I completed the HO B7 pilot model today; its ready for paint, decals and weathering. The S scale version will use 90% of the HO CAD files and that conversion will start next week. This will be my "swan song" to the HO resin car kit market; it's full steam ahead for S scale products after this one is done and gone.
Due to the unavailability of "common" parts found in HO, namely side/end grabs, 6 ft. door and a grid roofwalk, these items will have to be designed. The grabs will be injection molded which will take a couple months to tool; the other items will be cast urethane which will be in production much sooner. Also, I'm planning to incorporate John Degnan's proposed coupler box + lid in this kit which will allow use of either the Kadee coupler or the future Sergent coupler. His design permits Kadee centering without the annoying slack action. Yes, they will be sold separately (singly and multi-pack) and marketed as part of my detail parts line. The various detail parts (grabs, door, roofwalk and updated brake system parts) will be available separately for use as upgrades to PRS kits or for scratchbuilders. The sill step was tooled for the Southern waffle box a few years ago. The U-bracket side and end sill grabs will be of Pullman-Standard design and sized to be a drop-in replacement for PRS boxcars but molded from flexible Polypropylene instead of the brittle ABS. To view the HO pilot model (which will give you an idea of what the S car will look like) go to: http://www.smokymountainmodelworks.com/HO_SAL_B7.html Jim King President, Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc. Ph. (828) 777-5619 <www.smokymountainmodelworks.com> Trainmaster, Craggy Mountain Line RR <www.craggymountainline.com>
