MRH News Desk: The Latest Model Railroad News, Products, and Events February 2012
About our News & Events Editor
Richard Bale writes our news column under the byline of The Old Yardmaster. He has been writing about the model railroad trade for various hobby publications since the 1960s. He enjoys building models, particularly structures, some of which appeared in the June 2006 issue of Model Railroader magazine.
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Page 103 • Feb 2012 MRH
Major Fire Strikes Woodland Scenics Woodland Scenics is recovering from a fire that destroyed two of the company’s seven manufacturing buildings last month. Investigators blamed the source of the fire on an exhaust fan motor. An early assessment indicated that damage was not as devastating as initially thought. “We operate from multiple buildings that are spread all over town,” said Gale Cousins, Woodland Scenics director of sales. “We only lost two of those buildings and fortunately they housed just a small portion of our manufacturing facilities.” Company CEO Dwayne Fulton said, “We are very grateful that none of our employees were injured. We have some clean-up to do, but everyone is safe and everyone is still working, and we’re back to shipping every day.” Headquartered in Linn Creek, Missouri, Woodland Scenics was founded in 1975 by Dave Osment. In addition to Woodland Scenics, the company markets products branded Design Preservation Models, Landmark Structures, Built-&-Ready, and Pre-Fab… Athearn Anticipates Delays On Some Products In mid-January, Athearn, division of Horizon Hobby, announced that delivery of some new products may be delayed due to the unexpected shutdown of one of its contract manufacturers in China. Athearn’s announcement came after international financial agencies reported that Creative Masters Limited (CML) had filed for bankruptcy. Earlier reports said CML had not reported a profit since 2009. CML is headquartered in Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong, with manufacturing facilities in Donngguan, PRC. In addition to Athearn, CML manufactures model railroad products for Hornby, Fleischmann, and Roco. A major segment of CML’s business is diecast vehicles which it manufactures for Corgi, Tamiya, Mattel, PMA Models, MBI, SMS, Bianti, and First Gear. CML also produces Keepsake Collectible Ornaments for Hallmark Cards Inc.
Old Yardmaster - Industry scuttlebutt, page 1
Noting that it has other manufacturing partners in China, Athearn said it expects to meet the scheduled delivery date of late March for its DDA40X and SD70ACe/SD70M-2s Genesis locomotives, as well as the Genesis SP bay-window caboose. Delivery information about other products initially expected to arrive this year is pending... John Engstrom to San Juan Car Co. San Juan Car Company (SJCC) has named John Engstrom general manager of the Colorado-based company. Engstrom, who is widely known in the hobby industry, recently retired from Athearn, division of Horizon Hobby. He had been a senior executive with Athearn for the past 17 years. SJCC was founded in 1987 by the late John Parker. Last fall, Parker sold SJCC to a corporation led by Bob Staat, founder of the McHenry coupler line, and a member of the Model Railroad Hall of Fame. Engstrom’s association with John Parker and his family covers nearly four decades. Parker sold his Oakland-based Reed’s Hobby Shop to Engstrom in 1975. The store was moved to La Mesa, California where it continues to thrive. In a recent email, Engstrom said, ”For the foreseeable future, San Juan Car Company will stay in Durango and continue to produce narrow gauge kits and ready-to-roll cars in On3 and On30.” RPM Meets Gaining in Popularity Independently produced mini-conventions for railroad prototype modelers (RPM) continue to grow in both attendance and importance. Jeff Aley, clinic chairman of Prototype Rails held last month in Cocoa Beach, Florida, reports that about 250 modelers attended this year’s meet. Jeff said he is drawn to RPM meets for the clinics, the chance to study the variety of models on display, and the opportunity to commiserate with like-minded people and old friends. And, in the case of Prototype Rails, the mild Florida winter weather is hard to beat. If you haven’t attended a gathering of prototype modelers, you are missing an enjoyable experience and
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