Just a comment concerning this price/availability thread. Keep in mind
that low manufacturing costs in China won't last forever. Like Japan
and Taiwan, they too will find that they can get more for their labor
by focusing on higher value and demand products (not model RR). Is
there another low cost manufacturing country out there? In a few years,
the prices we pay today will look small. I remember being able to buy
United/PFM USRA 2-8-2s, for $50.00. They were outstanding models
compared to a Mantua diecast 2-8-2 and I thought at the time that they
were really expensive. Of course, I made less than $1.00/hour in those
days! We must remember too that in those days, Varney, Mantua and
Roundhouse made very few changes in their catalog from year to year, so
it was easily to continue offering the same thing for a long time.
Bill Barber
On Monday, July 18, 2005, at 05:53 AM, CBQ@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 01:07:04 -0700 (PDT)
> From: William Hirt <whirt@sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: Re: There must be a better way...
>
> The thing is there is really nothing "new" about the
> Atlas Train Man line. If you look at what's offered,
> most of it is molding that Atlas did 5-10 years ago
> that is no longer comparable to the fine tool work
> coming today from both Atlas themselves and other
> manufacturers. What Atlas sees is a way to get more
> out of their previous investment and provide product
> replacement for retailers who no longer have access to
> Athearn. I applaud them for that also.
>
> As for continual availability, I think that is yet to
> be seen since the product will be made and assembled
> in China. And I suspect despite what may be Atlas's
> best efforts, there will be periods where product will
> not be available.
>
> Bill Hirt
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