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Aristo-Craft/Polks to close its doors
Just received email from Navin?
http://www.crest-electronics.net/
He will be able to repair trains until parts run out. Also he will be the man for the Revolution system.
that’s is really sad
I hope that in the future maybe we will see Aristocraft rise up again.
After getting over the shock; I was just thinking, Aristo built such a beautiful BNSF pumpkin; maybe we should all get together and get Warren Buffet to help out; I’m serious!!
It is sad to hear. I’m concerned in the future what were going to do for parts.
They have provided fine products and good services. It’s sad to anticipate not having them around.
Just when my financial position would allow me to buy a number of products in the coming months - now what? Do I buy or not
May a good “buyer” for the business come along.
I am conflicted about this. Maybe I just don’t want it to happen, and can’t face it, but the way I read the email was that Polk’s Hobby was closing its doors, not Aristocraft. I remember that way back, it all started with Polks Hobby, but I have assumed that Aristocraft was a different entity that Polks Hobby.
Please enlighten me.
I predict without good support from a lot of venders, the ECLSS won’t make it either. That was a spectacular show, I attended it for 10 years. I am also with Freddy, what do we do for parts. All I have is Aristocraft engines, and rolling stock, and a lot of it. I guess when an engine dies for good it goes up on the shelf, and just looks good.
Paul and Ward: Polk’s Hobby and Aristo-Craft are both closing. Crest is not affected, and the ECLSS shows will continue.
@ PAUL BOTTINO I noticed that as well, Polk Hobbies was separated from Crest Electronics and I believe also separate from RMT before this latest round of troubles. The Aristo line might also be a separate entity, many expect that the Aristo name and line will be picked up probably by Sanda Kader who actually did the contract manufacturing for Polk Hobbies, thats the best we can hope for, be a shame to see the whole line go down a hole.
@ WARD HAMMOND III I hate to put it this way but, where have you been for the last 5 years? AC has been on the ropes for a long while now, suffice to say for those deep in the hobby this is something we have been fearing but were not surprised by, especially since they went to direct sales dropping their dealers. That coupled with the non-restocking of product, what was being sold was what was left, also Crest/Revo being spun off independently then the notice a month ago the warehouse was going up for sale, there was alot more that cannot be discussed here(not enough room) suffice to say it is sad but not a shock. There is hope, the actual manufacturing was all done by Sanda Kader, maybe they will emerge from all this with the product line.
What’s the reason for the closure? Health? Do the younger Polk’s not want to continue the business? Has business dropped that much? More details please!
Having witnessed the recent demise and resurrection of LGB, surely there is some interest in acquiring this now well-established product line. Aristo was the reason I started in G scale in the first place!
I really liked Aristocraft products, and am sorry to see it come to this. This leaves the hobby in dire straits for sure. No competition means higher prices and less choices. Parts will definitely become a problem for all of us that own Aristocraft procucts. I just purchased a Rio Grande Mallet with a 5 year warranty and that will be gone now. Really a shame.
WHAT A SHAME,SHAME,SHAME, I LOVE THE LINE
A great company making wonderful “G” products. What happened??? We need this company to keep making large scale equipment. I hope a buyer can be found.
A shame and for such an established name in the hobby to exit came as a surprise, and I hope all those employed there soon land on their feet.
How sad. I have one engine several cars and lots of great track in Aristocraft. Was just about to decide to go to Revolution for control and battery for operation and although it seems Crest will still go on making that product I worry about its viability. I too hope someone like Bachmann will take over but perhaps they too are hanging on the edge. Dark days for our hobby.