I decided to kitbash one of the outside braced Caboose kits to show what might be done with this kit. The possibilities are nearly limitless with your imagination being the limit. Instructions for the Caboose kit are on the website in PDF format and all you need to do is cut it to match your ideas. No need for a detailed description here, just some photos.
I don't receive much feedback on my kits and I tried something different with this kit. I had optional cutout locations for doors & windows and the cupola which allowed the modeler to choose his own design. But in doing this kit, I wonder if the difficulty in cutting out windows and keeping the square and the correct size is too much work for the average builder? Also, care must be taken to not split the siding when cutting these out.
Anyways, here's the nearly finished MOW car. It isn't painted yet as all of my paints are packed away. And the windows will be installed after painting. The cupola, roof, sideboards and body aren't glued down so I can remove them for painting.
As the year winds down and winter proceeds, I have managed to get some more kits back into stock. Including the outside braced Caboose or MOW car and the Hopper car. These are both popular kits which sold out very fast last time. Hopefully I have enough to last for the winter. I did make some minor improvements to both kits so modelers should be happier.
Since the planned move is going so slow, I needed to get these kits back in stock. Had the laser cutter make up the missing pieces and I've got the packaged up. Up-dated the website and sent e-mails out to customers. I may even work on developing a new kit. Currently looking at a metal (say styrene) sided Reefer with rivets. Wonder if there's any interest for this in On30?
Things have been slow on orders this summer, but that's OK. We are in the middle of packing for a planned move South. Some kits are out of stock but I will replenish those in the Fall after we move. I still have Passenger Coach, Parlor, Combine and Caboose kits all made up and ready to ship. You can get these just by going to the Purchase page of the website. I will send notices to all past customers after we get settled in.
The new Caboose or MOW car has been released and is in stock. All main pieces are laser cut but the difference in this kit is that I have provided for options that the builder can make when he gets the kit.
The prototype for this was the Tionesta Valley RR caboose which had one side door. I know some folks won't want the door and others will want a door on both sides. Soooooooooo, I have laser scribed the backsides with the option for you to cut out a door or window, or none!
The ends are also scribed so you can have them solid, or a small, cupola sized window or a large window. And the roof has scribed options on the underside for either a center mounted cupola or a rear cupola.
I also had four outside braced cabeese cut with plain sides and ends. Not sure how well these will sell so I'll wait for the feedback. You can also cut the sides shorter to make a MOW car. The flooring boards are scribed in a longer area on one end to allow for this
This kit comes with all the necessary parts to finish it off, including end beams, railings and NBWs and windows. As usual, the trucks and couplers are not included. I do have Kadee #148 couplers on hand and Tichy archbar truck kits if you want to purchase with a kit.
Here's a couple of the kits at work in the Netherlands. Jaap Teeuw did a great job in putting these together and the weathering is terrific. Jaap's layout also has some great scenes.
The new Parlor Car and Combine Kits have been finished and are packed, ready to go when your order comes in. As always, free shipping to all 50 US states and the lowest possible shipping rates overseas to Great Britain, Europe, Australia, and all other places worldwide. PayPal is the preferred payment method but I will accept checks or money orders.
