Best Of Arnold SW1 - what's inside (technical review)

[Missaberoad]

I find this difficult to believe. Lousy negotiations, if true.

Many manufacturers have stated that getting spare parts and even un-decorated + un-assembled models is difficult when dealing with the Chinese manufacturers...

[MichaelWinicki]

Believe what you want,  but the reality is different.  While what you said might have a small part in it, nowadays it seems that the Chinese contractors and subcontractors seem to actually be dictating the terms.  Maybe because there were several mergers and there aren't many options to move the manufacturing elsewhere and to keep the "low" prices.  Or changing manufacturers would be too costly (assuming that the current contractor would even release the tooling).    Since the model is completely producted in China (from the design to assembly and packaging), they own the tooling (and even if they didn't there aren't any laws that would force them to give up the tooling and pass it to another company). At least that is how I understand the manufacturing process.

The bottom line is that it is what it is and the consumers don't have much say about it.

Yep.

It was like pulling teeth to get spare coupler parts.

Still waiting for non-traction tired wheelsets.

[Mark5]

Believe what you want,  but the reality is different.  While what you said might have a small part in it, nowadays it seems that the Chinese contractors and subcontractors seem to actually be dictating the terms.  Maybe because there were several mergers and there aren't many options to move the manufacturing elsewhere and to keep the "low" prices.  Or changing manufacturers would be too costly (assuming that the current contractor would even release the tooling).    Since the model is completely producted in China (from the design to assembly and packaging), they own the tooling (and even if they didn't there aren't any laws that would force them to give up the tooling and pass it to another company). At least that is how I understand the manufacturing process.

The bottom line is that it is what it is and the consumers don't have much say about it.

Some companies (ie importers) technically own the tooling. I could also see a scenario where they quoted untenable prices to do parts. But to flatly refuse seems weird.

But maybe this is part of the reason Atlas has been having parts availability issues for the past 10 years or so ...

Mark 

[peteski]

Some companies (ie importers) technically own the tooling. I could also see a scenario where they quoted untenable prices to do parts. But to flatly refuse seems weird.

I don't think that the tooling ownership is that black-and-white.  Especially when dealing with China where tooling can be held hostage and not released to the US company which contracted the manufacturing.   It is all part of the problem when dealing with manufacturing in China.

Chinese companies seem to have the upper hand when dealing with US companies. At least that is how things are turning out. It wasn't like that in the past, when Chinese companies were competing for US manufacturing contracts.

[CBQ Fan]

Is Arnold even still in the NScale business?  Nothing is listed on their website that I could find.  The way they unloaded the last batch of engines and financial issues in there somewhere. 

[peteski]

Um, yes.  Most of their offerings are actually European prototypes.

Which website are your referring to?  The one we cited for contact info?  That is some sort odd website which doesn't really list the full range of Hornby products.  Their "real" webpage is https://www.hornby.com/us-en/shop/brands/arnold.html and that also doesn't list all their products.  Their websites kind of suck, and they aren't really set up for direct ordering. Best way to see their full product line is to go to their "stockists".

 Here is a good representation of what Arnold products are currently available (currently 225 items):
https://www.en.dm-toys.de/liste/hersteller/Arnold.html

[coosvalley]

Do the U25C/U28C models use the same wheels/axles as the SW1?..If the wheelsets are no longer available, the six axle locos would provide more replacement wheelsets than an SW1 could...I could ditch the traction tires on both my SW1s with just one U25/28C......That is, IF the wheelsets are the same..

[peteski]

I don't have any U-boats so I don't know.  You might want to ask Arvids at Hornby/Arnold.

[coosvalley]

I bet someone here on TRW will get me an answer long before he would...Actually, if I can find a pic of the u-boat wheelsets I can probably figure it out myself..But I figured I'd ask if anyone here has one of each and could tell me what they think...

[coosvalley]

After some searching, I found this pic in another thread..Now I'm off to find My SW1......

[peteski]

Um, there is a good photo of the SW1 truck in the review at the beginning of this thread.



Looks different. But you might be able to press the SW1 wheels off the axles and replace them with the U-boat wheels.

[CBQ Fan]

Um, yes.  Most of their offerings are actually European prototypes.

Which website are your referring to?  The one we cited for contact info?  That is some sort odd website which doesn't really list the full range of Hornby products.  Their "real" webpage is https://www.hornby.com/us-en/shop/brands/arnold.html and that also doesn't list all their products.  Their websites kind of suck, and they aren't really set up for direct ordering. Best way to see their full product line is to go to their "stockists".

 Here is a good representation of what Arnold products are currently available (currently 225 items):
https://www.en.dm-toys.de/liste/hersteller/Arnold.html

I used this link. 

https://www.hornby.com/us-en/shop/brands/arnold.html

Only one of offering and not a u.s. Prototype. I am hoping it is just my iPad and I am missing stuff.  I loved their engines.

[peteski]

I used this link. 

https://www.hornby.com/us-en/shop/brands/arnold.html

Only one of offering and not a u.s. Prototype. I am hoping it is just my iPad and I am missing stuff.  I loved their engines.

Like I said - their website sucks. Follow the DM-Toys link I posted earlier for over 200 Arnold offerings currently in stocks there. Mostly European.  Reynaulds.com also has a long list of Arnold products (although they don't have current stock status).

[CBQ Fan]

Like I said - their website sucks. Follow the DM-Toys link I posted earlier for over 200 Arnold offerings currently in stocks there. Mostly European.  Reynaulds.com also has a long list of Arnold products (although they don't have current stock status).

That link is more fruitful!

[peteski]

Some companies (ie importers) technically own the tooling. I could also see a scenario where they quoted untenable prices to do parts. But to flatly refuse seems weird.

But maybe this is part of the reason Atlas has been having parts availability issues for the past 10 years or so ...

Mark 

I think that this recent post from Atlas CEO confirms that they have hard time getting spare parts made.  Chinese companies  just don't want to do it.