trisonic Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 May not be news to some but Aristocraft have closed down, rather suddenly. I've been wondering why TrainWorld had been selling stuff off cheap. Sounds like Aristocraft were killed by stock costs...they say that the bottom has dropped out of the Garden Railways sector in the 'States. Bad news whether you care or not. The Polk family started off with a three floor store on 5th Avenue. Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointstaken Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 The spare parts PDFs are still on line. So if you want 'em folks, then you had better move quickly. Dennis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Are the spares actually available... I could use a bunch of 100t Barber trucks... Saddened but not surprised to hear of their demise, chill winds continue to blow... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted October 29, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 29, 2013 Aristo doesn't actually shut down until December, they are avoiding going bankrupt and shutting down in a controlled way according to GSC and LSOL forums, and yes they are shipping parts if you contact them direct. Sadly the economy hit them hard and until 2008 they were growing but then saw the market nose dive, they survived it for nearly 5 years but spare cash finally ran out to subsidise it. At least they tried to ride it out and unfortunately a load of jobs will go too. There are already rumours of who might pick up the range. The lack of new models that appealed to their biggest group of customers still with cash probably didn't help. The PCC trolley was a great model to have but was it going to sell in big numbers to customers with mainline stock? I think they got caught out with the wrong model hitting the market after the economy dived. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 The British Class 66 probably didn't help either......four different liveries? Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 29, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 29, 2013 I think I know Aristo's man in the UK - we share a forename. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted October 29, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 29, 2013 Old....? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 Must be that guy "Old Bu@@er!" Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted October 29, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 29, 2013 I think I know Aristo's man in the UK - we share a forename.Are you thinking of Accucraft, (rather than Aristocraft), and Ian Pearse? Confusing as they both make 1:29th USA stuff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevelewis Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Thats a shame, I have bought lots of Aristocraft over the years for the garden Line,, Nice Big US Diesels!! It is not surprising though that they have run into difficulties, I geuass folks just dont have enough 'spare cash' to fork out for $500 Locos, not only that hjere in the UK the changing weather pattern have made Garden railwaying a lot more 'uncomfortable' than it was 30 odd years ago. A UK retailer told me that he used to sel at least 2 G scale locos every week up to around 3 years ago, these days he can go weeks without selling a single g scale ITEM Luckily he has a good range of the smaller scales, both UK, & overseas! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 All a bit ironic considering sales of Peco track in the Garden Railway scales have never been stronger, and membership of the 16mmNGM has grown steadily. The market has also managed to absorb some quite hearty price increases over the few years since I have modelled in this scale. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 I think that the drop off is in the USA market which is way, way bigger than the UK and has more effect on any manufacturer. Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevelewis Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 All a bit ironic considering sales of Peco track in the Garden Railway scales have never been stronger, and membership of the 16mmNGM has grown steadily. The market has also managed to absorb some quite hearty price increases over the few years since I have modelled in this scale. I used to use Peco Track on my garden lines ( SM-32 & G1) in the 80s but I found it did not stand the test of time, Point switch blades regularly parting from the tie bar and sleepers becoming brittle and cracking., may be its better these days and the increased sales are due to line refurbishments Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 31, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 31, 2013 Are you thinking of Accucraft, (rather than Aristocraft), and Ian Pearse? Confusing as they both make 1:29th USA stuff Yes, I was! Relief! I shan't have to be so careful in my Xmas card! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted October 31, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 31, 2013 Ian and Accucraft appear to be in rude health as they are constantly increasing the range. I fear his astute ways were the reason for dropping the 1:29 - later proposed 1:32 uk diesels. Had a few Aristocraft diesels over the years and if I had lots of space would have kept them. Concentrated on the smaller G scale which probably rings tyre for many potential Aristo customers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.