"Surveying The Line To The Millennium
"(PAGE 3)
An Interview with Lewis Polk, President,
Polk’s Model Craft Hobbies, Inc.
Click on Thumbnail images to view larger images.
TATE: That takes care of my maintenance problem, but are you going to do anything to help me handle the increasing passenger traffic on my Large Scale Railroad Empire?
LEWIS: There’s three new items that should solve that problem.
First, we’re working on an RDC (RAIL DIESEL CAR)
Our very successful
Streamline Passenger Car series has been adapted to include a rail
diesel version that operates self-powered as a
single unit or with one trailing car. This type of car can still by
seen in use today. Almost every line had versions of the RDC and most
of them were corrugated stainless steel cars, similar in appearance to
our popular Streamliners. Aristo-Craft is using its now proven ball
bearing gearbox to power this car, to provide smooth and durable
running. The striking appearance of the RDC is clearly something that
will make it the most desirable new model of 2000. This is a classic
in the making. Ownership puts the "Wow!" factor on your
layout.
Secondly,
there’s a DOODLEBUG in your future. Nothing to worry
about TATE, your petunias won’t be in any danger. A Doodlebug is
also a self-powered car, but is based on our museum quality
Standard Heavyweight series. This car also uses are proven diesel
truck and has a unique new front cab addition that is absolutely scale
in appearance. It is the best rendition of this car done in any scale.
Of course there is full interior detail as well as lighting.
And finally, we’ll be introducing the RAILBUS.
This third in a series
of self-powered cars is based on our beautiful
Sierra Combine with a diesel truck front. Look at our catalog for
a picture of the prototype of this car and be assured all of the
wonderful lost wax brass casting detail has been added to the car. To
enhance the look we have added the observation platform to the end of
the combine, which makes this car super attractive. It also features a
fully detailed interior, working smoke and lights. We have developed a
new die-cast gear box for this car that is efficient in operation and
adds weight to the car for better performance. You will see more of
this gearbox in other items in the future. It will appear also in the
Center Cab diesel.
TATE: Are there any additions to the Heavyweight or Streamline series passenger cars?
LEWIS: We will be adding a car to the Heavyweight series, the PULLMAN STANDARD HEAVY WEIGHT CAR
Over
30 years ago we saw a Pullman in European style in Count Fulgarex’s
booth in Nuremberg at the International Toy Fair. We fell in love with
it and frankly this was the genesis for our Standard Heavyweight
Series. We waited until the end of the series to do this car, as we
wanted a great interior and for both sides of the car to have
different window arrangements, 
as did the real car. The molds are done and the interior design is
finished. This car will be delivered in 1999. Again, this classic
museum quality car is a must have for all of those with other cars in
the series. I’m thinking that modelers will want to populate this
car with our seated figures for an unbelievably realistic look that
will make the car come to life.
Also, we’ll be adding a STREAMLINE BAGGAGE CAR to the Streamline Series.
Our streamline baggage
car is the 5th car in this series, where the amazing
polish finish simulates a stainless steel look on a metal 
body. Super detailed trucks, coming with a shorter tongue to keep
the cars closer makes this series a "WOW!" factor
leader. Other cars in the Series are lighted, though the Baggage Car
will not be, as it has no windows. The machined wheels are state of
the art and look good as well as performing well. All of you that have
the Coach, Diner, Observation and Dome will want to add this new
good-looking car to your collection.
Soon, you’ll be seeing and hearing quite a bit about a new passenger car Series from Aristo-Craft: The SmoothSided Series. These cars will be similar to the Streamliners, but will have the painted, smoothsided look of that class of prototypes. Watch for announcements about the first of these cars late in ’99.
TATE: What about freight cars?
LEWIS: Beginning shortly, each time we rerun our freight cars, we will change the road number. We’ll also be doing this with our locomotives. It’s one of a number of small changes we’ll be introducing in response to customer requests. Blackening the grab irons and painting the ladders to match the car body on cars like the new SP boxcar is another.
We’re always looking at potential new freight cars, and the marketplace is ready for some new ones. We are exploring a number of possibilities.
TATE: Before we finish up, is there anything new in the "Classics" series?
Lewis: The "Classics" line has a new life with the C16 as its flagship. We’ll be adding a LOG CAR.
This
log car is the most realistic one we’ve seen, as the logs are
made out of a resin mold that replicates the details of the real log.
These logs are mounted on our Delton trucks and with an Aristo-Craft
compatible coupler. The recent releases in the industry of logging
locomotives induced us to resurrect this item and we bet "you
can’t just have one."
TATE: About the only areas we haven’t covered are the Starter Sets, accessories, and track. What’s in store there?
Lewis: Starter sets help the hobby to renew itself. Each year hundreds of families are introduced to Large Scale trains through the purchase of a Starter Set, often for use during the Holiday Season. When they discover the enjoyment of these trains, they often look to add to the sets. We want to make it as easy as possible for them to do that, and then to begin their expansion into a more permanent layout.
Shortly we’ll be adding THREE 20’ FOOT CARS FOR SET ADD ONS. We’ll be introducing three new cars based on the Bobber Caboose 2 axle chassis. These are great add-ons to sets from any maker.
Aristo-Craft
20' Tank Car
There will be a Tank Car, Flat Car and Box Car all done in a variety of road names that will match most of our set road names. These are sure-fire winners for modelers of all ages.
Our introductions of ready built buildings have been a great success for us this year. We will add to it in 2000 with a New Signal Tower. We wanted to make a super detailed building and think we have succeeded with this model. Selling it built up makes ownership easy and the see through packaging lets new buyers see what they are getting before purchasing. This is a wonderful addition to any layout as trackside buildings are always a most popular choice for modelers.
In our track product range, we will be introducing a RAILBENDER AND 8’ FLEX RAIL.
Aristo-Craft's
New Railbender
We recognize that many professional installers and experienced hobbyists like to make their own curves to suit their particular layout arrangement and topography. Therefore, we are producing 8’ rail in Brass, Stainless Steel and Nickel Silver in Code 332 size. To make this work we needed a good rail bender and have licensed the technology from Istra’s Walt Swartz who has developed what is acknowledged to be the best in the market place. We also offer track ties. It’s the straight track ties that are used with flex track and cut to accommodate any size curve We use them ourselves in our wide radius track sizes. Also coming soon are special rail joiners that do not require you to tap holes in the track and still provide good conductivity between the rails.
TATE: Thanks, Lewis.
And in all that you never mentioned "The Move".
LEWIS: That’s right!
I want to remind everyone that as of Sep, 13th ’99, Aristo-Craft Trains has a new home. Our new address is: 698 S. 21st Street Irvington, NJ 07111-4109
And our new phone and fax numbers are:
Phone – 973-351-9800 FAX 973-351-9700 or 1-800-POLK
Our new location is all on one floor, and has four loading docks. This represents a vast improvement over our 75 year-old, two floor, one loading dock building. The new facility is approximately 20 minutes from our previous location and all our employees are moving with us.
Even you, TATE!
TATE: Lewis, thanks again for "surveying" Aristo-Craft’s road to the new Millennium, and for letting us get a peak at your plans. Exciting things are happening.
It’s always a pleasure to spend a few minutes with you, and doubly so when we can hear how you’ve been "Surveying The Line To The Millennium"
TATE
The Aristo Train Engineer
8/22/99