PSC O/On3 Steam Locomotive Detail Parts Catalog

Last word from PSC is the catalog will hopefully be available end of June.

Bob, do you not have a copy at all?  LHS does not either then, too?

Martin,

Correct!  I did get the use of one thru Ed Rappe (Keystoned Ed), but it's nothing like having your own.

 

I've put my Vanderbilt Tender and 4-6-0 projects (also got the Weaver 4-6-0 chassis from Ed) on hold until I can get a copy.  Ed was a huge help but I have more parts I want to get and need to take a close look at what PSC has.  I know the engine works so all I need to do now is dress it up a bit.

 

I'm in no hurry so it's no problem waiting.  If PSC is like most other companies they're probably getting it printed and bound in China, I just hope they air mail them and not put them on a boat

True.

 

I was lucky at one time to be able to borrow a set and photocopy them for my own use - out of date set, but the part numbers have not changed nor have the pictures; only the prices go up,

 

Then, one day when I was calling in a pretty substantial order, I just bought what was a current set.

 

Gave away the photocopied set...........

 

They could just scan in the current ones and directly convert it to a pdf (I can do that here at the office...) onto a CD w/o the prices as far as I'm concerned - it's not like they have a lot of competition on detail parts.

A CD would be great!

 

When I perused Ed's copy, I was surprised at how many pages there were

 

That's alotta parts.

Many are not in stock and are made as ordered. 

 

I have to remember look at the traction section since I found that the box of trolley stuff I scored off eBay had an etched brass Kemtron IT Class B/C kit in it, but no roof or floor.  Just getting the information about shaping a roof and what roof details would be there would be very useful.

I don't mind waiting on a few parts.  I hope they have some smoke box fronts in stock, I need one for my MYH 2-8-0 for this conversion.  I cut the front end of the 2-8-0 boiler off and extended it over 2", but right now it has a blank front.

 

Oh, I've been enjoying your articles in OST Martin, GREAT STUFF!!!

Forgive me if I’m missing something, but why don’t they make the contents of the catalog available online?

       

What he said. In 2012 there is no excuse to keep your products a secret. I've been shopping for detail parts to upgrade my Lionel T-1, but since I can't find any information about their products online,  they won't be seeing a single penny from me.  No way am I paying to find out if they have what I need.

Agreed.  It also would be easier to keep the price list updated.

 

Some years ago, I ordered catalogs with the then current price lists.  After receiving them, I placed an order with PSC within a week, using the supplied price list.

 

They sent all the parts, with a note saying I still owed them something like $2.25 (if I'm remembering correctly.)  I went over my order with the price list and found no math errors, but according to the invoice, the price of one or two of the parts went up.

 

I sent them a check, but I wasn't really happy about it.  Fortunately, my order covered my anticipated needs and I haven't had to order from them again.

 

Rusty

Thanks, Bob! Always good to get some feedback from readers.

 

Selling the catalogs has always been part of PSC's business model - out of date and should be all on-line -- maybe and/or probably.  I guess that they could pass the cost of setting that up and maintaining on to the customers,  

 

But, it's their business and if they thought they needed to change how they run it, they'll probably respond accordingly............or just pack it in.

 

So, when I place an order with them, I do it over the phone and I get the price then.  I can't be worried about the price of detail parts when there's round about nil options otherwise.

The price doesn't bother me when it's something I "need", but I still suffer from sticker shock on a few items from time to time.

 

I think PSC IS getting their parts online, it's just going to take longer than some of us have left on this planet.  Like you said, a PDF file available for downloading would be all I need.  My FIOS hookup is QUICK!

Their business model is old and broken.  Any yahoo can set up a store on eBay, and I'll happily pay an extra 5 cents to cover eBay's percentage to be able to view all the products online and place an order from my computer with PayPal.  I mean seriously,  all they need are pictures of the product and a bored teenager.

Update,

 

I emailed PSC and the answer I got was

 

We are still working on the up-dates.  Very sorry for the delays!