Update

Wed, 2012-07-11 21:23 — CL30

 

Guys,
 
Just a quick update, things have been gangbuster’s busy with our new on site tooling and machining integration but I want to say that our Datron arrived in Toronto tonight, we’ll be clearing it tomorrow and have it in our shop Friday.
 
Here is some video if you don’t know what I am talking about:
 
http://www.datron.com/products/cnc-machining/videos.html
 
We have the Daytron M7HP with a chilled 60,000 RPM 2KW spindle.
 
This enables us to do ALL of our own machining and injection mold tooling on-site.  The accuracy of this machine is amazing and we’re very pleased that its 3D capabilities eliminate the need for traditional EDM and clean up used in most tooling methods.
 
We’re going to start revisions on our entire locomotive kit project with the aim of having the GP38-2W, GP40-2L, GP40-2W, and SD40-2W tooling completed within three months.  Please keep in mind that our new software and design suite enables a complete locomotive design and mould CAM to be exported in days.  With the rapid tooling methods we’ve adopted, expect moulds done in weeks, not years.  We’re not stopping with these announced models and will branch out into all locomotive types quickly.
 
The redesign is intended to take and combine our best practices and construction methods into a package that still contains add on assemblies but remove compromises we’ve had to incorporate due to the out sourcing of the injection mould tooling.  The lower parts count will ease construction and speed things up.
 
Combine the new traction motor drive with our dWiDCC option and you have the only Battery/Wireless locomotive kits on the market.
 
This is all possible with the dedication and help of many people and of course excellent training.
 
While the last year has not been fun for us or our customers, we do appreciate the few who have stuck by us and as the bleeding reverses next week, things will start improving quickly on all fronts.  The change in business model to becoming a Design & Manufacturing company with everything on-site will greatly reduce delays and improve quality.
 
We are in the process of purchasing a Boy 35E injection mould machine and will also do our plastic and metal injection on-site as well this fall.
 
I must stress, we are not abandoning a Railflyer quality kit with multiple add on components, we’re just using the increased tooling resolution and capabilities to make a state of the art product even better and easier to assemble.  Thus we can offer painted and assembled models in 2013 using the same components.
 
This is a big change for the industry, small run prototype correct kits that are matched to class variations.  So when purchase an SD40-2W, you can choose between the phases and then you chose the road number options.
  
After that you then add the electronic components of your choice.  We give you the option of Non-Sound, Sound, or adding Battery/Wireless to each.  46 AUX output LED lighting with all of the circuits and programming and 4 Gb memory on the sound MCU is our base.  You can also use a MPH read back on the throttle application as opposed to speed steps and use our motion sensor for a number of location features.
 
I have a number of projects in the cue right away.  We have new wheels for numerous traction motors being run next week, snow plow’s, GP38AC/38/38-2 exhaust’s, frame weights, and a bunch of R&D articles including fuel tanks and frames for numerous new locomotive kits such as the GP9, GP35, SD40, etc.  The cool thing about all of this is if the sample works, it’s in stock the same day.  
 
Right sizing our inventory and decreasing the time to market is going to make us a lot better at what we do.
 
No more waiting on China, we can do it all on our own.
 
All the best, 
 
Christopher Howard, CEO
Railflyer Model Prototypes Inc. 
rti – Micron / rti – Model  / rti - Wireless
www.railflyermodel.com
 
PS 
 
(Locomotive Orders) Don't worry, we'll take care of you, let us get our stuff together first...
‹ Here we go! 24 Sale New product announcement - the Signal Tester ›

Sounds Exciting

Thu, 2012-07-12 05:30 — JohnnyUBoat

What I'd do for a super-detailed U23B and a true cabless B30-7A (or at least a quality conversion kit).  I feel that the market for early-production GE power - let along customizable parts - is only a fraction of what's available for EMD models. 

I'll be keeping an eye on your product list as it grows.  I'll definitely make a purchase if/when the U-series and Dash-7s start coming out.

-Johnny

Freelancing the Plainville, Pequabuck and North Litchfield Railroad

 

Without wanting to hijack...

Thu, 2012-07-12 05:40 — Prof_Klyzlr

Dear Johnny,

Given the relative ease of diesel kitbashing,
(as compared to, say, the current "Steam Kitbashing" article series,,,)

what's the roadblocks to doing your desired cabless "B-unit"?

Could make for an interesting thread on it's own... :-)

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

PS am partially asking because I'm most of the way thru a U23B --> UPY CCRCL conversion,
and it was significantly easier than anticipated... :-)

You caught me, Prof!

Thu, 2012-07-12 06:48 — JohnnyUBoat

I've already done some extensive research on the subject and I have a pretty good handle on how I'll be tackling the project once I get my hands on a B30-7A which, I believe, was only produced by Atlas.  It'd just be nice to have a "plug-n-play" kit to simplify things : D

Oh, and I will definitely be doing a step-by-step blog once the project gets underway.  From what I've seen so far, there are very few modelers out there who have attempted to build the cabless model but there are plenty of prototype photos and 4 examples of the ex BN early production units (no built-up dynamic brake cooler) frequently find their way into Connecticut on Providence & Worcester trackage!

-Johnny

Freelancing the Plainville, Pequabuck and North Litchfield Railroad

 

Guys,   Evan posted an

Mon, 2012-07-16 19:09 — CL30

Guys,

 
Evan posted an update on our web forum:
 
Okay, the first thing we need to do is get air conditioning at the shop!  With humidex, it was 95°.  So after some major hurdles, I present to you - the DATRON M7HP - ready for action
 
 
 
Just getting it off the skid was a major production as we had to get the forklift out to the shop again.  Then the forks were too short to reach the far frame, so we had to take boards off the skid to put on the forks.  Then the pallet jack wouldn't fit between the frame legs so we used the same boards to make a very tippy lift to get it in position.  All this at 6:30 pm because that was the earliest the rental place could get it to us, despite us being there at 8:30 am to request it.   The trainer will be here tomorrow morning for 3 days, then look out!
 
The shop is as neat as it has ever been - Thanks Terry and Nathan!
 
Oh, and another major distraction . . . . right outside the door

 
All the Best
 
Evan
 
 
So we're on schedule to cut metal tomorrow despite some numerous hurdles such as our metal going to Ayer, MA instead of Ayr, Ontario and a few other minor glitches here and there.
 
Christopher Howard, Railflyer Model Prototypes Inc./rti - Micron
www.railflyermodel.com 

I ordered and paid for 500

Mon, 2012-09-24 17:26 — crazy-train

I ordered and paid for 500 dollars worth of products going on a year and a half ago.  I only received about 35 dollars worth so for.  It is nice to see pictures of what the rest of my money bought.  BEWARE!!!!!! Order at your own risk.  They have quit responding to My emails and phone calls regarding my order or refund.


>> Posts index


Navigation

Journals/Blogs

Recent Blog posts: