Friends of the Rail Forum

You may not be aware that Scalecraft is the biggest manufacturer of SAR HO scale RTR models in the world. We have a vast selection of models and even produce models exclusively for Rovos Rail.

You are welcome to join the Facebook page ( search for Scalecraft )

Thanks for the information, Adrian, and welcome to the FOTR forum - I believe this is your first post.

Hi,

Yes this is my first post. I have been following the forum for a long time reading and learning. I have decided to stick my neck out now as I am confident about the quality of our SAR RTR product range.

I am facinated by the history of the SAR and the vast range of rolling stock. What I am finding is that the history lives within the minds of an older generation, (older than me at 44) and that the history is being lost. Young people do not seem to be able to use their hands and build things anymore - we live in a buy it, stick the batteries in and when the batteries are flat, throw it away generation. Hobbies seem to be a thing of the past, unless you consider thumb twiddling to be a hobby.

Anyway, I for one will keep the history of the SAR alive within the miniature world of model railroading.

I would like to see some of the coach stock available.. not as kits but as ready built up items. If I see the prices people are paying for 20 year old Lima coaches I can see that there is a demand for them. As for the younger generation... many of the hobbies have become too expensive to practise, and, its so much easier to just sit on the computer than actually building something from scratch.

All our model are available as ready to roll. Take a look at the website http://www.scalecraft.co.za or the Facebook page to see them. I'm including a PDF catalog.

We used to sell the models in kit form but there were too many issues. I also think that very few people have the time needed to build kits. (To be perfectly honest I think that the kits were a pain all round). We still supply kits to those who feel that they are up to building.

We also run a pair of Alps MD5500 decal printers which enables us to print all sorts of oddball decals.

I don't suppose Scalecraft is thinking of venturing into N scale South African models?

Hmmm... I'v got a couple of 5E & DZ bodies but I can't say that I've spent any time on it. I am keen to do it though but I do not have enough insight into the chassis & bogeys & couplers that would be appropriate. I have made N scale decals of all our stuff in the hope that somebody out there may need them.

Bottom line - I'm keen if I can get a helping hand.

Adrian - you may like to put the odd news up here - while Facebook is great for the youngsters, we are finding that may folk, especially in the older (and train modelling) bracket do not use that medium! At a modellers gathering the other day out of 8 people not one used, or intended to, Facebook! Though a couple used other Networking sites......

Kevin, what would you say would be the best medium to reach those guys. People hate unsolicited email and it is impossible to get hold of their postal addresses.

Adrian - I will send you a private e-mail on this one in due course.......!