Product announcement: NSC 42’ Coil Car…maybe

I like to present this trainz by eNKay-Design product, my first complete car designed from scratch. The car is made from nickel-silver etched parts, actually you see 104 parts not incl. trucks and load, soldered together.
I think it’s a car our scale needs, hundreds of them on the railways, but non in 1:220. The prototype is just painted with primer to show all details. The trucks are AZL in this case, but can be FT or MTL, I just have heaps of AZL trucks flying around.
So far so good, so why the “maybe”? Before I’m going to offer this car I’d like to figure out what or better is there a demand . I’m talking about a small series product similar the FR models with a same price tag attached. I have to re-design the car is certain areas to assemble it more economical. So please post your comments here so I can figure out the demand. It’s not an order you commit to, just an info for my planning.
I know small series business has dried out a bit over the last couple of years due to the poor buying power of the USD. I can think also about an “economy” version of this car with reduced details; might be interesting too. What means economy? Less details and less parts, for example simplified handrails, steps, side sills, break wheel and a casted hood for example.
I’m thinking about offering a complete assembled cars incl. load, painted and decaled, weathering as an extra option. If there is demand for a kit version I would consider this too. But don’t think this will be a kit to earn your first merits in soldering an etched kit together; you need to be an expert not to be disappointed and frustrated for years…

To the model: it’s showing the latest version of National Steel Coli Cars, some call it Type 5. It’s in use with CSXT, KCS, NOKL and CAGY. In case this car is accepted I would make more variants of NSC Coil Cars such as the Type 3 car.

So, please review the pictures and leave your honest opinion; please have in mind this is the first prototype and the quality is not up to the level you can expect for the small series.

Regards,
Gerd

Handsome car Gerd. This would make an interesting unit train but the price would be prohibative for most modelers. I know your work and the quality is excellent. I'd consider One for a siding to "show" this type of unit.
Fred

Gerd,

Wow! Would decals and the coils come with the kit?

John

At $50 per car, I'd buy one of every NS / CSX livery you want to decorate, and maybe a few others. But I think at $75 or above the overall demand goes way down. Just my opinion though, no basis in fact.

And I agree that perhaps an option for interior detail and removable cover vs. sealed top may increase sales by a few, if it takes the price down by $5 or $10 per unit. Again, just numbers off the top of my head.

I would love to see them come to market.

Hi Gerd - great car, put me down for a ready to run model if you put them into production

Thanks guys for your intrest in this car.
Due to some very good feedback from z friends all over the world I will produce following versions:

1) National Steel Car "Type 3" 42' Coil Car, example: Type 3 in following roadnames NS, CN, CSXT, DRHY, IMRL, LW, TR, ATW, HS, ICE, MBKX

2) National Steel Car "Type 4" 48' Coil Car example: Type 4 in GTW colous
3) National Steel Car "Type 5" 42' Coil Car example: Type 5 in CAGY, CSXT, NOKL, KCS, AOK, WRWK

"Fantasy" paint jobs are possible too if desired...

I offer 2 versions:

A ) complete assembled, painted und decals with fixed hood............$99
B ) complete assembled, painted und decals with load, removable hood and detailing inside .......$119

Weathering and simple graffities: $15
Challenging weathering and graffities: please ask for quote
Shipping: flat $15

To order please send email to: service at trains.enkay-design.com
Delivery prior to Christmas 2011

Some roadnames are subject to pending trademark licenses, but I'm not expecting any problems so far.

The prices might sound a lot to some guys, but those are highly detailed, true scale, handmade articels in metal (...like the real thing) and not some injection moulded plastic with probably some chunky bits attached you have to pay $30 per piece too...your choice

Gerd,

Here is a really nice photo of a train load of coil cars www.rr-fallenflags.org/ihb/ihb-frtcar-gga.jpg

Enjoy,

John

Thanks John, the red IHB are showing the type 3 cars I do