Aristo-Craft Trains moved into the large scale, model train business when toy trains ruled the land. Our initial decision was to make a semi-scale, standard gauge product in a toy train, narrow gauge environment dominated by European prototype trains. Aristo-Craft decided to offer a mainline, American profile look with a variety of road names. That decision was immediately embraced by a marketplace starved for new products. That initial concept and vision prevailed despite some business struggles and attacks by competitors.

Toy trains ruled for 50 years and had a large following, yet as the 90’s progressed, the fashion had reached it’s potential. The broad market in model railroading in all gauges began changing to a scale model environment. Everywhere, the hobbyist was seeking prototypical accuracy, scale fidelity, and the equipment they were seeing on rail lines near their home and work. The consumer spoke up in the smaller gauges, rushed to new "scale" offerings in the heavily toy-train O Gauge market, and made their wants known in G-Gauge.

You told us that semi-scale is no longer the goal, and that gloss finishes are no longer de-rigueur. You said you wanted to see a move to more modern equipment, a broader offering of road names, and greater scale accuracy. You made it clear that the majority want 1:29 scale trains to run on your installed base of 45mm track. We listened.

Aristo-Craft began the process of reinventing itself to meet your G Gauge needs. We’ve put into place, and shared with you in articles like this one, a new vision. We’ve been making changes toward attaining that vision. We are a company with a long-range strategy to be a leader in scale model trains in large scale. That leadership will be based in prototypical accuracy, superb operability, value for your dollar, world-class customer service, and commitment to continuing innovation.

TEAMWORK – It’s People Who Build A Company

The real world railroad and transportation industries have begun a return to what the Fallen Flags knew years ago; its people who build a railroad and who make it successful. Motive power, designer varnish, strings of matched-set freight cars, and impeccably groomed roadbed don’t happen by themselves. Success comes from the hard work of talented people. In the golden age of railroading, success came because the railroads assembled the best teams of people to make their visions reality.

First in Jersey City, and now here in Irvington, NJ we hold that same view. We know that to reach our vision, and to meet your needs, we need the right people, the right teams. And we’ve been building and investing in Team Aristo.

First, we hired a scale model "squirrel".

Dave Newall is a collector of prototype knowledge acorns, from which he can grow mighty products. He brings to us many years of experience with a major H.O. scale model train manufacturer. Dave truly is a historian by training and has spent a lifetime studying real world trains as well as the model market. He has traveled the globe in his involvement in the model railroad hobby. He knows what works and what doesn’t, both in our marketplace and on the mold making and production line side of the business. Dave leads the charge to pure scale and prototype accuracy in the projects that are just coming to fruition.

Secondly, we turned our Chief Engineer, Mr. Song, loose on making the world’s best drive system for trains.

Keeping a model to scale, and making it operate efficiently, reliably, and with minimal maintenance, requires a blend of engineering talents, creativity and persistence. Mr. Song brings all of these to the pursuit of our goals.

Large Scale trains have far different power, structural integrity and reliability requirements than their smaller cousins. Due to the un-even and often unpredictable outdoor environment in which they must perform, Large Scale presents a unique challenge in the move to scale accuracy and reliable, efficient power drives that meet your "Long Life" requirements.

We chose ball bearings as the heart of our reengineered "LONG LIFE" drive. Our redesign lowered current demands while providing the strength to pull reliably over un-even track. We decided that every axle needs to be powered and that nothing provided the pickup that a dozen ball bearings will per wheel. We also determined that every axle needs to be powered and to have lateral, side to side play as well as pivoting freely to move efficiently around uneven track and tight curves.

These engineering ideas worked out so well that Aristo-Craft decided to patent the concept and it’s modularity. That ability to be "modular" will allow us to make 2, 3, 4, and even 5 axle locomotives using the same internal axle gearboxes. By combining the power modules in variously sized outside "blocks", we can quickly produce the drive mechanisms for a wide range of modern diesels and large steam locomotives.

Wow!

We wanted to start from the ground up, with the gearbox as the heart of the product, yet we knew that our work wouldn’t stop there. The product itself needed to be exceptional in prototypical fidelity and scale accuracy.

Why 3D?

With it, we are able to check each part multi-dimensionally and check movement and fit on the computer screen. Then we were able to produce sample parts directly from the computer program with fantastic precision that surpasses that of our best traditional model makers. Wow, what a great new world!

We employ the services of a leading cad cam designer in the model-making field. Our designer works under the under direction of Mr. Song, who oversees his work and supervises the process. With cad cam Team Aristo is able to check every rivet and potential operating factor in advance of production. The power of the computer pays us great dividends, though the computer is only as good as what’s put into it.

To be certain that the right information gets into our cad cam designs, Aristo-Craft’s draftsman spent several days climbing all over a real SD-45 taking careful measurements and photos. Many parts are not sufficiently explained in a 2D builder’s drawing, as there is no depth of field for curves for example. We had the original drawings from the maker, but this was only the first step in truly understanding the character of this fine locomotive. And it’s that visual character that enhances prototypical fidelity and scale accuracy.

Aristo-Craft is also blessed with having a digital wireless electronic engineer on staff. Mr. Kim works with Mr. Song; who is also an electronic engineer as well as a top mechanical engineer. They both have 20 years plus in the industry and have fully absorbed the intricacies of the model market.

Outside engineers likely could not fathom these special needs, but our team, helped by our experienced hobbyist staff, knew just what was needed. Our engineers are one office away from Dave Newall and Mike Hauptman.

Mike is our customer service person, and an accomplished H.O. scale modeler. He’s an active participant at the Union Model Railroad Club, one of the oldest and largest in America. He’s regularly offering ideas and information to the design team. In many ways, he’s your voice, since you speak with him regularly when you call the office for product support.

This is what teamwork is all about. Our product engineers are not in an ivory tower, or half a world away, but close to the full Team, the hobbyists and the market place.

At any rate, We turned Mr. Kim on to making the best electronics that any model train has ever had. We incorporated, D.C.C., R/C, sound and D.C. to D.C. power boosters for better smoke and lights on one central control board. We went to the NMRA D.C.C. committee to decide on a standard for all.

Additionally, Team Aristo has found a way to resolve the long-standing puzzle of how to provide ample smoke, while keeping moderate demand on power and protecting the smoke generator from burn out. The use of digital chips programmed by us, in house, provides maximum current to this innovative smoke system. This innovation, plus continuous lighting from super bright white L.E.D.’s, make this model the state-of the-art in the new millennium.

Team Aristo utilizes a wide range of talent, both full-time staff and contractors. Our artwork for paint schemes is done by a consultant that is a leading specialist in the use of a computer program called Corel Draw. He can combine that expertise with his love of trains (he’s a dedicated rail buff) to provide the best art in the industry. While he may not be in the same physical office, the magic of computers and the voice link of the telephone, make him a virtual officemate of Dave Newall. It’s like shorthand, where one knows what the other will say before the other knows he will say it.

This artwork is then carefully applied to the product in our production facility where skilled craftsmen print it onto the item with meticulous detail. We never use a decal, but rather offset print every single marking directly onto the model. This can mean 20 or so "hits" of the printer, each at a different machine with different colors and lettering. It’s extra work, but the results speak for themselves. You’ve told us how please you are with the graphics!

The mold making was turned over to our manufacturing plant, a world class mold making and production facility, to exquisitely execute our design.

The first of the new molds from this new process are now done. The SD-45 test shots exceeded our expectation of what will become the signature model for our "scale" vision. We chose the SD-45 due to its popularity in the real train world and because we feel that it is the best looking design of its genre. Diesels are not by nature charming, but this one comes close.

So, this model is the result of marshalling a great team of the most experienced players in the industry, and designing a dream model that will be our "signature" piece. The SD-45 will launch a new era of fidelity to scale and super performance while maintaining an affordable price.

This affordable price is a goal we reach by the hard work of a strong support staff of office, warehouse, sales, distribution partners and management. Our entire Team works consistently to deliver efficiently to you a product that leads the market.

So is all this boasting?

Don’t just listen to what we say, but watch what we do!

The proof is in the product. The SD-45 that will be coming to you soon. Order yours today so that you won’t have to wait for the second production run of this revolutionary Large Scale locomotive. Run it on your railroad and see how we live up to our vision.

This isn’t the end of the story, but just the beginning. Come see us at the Chicago National Train Show to be among the first to hear about more new items, or watch for more announcements just after the show.

Team Aristo

"The Power of People, Building The Magic of Trains"