"Dick deserves much credit for both introducing the postwar AAR boxcar models and coming up with the blueprint for the next generation of freight car models to come (multiple detail variations, separate detail parts). Unfortunately, it appears he drew the wrong conclusions from his sales. Prototype does sell; poorly executed prototype models don't."


I rarely comment on other people's business; today I'll make an exception. Dick fell into the trap that many smaller manufacturers do... they become "married" to one tool shop and refuse to see the limitations of that shop. Eastern Car Works is another example. Dick relied on the same toolmaker from the beginning to the end of his business... If Lloyd said it couldn't be done, by golly, it couldn't, don't bother me with the pesky detail that others are obviously doing it.

I had an interesting conversation with both Dick and Lloyd back in the nineties when Accurate Finishing was looking to get into developing our own tooling; learned a lot, also saw the limitations. Why Dick never could is beyond me.

Dennis Storzek