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This topic comprises 5 pages: 1 2 3 4 5
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Author
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Topic: Model Railroaders, anyone ?
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Will Kutler
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1506
From: Tucson, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-06-2004 08:39 PM
Since the origonal thread topic was about model railroaders, I am going to direct us back to that subject, and disscuss one of my favorite subjects...the imported, hand-built, brass scale model.
I have had some previous discussions with some other F.T. members who are fellow "brass" enthusiasts, and was able to help out with technical questions.
Although the info I am about to add is quite extensive, it should answer many of your questions:
For now, I will be quoting from Phil and Ruth Kohl's book "Pacific Fast Mail...25 Years of Fine Models C 1979 Library of Congress No. 78-78186. There is a more recent book out about Tenshodo, which was done in a presentation style and is quite pricy. Occasionally they have poped-up on E-Bay.
"The first International Models advertisements offering brass models made in the Orient appeared in 1948. Initially, quanities were very limited. Modelers, accustomed to assembling their motive power from a kit, were slow to accept the tinplate-like concept of a ready-to-run scale model. The models were exported from Japan by Atlas, a Japenese trading company. The trading company fills several needs such as language translation; preparing paperwork to meet banking, export, and customs requirements; and arranging for packing and shipping."
"The early models sold by PFM were obtained from makers in the United States, primarily Kemtron. Early in 1954, a series of misunderstandings occured between International and Atlas. As a result, Atlas began a search for another importer in the United States. Apparently, Bill Ryan (a Seattle Cadillac dealer) learned of this search from both Levon Kemalyon, then owner of Kemtron, and Mr. Phil Crawley, owner of Van Hobbies, Vancouver, Britis Columbia, Canada. About the same time Mr. Ryan saw samples of Tenshodo diesels and passenger cars during a visit to Kemtron in Fresno, California. After exchanging letters, Mr. Ryan flew to Japan for meetings with both Atlas and Tenshodo. It was during one of the meetings with Atlas that Mr. Ryan saw the pilot model of the HO-scale Shay locomotive. Both firms agreed to supply models, establishing relationships with PFM which have continued for 25 years. The United label was selected to describe the many small makers represented by Atlas. Mr. Crawley agreed to import both Tenshodo and United models into Canada, under the PFM name."
I should interject here. Tenshodo "officially" entered the brass market in 1953 with the FT diesel locomotives made by Tetsudo. Tenshodo is also considered to be th "official" birthplace of the imported brass model. United States Military Officers helped to spark the interest in Tenshodo models when they saw the handmade Japenese prototype engines being offered for sale in the Tenshodo toy store in Tokyo. These Officers began to order individual custom built models of American locomotives for themselves.
Kemtron is now part of the Precision Scale Company/Iron Horse Models line. Also, this is the "succession" of importers who also became part of Precision Scale: Max Grey, Balboa, Westside.
"Mr. Ryan visited Japan about twice a year to meet with both exporters and manufacturers. Apparently he purchased some models directly from the makers for his own personal collection and in response to orders from others for custom-built models. Careful inspection of PFM's records has led us to the conclusion thaat some of these models were sold privately by Mr. Ryan. We examined all the PFM sales invoices from 1953-1959 and found no evidence of sale through PFM of some of the models that are known to exist. One of our unfinished tasks is identifying and including these models in the approperiate listings."
To be continued...
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Per Hauberg
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 883
From: Malling, Denmark
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 02-23-2005 05:12 PM
Five pages of replies - Some rail-enthusiats in the booths out there we certainly have...
Some of You might even be interested in this link to danish local tv-station last nite: Danish State Railways (DSB) - normally known for getting surprised by snowing during winter months - yesterday heard the weather-forecast, and someone was wise enough to foresee, that the new railbusses, running in the area of Hans Christian Andersens Odense city, would never be able to go through the heavy snow coming up. Only available gear to do the job was The 1954 General Motors clone MY 1101, totally renovated and situated at the Railway Museum. The old roundnosed beauty was taken out, and made ready with ploughs. Unfortunate, only the preparations reached the tv-news.
Watch here: http://www.tv2fyn.dk/tv.php?dato=22-02-2005&udsendelse=&indslag_id=229597
When You get to the link, You can also in the register at the right find "Gammel færge bliver husbåd" about a freaky fellow, who has bought an old carferry, which he's now making into a houseboat. Nice pics !
I hope, the spot from "doing the job", which 1101 really managed, will be available tomorrow.
XTRA:
Back then in the fifties, danish trade unions were mad over the idea of DSB buying american diesel engines, allthough license-build in Sweden (by Nydquist and Holm NOHAB, Trollhättan). The unions made pressure on the government, who ordered local manufactorer FRICHS to build a similar locomotive ASAP. As Frichs had no motor this size, but had to develop this from the buttom, the project was hastened by using a motor from B&W Burmester and Wain shipbuilders of Copenhagen - and they should never had tried so. Only two locomotives were build, and they both were scrapped within few years, whilst the swedish GMs - sixty in number ran perfectly - the last of them into the new millenium. Some few are even today in use on private railways in Denmark, Sweden and Germany. Now, danish model manufactorer HELJAN makes HO models of both the original swedish and the danish mishap. Look here http://www.heljan.dk/products.php?page_id=7&cat_id=7 and guess, why the danish locs were called "Marilyn". Looks like, You'll have to push "Produkter" and then "HO Rullende materiel" to get there...
Per
[ 02-24-2005, 11:37 AM: Message edited by: Per Hauberg ]
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This topic comprises 5 pages: 1 2 3 4 5
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