Hi All
I am involved in a project to take some O scale etched brass diesel kits and
bring them to S scale. This is a long term project because this is not as simple
as rescaling the etching tool from O to S and because of that progress will be
slow (that's code for please be patient).
If you have never built an etched brass kit, it is not hard, these kits come
with "tab in slot" to help assembly, and all kits will have been test built
(more than once!) before release. Step by step instructions are provided.
Each kit will need to be redesigned to suit available trucks and drive systems
in S ; new patterns will be needed for any castings and pilot models will need
to be built to ensure that everything fits together.
The first locos will be GE prototypes and will be designed to use AM trucks and
gear towers. The AM trucks provide all wheel drive and have the option of
blomberg or AAR B. As part of the project we may make FB2 truck sideframes if we
can make suitable patterns.
All of the above is progressing in the background and the first kit has been re
sized to S, a first pilot model has been built and now the modifications needed
to the etches are being undertaken and a 2nd pilot model will be started soon.
The 2nd pilot model will included the necessary changes to accept S scale AM
running gear and some updates to the kit.
As part of the project we would welcome some S Scale Forum feedback on the items
below
1. Is there a significant following for New England roads when compared to
southern roads? This is important because the first project requires road
specific hoods which need etched separately. Is the balance approx 50/50?
2, The proposed kits will have etched brass body and chassis with pre bend
hood(that's the hard work done) and castings to make the basic loco. Kits will
use available trucks and running gear ( not supplied) and the purchaser can then
customize with detail parts from S Scale America or BTS etc. Production runs
will be very small and we would expect pricing is likely to be in the $200 -
$250 range, would this be acceptable?
I'd imagine the trucks, drive and couplings will run to $150 with a decent
motor; detail parts would be MU hoses, horn(s) and bell probably add another
$20-$30. Decals of choice add another 10-20 and a decoder of choice if DCC is
your thing
3. Kits would be offered in small batches probably multiples of 20 because of
the need to provide a specific volume to the metal worker who will bend the
hoods. Would purchasers be prepared to pay an initial reservation deposit and
then full payment when production starts?
4. Initial kits will be GE prototypes other kits may follow if there's interest,
for example an etched brass RS1 or S4, but given that white metal kits are
already available, is there any interest. Alternatively an SW1500?
Thanks in advance for any responses, please feel free to contact me off line if
more information is needed. Please note at this stage I cannot give timescales
other than to say that the project is moving forward.
Thanks
Colin Stewart
Inverness
Scotland
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