Micro Engineering is for sale…

[Sokramiketes]

Has this been definitively confirmed?   The sources I've seen have been second-hand and/or speculative.  Does anyone know who the supplier is?

Ed

Yes, confirmed.  I worked with them to explore Z scale code 40 flex track, visited their factory, etc.  I was privileged to receive the drawings and specs for the Code 40 rail and discussed their supplier.  The specs were used to draw tooling based on their molding process for N scale track.  Ultimately they didn't have production time available for a new track line. 

No I won't share their IP.  But it's about as first hand as it gets?

[ednadolski]

Thanks @Sokramiketes for confirming.  Interesting take on the IP.... I would presume that would go to a buyer along with the rest of the line.

Ed

[peteski]

Thanks @Sokramiketes for confirming.  Interesting take on the IP.... I would presume that would go to a buyer along with the rest of the line.

Ed

Ed, in reply #50 of this thread you provided info on a manufacturer that could produce metal rail profile, so even if the ME source of the rail is not known, there are other sources out there if one wants to produce track or sell track for hand-laying.

[ednadolski]

Edit: don't go looking for the Macon City Council web page!!.. BitDefender is giving me a warning that the site contains malware.!!

Anyone know if this is legit?   I got an email claiming that ME is being sold to "Warbonnet Enterprises L.L.C. of Macon Mo." which apparently from the ME site, but I'm not sure if I trust it.  The ME web page has not been updated, and all I could find online is this:

"The Macon City Council this month heard a presentation from Warbonnet Enterprises on its purchase of Micro Engineering of Fenton. .... Micro Engineering is a 57-year-old company that is currently the nation’s only manufacturer of model railroad track. The company’s move to Macon is expected to create up to 15 new jobs."

Edit - I had a link to site where I found the above quote, but figured better not to include any links in this post.


Ed

[nkalanaga]

OK, here's a link to an actual news media site, although I can't vouch for the accuracy of their news:
https://www.centralmoinfo.com/warbonnet-enterprises-receives-loan-approval-from-macon-city-council/
It's dated June 23, so isn't exactly new!

And, they apparently are a legitimate company, although a new one, so there's no history to search:
https://www.bizapedia.com/mo/warbonnet-enterprises-llc.html

[Chris333]

Isn't it great how news sites are always the most shady sites on the internet. 

[C855B]

Interesting development. Macon is a wide spot in the road far removed from the St. Louis metro where ME is currently located. Our summer cabin is sort of near there so we've had infrequent occasion to pass through; a former mayor was an acquaintance. Do not know if I've met Mr. Dwiggins but the name is triggering a neuron that I might know of him from the STL MRR community.

Wishing all parties best of luck.

[ednadolski]

Looks like there is a functioning website up (using https), with a downloadable price list dated November 2022.

https://microengineering.com/

The site promises that updating is in progress, and seems like paper/phone orders are the only kind being accepted at this time.  IDK if any of the contact info is up-to-date or not.

Hopefully this continues to progress.

Ed

[thomasjmdavis]

Maybe it's just me, but I get a "content encoding error" when I try that website. Also tried with a "www." - same error.

EDIT:  NEVERMIND....

Now working fine.

[rodsup9000]

 I've ordered from them by phone a couple of times before the sale.I've called them several times after the sale to ask about track.






https://microengineering.com/

[reinhardtjh]

I ordered a bundle of Code 55 wooden tie non-weathered from Fifer a couple months ago.  Not much else is in stock so I don't think they ahve gotten to any other types of N-scale track.

https://shop.fiferhobby.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=12951

At a quick glance it looked okay but I haven't compared it to the previous batches

[mu26aeh]

Last I heard at the shop, they're trying to get all the HO back in stock.  No mention at the time if/when N scale will get attention

[C855B]

The address and phone numbers on the current price sheet and website are for the old place in the St. Louis area. So it appears to me the new owners have not moved operations to their small town in northeastern Missouri (Macon) as proposed. They are unlikely to be commuting - 3 hour drive each way at best.

Make of that what you will.

[reinhardtjh]

Looks like there is a functioning website up (using https), with a downloadable price list dated November 2022.

https://microengineering.com/

The site promises that updating is in progress, and seems like paper/phone orders are the only kind being accepted at this time.  IDK if any of the contact info is up-to-date or not.

Hopefully this continues to progress.

Ed

I think that's the same old web site.  Nov 11, 2022 is the last price list I downloaded (on Nov 15th) from them and it looks identical to what is available this "new" site.