Pullman Update... What's going on???
Hi everyone. I thought I would bring everyone up to speed on the program. Clearly September has come and gone and your Pullman kits did not make the target...
So what's the story?
When I started this program I had some good sources of information as it was imperative that the product be accurate and easy to assemble. As the word got out, I started receiving input from a lot of passionate historians who enlightened me to details and variations on the 4 styles of Pullmans selected that I was not aware. So the level of detail and scope widened. As they say, sometimes when you shed light on a subject more shadows are created. And that's what happened here.
With that said, the program started splitting streams. New variations were locked in and now I am well into developing unique Pullman kits for not just the sleepers, but also the Silverton Northern "Animas Forks" business car, the D&RGW parlor car "Ouray", and C&S coach #62. So that's 8 unique kits in 3 scales... 24 new kits...
I can also tell you that these kits include accurate lettering, a lot of it printed in gold leaf. The decal artwork alone is a daunting task. Accuracy is paramount. What I am really proud of is the roof design and execution. All of the curves flow accurately and the effort to complete roof assembly is easy and quick. I will post more pix soon!
Thanks be to everyone who volunteered drawings and data. These kits will I hope be something that you can be proud of as well.
Lastly, I thank everyone who pre-ordered. I can't maintain much of an inventory due to resource and time availability. Pre-ordering helps across the board and ensures everyone gets their kits in the most timely fashion.
Thanks again, Bill
SP 28' Boxcar Kit SHIPPING NOW!
Shipping NOW our kit for the Southern Pacific "modern version" (modern being post 1911 Safety Appliance Act hardware and brake components) Carter Brothers 28' boxcar. With all new hardware and etchings, these kits come with a full complement of lettering to cover all the styles and variations. The kit comprises laser cut woods, etched brass details, 3D ABS details, and injected plastic details. A must for all SP narrow gauge enthusiasts!
D&RGW 9600 Pipe Gon NOW SHIPPING!
You asked and here it is! Our kit for the D&RGW 9600 Pipe Gon in HO/S/O. These cars were originally D&RGW outside braced boxcars that were cut down for pipe train service. Our kit comprises a mass of sheet brass etchings, 3D ABS, styrene shapes and of course; full lettering.
Welcome!
We are Leadville Designs, your boutique supplier of finescale models. Our goal is to provide the finest model railroad products in all scales. Using the latest computer driven technologies, our products are designed and virtually tested in 2D or 3D CAD environments extensively before being made available. All our products are based on builder’s blue prints, library sourced data, and photo resources. If any of this sounds familiar, it should! Leadville Designs is a spinoff of The Leadville Shops and is piloted by Bill Meredith.
All of our products are domestically produced and sourced using only the finest materials and suppliers.
Welcome to our site. We are sure you will find something that will catch your attention. We are passionate about trains; just like you.
NEWS RELEASE: MODELER’S CO-OP PROGRAM
Hey everyone, I just wanted to let everyone in on our new program that we think will be a game changer…
So what is it?
We all have our own interests and wants in this fine hobby whether that be a unique piece of rolling stock or structure. How many times have we wished someone would produce a kit for a __________? As a manufacturer, it would be wonderful to just make everything everyone wanted. But it’s just not practical.
Enter our Modeler’s Co-Operative!
Basically, it’s an arrangement between an interested party (one or more people) and Leadville Designs whereby the interested party underwrites the development costs of a particular subject kit. In return, that party receives a substantially reduced price on each kit. Leadville Designs will then offer the kit as part of the line. For every kit sold to the general market, those who underwrote the costs receive a commission. If the kit sells well, the investors could recover their out of pocket costs and even make money.
Win-win!
Now should there be several people interested in a particular project, then the commission will be divided equitably based in the percentage of investment by each person. If an organization (for example a historical society) invests, then that organization will be considered a single investor. If the design is readily adaptable to other scales, and the investor covers the scale conversion costs; then the investor will receive commission for those sales as well.
Any limits on projects?
As a manufacturer, we primarily work in wood, etched metals, and printed 3D resins. The wood is laser and saw cut, the metals are usually brass or nickel and chemically etched. There is no size limit. Nothing is too small or too large.
What’s in this for you?
Best case scenario you get the kits you want at a discounted price AND you turn a profit through subsequent market sales. Worst case is you still get the kits you want at a discounted price with the expense of the development costs.
So just how much are we talking about here?
Investor costs are tied directly to the complexity of the project. This can *typically* vary in the $500-800 range. You also have the option of underwriting the costs to produce the kit in another scale other than what you want. In return you receive a commission on any of those kits sold as well. Lastly, you will only be invoiced after the design work is well underway. There is no upfront cost.
On the Leadville Designs web page, there will a list of projects that folks are interested in. If any of these are not fully funded, and you want in, then you can sign on. The percentage of how much each investor puts in will directly affect what percentage of commission each investor receives. There will also be postings on our Facebook page for those who subscribe.
While there are few guarantees that the kit that you want will have a broader appeal, what I can guarantee you is that you will finally get the kits you want and they will be of excellent quality and that alone is pretty darn good.
Interested?
Email me at leadvilledesigns@gmail.com and let’s talk!
Happy modeling!
Jump to Co-Op page now!
Custom Building & Designing
Click here for more information!Custom Decals
We produce our own decal lettering for our products. We offer custom lettering to those who may need something special...
