Has anyone had any experience with Sylvan models. I thought they only sold vehicles, but seem to have some structures I may be interested in. Did anyone assemble any of thier kits & how did it go?.Also , how about payment, considering they are in Canada. Jerry
I’ve built their rolling stock kits and they’re quite nice. The resin they use in the rolling stock isn’t as hard as the resin Kaslo Shops uses, and as a result isn’t as friendly to work with - in a structure I’d expect to add bracing as insurance against warping. The tooling is very nice, and the finished models look great.
Cross-border payment shouldn’t be an issue - they’ll take cheques, International Money orders (not domestic money orders), the three biggest credit cards, and Paypal. They’re a reputable company, and have been around for at least ten years.
You said the resin was softer. Would it be softer than the stuff F & C uses in thier kits ? Jerry
I don’t know, since my resin experience consists mainly of Sylvan, Kaslo. All I can tell you is that SYlvan’s resin is softer than the softest styrene I’ve seen in models, whereas Kaslo’s is harder. The softer resin makes it a little trickier to accurately drill holes and it seems like it’d be more susceptible to warping after construction, so I’d look for ways to brace the model from within.
I have built their vehicles,you may want to contact Trip at Truck stop models he may be able to get them for you his shop is in Nevada. TSModels@Charter.net
The station kit I have has relatively thick parts - not like a rolling stock kit but like the old Magnuson models. I did not do any interior bracing, but backed up the corners with1/4 square stock styrene.
Sylvan is available from any of the better hobby shops in Canada.
The line includes Freight cars and cabooses, with an emphasis on distinct Canadian cars; buildings; autos and trucks; and boats from a rowboat up to a Great Lakes freighter (Not many but the range is wide).
There was an article in Canadian Railway Modeller about 10 years ago (By Mrs. Gilbert?) on assembling the kits, including degreasing.
Seems to be hard to find in the states. I haven’t seen them in any Hobby or Train stores. I could probably order directly but would like to look at one first. They don’t even seem to be listed in the Wathers catalog. Jerry
I have seen their vehicles at Maine Modelworks, Falmouth, ME. If he can get the vehicles, he probably could order from the rest of the line as well.
Around here, Sylvan kits are easy to find, although I can understand you wanting to see what you’re interested in before buying. I’ve built a couple of their car kits and several trucks and automobiles. As mentioned, the resin seems quite soft. They sell their own resin prep for removing the mould release compounds, but their instructions also note that Diosol can be used. I built one of their slab-sided covered hoppers and had no problems using lacquer thinner to clean the castings, but when I built a pair of CNR wooden cabooses, many of the smaller parts were deformed or destroyed completely by the thinner. I salvaged enough parts to complete one of the kits, which I was building for a friend, then scratchbuilt the balance of the missing parts required to finish my own. I particularily like their vehicles, as I’m modelling the '30s, although the price is a bit on the high side.
Wayne
I’ve built a number of their cars and one caboose kit. They build up very nice but are a little pricey.
Pricey compared to what? I’ve built the CN Pointe St-Charles van (caboose), which cost $CAD 35 plus trucks and couplers. The alternatives for this model are the Athabasca Scale Models brass kit ($CAD 90 plus trucks and couplers), or an Overland assembled model ($CAD 200+, including trucks).
I’ve also built their National Steel Car paper car, at $CAD 30 plus trucks and couplers. Alternatives for this car? None, other than scratchbuilding. Their other car kits are comparable in having no lower-cost alternative, and in many cases no alternative at all.
Pricey as in 13 bucks for a car or truck kit compared to 3-8 dollars for a RTR Model Power or Classic Metal Works car or truck. Like I said they build up very nice and I’m planning on building more. I built the Modern Wide Steel Van, it was 50 dollars Canadian and I spent another 30 on trucks, couplers and lights for it. I plan on building a few more in Ontario Northland colours over the winter.