I updated my HO SAL B7 web page with a photo of the pilot model. Now that this is done and kits will start shipping late next week, I can turn my attention to the S scale version which will require several more new parts than originally planned.
These new parts, not the least of which will be highly detailed injection molded side and end grab irons and side-sill stirrup steps, will also be made available as detail parts. A new 6-foot wide door will be designed and offered in urethane. An accurately-scaled Ajax brake wheel and housing rounds out the "new stuff" generated by this kit. Lastly, the car's underframe design will include John Degnan's new draft gear (box + lid + centersill channels) that will fit Kadee and Sergent couplers. I've taken John's well-thought-out design and started laying out how I'll design and produce this in urethane, along with the various parts required to allow both coupler styles . all in as close to scale width as possible. Obviously, all of these goodies will take some time to design and tool but the results will be worth the wait. Finally, we'll have durable, THIN, detail parts to apply to our inventory of older cars that have lost or damaged parts over the years. Here's the HO web page link: http://www.smokymountainmodelworks.com/HO_SAL_B7.html Contact me off-list if you have questions, etc. Jim King President, Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc. Ph. (828) 777-5619 www.smokymountainmodelworks.com Trainmaster, Craggy Mountain Line RR www.craggymountainline.com
