some really great looking brass steamers. I’ve been looking for a three rail New Haven I-4 or I-5 for years to no avail. They must be too good looking to sell! 3rd rail has some intriguing models and I look forward to what Scott comes up with next.
I've got the Milwaukee 261. nice model.
Dick
Santiago good point. Bill has brought in new boxcar and milk car models and a wide range of trucks in O scale. I have purchased brass locomotives from him and he is an ethical andvery nice guy. His Overland and US Hobbies parts are a godsend. John Smith good points about pricing yourself out of the market.
@CBQer posted:Re: The Krauss Maffei.
A group is releasing the greatest diesel ever built, the Milwaukee SDL39 in O Scale Brass.
Who might that be?
@nw2124 posted:As far as Key is concerned I do not believe he will do anymore brass as he did not take all of the cabforwards. He has no brass manufactures that will that the risk of doing his projects.
Would you care to care to elaborate on that ? I saw somewhere that he had sold them all.
Simon
@nw2124 posted:The problem with the O Scale brass market is international travel with the China virus. Especially with the restrictions to fly into a country, and that does not mean one can get back home. This is most likely the case with Kohs and Erik as that they can not check on their projects.
There are other ways to communicate apart from direct travel....telephone, video conferencing
I'm sure they don't fly over there every time a question needs answering
Simon
PS: I don't think OMI has imported ANY O scale in SEVERAL years.
I’ve been rather happy buying up 30+ year old OMI brass diesels in the $800 to $1000 range. These locos are usually in excellent condition and need only a gear box re-grease to get going again.
For those that might not have seen it, over the weekend Norm Buckhart at Protocraft put up for sale on the website the first five of the 50 ft boxcars he is importing.
https://www.protocraft.com/category.cfm?Categoryid=53
For those that don't know, Protocraft does not require deposits or wait for a set number of confirmed orders. He imports the cars and they sell or don't sell based on his choices of prototypes.
@CBQer posted:clwusa.verizon.net $1800.00 each
Thanks, reserved 2.
Got an email a day or so saying deposits received, project is a go, delivery expected late summer or fall.
Also thanks to cousin John for providing the information earlier, which I did not see.
Dear Rich,
My pleasure !!! Cousin John
