Today I got my hands on the new Smokey Mountain Model Works /Central of
Georgia HS HO kits of the 1920's built ventilated boxcars which were the
subject of drawings and photos in the 1931 CBC.

These cars will be made available through the society's website soon
http://www.cofg.org/. Alternatively an email to the HS president Allen Tuten
AHTuten@... will get you details if you can't wait for the webmaster to
catch up. The kits are available only from the CofGA HS.

While the asking price might cause a quick intake of breath, it's important
to note that these are *complete* resin kits - ARA trucks, Jaybee wheels and
Kadee #5 couplers are provided in the box as well as the usual high quality
SMMW instructions and decals for the post 1932 scheme. The only things you
need are glue, paint and something to add weight. Decals for the earlier
1920s scheme may be available in future.

Jim King of SMMW is obviously very proud of his rapid prototyping set up
used to produce the masters but he should be equally proud of his resin
casting techniques. Simply, I think this is one of the best one piece
castings I have ever seen - as close to a styrene car body as you could wish
for in a limited run kit - the basic shape comes square and straight right
out of the box. I simply couldn't think of an easier introduction to
building resin kits if you were looking for a simple first step - despite
the apparent complication of the ventilators and door the really hard work
has been done.

Certainly if you model the South East before the middle fifties cars like
this are essential to add regional flavour. If you model other regions and
want an alternative to the better known ACL ventilated cars as a source of
interchange traffic then these cars are well worth considering.

I'll post some construction info as work progresses.

Aidrian

"He that but looketh on a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it, hath
already committed breakfast with it in his heart." C. S. Lewis


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On Mar 23, 2005, at 9:38 PM, Aidrian Bridgeman-Sutton wrote:

While the asking price might cause a quick intake of breath, it's important
to note that these are *complete* resin kits - ARA trucks, Jaybee wheels and
Kadee #5 couplers are provided in the box as well as the usual high quality
SMMW instructions and decals for the post 1932 scheme. The only things you
need are glue, paint and something to add weight. Decals for the earlier
1920s scheme may be available in future.

What is the asking price?

Regards,
Ted Culotta

Speedwitch Media
100 14th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402
info@...
www.speedwitch.com
(650) 787-1912

Ted Culotta asked about the asking price. This is a C&P from Allen’s email.

The kits are available now and are priced at $47.95 each plus $3.00

postage (total of $50.95).

Multiple-kit discounts are also available. The following prices include
postage:
2 kits - 97.50
3 kits - 144.00
4 kits - 189.50
5 kits - 234.00
6 kits - 277.50
7 kits - 320.00
8 kits - 361.50
9 kits - 402.00
10 kits - 441.50<<

Aidrian

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--- In STMFC@..., "Aidrian Bridgeman-Sutton"
<smokeandsteam@s...> wrote: 10 kits - 441.50<<

I wonder how many orders they'll get for 10 kits?

Some of these resin kits from new manufacturers are getting pricy,
especially for products of unproven quality.

I guess if only a couple hundred kits change hands $20 per kit
profit is asking too much. Otherwise why do it as a business?

Ed

Sounds like a neat kit of a distinctive prototype. The price is a bit higher than we're accustomed to for HO resin freight cars though, and for my own use, the wheel sets and couplers add no value to the kit. I'm sure I speak for many modelers when I say that Kadee #5's and Jaybee wheel sets have fallen out of favor, with semi-scale alternatives being our present preference. I would still end up adding Kadee #58's or semi-scale Accumates, and either Intermountain or Reboxx wheel sets, bringing the cost of the kit into a range nearly twice that of a comparable model from Westerfield. I think they'd be better off leaving the wheel sets and couplers out and lowering the price a bit. Those of us who build resin can then procure the remaining parts depending upon our own preference.

That's my two cents.

Rob Adams

Aidrian Bridgeman-Sutton wrote:

--
Rob Adams
steamera@...
Modeling Keokuk, IA and the CB&Q's K&W branch, circa 1938
http://www.KeokukandWesternRR.com

On Mar 24, 2005, at 7:37 AM, Rob Adams wrote:

I'm sure I speak for many modelers when I say that Kadee #5's and Jaybee
wheel sets have fallen out of favor, with semi-scale alternatives being
our present preference. I would still end up adding Kadee #58's or
semi-scale Accumates, and either Intermountain or Reboxx wheel sets,
bringing the cost of the kit into a range nearly twice that of a
comparable model from Westerfield. I think they'd be better off leaving
the wheel sets and couplers out and lowering the price a bit. Those of
us who build resin can then procure the remaining parts depending upon
our own preference.

Amen. It's enough of a disparity that I'll just wait for the F&C CofGa ventilator, even though I bet that overall it's not of the same quality (and of a different prototype, I believe). $50 plus additional funds to procure my own replacement wheelsets and couplers is creating a price point that is beyond what I will bear.

Regards,
Ted Culotta

Speedwitch Media
100 14th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402
info@...
www.speedwitch.com
(650) 787-1912

I think they'd be better off leaving

the wheel sets and couplers out and lowering the price a bit.

Those of

us who build resin can then procure the remaining parts depending

upon

our own preference.

That's my two cents.

Rob Adams

I agree with you Rob.

Jared Harper
Athens, GA