What you are looking at is a cast resin replica of a scratchbuilt styrene PS2, 3 bay covered hopper master. The build (Cast) date is somewhere around October/November of 2004. This is an early version. Since the photo was taken, the roof went thru a major makeover to look more prototypical. Hatch height was reduced and walkway supoorts were added. Lots of added detail. The botom chutes were also modified, but only slightly. The newer version looks 100% better. Sorry I can't find photos of the newer one, but I will post them when I find them. The latest version was an experiment into whether or not I could make smooth side bodies and glue etched brass ribs to the side of the main body. Failed experiment. Too much etching involved. Speaking of etching, the roofwalk, ladder ends, brakewheel and chute details were all etched in brass. Since posting this photo in a previous message, I have had an abundance of requests to please build more. Both posted messages and private emails. I am curious as to how mutual this request really is! Would people actually commit to quantities to make casting and etch worth while? Exactly how many would you like to have, so forth and such! Please let me know! Fine Print: Please understand that these PS2's are made of cast resin and etched brass. The body consists of 3 parts. A thin roof section, a semi solid chute section and a hollow body. The PS2, when fully built with MTL trucks and couplers, weighs as much as a MTL 50 boxcar. About 7 to 8 grams. Depending on commitments, I might be persuaded into making a new mold and casting a limited supply of PS2 parts. Please reply! Tim
Tim, Just do it! How much do you need to cast 100 cars and etch the brass, etc? I'm in for an investment, amount to be determined later. Get in touch.
What's your ballpark price figure? I'd be interested if the price was right. My budget is tight, however.
I could use a couple as well FR's are nice, but a bit on the expensive side for me. These would be great.
This is where I sit on my decision to make PS2's or not! I am having to re-work the brass etching film artwork so I can have a "preferred" etching company quote me a price for a sheet. I believe the common sheet is 11"x17". Not sure though. Will find out. If this is the case, one sheet will produce enough brass parts for 20+ PS2's. If I build them myself instead of kits, then probably 35+ PS2's. Just depends! As far as pricing for the PS2, it really depends on the etching service and whether I sell them in kit form (with or without MTL coupler trucks), built & Primed, or RTR. I have a decal printer so decals would not be hard to come by. Would probably have about 20 or so roadnames for decals. *** OK *** Question for you who are interested! What would most interest you! #1. PS2 in Kit form with decals #2. PS2 in Kit Form with MTL Coupler Trucks and decals #3. PS2 assembled and acrylic primer coat applied with decals #4. PS2 assembled and acrylic primer coat applied with MTL Coupler Trucks and decals #5. PS2 assembled with finished paint and decals #6. PS2 assembled with finished paint and decals with MTL Coupler Trucks Six choices to choose from! I hate true and false questions even though their is a 50% chance of getting the answer right, I prefer multiple choice where the odds are steeper! -- Depending on what the overall response is and the pricing of etching service I'll be able to come up with a rough figure on pricing. But, for a wild guess, I'd say between $20 and $35 each depending on the options. Keep in mind, MTL coupler trucks are not cheap! Now it's your turn! I look forward to reading your responses. Tim
Trucks and couplers are easy enough to acquire from Anthony, so my vote is either 1, 3, or 5. I think you'll save yourself a lot of trouble by not trying to supply these. But what do I know?
Option 2, D&RGW, BN, GN and MILW, please! Even at 25 bucks a kit, I'd still buy at least 4. Sure beats the single FR I'd have at that price. The FR is nice, no doubt about it, but I'll go for something made in the USA, and cheaper!
Option #1, please. Of course, I've got ulterior motives. I don't want you to spend any time building up cars for me. I would rather see you spend some of that time bringing some of your other masterpieces back into production. We need some machinery loads for those Alan Curtis flatcars that you are doing the decals for. Oh, and you need to leave some time to build yourself some modules, too. Randy
Bryan, I'll second that motion!! I'll take at least 5 that look like that! Options #1 or #2 would be fine for me too. However, if the assebled kits won't be too much more, then I'd probably go that route. - Phil
