N J International crossing

[RAILCAT]

There are no available N crossings on the  N J International

Anyone enlightened as to what the situation is.
NJISIGNALS.COM

[bbussey]

Might be best to send them an email query.

[Scott Lupia]

I had reached out a month or so ago by email with no response.  I forgot all about this until it was brought up here.  If there is a phone number on their website that is probably the best option at this point. 

Scott Lupia

[spookshow]

It's weird because there are two different websites - njinternational.com and njisignals.com, and both list different phone numbers.

I tried calling the area code 813 number listed on the njinternational.com website and got some guy who sounded like he was at home wrangling kids and barely spoke english, so.... I dunno?

-Mark

[peteski]

It's weird because there are two different websites - njinternational.com and njisignals.com, and both list different phone numbers.

I tried calling the area code 813 number listed on the njinternational.com website and got some guy who sounded like he was at home wrangling kids and barely spoke english, so.... I dunno?

-Mark

With COVID I wouldn't be surprised that many people work from home. So, did you ask the guy about N scale signals?  Or was it a wrong number? 

[OldEastRR]

First rule of model RRing: if you see somnething for sale that you think you might ever need, buy it because it may not be available later.

I learned that in 1969.

[randgust]

wow, they've even dried up on the auction site.

May be another case of a small-shop contractor in China that didn't survive as their manufacturer and NGI is trying to sort it out.

I know that watching Gizmoszone (gearheads) disappear without a trace as a Chinese supplier and small company was an object lesson for me on just how fast a company over there can vaporize, without rights or assets sold, or much notice to anyone.    If you're an importer, and all of a sudden the phone doesn't answer and emails don't come back, on site investigation may show an empty building.

What really stinks is when the tooling disappears as well.

In the US it's a lot more slow motion and there's opportunity there for an acquisition - may not happen, but at least an opportunity.  We still have both NWSL and Grandt Line stuff after they announced closures.

[Mark5]

Historically, NJ International products have recurring "droughts" when many products are unavailable. I have a feeling that this is more of a "cottage" vendor (some guy running it "on the side").

I know this does not help with the immediate need, but it does give "perspective".

It also could be what Randgust mentioned above.

[spookshow]

N Scale Supply "resupplied" their NJI stuff as recently as March, so Mark5 may be right that they're simply in one of their between-runs periods.

-Mark

[C855B]

N Scale Supply "resupplied" their NJI stuff as recently as March, so Mark5 may be right that they're simply in one of their between-runs periods.

Agreed. NJI runs hot and cold on product availability. F’rinstance, the signal bridge was unavailable for years, to the point I assumed it to be a discontinued product and I paid too much for one on theBay. Of course the pipeline was filled shortly after. Same goes for the crossing signals, so now I pick-up one or two whenever inventory is restored even if I don’t have an immediate need.

[RAILCAT]

Then I had better start making my own  if they be a long time coming.
I think DKS made his own with lights on the barrier
Weren't the NJI ones lost wax castings like some jewelry?

[dem34]

Better question, why the hell is their only one company that makes somewhat decent standalone N scale crossing gates? Like its not like its some obscure detail like a flange oiler or switch heater, there has to be hundreds of thousands of somewhat similar gate and signal combos across North America.

[DKS]

Better question, why the hell is their only one company that makes somewhat decent standalone N scale crossing gates? Like its not like its some obscure detail like a flange oiler or switch heater, there has to be hundreds of thousands of somewhat similar gate and signal combos across North America.

Because it is rather expensive to make decent-looking N Scale grade crossing signals and gates. Fine brass castings, tiny LEDs, lots of labor to wire and paint them--it's not easy making these things. Especially articulated ones. Trust me, I know, I've made bunches.

[SkipGear]

From the novice consumer standpoint......everybody asks about working signals....till I tell them the real cost to make them function. There just aren't that many people willing to pay what they are cost. Unfortunately even as prevalent as they are in the real world, it's a small niche item for the majority of model railroaders...and once you do one, every other crossing on the layout is naked without them.

[DKS]

From the novice consumer standpoint......everybody asks about working signals....till I tell them the real cost to make them function. There just aren't that many people willing to pay what they are cost. Unfortunately even as prevalent as they are in the real world, it's a small niche item for the majority of model railroaders...and once you do one, every other crossing on the layout is naked without them.

Exactly. You can get lots of other items on the cheap--streetlights, for instance--that are quite decent. But they are easy to mass-produce. These signals are not. Look at the ones offered on eBay from the Chinese--they are hideous.