New line of O scale vehicles coming soon

ARRGH! More 50s stuff... 

Okay, I get that a huge segment of the hobby is the 50s (as that allows steam and diesel), but when you model years earlier than that, you're just out of luck.

I'm happy for those who can use these, but as I model the war years, I won't be getting any of these...

I won't be getting too many at fifty bucks a pop, either.

I asked WS about these being 1:48 and how prototypical they were…their response:

Woodland Scenics O scale products are true O scale –1:48.

The Just Plug O Scale Vehicles weren’t designed after a specific vehicle. When we are in the process of making a vehicle, we do research on dozens of models and come up with our design that way. Elements from various vehicles were incorporated to come up with an authentic-looking vehicle for our final design.

Why would they make a vehicle that does not look like a real vehicle? Did I miss an important point here?

John H posted:

I won't be getting too many at fifty bucks a pop, either.

Yup, that company is priced pretty high.

RoyBoy posted:

Why would they make a vehicle that does not look like a real vehicle? Did I miss an important point here?

Yeah, that makes no sense to me either.

Non-train-type people might not know your boxcar has 9 grab irons when it should have 8, but they do know car types when they see them.

There are way too many well-detailed diecast in 1/43 scale out there for this to work, to make cars that aren't good models of specific vehicles. And if they cost that much, heck, I can run some lights and wires through the bottom of a cheap diecast car to make something better than what's described, and for way less money, too!
Pass!

The reasoning behind the vehicles not looking like actual vehicles is to avoid paying licensing and trademark costs to GM, Ford, Chrysler et al. I’m curious to see the actual vehicles as the ones pictured on WS website are the HO samples. 

IDK, IT doesn't look too bad from here. Although it appears all the cars are two door only.

DaveP posted:

The reasoning behind the vehicles not looking like actual vehicles is to avoid paying licensing and trademark costs to GM, Ford, Chrysler et al. I’m curious to see the actual vehicles as the ones pictured on WS website are the HO samples. 

And we have a winner!

But for $50 you'd think the licencing likely could have been worked in to make it an actual scale model. Sales base might have been larger including car collectors; proto and scale both 

I didn't realize that the vehicles were not copies of real cars.  It looks like something from Cars cartoons.  That is a total deal breaker for me.  I don't think that the price is unreasonable, but the rendition doesn't work for me.  That's a real bummer as I was looking forward to Woodland making O gauge cars.

Art

I started the thread without seeing photos of actual O scale products.  To my eye the HO cars look crude, especially around the windows.   The price was a negative, while not following a real prototype is a deal killer for me.  Perhaps someday someone will do a line of 1:48 prototype automobiles and trucks.  

the issue with 1/43 is that they are too big, even at that the cars made are usually high priced sports car or higher end cars. how many of those can you have?

getting a nice collection of generic cars would be nice . but i agree with Art these are too cartoonish.  i suspect there is a license fee to make a specific car like a Ford or GM model. So making up your own design is much cheaper but these are not cheap.

Chugman posted:

I didn't realize that the vehicles were not copies of real cars.  It looks like something from Cars cartoons.  That is a total deal breaker for me.  I don't think that the price is unreasonable, but the rendition doesn't work for me.  That's a real bummer as I was looking forward to Woodland making O gauge cars.

Art

I agree with ART -

After further review, I'll pass. Cartoons don't work with my stuff. My vehicles also have to contain mirrors as well. I installed LED's on my items before, guess I will have to continue doing so on the new module scenes.

I have suggestions but unable to present them with photos to Woodland Scenics. Anyone have a direct persons email there that is in charge?

I won't buy any. There are a lot of 1/43 cars on the market for less than $15. I don't need lights.

Actually the cars and trucks are generic enough to blend in nicely in the background, but at that price I'll pass. 

Sean

RoyBoy posted:

Why would they make a vehicle that does not look like a real vehicle? Did I miss an important point here?

Licensing fees?  Picking THE design that makes one segment happy, but unhappies another segment ("if momma ain't happy, then no one's happy")?

While WS prices are steep, and I would not be able to light them anyway, I am sure there are modelers who will use them to fill their layout Much as we use Menards RR cars to fill the yards and background while running our top dollar, rivet correct cars and engines in our trains for show (but this is just my guess).

Fees would only apply if they were using the GM bow tie or other emblems I would think? 

John H posted:

I won't be getting too many at fifty bucks a pop, either.

My layout uses about 30 or so model cars.  I pay about $3-$7 each for my model cars. LED's cost me 10 cents each and LED bulbs with the resistors run about 25 cents. Do the math

I recently bought some very nice looking 1/43 cars at the drug store for $5 each.  I too wish that someone would make accurate 1/48 vehicles.  I don't need lights but I would like cars, buses, and trucks to look correctly when everything else is in scale.

NH Joe

To the many--the majority?--who have only a vague notion of what '50s vehicles look like, these would be fine were it not for the price.

Not for me, but that's because I need '10s, '20s, & early '30s.

I just ordered 4 from ebay for $19. I'll let you know how they pan out. I have a police car with siren and flashing lights that I got for $5 somewhere. The doors fly open and siren and lights flash when it hits something. Grandkids love that one!

Not bad for about $4.75 apiece, and the right size. 

They'd never pass muster on SHARK TANK and for that reason I'm out.

palallin posted:

To the many--the majority?--who have only a vague notion of what '50s vehicles look like, these would be fine were it not for the price.

I disagree. In order, these seem to be the primary things people first notice about my layout at first look:

• The scenery is done (that comes as a surprise to normal people, I've noticed)
• The cornfield in the back (because normal people know what a real cornfield looks like, I guess)
• The cars. People routinely start guessing/asking/correctly ID'ing the years and types of each civilian vehicle on the layout. I assume that's because like the corn, many people know old cars when they see them, especially guys

Not for me, but that's because I need '10s, '20s, & early '30s.

Yeah, same here. I have no idea why so many modelers and model companies think that the entire hobby has been wholly transfixed on the 1950s since the 50s really happened.

But I started pondering the lighting in general. I model the W2 years when few civilian vehicles were on the road. I never pose cars on roads as everything but the trains are kept in static poses and positions. I run ops in the daytime, so what cars would have headlights on? Running with lights in the daytime is a modern thing for the most part. So I can't see myself with cars with running lights anyway, even if they were accurate for my timeframe and cheap.

Chugman posted:

I didn't realize that the vehicles were not copies of real cars.  It looks like something from Cars cartoons.  

Art

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

 

Close to a 1956 GM Stake Bed Truck?

Close to a 1956 Chevy 2 Door Wagon?

 

Close to a 1949 Ford?

1956 GM Pick-up?

1957 FORD COUNTRY SQUIRE WAGON ?