Bob, Perhaps a little clarification. Gale Hall and I, dba DMK Models, actually commissioned the late Fred Little to make the patterns for these parts for DMK.
Fred, an O scaler and a master craftsman, made the patterns for these items and several others with Jack Troxell assisting in the design process. For each rivet in a pattern Fred would drill a hole, insert a pin, snip it off and shape it. There was no way we could have paid him anywhere near the going wage for the actual time he spent making all the patterns. He seemed to really enjoy making those patterns for the benefit of S scale as the fees he charged were reasonable. Our idea, before the days of AM boxcars, was to have some detailed parts that could be used with the ACE wooden frame and Perma-Built or other sides where the modeler could make a reasonably detailed boxcar that would look good and be easy to attach trucks and coupler at the proper height. The patterns were sent to Century Reproductions in Massachusetts where a short run was done. For various reasons we actually never went into production. Then Century disappeared along with, I presume, our patterns. We also had a combination coupler pocket/bolster/tank saddle and dome patterns made to upgrade the tank on an AF tank car, (basically throw everything away but the tank), and gondola side and end patterns. Gale has a gondola I built for him using these patterns. Perhaps I can find these samples and take a picture. Billy Click On Sep 5, 2012, at 12:27 PM, Bob Werre wrote: > [Attachment(s) from Bob Werre included below] > As I promised before the holiday weekend, I would attach a photo of the > freight car parts formerly produced for a kit that the Houston S > Gaugers were in the process of producing. I would assume, at this > point, that more could be made. > > As you can see the parts are sharply detailed and the car end has the un > uncoupler bar bracket, the brake bell crank, poling pockets and the > connection for the airline all attached. The bolster coupler pocket > piece was designed for the Kadee #5 coupler. I cut these and used them > individually where needed. > > Bob Werre > PhotoTraxx >
