Interesting segment on Train Masters Video that got posted yesterday with North American Rail Car Co president who discusses how he got the Chinese to upgrade their models. Said he chided them about certain part assemblies that did not have enough detail by telling them when he was young, his ship models has detail comparable to what he wanted for covered hoppers. That ship model was made in Japan and he challenged the Chinese to do what the Japanese did.
The Chinese told him it would cost more. He asked how much more? Seventy cents a car he was told. Other firms don't want them to run up the cost. He told his factory people customers would gladly shell out another dollar for more detail. Of course, each added detail he requests means a little higher price, but he feels that's what the people want and will buy.
Discussion turned to cost of a car with all the details. NARCCO sells direct. No retail. Were it retail, MSRP would be $80 per car. Selling direct, he asks $40.
The Canadian members here can sound off about what their dollars get them for those cars.
