RMweb Gold Budgie Posted August 28, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 28, 2018 Several US web sites report that Shinohara (the Japanese track maker, who also supply Walthers with track) is closing down because the owners want to retire and they have no family to pass the business on to. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted August 29, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 29, 2018 Walthers have, in times past, been referred to as Octopus Models, because they were good at buying up smaller businesses and rebranding them. I assume buying Shinohara is a step too far, though. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 Oh no, the only decent (ish!) manufacturer of scissor crossovers in OO/HO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 If it is a very traditionally operated family owned and operated business, there is almost nothing to buy if the owner operators have no successors. All the know how and the essential supplier relationships are in the possession of the retirees, the business simply doesn't exist without them. Even if you 'know how' and can locate all the specialised suppliers, they may well choose not to continue to supply: their relationship was with the owner only, and the business between them conducted as a personal favour. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 Nothing lasts forever. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davknigh Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 Nothing lasts forever. Very true but still a bit sad. I can remember back in my HO days getting my first Shinohara code 70 turnout and comparing it to an Atlas code 100 model - no comparison, Shinohara won hands down. That said, when the time came to build a layout the price of enough switches to do a small yard was equivalent to the price of a brass loco so I learned how to build my own switches and bought the engine. Cheers, David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted August 29, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 29, 2018 Nothing lasts forever. First Portescaps, now Shinohara? Brace yourself ebay! Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddys-blues Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 I have some brand new OO/HO curved code 83 Shinohara turn outs if anybody is interested ? Best regards Craig. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gismorail Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 I have some brand new OO/HO curved code 83 Shinohara turn outs if anybody is interested ? Best regards Craig. The Welsh dealer strikes again ....no point in missing out he he ...' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 First Portescaps, now Shinohara? Brace yourself ebay!. Malcolm Mitchell kits.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted August 30, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2018 Walthers have, in times past, been referred to as Octopus Models, because they were good at buying up smaller businesses and rebranding them. I assume buying Shinohara is a step too far, though. Can't see why it would be. But I wonder how much Peco's introduction of Code 83 US-type trackwork has impacted on this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharris Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 (edited) First Portescaps, now Shinohara? Brace yourself ebay! Mike. We need something to laugh at with silly prices now that Slaters are coming back into the 4mm game! Edited August 30, 2018 by sharris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Budgie Posted August 30, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2018 Can't see why it would be. But I wonder how much Peco's introduction of Code 83 US-type trackwork has impacted on this. If you look at their latest catalogue you will see they are introducing US-style track in code 70 also. Maybe they knew in advance (on the grapevine) that Shinohara was closing down, and did something to increase their profits as a result, while helping US modelers at the same time. But there's a lot more that Shinohara made that Peco don't make, and that people will miss. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 Walthers has launched their own line of track this month. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henk van der Kolk Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Shinohara made a very nice tracksystem for Bemo H0m, better then Bemo's own tracksystem and far before Peco did made the Swiss RhB tracks. In those days we were very happy to have it, my Swiss FO/RhB loco's loved it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
autocoach Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Walthers has not announced code 70 track yet. Peco may yet beat them to the punch. But then there is Micro Engineering which makes a larger range including yard ladders. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold flockandroll Posted December 31, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 31, 2019 In answer to an enquiry I have received an email from Scalelink that says: "Mr. Shinohara has now sold his business to another Japanese toy manufacturer who will begin production in the 2nd quarter of 2020. We will be the UK stockists once items become available again." This seems like good news! Scalelink also say that "...with the exception of 4 or 5 Shinohara products, we have reasonably good stocks available. For 00/H0, we have Code 100, Code 83, Code 83 DCC-friendly, Code 70 + SN3, H0/H0n3, H0n3, H0n2.5 (009), H0m and N (Code70 & Code 60) are also in stock. (and going off topic...) Also, we purchased a very large quantity of Mashima motors before he stopped production. If anyone is looking for them, we still have most types available" I placed an order via the Scalelink website Sunday night and it was delivered today, so I am a satisfied customer. I hope this information is helpful. 2 3 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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