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WORKING ON THE RAILROAD…….LATEST  UPDATES of  August 22, 2008

This information supercedes any other dates, prices or specifications published or posted on our website.

Prices are subject to change.  Raw plastic, paints and all metals have increased dramatically in price the past few months-as well as their transportation costs.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you’ve ever thought of becoming a kit manufacturer-or wondered how the prices happen-we have posted a note called "If you’ll built it they will come." This was done because of recent inquiries for custom kits-and recent postings on many model RR chat groups from folks who think they could bring out "affordable kits"-often by making rubber molds to copy kits made by others. You might find this interesting.

ORDERING INFORMATION

Shipping & handling  charge  increased  in May 07 to a minimum $8 on US kit shipments. On Small parts & decals mailable first class, contact us for a possible econmomical rule breaker.

About the 800 number.  Barb really DOESN’T know any info for you.  She is a neighboring business who charges us for each call and courteously takes orders.  PERIOD.  That way we can research kits, work on molds and co ordinate with CAD folks and moldmakers,, meet with suppliers, pack kits, answer emails daily,  update website, create ads and fliers, write instructions, prepare invoices, customs export papers  and tax papers etc..  Small kit makers do not have front office staff, you know.

Some folks are calling to complain of "bouncing email".  Repeated tests by us cannot find problems.  You are welcome to E mail us at   mrrwarehouse at yahoo.com  or sales at mrrwarehouse.com   or use the contact us feature of the website.

OUR FAX NUMBER  IS NOT CURRENTLY IN OPERATION.

If you try to use the shopping cart with your computer NOT cookies enabled it won’t work.  Cookies are the glue that keeps each little bit of you information connected together.  Unlike others, we crunch them after your order is sent. Our shopping cart uses a secure paypal system.  The reassuring "padlock" appears when you are asked for the information that is transmitted securely to paypal.

YARDSALE-Irish Auction

 The Irish Auction has been removed while we focus our attention on clearing much of our warehouse and preparing the Red Ball HERITAGE line for a new owner. THIS PAGE HAS RED BALL FACTORY CLEARANCE LISTINGS,  Eastern Car Works kits currently in our warehouse (most are unavailable elsewhere) and a brief (compasred to the Irish Auction) listing of rare & unavailable items-one of a kind--.  The page will be updated often.

RED BALL- May 22,2008

RED BALL cast parts listings, illustrations are found on the REFERENCE/ARCHIVES page.  Individual part sales were suspended July 10.  Many are in the GRAB BAGS found in the YARDSALKE listing at super low prices.

SIGNATURE SERIES NEWS  all are unassembled, undecorated  kits less trucks & couplers  HO unless noted

HO MANN’S CREEK HOPPER CAR is temporarily out of stock.  Late summer rerun is scheduled.

HO B&O M53 WAGONTOP BOXCAR $29.95 is still available, in limited quantities.  Due to the theft of the body mold this kit is "limited run." Decals temporarily unavailable. Late summer rerun.

HO D&RGW Dynamometer Car. $49.95  was shipped in early December. A rerun is available-and running low-Signature Series Kit-custom decals avail soon to kit purchasers

HO PRR H30a Covered Hopper  $39.95 is poised for packaging.  The etched brass parts are gorgeous, injection molded roof and sides are run. We are awaiting one long overdue part from a supplier and will be releasing the kit as soon as possible. Extra hatches for H30 conversion are also in preparation.

Currently shipping other previous Signature Series releases:

Prices are subject to change without notice. Some increases are announced here.

REA & KCS EXPRESS REFRIGERATOR $44.95; B&M RPO (converted troop sleeper) and Alaska 50 ft Boxcar (converted troop sleeper) are $42.95 each in the current run –these were first shipped fall of 07.

Mann’s Creek Hopper and Log Buggy kits in HO ($29.95 for 2 hopper or 3 log) and in O ($32.95 for 1 hopper or 2 log cars) .  HO Hopper being rerun late summer. O is available as are the Log Buggies.

kit is narrow gauge but large enough for standard gauge short lines

B&O M53  Wagontop Boxcar  HO  still  $29.95,  Decals 2 sets, 4 era $9.95-being rerun late summer. 

Unique Converted -all USA road unique prototypes - Troop Sleeper Express Cars  $39.95 each:   B&O; B&M (2 style); C&O; DL&W (EL); M&StL; NH; NYC (s styles); Frisco; Rock Island  and PM/C&O Tool Car 

B&O "picture window" A18cg modernized coach $69.95-brass sides & doors only  $44.95.  This kit is now an LTD series kit and will; not be continuously available.

CSX-CR Hopper Topper to fit Bowser hopper cars $10.95

HO SP Economy Baggage Cars-  tooling is progressing.  2009 release expected. $TBA

Recent Signature Series Releases Sold Out-Reruns coming shortly-orders are accepted. Phone orders charged when shipped, shopping cart charges when ordered.

Alaska RR Hi Cube Boxcar

Mann’s Creek Hopper-HO

B&O A18cg Modernized Coah-now run in LTD series to fulfill reservations.

Several  converted troop sleeper kits are in short supply in HO & N at this time.

Price increases on plastic and brass materials have been drastic and significant. To date we have held our msrp by modifying the dealer discount schedules (some other specialty kit makers have simply cut out dealer sales). We are holding our breath-and may be forced to increase some prices as reruns occur in coming months.

CABOOSE SERIES progress is stalled due to shenanigans of toolmaker. Future plans are uncertain at this time. More details posted further along in this update file.

HERITAGE SERIES-revised rereleases of old favorites.

Recent Red Ball Heritage  Releases

Coal Tender body (Heritage Limited Styrene Rerun) a few left yet

4 wheel Ore Jimmy (2 car kit)  (Heritage Series Limited styrene rerun) –

     SOLD OUT.  Plastic body castings (no floors, no truck sideframes) avail at  2cars/$7.50

Nitric Acid Tank Car (Monsanto)  sold out except a handful of kits with slightly defective decorating.$22.95

Progress suspended pending current negotiations with potential buyer of this line on these kits:

PRR 50ft DC Flat; Braced Side Caboose; Pile Driver; 200Ton Bucyrus Erie Wreck Crane

LTD SERIES

Curreently  in stock and shipping:

CNJ Freight Car decals in HO-supply is very low.

 Baldwin B and D steeple cabs in  S and O; and B in HO  Troop sleeper in O&S; Log Car hardware in F (G).

May be reserved for reruns:

Baldwin D Steeple Cab in HO

B&O A18cg "picture window" modernized coach

Cincinnatian skirted car series HO and Fountain Square single observation

Next expected for release- can still be reserved:

Brill 55 Motorcar in HO and O

Cincinnatian observation car "Fountain Square"

Over 2 dozen other LTD kits interurban and passenger, are tooled and "in que" at our etching supplier.We cannot anticipate "when" for these kits until they finally reach "top of the stack"

.

Red Ball Brass Part Price Increase:  Converted Troop car Sides in N now $21.95 and HO express boxcars  $29.95

HO Side/End/Partsets:  REA Reefer and Alaska Boxcar  are $35; Alaska HiCube boxcar  and D&RGW Dynamometer are $45.  All available only  in HO while kits are available.

INTERURBANS (updated December 16, 2007)

Tichy has announced availability of their phosphor bronze wire in 3 foot lengths. Sizes available .01. .015, .02 and .025  packaged 12 to the $15.00 tube. Our shipping charge may apply to these as they cannot be included in most orders’ packages.

Brill 55 HO body  is expected soon  but didn’t make late winter.. Reserve at pre release price yet on First run with wood roof.

Illinois Terminal Class B freight motor tooling is being edited.  20088-9release is our goal now.

TRACTION Available at this time:  HO Cannonball GE steeple cab; Red Ball Baldwin B and D steeple cab in  S and O scale, B in HO.

We regret the necessity to increase Baldwin steeple cab prices as metal has increased dramatically.  Advance reservation prices may well increase shortly on several kits too.  Guaranteed reservations get guaranteed the pre release prices at time of placing reservation. We hope to have more certain progress to pass along next month on the Brill 55 and the Illinois Terminal B projects.

Eastern Car Works             Page not being updated

We experienced such a run on our ECW kit supplies in November-December  07 that our stock is pathetic and improvement cannot be reasonably expected.  We are removing their kits from our shopping cart shortly until stock availability improves.  Most parts are in good supply here yet.  ECW has not given us any expected delivery dates.

THIS PAGE HAS NOW BEEN MOVED TO OUR ARCHIVES as a result.

 Please EMAIL for availability of ECW kits before ordering-even those in the YARDSALE listing.

OREGON RAIL  (updated August 22, 2008)

SIGNAL BRIDGES It is amazing how much MISinformation some folks can create.  We have weekly conversations with  Dick and cheer each other along on hurdles in our respective projects. ALL test shots for both 2 and 4 track signal bridges with PRR and "regular" heads have been approved (semaphore versions are "not yet").  All packaging has been designed by the artists and is in China.. All instructions and graphics are completed and in China. All packaging INSTRUCTIONS and SAMPLE packs have been completed by Dick so the Chinese SHOULD NOT be able to miss something in translation. We told you THAT in mid-December. Now to continue.  Firm July delivery dates were promised  by the Chinese manufacturee in  late May.  Shipment will be by sea-container so we expect to have the 2 and 4 track PRR and US&S versions here about the third/fourth week of June.  Two track bridge MSRP price is $27.95 and 4 track is $29.95. At the time of this update the bridges have still not been shipped from China and no new promises have been received.  The semaphore versions are yet to come( this year hopefully) -moldmaker has serious corrections to make on the signals.

PRR FANS-- NEW-

#143 PRR POSITION LIGHT SIGNAL HEADS $9.95

will include 2 "regular" position light heads and two "squared off" signal heads, mounting brackets and finials.    Have been shipped

#144  PRR HEAD OPERATIONAL ASSEMBLY SET  $17.95

will include  2 PC mounting boards and 14 LED for assembling two working PRR postion light heads.  Have NOT been shipped

 Progress on the new building at Scappoose to house ORS is at the "moving in" stage.

Recently Announced New product

#142  etched signal mast ladder stock  2 pc  11 1/2inches  $8.95

is temporarily not being shipped – packaging suspended during "moving in."

CABOOSES

Update of April 5, 2008

We could certainly use the part time services of an experienced CAD person (hopefuilly familiar with model RR) in the Fort Wayne area.  The ex-toolmaker managed to deliberately undo MANY months of work on these projects when he decided our agreed upon rates were chicken feed compared to the $90/hr medical apparatus firms would pay him.

Updated  December 16, 2007:

RED Ball Virginian, B&O and N&W kits in N were EXPECTED by now (with O & HO behind them) but we have experienced a major setback.   The toolmaker has been so inundated with very lucrative medical apparatus work that we are shoved  out the door.  Unfortunately, there are very few hungry tool makers left in these parts since most have already starved as their work went to the Orient-or are doing medical items.  We are unable to anticipate when this jungle may be untangled. BUT BEFORE YOU START ANY RUMORS-when a firm has invested the research, engineering and kilobucks in a project, like we have on the cabooses, it is unrealistic to think they would just drop it.  Problems like this do create delays in other work in progress as well.

ECW Eastern caboose was just mentioned in ECW notes-we wish we knew something to tell you.

Bangor & Aroostook-see info in our LTD updates.  Reserve now at pre-release prices.

Others- announced for Red Ball-yes, your patience is appreciated.

LTD SERIES (updated  Feb 5, 2008)

Next in sight are the Brill 55 motor car and Cincinnatian "Fountain Square"

We anticipated the Illinois Terminal class B motor making it later in 2008 as well as several of the B&O passenger sides & kits.

Cincinnatian first run-the first four individual car kits are sold out.  Future reruns will only be made for complete train sets (delivered in installments)  Complete train order # is 772-77T. It will NOT be on the shopping cart because a) the cart charges when ordered amd b) we cannot guarantee prices due to recent metal cost surges. Phone or mail reservations asccepted. Cars charged to your account as shipped.   A few sets of the nickel silver Eden Park dorm/coffee car sides were slightly discolored and are offered at a reduced price.

Several items have increased due to drastic metal increases.   When a current run is sold out we accept reservations for the next run.  It will be made (in smaller quantities to reflect the number of new reservations) at then current costs.  The new runs will be made when reservation level justifies. Reruns of O  & S scale Baldwin steeple cabs just made did require modest price increase

George has had to deal with severe family health situations.  He has not been in position to upgrade our research on the B&O National Ltd. Cars Most tooling is awaiting his final approval.  Status of other cars is listed here. MRN means more reservations needed to proceed. IN QUE means the item is awaiting its turn at the etching firm and will be available as soon as capacity allows (and NO we cannot predict better than that). The probable order of release is as listed.

We have a terrific backlog of work waiting at the etchers door. These are listed as "in que".  They are moved through as production capacity allows.

"MRN Models":  LTD  for which we have tooling completed (or well along if marked *) but more reservations are needed to proceed with production:

All above listed items, all troop conversions, and Baldwin B&D  in other scales.

Monon  converted hospital passenger cars*

Baldwin model A, B1 and E steeple cabs

Cincinnatian unskirted cars and 52 seat coaches

Cincinnatian cars without lettering

B&O  A18 coach variations*

N&W  M3, Ms3 mail cars*

CB&Q  Combine/RPO*

Alaska RR Refrigerator car*

Detroit & Mackinac caboose (ex troop sleeper)

CD&M Interurban and others listed on our Interurban page*.

Yes- Cincinnatian Pacific conversion kit work is  proceeding/

We can supply American Limited  full width diaphragms for use on Cincinnatian or other streamliners. 4 pack is $20. I

Please place advance reservations for LTD models by mail or phone order and you will be charged at time of actual shipping. You are guaranteed the listed price at time of your reservation.

[MR1] 

CANNONBALL CAR SHOPS (updated April 5, 2008)

With the impending sale of the Red Ball Heritage Line

Some items not included in the sale will likely be merged into the Cannonball brand.

Yes, the HO GE Steeple cab is still available at $27.95

We just unearthed a cache of the 2 deck Dana Auto rack kit that was run in the late 70s for prototypical addition to Athearn TTX flats.  Check this out--it is certainly limited in quantity. At $8 each! ( It was $9  20 years ago!!)

McGuire Cummings street sweeper kit was in early stages of mold making along with our Red Ball cabooses. See caboose updates for the sad update here.

DECALS: Troop Sleeper& Kitchen  HO decals are sold out.  Recent demand level does not justify a rerun at this time.   HO Hospital car, HO Hospital Kitchen and O scale Sleeper & Kitchen decal supplies are low. 

WWII Hospital Car  #197-9708 second run is sold out and unavailable at this time. The unformed flat sheet brass overlay was sold out as well but the boss just found two.  We will custom run flat sheet for order of TWO units at whatever brass  price prevails at the time of order. Reservations will be accepted toward a possible third KIT rerun.  There will likely be a price increase for the new run as a large expanse of etched brass is preformed in every kit.  FYI This week the price for our scrap brass from sheet cutout operations was triple last winter’s scrap price.  Am alternative: if you’d like car SIDES to convert available Pullman cars, let us know.  This would be price effective and could be produced quickle.  The slight overhang at roof end would be compromised using this approach.

Military decals are in short supply.  HO sleeper & kitchen sets are sold out.

Check out the bargain priced ($12.95) injection molded styrene troop sleeper kits for use making MofW camp cars and other conversions.

Coffin Car   Military modelers have been asking a lot about our coffin car kit. Security after 911 did not allow our access to the prototypes.  We’ve now regained that opportunity and resumed work on the tooling. We are NOT publishing photos of these heavyweight jewels for a simple reason.  Too much of our original research has consistently been sent to China by other kit makers.

BETHLEHEM CAR WORKS

We can special order currently produced brass carside sets for you. These are not cataloged by BCW or otherwise sold.  Email your inquiry-the price may vary at time of order but $25 -$30 is the range.  Plastic carsides are listed..

Regular car kits and complete Kitbits part and truck line are stocked here.

TICHY TRAINS Updated May 22, 2008

Illustrated HO kit and parts catalog-free when requested with order.

Recently arrived-notable- parts include: 

PRR Catenary Insulators #8158 good for power lines & power stations too. 24pc $3; 

Old Time Lamp Posts #8155 can be illuminated 8pc $4.

Triangular Hinges  #3067 45pc   $3

Strap Hinges #3068 48pc $3

The fine line of CMA scenic details and parts has been merged with Tichy. Our shopping cart  includes cross references and we have developed a reference chart.  Tichy has issued an extensive  HO catalog that we will supply free on request with orders.

updated June 1, 2007

Yes, they moved to Carolina from New York and are running again.

Newly released items include"  3 foot phosphor bronze wire

HO:  2 new windows 6/6 dbl hung and 12 pane masonry, early style lamp post and chimney caps

O: Pallets and 5 panel door & frame

N:  Drop bottom gondola; SP Sugar Beet Car; 80pc window and door assortment; 40 pane enginehouse window; telltales and brakewheels

STRUCTURE MODELS

The newest thing here is City Classic’s Neighborhood grocery. Hometown random sized lime STONE sheets expected later  this  spring

HOMETOWN $5 big brick sheets are popular with folks who SEE them. Insulbrick (that tar paper imitation brick  overlay stuff) is here too!

O, S AND LARGE SCALE updated Feb 5, 2008

We stock all Tichy O&S scale windows, doors, car parts. We just prepared a listing for this page so that signaled new items from Don:  Pallets and a 5 panel door on O..

Moldwork was moving along for Red Ball’s  new O scale cabooses-both B&O I-1 and Virginian C2.  These kits will feature styrene bodies with etched brass details. It is still too early to give firm prices and dates. See the sad notes in the Red Ball update.

More reservations needed on CD&M,  Brill 55 amd Illinois Terminal B see Interurban page   We regret the necessity to increase prices on the B/W B and D steeple cabs with the new runs  now in stock. Brass metal prices have skyrocketed.   O & S scale troop sleeper bodies still available.

We are upgrading our website with new charts for quick checking products & availability.

G Scale-Red Ball Log Car kit is sold out. The metal hardware parts are available-listed on out new kit lis.

N SCALE updated June 16, 2007

TICHY has just shipped the drop bottom gondola kit and sugar beet gondola car kit. Their work train set is now available. New parts announced aretelltales, brakewheels, 40 pane roundhouse window and 80 piece window & door assortment. The N scale Red Ball log car kit has sold out. We are now offering (etched brass) metal body parts for scratch builders (you only need to add 4 wood beams to build a great car).  Check the photo of our HO and O cars on the Red Ball page.

We stock all the Tichy and CMA N scale parts and kits, and City Classis great gas station. Handy reference lists have been prepared for the webmaster to post.

Red Ball troop car conversion sides for prototype specific express cars are now $21.95. Recent reruns of pur etched brass sheets are  increasing drastically.

Check out the CABOOSE notes-the N&W, B&O and VGN  N scale caboose molds are moving along.

MANN’S CREEK LOG BUGGY brass parts are available. Signature Series (former Red Ball).

We are upgrading the website with new charts for quick checking products and availability.  The N chart is in webmaster’s hands

 REFERENCE/ ARCHIVE

Now includes Eastern Car, Red Ball Heritage & other  material

Further along this Car & Truck Reference page is reference material not found elsewhere-a catalogue of kits made in HO during the "aftermarket decorating" era.  These are not available today except where you happen to find them.  The cars are listed by railroad (east of Miss R roads).

CENTRAL VALLEY

Check out this page-we are upgrading it.  There is a new tall door of interest for roundhouses etc.  Their track system tie strip is now available in 8’ 6" len

HOOSIER BYWAYS

Enjoy a bit of the Hoosier state by visiting our own postcards.

TROOP AND HEADEND PAGE       NOT BEING  Updated –now locarted as an Archived page.

This page is being retained for reference due to the  archives we’ve generated.    Pleas refer to the RED BALL page for updated photos and information about converted troop cars.  Please refer to the CANNONBALL page for current military kit information & photos. Repeat: Kit info on this page is obsolete, please use it for prototype info.

The long awaited B&O C15 express car is very close but folks have been snapping up the carside-door part sets eagerly to do their own conversions  (likely using old MDC Harriman cars). 

STEWART HOBBIES NOT BEING UPDATED

We no longer distribute Stewart following their sale to Bowser.  Check our YARDSALE page for several closeout specials on scarce models. Shambles, the webmaster,  had made such a nice Stewart reference page here we are keeping it open for your use as a reference service.

Retiring The Boss

Serious model railroaders have been witnessing the disappearance of many well established sources of fine product in recent years.  It is our desire that this not be the case with Red Ball and associated products. Red Ball, the pioneer of prototypical diversity since 1939, has been operated (and preserved) by Merle Rice in Roanoke , IN under the Wabash Valley Lines and Model Railroad Warehouse business entities since 1976.  Merle enjoys design and creation of new products, and the tooling to produce them. Recent medical situations, however, indicate that he should begin a phased retirement to assure the continuation of Red Ball as a source of prototypically specific model kits. This is not an announcement of business closure. It is an announcement of a decision to begin a phased retirement designed to offer opportunity for "new blood" to pick up the reins of recognized and functioning business. Model Railroad Warehouse's business is structured in a manner that permits acquiring the whole in segments over time, or for some segments to be subdivided out as freestanding and independent entities. Access to or skills in CAD, and resin molding of special parts, would be a plus for most segments. Prices vary for most segments and are five digit and fair-- this is not a "distress" sale. Additional product tooling and development are continuing, as are sales- thus prices are fluid. This announcement is an attempt to secure capable, ongoing stewardship of the Red Ball tradition. Seriously interested parties should contact Merle Rice by mail at PO Box 411 , Roanoke , IN 46783 .  

MRRW  Distribution Business specializes in "craftsman" kits and parts. Lines currently stocked are: Bethlehem Car Works; Cannonball Car Shops; Central Valley; City Classics; CMA;  DSP EZ Weights; Eastern Car Works; Hometown; Oregon Rail Supply; Red Ball; Silver Brook Junction; Tichy Train Group. Lines we have stocked that could be reinstituted: Broadway Limited; Cal Scale; Canon & Co; Detail Associates; Details West; Grandt Line, Pikestuff; Scalecoat; Stewart Hobbies. Purchase of this business includes inventory, reservations for unreleased items (except those of our own production listed below) ; goodwill and website. 

Red Ball Signature Series  are ten all newly designed and tooled kits based on photoetched brass and injection molded styrene bodies.   Purchase includes production tooling, inventory and design rights to Mann's Creek Hopper and Log cars (O & HO scales) B&O Wagontop Boxcar; Pennsylvania H30a Covered Hopper; PRR  P38 troop coach and kitchen car;and  SP Economy baggage Cars as well as related decals and parts. Design may be included for additional kits not yet tooled.

Interurban Series purchase includes production tooling and inventory for the HO GE Steeple Cab freight motor and production tooling (with opportunity to adapt for other scales) and inventory for etched brass kits:  Baldwin B and D freight motors (O, S and HO); Brill 55 Motor Car (HO); Illinois Terminal Class B freight motor (HO).   Tooling prepared for final steps: Baldwin A and E freight motors; and Illinois Terminal Class C.  Reservations for these and other unreleased models and the Interurbans page of our website,

Caboose and Converted Troop Car Series  purchase includes inventory and mold base and mold inserts to produce HO Scale troop sleeper and troop kitchen in both open and closed window styles; O, HO and N scale caboose kits. Inventory and production tooling for brass caboose details, 14 HO and 9 N troop conversions (suited to other scale conversions) 2 S and 1 O Troop body kits; reservations for new releases and tooling prepared for final steps:  Bangor & Aroostook, D&M troop caboose conversions.

Red Ball Heritage purchase includes some 500 highly detailed solid metal molds and the machinery for casting the historic line in metal and in styrene;  Red Ball trade name rights and web page; kit design rights; Carside art rights for over 350 cars (billboard reefers, boxcars, others.); casting metal supply, reservations on hand  and some inventory

LTD Series Passenger Cars purchase includes production tooling for etched brass / ns sided  B&O Cincinnatian train, C15 Express Car and nearly two dozen cars -tooling prepared for final steps: B&O and C&NW headend cars, Milwaukee ribbed side combines, Army hospital car (production tool adaptable to Monon cars), other extensive B&O passenger cars-and reservations on hand.

Extra equipment, inventory smaller  Lots: Pad printer;  second  12 ton- 3/4 ounce Simplomatic  hydraulic injection molding machine (as pictured on Yardsale page) & resins; large lot of  Athearn diesel shells, Athearn & other  undecorated car kits, Stewart F units from our era as the aftermarket decorator of New River brand; Yardsale consignment goods; inventory remnant lots of Cal Scale; Canon & Co; Details West; , Detail Assoc; Scalecoat; S scale B unit shells; Enhorning molds  etc..

Specific details stated are accurate at posting July 2007.  

SAY-CAN YOU RETIRE? I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS RETIREMENT THING.

Q1. Why don't you post your phone number so it would be easier (than writing a letter) to discuss purchasing the business?

A. I want to talk with SERIOUS potential buyers, not "idle tied –bit & gossip" gatherers [and after I hear from serious folks we will use a phone].  Casual half hour or hour phone calls or drop in visitors are not compatible with concentrating on packing kits correctly; meeting with $50 an hour mold makers; concentrating on the correct part fit dimensions of new tooling or the prototype research involved; getting press releases and ads out by publisher deadlines; getting orders processed and shipped promptly; preparing website updates and getting to the next medical appointment on time. These are all still happening.  We love to talk with Red Ball admirers at train shows etc. when we have set aside the time to be there for that purpose. (And in our allotted email read & respond time). You have probably noticed the half dozen large train companies hire folks (that you are disgusted with because they don't know any answers) to sit in their booths and us little guys in the business have PO Boxes etc, not secretaries, right? 

Q2. Would one need to be a skilled machinist?

A. Not unless that is the direction a new owner planned to take the company. All the new Signature line, Traction and LTD kits currently involve reputable subcontractors for production and production tooling. Managing skills are important for this. The Heritage line, especially, could be enhanced by machining skills.

Q3. You state the price (per section) would be five digits. Why so much? 

A. When new, Injection molds cost 5 or six digits EACH.  Tooling for quality photo etching costs four digits.  When one invests their savings in a bank or mutual fund they expect to recover them, right?  Shouldn't the same apply to this kind of investment?

Q4. Would you be available to consult or coach?

A. None of us know what tomorrow will bring. You know I kept this business "alive" (though not very "well") through nearly a year of blindness and some dozen eye surgeries. Just 3 weeks before the Seattle National Train Show I was rear- ended by a semi on I-69. Much of our display in the station wagon was scattered across three southbound lanes.  [Those who expect to take personal steps "someday" to assure their relationship with The Lord are living unbalanced on the edge in my opinion.] But I love this work and have been doing it (along with 37 years of college and high school teaching) for over forty years- so yes, as long as I am able I can be available.

Q5. Why do you have so many unreleased kits?

A. In part, reflect on the previous answer #4. Then there are two kits that were voted highly in our website ballot but advanced reservations were dismal. Our LTD kits are deliberately this way. Many are well along BUT the very first kit will STILL will cost me $1,000-$3,000 or more. If the reservations aren't adequate to convince Mrs. Rice that is where our money belongs, I don't need that first kit. It would be physically impossible for our subcontractors to supply all of those tomorrow anyhow if you sent along a million dollars [or decided to custom market all of them using the "so you want to be a manufacturer" thing I posted many moons ago]. Most are in que to become reality in coming months.  These DO provide an opportunity for a buyer to continue releasing new items while engaged in the learning curve themselves.

Q6. Is Hostler Ginchell ready to move?

A. Yes. He was there with M. Dale Newton in Red Ball's earliest days and Red Ball fans obviously expect him to outlive Dale, Howell and myself.  He thinks he is indispensable and I am not about to burst his bubble. Maybe he is.

Q7. What caused your announcement? Some people think you were out of business years ago.

A. The consequences of over 30 years of diabetes ganged up and caused the announcement. Some people thrive on inventing news and others on spreading it. Thank you for checking for actual facts. { Heard that one chat group thinks John Greene makes Red Ball.  John IS  Bethlehem Car Works.  He SELLS some Red Ball kits.  He SELLS  BCW parts to us  for some Red Ball kits. We sell his kits and parts too. He is not us. OK. Next rumor….) 

Q8. What is the inventory status I should expect?   Is it full of white elephants or in need of massive refills to resume the business?

A.      Neither. The business is not winding down. It is continuing on a normal basis now. I am maintaining complete inventories of all lines we distribute at the levels appropriate to smooth operation of MRRW.  This applies to distributed lines (except Eastern Car Works currently unavailable items) and the products we make. Injection molded plastic parts are typically run in minimum quantities of 1000 or more so those numbers might look heavy. or light at any given time depending on rerun schedules. The lines listed as "not currently distributed" would require refills but reasonable quantities to resume but a good base are here yet.  Of course the tooling would be inventoried to serious inquiries. Because these number fluctuate, a specific price is not quoted out front.

Q9.  Boss Merle, does your well -deserved phase out dash hopes for a long awaited DL&W caboose?     (similar requests on Cincinnatian loco, other cabooses, traction kits).

A.      Hope for the D&H caboose [etc, etc] would only be dashed if

1)       I die before a/ or no competent successor is found

2)       A successor dropped that ball

3)       Someone else brought out a good kit first

And on item 1-none of us knows "when" on that score do we?  My medical problems are not "terminal" but they do impair energetic progress.

Item 2- Reservations are the best "security."  Hollering for "kits we need" isn't nearly as effective as reserving them.

Item 3- Copying our kit ideas and designs has plagued Red Ball and Hometown for decades.  Copying whole lines in China by other "big boys" is reaching absurd levels. 

. 

.INFORMATION BELOW IS OLD AND MAY BE OUTDATED OR UPDATED WITH NEW INFO

IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME  

Several recent chat groups have included threads from individuals thinking of manufacturing kits- and we receive frequent inquiries about doing specific projects for others.   If that's you, read on.

Would you like an affordable molded styrene model kit of your favorite railcar quickly? . Do I have a deal for you! I will offer you several dozen undecorated kits of your car for only $2.50 each in N or HO, or $5 each in S or O !  Delivery- within the next 6-9 months on most cars*. How to proceed:

1. Send a group of clear detailed photos of the prototype and precision CAD drawings of all elevations and details. Also include CAD drawings required for construction and completed engineering plans for each separate individual part.  Parts must be designed to allow molds to fill and parts to be removable from molds.
2. Upon receiving the exact amount quote from us, send a cashier's check for the molds to be machined into steel blocks.  This payment will be in the  $25,000-$60,000 range for most N or HO models and roughly three times that for S or O.  Request special quotes on larger scales.  Cost is at least double for kits requiring the full body as one piece.
3. Upon receiving and approving the half dozen test shots, send $1,000 for those test shots.  If changes are requested, additional charge will depend on the changes requested.  *This step may be repeated as desired with appropriate charges each time. This will lengthen the stated delivery time.
4. Upon approval, send the agreed kit price for 1,000 kits plus shipping of the kits and steel molds (if they are to be returned). If you are not interested in 1000 kits you may request that we keep the extras and market them for you at whatever price you would like. At this time we will need to receive from you a cashier's check for  $1.50 each for boxes and instructions,  50c each for packaging labor and  $2,000 for minimum advertising expenses (this will cover two small ads and their preparation). Additional thousands may be ordered later if you wish. The retail price to be charged is up to you. The $2.50 kit is costing you $4.50 plus advertising and mold costs apportioned over the kits you expect to sell. If you plan to sell to us or any distributor for resale through dealers you will receive 40% of the retail and pay the shipping charges. Other distributors publishing catalogs will likely charge you for catalog space.

If you do not expect your kit to sell a thousand copies there are other options:

      1. For kits that might only sell a few dozens we suggest considering precision photo etched brass. The cost per kit will vary because it is based on the square inches of brass used per kit in the 12x12 or 12x24 inch sheets and on the thickness. Each single sheet of etched material will cost about $110-$130 at current metal prices. The additional hand labor involved removing kits from the sheet is skilled [if you with us to provide it or not].  Regular CAD drawings may be submitted as above but we will require specially prepared CAD work that is designed for the etching. [The etching process acts horizontally as well as depth and most kits require sophisticated double etching and bends, drill locations, holes etc etched from the rear]. Special CAD redrawing from your regular CAD can be provided at $50 per hour.

2. Our etcher requires this professional to edit each project that has been professionally drawn by us.  This cost is $300-$500 per kit typically. The cost escalates when the editor must cross check part fitting. The first test sheet and production negative will be $600-$750. Kits with multiple thick nesses (the Red Ball B/W Steeple cab has 3) require this cost for each thickness material.  Upon approval you may order sheets in any quantity at the prices noted above $110-$130 each plus shipping from CA. Any alterations (or scale changes) require a repeat of step two at the costs noted.

We  welcome the opportunity to provide either the plastic or brass options to you.

If you wish to do your kits in laser cut wood or thin styrene. The steps involved will be similar to the etched brass steps but with the additional option of variable depth control.  We do not provide this service and cannot quote but expect the costs are comparable to etched metal costs.

If you wish to do your kits in poured resin you must develop a "scratch built model" -in pieces- that will be used to make molds.  It will be coated by multiple layers of liquid rubber to build up a set of molds.  The resin is poured into these molds by hand to make the parts.  Special techniques of vibration and vacuum are involved avoiding bubbles.  The shrinkage of resin should be considered when sizing your master patterns.  We do not provide this service and cannot quote but resin and labor costs are appreciable.  This technique is appropriate for models that may sell dozens to one or two hundred.  Kits that have a greater potential probably cannot be considered by injection molding companies if 10% of their potential market has already been creamed by resin kits [from individuals or societies].

If all this seems too involved and you aren't adept at marketing BUT you are good at research and CAD or machining patterns or molds there is another way. In the 1950-60 era most of the kit lines that grew did so because various individuals contributed their skills. They received free kits and great satisfaction for their efforts. We and other kit makers are still very willing to work with folks on this kind of basis today.  We aren't getting rich [hoping to break even on some kits and pay the bills with the others]. But we enjoy bringing enjoyment to others and most kit makers  can use help at that.

However you proceed, please respect the intellectual property of those who have made these investments before you.  Simple ethics suggest that making a mold from others' kits, scanning a laser cut- part, etched metal part, instruction plan or color printed panel is not the appropriate way to proceed.  Many things are copyrighted and some cannot be.  If you find yourself involved developing a "reason" or excuse for "using" someone else's product you are on an ethics slope.  If theirs is too expensive, currently unavail- able, not in your favorite material or not quite up to today's standards ---it is still theirs.

Approximate Dollar Amounts are given for March 2007. Mold making historically doubles every 5 years.

Boss Merle

MEMORIUM

Howell Day passed away at his Florida home Monday December 19,2005. Howell was a pioneer in the model railroad industry.  The Model Railroad Shop he began in Dunellen (Piscataway), New Jersey, continues to serve New York hobbyists today, some seven decades later. He was an early manufacturer of O scale kits and items then introduced the " H Owen" line before World War II. He was proud to point out that when he announced an HO  Pennsy K4 kit the ads showed several of the engines-proving it was not a pipe dream.. This same attention to selling only what he had available continued during the 1950-70 era as he continued leadership with the extensive Red Ball product line.

 Howell closed during the slow summer months and built up a season's inventory.  He then insisted on a mailed "pre-order" to which he answered which items were still available and how much to remit. Seasoned hobbyists today remember him for Red Ball that  he purchased from its founder, M. Dale Newton,  in 1955 and sold to us in 1976.  During those two decades he introduced additional car sides to the line. Red Ball was the source of well over 200 billboard reefers and over 100 boxcars in an era when only a handful of car sides were offered by other kit makers. The line was a precursor to today's interest in a large selection of prototypically accurate models. Red Ball was respected for dozens of other unique prototype cars with crisply cast detail parts and was an early importer of Japanese made brass motive power. Many anomalies crept into the line as well. Red Ball briefly included the first injection molded model railcar kit (Kurtz Kraft PS1 boxcar) and Howell provided a variety of N scale boxcar and reefer sides when only foreign imports were in the N marketplace. Today's modeler who missed that golden era will recognize Howell's name as the name on the fledgling NMRA national museum of model railroading.

 Howell had the foresight to provide builtup models of the Red Ball line and finances to initiate the museum. The NMRA Museum leadership approached us last summer to provide an appropriate Howell Day memorial car that is in development. Howell Day was a gentleman in business transactions and a humble friend.

  Messages of appreciation addressed to his wife, Ruth Day, can be mailed to her at Ruth Day, c/oRed Ball Models , PO Box 411, Roanoke, IN 46783 and we will send them  along to her

UPDATED SEPT, 2005

DECALS

B&O   M53 WAGONTOP BOXCAR with choices on service dates & shops, contains logos for all lettering schemes through the 1950s. (for one car with leftover logos) licensed by CSX    #772-4463D  $5.95  available now

MONON  Coke Car and Stone Gon material to decal one each of these cars. licensed by CSX and available when kits are released  #772-4401D    $9.95

CENTRAL OF NEW JERSEY  with correct statue of liberty herald.  Heralds & Data to decal one CNJ class boxcar  and other cars,  Number jungle and heralds permit use on other cars as well.   #772-4464D   $9,95    (coming Sept)

US ARMY WW II HOSPITAL CAR  with 2 color Red Cross for carsides & roof. Decals for one car  #197-97004  $6.95,  Same decal with doors & instructions to convert most any heavyweight Pullman into hospital car   #197-87006   $9,95

US ARMY WWII HOSPITAL AUXILIARY with 2 color Red Cross and lettering for one kitchen car or most other auxiulliary service cars in hospital train. #197-97005  $9.95

PULLMAN/ US ARMY WWII TROOP TRAIN decals for two sleepers and one kitchen car #197-97002  $5.95

WE ALSO STOCK DECALS MADE BY BETHLEHEM CAR and EASTERN CAR for their kits.

FAVORITE VINTAGE RED BALL PARTS

Steel car side ladders         10/ 50cents  as is
Wood 36' freight car roof     4/ $1.00        as is-some discoloration
36' DEPRESSED CENTER FLAT CAR SIDE SILLS   $2 /pr this is the same prototype Eastern has dopne in styrene.  Weight it!

Many have requested the earlier cast Red Ball parts. Existing inventory is being organized to make these parts available this winter --while they last.  M are die cast soft metal and P are injection molded styrene from the same metal molds.  Your reception will determine whether reruns are to be considered. Orders now accepted for delivery late fall/winter. Supplies limited, orders accepted on first come, first served basis.

Prices unless otherwise noted:
Boxcar & Reefer ends or doors  $3.50 / pr
Bolsters, Span Bolsters,  End sills & Gondola ends  2pc $2.75   4 pc  set  $3.95
Brakewheels (4) or Brakewheel & Housing (2 set) $2.95
Underframe   (1 or 2 pc set)   $3.95
Ice Hatches , Steps  4 pc set $2.95; 8 pc set $3.95

Others listed as available:

ILLUSTRATIONS  AND LIST POSTED WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.

The Boss and Bea arose [too] early for the MRIA Breakfast Meeting so we got to play tourist at  5:30 AM our time. Here is Bea at Fountain Square-about our only chance to play tourist. It was a busy train time

            Bea-too early at Fountain Square

Our booth (202-203) featured (on the left side) Oregon Rail crossing flasher and cantilever Signal bridge that  were welcome sights to many.

On the same panel were the NEAT CMA and Tichy 'minikits' for tell tales, mail cranes, water plugs,ice blocks, burlap bags, milk cans, fire escapes, wheel stops and the like. We nearly sold out of  Tochy/CMA

In the corner was the Cannonball Car Shops display of the new WWII Hospital Car, Hospital kitchen car and a 'converted' heavyweight Pullman to hospital car using CCS conversion kit. We started with a stack of styrene GE steeple cab kits and a builtup model.  The display model came back to Indiana but the kits went far and wide.  There were CB&Q, Monon, and N&W express cars made with the CCS kitchen car and several other interesting troop conversions.  RED BALL's converted troop sleepers were next on the right. Folks seemed to really enjoy studying the many different brass sided cars.that ran every where from the 1950-70s era (many are still in special service. N scalers saw THE first announcement of brass sides to convert Micro Trains ® troop sleepers-and snatched up the sample sides that were for sale.

The center of our booth featured Red Ball LTD, Red Ball Heritage and Red Ball SIGNATURE series cars. From LTD: our first modernized / betterment train, the Cincinnatian was shown with nickel silver etched sides (with raised lettering like the prototype). LTD's first traction model, the  Baldwin B steeple cab, was shown and available for purchase and a pre-production B&O C15 baggage car was there.   A 1980's vintage Wreck Crane kit represented the old favorites being upgraded for reruns as 'Heritage Series.'  Signature cars included a train of Mann's Creek    

HO hoppers, the B&O Wagontop boxcar, PRR H30 Covered Hopper; PRR Troop Sleeper; PRR Depressed Center Flat and Mann's Creek Log buggies in G,O and N. The Mann's Creek Hopper in O scale was also on display..

Over on the right we featured the HOMETOWN Bristol Backgrounder buildings and 17x21 brick sheets, factory walls and 'Insulbrick' Sheet. There were folks crowded around this most of the time.   We sneaked in  some of the Hometown Studio Series  parts and Hoosier Byways postcards from the area too. We'll tell more about those things on this website soon.      Insulbrick? That's the tar/asbestos sheeting they used to use to cover old buildings.

It looks like ugly brick with black mortar-from afar.  Those Brick sheets are in HO, N, O, S and G !!!

In our booth this year you met Boss Merle, his wife Bea and George Dollens and his wife Mary Ann. That's George in the red shirt.  He's the lead man on most of the LTD projects. After Merle does basic design George does the special CAD work for etching the brass. He works from the plans and pix we've assembled. We're proud of the Cincinnatian he developed (it's hiding behind them) .

But that's only the beginning. All of George's work is then  'edited' by Doug Hunt.  [He stayed. back in Indiana working on caboose molds]. On projects when Doug is lead man, the editing is George's to do   Doug was in charge of the raised lettering on the Cincinnatian cars. May sound simple to you                 

but that alone took a couple weeks!!  Preparation of the exhibit was Doug's job for over a month so the cabooses were calling him. George got to see the show too.  There were so many of you the boss didn't.  That's good-we came to meet you. IF we are able to be in Philly it will be Doug's turn. Most of us smaller companies have to shut down for over a week to do a show, and it can easily cost a tenth of the year's income. That alone should explain why we told so many of you we wouldn't be at a show you asked about.  We'd love to-but. .

It is super to be able to visit layouts the evening after a long & tiring day of setting up the booth. 

The day starts with long waits at a loading dock and continues non stop. We did well this year- Only forgot to pack one display model and only had one new kit (Brill 55) that didn't make the deadline to be in the show. We were showing over a hundred new products for the first time!   

City Classics' Jim Sacco didn't want his picture on the website until we agreed to include his new HO neighborhood supermarket.       Of course we wanted to show IT.                                 

His new booth display was also Impressive.