New manufacturer in HO

[unittrain]

There's a new manufacturer in HO and their first release is these safe pak autoracks. The price is up there may get a Santa Fe and or NW.
https://rokamodels.com/collections/safe-pac?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

[C855B]

I'm in for the Collector Set! 

The free shipping sealed the deal.

Obviously that's tongue-in-cheek. They do look like beautiful models.

[Pomperaugrr]

At that price, the "Collector Sets" would make great holiday stocking stuffers.   

[learmoia]

Looks like they are doing every scheme except... NS, CPAA Brown and CPAA Red and the original DTI/NW Test car (which may be a different prototype)

I guess save those for the 2nd run.  I'll notify Caboose Stop and see if we can get these ordered.

[lock4244]

These are pretty hot.

[learmoia]

I wish them luck with this release... in my time of research, the Safe-T-Pac autorack's unique design make it stand out as a unique car, and make it an obscure prototype that many people may not have seen (even though it served through it's entire service life on several roads.

I've only seen 3 IRL.  A CPAA Brown, and CPAA Red in Niagara Falls, NY, and a CPAA Yellow in Belle Plaine, IA
I don't recall seeing a Santa Fe (or any) while living in Oklahoma.

That said, it's one of those prototypes that people may buy 1 or 2 but definitely not prevalent enough to justify multi-packs.  I would say you could see 1 in every 4th Autorack train?  (similar to the Johnstown aluminum cars)

The exception could be if your modeling the UP Hay service

The 20-2 'tall' racks (before the AutoMax came out) would be a good choice of another unusual but more commonly seen prototype.
 

[greenwizard88]

Are they a real company? Check out their refund policy. https://rokamodels.com/policies/refund-policy

Exceptions / non-returnable items
Certain types of items cannot be returned, like perishable goods (such as food, flowers, or plants), custom products (such as special orders or personalized items), and personal care goods (such as beauty products). We also do not accept returns for hazardous materials, flammable liquids, or gases. Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item.

[learmoia]

When you read the Terms of Service page, you'll find its a page generated with Shopify. So they could be using pre-formatted policy pages.

I didnt notice any odd English.
Unless they snipped a ScaleTrains or Exactrail announcment, seems legit.



~Ian

[EspeeGoldenState]

Are they a real company? Check out their refund policy. https://rokamodels.com/policies/refund-policy

From their facebook page:

"ROKO Prototype Models, LLC is a new RTR (ready-to-run) model railroad design company dedicated to the production of exquisite, prototypically accurate HO scale models of the modern age.
Founded by Robert Stears, previously the RTR research, design, and import manager for American Limited Models and San Juan Car Company.
Many upcoming RTR HO Scale models are coming soon!"

https://www.facebook.com/rokamodels

[lock4244]

I wish them luck with this release... in my time of research, the Safe-T-Pac autorack's unique design make it stand out as a unique car, and make it an obscure prototype that many people may not have seen (even though it served through it's entire service life on several roads.

I've only seen 3 IRL.  A CPAA Brown, and CPAA Red in Niagara Falls, NY, and a CPAA Yellow in Belle Plaine, IA
I don't recall seeing a Santa Fe (or any) while living in Oklahoma.

That said, it's one of those prototypes that people may buy 1 or 2 but definitely not prevalent enough to justify multi-packs.  I would say you could see 1 in every 4th Autorack train?  (similar to the Johnstown aluminum cars)

The exception could be if your modeling the UP Hay service

The 20-2 'tall' racks (before the AutoMax came out) would be a good choice of another unusual but more commonly seen prototype.

I personally can only recall seeing ATSF (red) and CPAA (red, not the current livery) cars in Toronto in the late 80's. For them to be in CP's Agincourt yard it is likely they were in a pool serving GM in Oshawa or GM in Ste Therese. Also possible they were in a Ford pool serving their Oakville assembly plant. Or maybe passing through. I saw them enough to actually remember seeing them, which is significant because they were not very common at all... like 1 in 50 or more autoracks that passed through the yard.

Being into 1:160 these are no threat to me, but if they we're I'd probably be in for a few ATSF/NW/UP since these were pretty common roads in Ontario pools as I recall, and a handful would be enough to be realistic. Not the CPAA through, way too modern for me.

[learmoia]

I saw them enough to actually remember seeing them, which is significant because they were not very common at all... like 1 in 50 or more autoracks that passed through the yard.

Being into 1:160 these are no threat to me, but if they we're I'd probably be in for a few ATSF/NW/UP since these were pretty common roads in Ontario pools as I recall, and a handful would be enough to be realistic. Not the CPAA through, way too modern for me.

I'd put that ratio at 1:100 or lower (but maybe it depends on what pool your watching)... They stand out like a sore thumb.. but VERY rare!....

For N scale.. painting the Kato Autoracks in these schemes would pass the 3' rule for me..

[learmoia]

Here are some candidates for the 2nd run.
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