[PRR-talk] ROCKVILLE Tower Kit Project Cancelled

[Ted Andrews]

Jerry:
 
Too bad about the loss of this project. 
 
One thing that is troubling is the quote by the manufacturer. I hope that we (PRR fans) are not getting a reputation of being hyper-critical ingrates who rip into any manufacturer that does not produce a Pennsy model 100% perfect. 
 
It is one thing to pan a Tyco quality model but it is another to pan a model that is close but needs minor modifications. Case in point the Walthers N6b cabin car. Overall, the model is exceptional. There are a few things that need to be corrected on it (namely the window sills and steps). These can easily be done by buying an undecorated model or repainting a decorated one. (These improvements can be considered as optional by many modelers and would not bother in doing them). IIRC, they were some that were pretty critical of these shortcomings and stated that they would not even buy this model at all. After reading those posts, I wondered how a Walthers rep. would have interpreted that.....Why should Walthers or any other manufacturer bother doing Pennsy stuff at all?? I am pleased to hear that they will be producing the center cupola N6b. Even if the window sill and steps have not been corrected, I will be buying some. 
 
I guess my point is that criticism toward major conceptual flaws in a model are valid. However, minor shortcomings that can be fixed by some modelers that choose to do so should be toned down accordingly. 
Plastic and resin are very easy mediums for most modelers to work with. If minor changes are in order to make the model accurate, then it should be mentioned but in a constructive way. We don't want to bite the hand that has fed us some much great Pennsy stuff over the years. And we don't want to have a reputation of boycotting a model just because it is only 95% accurate. We have great resources and members like Ben, Bruce, Al, Jerry, Greg and many more who have worked with model manufacturers on many projects. Lets be very thankful for what we have and what is coming our way. I have looked at other RR's including the NYC and B&O and many of them have a mere fraction of what Pennsy modelers have available to them. 
 
Ted Andrews
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