Author Topic: Sylvan, where art thou?  (Read 2131 times)

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sirenwerks

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Sylvan, where art thou?
« on: August 14, 2013, 02:47:36 PM »
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Clare, since Sylvan showed in-progress masters at one of the East Coast shows last year or 2011 (or maybe even 2010) the air's gone dead about new models.  I could use some Crackerbox and Cannonballs to pull my growing collection of Trainworx trailers.  Any hopes these models will show up in N anytime soon?
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

160pennsy

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Re: Sylvan, where art thou?
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2013, 03:55:45 PM »
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Clare, since Sylvan showed in-progress masters at one of the East Coast shows last year or 2011 (or maybe even 2010) the air's gone dead about new models.  I could use some Crackerbox and Cannonballs to pull my growing collection of Trainworx trailers.  Any hopes these models will show up in N anytime soon?

They were at the NTS in Atlanta. Their pipeline seems to be filled with finishing masters/molds for several previously announced HO products. Perhaps you can elicit a more comprehensive response by sending your request directly to Sylvan via email or even better a phone call?
Paul Ohegyi
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https://nrmrc.org/

sirenwerks

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Re: Sylvan, where art thou?
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2013, 03:59:10 PM »
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Paul, no stranger to direct communication, I've politely tried that on several occasions to no avail.
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

peteski

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Re: Sylvan, where art thou?
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2013, 05:26:19 PM »
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Paul, no stranger to direct communication, I've politely tried that on several occasions to no avail.

I've also spoken to Clare at the last few shows and W. Springfield, MA. He just doesn't seem to think that there is any viable market for N scale vehicle kits.  I tried to convince him otherwise but it doesn't seem to be working.  He thinks that N scalers are going for pre-painted and assembled models (which he doesn't make).  He said that he sells very few of his N scale vehicle kits. But maybe that is due to lack of advertising?  :|

He thinks that we (modelers willing to build and paint N scale kits) are a small fringe group.  Even if that is true, Sylvan is no big industry which needs to make millions of models. He is a small cottage industry, which, IMO should perfectly fit the demand of the small group of modelers wanting to build their models.
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OldEastRR

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Re: Sylvan, where art thou?
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2013, 07:33:47 PM »
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Oh yes, I'd love to have some of the HO kits done in N -- especially commercial trucks. And some '40s cars wouldn't be bad.
But running a company is a lot of state of mind, and if the owner's state of mind is N scale ain't worth it, then there's not much we can do about it.
I do have their REA delivery truck, wish the COE version was also in N -- every station on a layout is a great place to have a REA truck sitting at.
The vehicle walls are also very thin, making them easy to install windows  without them looking like deep-sea window ports. And real rubber tires!
I think a lot of N scalers don't realize how neat, realistic, and easy to assemble Sylvan kits are. As said, they don't advertise a lot for N scale.

dougnelson

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Re: Sylvan, where art thou?
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2013, 02:56:18 AM »
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Oh yes, I'd love to have some of the HO kits done in N -- especially commercial trucks. And some '40s cars wouldn't be bad.

And real rubber tires!

I think a lot of N scalers don't realize how neat, realistic, and easy to assemble Sylvan kits.

+1!!!  :D

Philip H

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Re: Sylvan, where art thou?
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2013, 09:05:50 AM »
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My main problem with Sylvan is its not in an era that's appropriate for me, and I couldn't justify more then one or two of his vehicles lying around as beaters rusting in a yard.  I've already got one of his channel buoys and a couple of his canoes kits for my Mississippi River scene, and I may use his coal barge.

out of his HO line, I'd take one of each fire truck, and I used to covet his modern cab over single and double axle trucks.  Thankfully, Showcase appears to be filling that need nicely for me.
Philip H.
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Baton Rouge Southern RR - Mount Rainier Division.


sirenwerks

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Re: Sylvan, where art thou?
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2013, 10:26:01 AM »
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If Showcase took up the mantle with the models I want (and others too), I'd be more than happy.  I just thought since Sylvan has the research done, it would be the first option.  Please, Showcase, give me a Crackerbox and Cannonball.
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

Pennsy

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Re: Sylvan, where art thou?
« Reply #8 on: August 17, 2013, 03:34:18 PM »
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I would kill for the streamlined Beer delivery truck in N

http://www.sylvanscalemodels.com/kits/Special%20Edition.htm

That is so cool.

Jim

Atlas Paul

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Re: Sylvan, where art thou?
« Reply #9 on: August 19, 2013, 08:04:31 AM »
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I actually tried to contact Sylvan through their web page about a month ago to see if they wanted to be a "Manufacturer in the Spotlight" in N Scale Enthusiast magazine but haven't heard back from them.  I think they are one of those smaller manufacturers not everyone knows about that we try to feature in the "Spotlight" column to increase their exposure.


Rasputen

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Re: Sylvan, where art thou?
« Reply #10 on: August 19, 2013, 09:00:49 AM »
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I would kill for the streamlined Beer delivery truck in N

http://www.sylvanscalemodels.com/kits/Special%20Edition.htm

That is so cool.

Jim

At one time someone in the Toronto area was offering N scale copies of that truck/trailer on that auction site, along with other pre-painted solid vehicles.  I'm not sure if they are still around.

jimmo

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Re: Sylvan, where art thou?
« Reply #11 on: August 19, 2013, 03:07:55 PM »
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At one time someone in the Toronto area was offering N scale copies of that truck/trailer on that auction site, along with other pre-painted solid vehicles.  I'm not sure if they are still around.

I haven't seen Tom (made2scalemodels) on ebay for months. I just sent him a message through his ebay store but haven't heard back from him yet.
James R. Will