Crystal ball out, Swamee turban on... Prediction: The bay window caboose will be one of the best selling caboose models in the history of N Scale. There are literally thousands of SP SD models already out there, all pulling antique ConCor cabooses (which are sold out at swap meets as soon as they appear). Not a bad product to market into a recession! :tb-tongue: Now, which vendor will wake up first and offer a roof lantern kit?
Jerry, To your comments, we always walk on the razor's edge when picking a car. I have half the folks banging me to be more prototypical and an other half wanting something generic. Generic is dangerous and there are too many folks with a lot of influence in the trade who will hang you out to dry for committing such a sin. I error on the proto side because it gives us definates to design to...where do you draw the line when you start to fudge? What happens to it after it leaves the tool room is not something I can control, but I can deliver a car I can defend. That said, I'm still a modeler at heart and in practice so I see the value in alternatives and options. We designed the car so it was modular (I'll post the parts next week) so we can offer different roofs, bays and ends. I have 4 different photo etched end rail assemblies designed to meet proto demands as necessary. Expect new sides with windows, new roofs with roof walks and alternative bay sizes...as demand warrents. All this stuff is planned, but can only be executed if sales are there of course. In the mean time...being a modeler, I made sure it would be easy for the enterprising garage mfg to do that new roof or bay or end rails...even the underframe is modular. Hopefully this caboose can be a lot of things to a lot of people...not a perfect world of course, but I try! Now if I can only figure out how to get those bug eyes working!!! ) Cheers Joe MTL
Joe, Sounds like a very intelligent approach. Please make undecs available asap! Would it be correct to interpret this to mean that these individual parts you speak of, would be available separately? Thanks Tom L. Milepost 84.5 BNSF Front Range Sub
With the exception of the "Smoky The Bear" and the "Popsickle" cabooses...I think that you get paid to take one of these at this point. It would be interesting to see how many of these stupid things actually sold. :tb-tongue:
Joe, Jim Hinds at Richmond Controls has a kit for lighting the "bug eyes". I have one of the kits and it is very nice (like all of his stuff). Rich
Hmmm...I think I could use this to kitbash some Mopac short bay window cabooses. My last one was based on an Atlas WV chassis, smokejack, end rails, Model Power BW caboose bay and scratchbuilt sides and roof. The body could be cut down to a scale 17', add some stanchions, rails and voila.
Joe, I personally have zero need for this specific SP caboose. BUT I sincerely applaude the approach to think ahead about future options and even about the possibility that smaller manufacturer can step up and offer customization parts. This "modular" approach has great merits, creating a win-win-win situation. It will be beneficial for the overall hobby, will ultimately result in more sales for MT (as more cars are sold as starting point for conversions) and in a greater selection for us modellers. Good thought, good execution: Thank you!! (And I will show my appreciation by buying a few more 12-1 Sleepers once they are released....) Cheers Dirk
How do the lights on the caboose shine - steady or flashing. Does the light shine in both directions forwards and backwards, or is it directional? Peter Peter Harris N Scale Kits N Scale Kits
Announced at N Scale Supply N Scale Supply has an announcement for the Athearn bay window caboose. Good description and a nice, big photo of the pre-production model. http://www.nscalesupply.com/ath/ATH-RS-Bay-Window-Caboose.html
How many are you getting, if any, Jerry? I'm thinking of getting two for my SP locals and switching turns.
