Does anyone know if Diamonds Scales is still in business? I have tried calling them to order several of their water columns and the ash pit but there is no answer. The website is still up and the phone has not been disconnected. What’s up?[:^)]
They are now, and have been for a while, part of Alliance Locomotive Products. This outfit seems to only work part time and may well be on winter vacation.
The Alliance web site lists business hours only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, also suggesting that they may also be a retail train shop with limited hours.
http://www.alliancelink.com/alp/
http://www.diamond-scale.com/default.htm
Note the same address and phone numbers on the two web sites.
I ordered some motors about a year ago. The guy on the phone talked like they would go right out. I was busy and did not follow up, the motors finally came about two months later.
But on other occasions I have received orders from them in less than a week.
Remember, this is a hobby of “cottage industries” - keep trying.
Sheldon
Craig,
Sheldon is correct. The original proprietor of Diamond Scales died about 3 years ago in AZ and willed his business to a friend of his, who operates a shop with his son in Alliance, OH. Nils flew down, rented a U-Haul, loaded up all the molds, jigs, fixtures, and supplies and drove it all back to OH.
When Nils showed me around the backroom after he returned from AZ, he was still trying to get everything organized so that he could start learning the process of making the turntables. The protocols for the entire process were in several binders.
As Sheldon points out, this is truly a cottage industry. The small train shop owned by Nils and his son is located in the downtown district of a depressed OH town and is only open a few day a week. Inventory is made up of RTR rolling stock, a smattering of kits, a rack of RR mags, and some layout-related items. Their forte is very nice selection of Details West and Detail Associates parts and DCC decoders.
Saturday would probably be the best time to get a hold of someone. I think the shop is open from 10AM - 4 PM that day. Nils is usually there on Saturdays. I’ve never met the son.
Tom
Hello Was at Diamond Scale/Robs Trains on Thursday. As Tom has said they are a small company and are quite busy. Nils Sundberg is one of the true gentlemen of the hobby, I deal there quite a bit. Will call him this afternoon and let them know of this post. In these days of of gotta have it now, a handmade product is worth the wait.
Yea, Nils is a good guy [Y]…and quite the character, too.
Tom
Leadpirate,
Thanks for the information. I intend to contact them this week. I need several water columns and utility poles for the roundhouse area. Yes, the turntable is a Diamond Scale model.[:D]