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EDDYSTONE LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY
The home page summerizes what we do. Customer realtions are very important
to customer satisfaction. Please read through the follwing.
EDDYSTONE models are designed, tooled and built by one craftsman
assuring responsibility and good results. He has built over 1,000 steam
models, and has worked professionally as a prototype steam locomotive
mechanic. Most models have been for individual modelers world wide. Other
customers have included a class 1 railroad, railroad museums, clubs, and
one for his mother. He pioneered the use of resin castings in HO steam
modeling.
Be sure to visit the special sections: To see many pictures of Eddystone
models, click on Anthracite Railroads Steam
Power and B&O Steam Power.
In addition to limited production run jobs, the following
steam locomotive modeling work is performed:
1) Custom built locomotives, unique "one off" models; usually
of the locomotive you always wanted but couldn't get. It's the fastest
way to get the locomotive you want, and it's built with a lot of input
from you. From September 2007 till September 2008 I will not take orders
for custom built locomotives as I want to speed up turn around time on
orders for your convenience. Custom built "one-off" models typically
take 4 to 6 weeks to build. Henceforth, custon built "one off"
models cost $ 1,200 and up.
2) Building Bowser locomotives, locomotive mechanisms, and repowering
certain earlier Bachmann plastic steamers using English's MRS repower
kits from Bowser. For best results, particularly where Decoders are involved,
specify Eddystone's As 36 or As 28 or GD 36 or GD 28 drives.
3) Superdetailing, sometimes as standard packages where a mass
production model is modified to become an accurate model of a specific
prototype, In other cases it's a unique upgrade to the customer's specification.
Such work transforms ordinary steamers into very fine models.
4) Custom finish work, such as repainting, decaling, and weathering
often adds a little super detailing into the mix.
5) DCC and sound installation and sales. EDDYSTONE is an
authorized DIGITRAX and SOUNDTRAXX installer. EDDYSTONE
can also sell you components, below list price, to help you upgrade
your entire layout.
6) Miscellaneous. EDDYSTONE sometimes acts as a purveyor of
anything from technical drawings and locomotive photos to importing odd
sized drivers and side rods, etc. from Europe.
WORKING WITH OUR CUSTOMERS:
1) Work is scheduled when deposit is received. Work is typically
performed on a first in, first out basis. Customers are notified about
two weeks before work is scheduled to begin, balance is due at that time.
2) When a job has been started, it is to be completed. Custom work
is not similar to casually buying mass produced goods at the mall.Deposits
are non-refundable. Once you order, parts are acquired, labor is spent
on design. The deposit money is no longer mine, and it can no longer be
referred to by the customer as "my money"--- it no longer is
your money. What is your's to have and to hold is an excellent forthcoming
locomotive. This has not proved to be a real world problem. It's policy,
and it is appropriate that it be articulated.
3) If completion is delayed by slowness on the part of a supplier,
the customer will be notified. This doesn't happen very often. Most completions
are timely; usually in about two weeks.
4) Sales of other manufacturer's products, such as ten decoders, are
prepaid by the customer.
5) We only sell to individuals, as compared with "bulk orders"
to clubs. There is no economy of scale to be had in five copies, as compared
to one or two.
6) Sales to railroads and museums are under written contract.
7) Clubs and historic societies sometimes request projects. We
work with them on the research and publicizing the product. We do not
take large orders from such organizations as it makes them a third party.
It is best to build single orders, one at a time, with timely delivery
for all.
8) We stand behind our work. Satisfied customers are our norm,
and they are where many repeat sales and "word of mouth" new
customers come from.
9) Occasionally a relative wants to give one of our models as a
present. We recommend giving a card saying that you will pay for the model.
That gives the recipient the freedom they deserve as to specifications,
etc. which is important in custom work.
10) We provide potential customers with prints and written material
about our production models. We carefully work with customers of "one
off" jobs so that everyone understands what the product will be.
We build what we represent the item to be. We are not responsible for
unstated expectations.
11) We will not make direct copy "knock off" copies of
commercially available parts.
EDDYSTONE is one of the few steam locomotive custom builders in
the United States. The wide range of services and our production work
can meet many modeler's steam power needs. Eddystone has become the premier
custom builder / limited production run builder of HO steam locomotives
in North America in four short years, since the doors were opened. What
I don't mean by this, includes the following: 1) I am not the leading
specialty repair shop for Rivarossi repairs, Mantua / Tyco repairs, or
other brand specific repairs. 2) I am not a brass only custom builder
( is anybody?) 3) I am not N.. America's best brass painting custom decorator.
4) I am not the leading narrow gauge custom builder-I have yet to do any
narrow gauge, and am not interested in it.
Write: EDDYSTONE LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY PO BOX 392 Montrose, PA 18801.
Call (570) 465 2417 or email eddyston@nep.net
to explore your interests.
Check out our tongue-in-cheek Photo Essay
showing life isn't quite normal when you're a custom steam loco builder.
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