Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project

NW Modeling List nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org
Thu Mar 5 07:10:05 EST 2020 

Mr. Boettner
Thank you for this very useful History and background.
It was not my intent to stir up a hornets nest.
I was only looking for any updates from our group who may have had 
recent contact with SMD.
v/r
Eric Raitch
Gainesville, Va


On 2020-03-04 20:12, NW Modeling List wrote:
> To all:
>      I can offer a small update on Spring Mills progress. They have 
> received
> test shots of the DODX flat car and have shown them at a recent show 
> per
> their 12/17/19 update on their web site. My understanding is they look 
> good,
> indicating decent capability on the part of the new manufacturer. This 
> is a
> significant step in moving forward on all projects as losing a trusted 
> and
> proven manufacturer is hard to recover from for a small volume company.
> Don't underestimate the communications difficulties as well, I've been 
> to
> China twice and worked with vendors there and even with the backing of 
> a
> huge multinational it takes work and time to get results. I'm looking
> forward to hearing production dates on the DODX project.
>     That's as much of an update as I can offer right now, but I would 
> like
> to "unburden" a bit on the subject of the caboose project as most of 
> you
> probably don't know much of the history. Steve Smith and I partnered to
> approach Spring Mills Depot to try and get a correct N&W caboose built. 
> They
> were picked because their prior products have been spectacular, and 
> they
> have a business model that supports modest production quantities with 
> lots
> of product variance. They were receptive but set a high bar for 
> technical
> input that Steve and I exceeded by purchasing every applicable drawing 
> from
> NWHS and providing them to SMD, along with copies of the lovely Bowers
> caboose book. (This, by the way, ensured that NWHS got a nice bit of
> up-front money, there are lots of drawings!) SMD then agreed to the 
> project
> and the really hard work began. While Steve started a "spreadsheet from
> hell" to document every physical variation on hundreds of cabooses 
> (more
> than what is scheduled for production) I wanted to ensure we could 
> benefit
> from the Bowers caboose slide collection to visually verify the details 
> on
> as many cabooses as possible. That wish, along with a pending 
> retirement
> desire to get involved in a meaningful way with NWHS led me to start
> digitizing the Bowers collection. While I started with the cabooses, it 
> felt
> right and fair to complete the whole task so that's where the 38,212 
> slide
> images that are online came from. Even with that many slides I think 
> Steve
> has probably put in as many if not more hours on the project. Field 
> trips,
> searching for elusive images, organizing all of the build details,
> contacting all of the respective interest groups for the wayward 
> cabooses
> that left N&W for other roads, searching for accurate colors, and on 
> and on.
> Note that every caboose SMD is offering has had its physical attributes
> verified by one or more images. Where we are now is we think (hope, 
> pray) we
> have a complete technical package for all the cabooses in the hands of 
> SMD,
> with the exception of final color selections where a bit of outside 
> expert
> help is being obtained. When they are able to move forward they have 
> what
> they need.
>     While that was long-winded, it's important to understand that 
> thousands
> of hours have gone into the caboose project. Neither Steve nor I are 
> looking
> for pats on the back, expressions of appreciation, or any of that, we 
> are
> doing it to satisfy our own desire to see the project happen. What we 
> would
> like, however, is a bit of patience. It seems companies like UTI can 
> plan a
> brass sleeper release, take their time, and not flood us with 
> communication
> and it is fine. And it is fine, I have my reservation in and will be 
> excited
> when the 10-6s show up. But every time SMD gets mentioned on this list 
> there
> are those who immediately chime in with complaints about the project. 
> It is
> getting old. If you want to support the project, advance order, and be
> patient. If you don't want to support it, wait for product arrival and 
> take
> your chances on getting what you want. Or go buy brass. Or build laser 
> kits.
> But whatever you do, could you please stop complaining? It hurts to 
> have put
> so much into this only to see it blasted in print periodically.
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Fred Boettner
> Roanoke, Va.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NW-Modeling-List [mailto:nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On 
> Behalf
> Of nw-modeling-list-request at nwhs.org
> Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2020 2:29 PM
> To: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org
> Subject: NW-Modeling-List Digest, Vol 205, Issue 3
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> Today's Topics:
> 
>    1. Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project (NW Modeling List)
>    2. RE: Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project (NW Modeling List)
>    3. Re: Rapido H16-44 Pre-Order Info (NW Modeling List)
>    4. Re: Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project (NW Modeling List)
>    5. RE: Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project (NW Modeling List)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 04 Mar 2020 07:02:23 -0500
> From: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Subject: Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project
> Message-ID: <mailman.368.1583325243.5801.nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
> 
> To all:
> Has anyone received an update from Spring Mills Depot and the 
> disposition of
> the N&W caboose project, especially in light of the manufacturing 
> shutdowns
> in China due to the virus?
> thanks
> v/r
> Eric Raitch
> Gainesville, Va
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2020 08:39:53 -0500
> From: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Subject: RE: Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project
> Message-ID: <mailman.369.1583329779.5801.nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> 
> I had $2500 for the reserved cabooses and got tired of the wait and NO
> UPDATES.
> Communication to customers is extremely very POOR!
> Even the current project, the DODX Heavy Duty Flat car has no updates 
> even
> though they have been to train shows and announced the free loads.
> I know that they are a small and have families, but there is no excuse.
> Just my thoughts,
> Stephen Rineair
> 
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
> 
> From: NW Modeling List
> Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2020 7:34 AM
> To: NW Modeling List
> Subject: Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project
> 
> To all:
> Has anyone received an update from Spring Mills Depot and the 
> disposition of
> the N&W caboose project, especially in light of the manufacturing 
> shutdowns
> in China due to the virus?
> thanks
> v/r
> Eric Raitch
> Gainesville, Va
> 
> ________________________________________
> NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org
> To change your subscription go to
> http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list
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> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2020 10:10:31 -0500
> From: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Subject: Re: Rapido H16-44 Pre-Order Info
> Message-ID: <mailman.378.1583340440.5801.nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"; Format="flowed"
> 
> Is the Pevler Blue the "as delivered" scheme or were they delivered 
> before
> the Pevler Blue period?
> 
> Walter Davis, Youngsville, NC
> 
> On 3/3/2020 7:30 PM, NW Modeling List wrote:
>> 
>> To all,
>> 
>> ? Our society will offer a pre-order of the Rapido H16-44 ?locomotive
>> in HO scale. Obviously, our primary focus will be locomotives in the
>> Virginian and N&W (Pevler Blue) schemes. However, we will have access
>> to the other road names that will be available and you will have to
>> properly inform of us such when the? pre-order begins.? Please visit
>> https://rapidotrains.com/products/ho-scale/diesel-locomotives/ho-scale
>> -f-m-h16-44 for the details and the road names that are being offered.
>> 
>> ? We are currently working through a few details and a formal
>> announcement will be made this weekend. Fret not though, due to the
>> Corona Virus, ?a deadline has not been established as tooling for this
>> model has not yet begun. Society pricing will also be determined in
>> the days to come.
>> 
>> ? Any questions regarding the specific details of this locomotive
>> shall be directed to Rapido. Please follow the link for such:
>> https://rapidotrains.com/contact-us
>> 
>> ? Thank you for your support of the N&W Historical Society.
>> 
>> Regards,
>> 
>> Todd Arnett
>> 
>> President, NWHS
>> 
>> 
>> ________________________________________
>> NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org
>> To change your subscription go to
>> http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list
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> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2020 12:11:31 -0500
> From: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Subject: Re: Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project
> Message-ID: <mailman.396.1583350105.5801.nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> 
> I have 5 caboose's reserved as far back as May 2014. My hope is they 
> will
> soon start producing the models or that Athearn will do the models.  
> Either
> way it's been almost 6 years of waiting.
> Larry Brown
> 
> On Wed, Mar 4, 2020, 9:26 AM NW Modeling List 
> <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> wrote:
> 
>> I had $2500 for the reserved cabooses and got tired of the wait and
>> *NO
>> UPDATES.*
>> 
>> Communication to customers is extremely very POOR!
>> 
>> Even the current project, the DODX Heavy Duty Flat car has no updates
>> even though
>> 
>> they have been to train shows and announced the free loads.
>> 
>> I know that they are a small and have families, but there is no 
>> excuse.
>> 
>> Just my thoughts,
>> 
>> Stephen Rineair
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
>> Windows 10
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> *From: *NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
>> *Sent: *Wednesday, March 4, 2020 7:34 AM
>> *To: *NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
>> *Subject: *Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> To all:
>> 
>> Has anyone received an update from Spring Mills Depot and the
>> 
>> disposition of the N&W caboose project,
>> 
>> especially in light of the manufacturing shutdowns in China due to the
>> 
>> virus?
>> 
>> thanks
>> 
>> v/r
>> 
>> Eric Raitch
>> 
>> Gainesville, Va
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ________________________________________
>> 
>> NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org
>> 
>> To change your subscription go to
>> 
>> http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list
>> 
>> Browse the NW-Modeling-List archives at
>> 
>> http://list.nwhs.org/pipermail/nw-modeling-list/
>> 
>> 
>> ________________________________________
>> NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org
>> To change your subscription go to
>> http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list
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>> http://list.nwhs.org/pipermail/nw-modeling-list/
>> 
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> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 04 Mar 2020 09:33:08 -0500
> From: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Subject: RE: Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project
> Message-ID: <mailman.397.1583350118.5801.nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> 
> I don't think it has anything to do with the virus. Its been over 3 or 
> 4
> years. They have my money also.Chris Wrenn?Roanoke, VaSent from my
> U.S.Cellular? Smartphone
> -------- Original message --------From: NW Modeling List
> <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> Date: 3/4/20  8:49 AM  (GMT-05:00) To: NW
> Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> Subject: RE: Spring Mills 
> Depot
> and N&W Caboose project I had $2500 for the reserved cabooses and got 
> tired
> of the wait and NO UPDATES.Communication to customers is extremely very
> POOR!Even the current project, the DODX Heavy Duty Flat car has no 
> updates
> even though they have been to train shows and announced the free loads. 
> I
> know that they are a small and have families, but there is no 
> excuse.Just my
> thoughts,Stephen Rineair?Sent from Mail for Windows 10?From: NW 
> Modeling
> ListSent: Wednesday, March 4, 2020 7:34 AMTo: NW Modeling ListSubject:
> Spring Mills Depot and N&W Caboose project?To all:Has anyone received 
> an
> update from Spring Mills Depot and the disposition of the N&W caboose
> project,especially in light of the manufacturing shutdowns in China due 
> to
> the virus?thanksv/rEric RaitchGainesville, Va?_______________
> _________________________NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.orgTo change your
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> tohttp://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-listBrowse the
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