Nice shot, Jason! Who/where/how much for that lite? What's you folks' take on this? A set of sides, ends, and nothing else; or a whole kit, caboose, smokejack, endrails, ladders, sides and all? The price would be much different, obviously, but which would sell better? Sales may begin before Thanksgiving, I hope!
I'd say offer a complete kit with pic's,a-la NSN type packaging. And maybe offer just packets of the lazer cut sides with some instructions & a pic or two. All in all Jere,it's a great idea & wish you luck with this venture. [ October 14, 2005, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: JASON ]
What's the next project? BTW, thanks for the article on the rear lite! I may have to try that... If I do complete kits, ones that include sides, Atlas caboose, caboose ends and ladders, smokejacks, pre-formed wire grabs, photo instructions, MT trucks & couplers, etc. what would you think is a fair price? Whatever it is, it sure beats the price of a brass unit...
Hemi, That looks really nice. I'm definitely very interested in several of these things. Keep us/ me informed of when these will be available. I would like to see you just offer the sides and ends themselves. Or at least if you plan to offer a complete kit also make available just the sides and ends to those that want them. Some things to consider if you offer this as a complete kit: You might have a hard time keeping these in stock regularly since you'll be getting parts from several different sources. For example, how will you get a regular supply of Atlas undec cabooses? Also, it may be hard to balance your own modeling time with the time involved trying to get these kits packaged and out the door. Since the components of these kits are all commercially available to the public, it isn't too big a deal if you only offer them as sides and ends. Just my $.02. Erik W
Thanks for your input, Erik! I thought of the same--how to keep a supply in stock of the appropriate materials?? I think that's what I'll do, whether or not I sell entire kits. Plus it keeps prices low for the folks who have a fully-stocked scrapbox. I'm not in this to make a million, just to offer the public something in N scale that's only been achieved in brass.
Whatever method you decide on, please keep me in mind as well. I'd be interested in a few cabooses as well. Which might make me think I did right by NOT getting the OMI version due out later this year! Your "pre production" photos look pretty good too!
Hemi, i'll take a couple too. no self respecting Rio Grande modeler can be without a good representation of a proper Rio Grande caboose. your car sides are a giant leap forward. dave f.
Hemi, I'll second Eric W.'s opinion. It's a great idea... put me in for at least six kits. The rivet detail is Great also! Chuck
Hemi: Just recieved my Vol 4, No 4 issue of the Prospector magazine. The official publication of the Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society. Might want to hold up, maybe slightly, on cabooses!! This issue has data on the 01400 DRGW cabooses in it!! Not sure if regular copies are available yet, but if you don't have one, let me know and I'll see that you get a copy, plus the Members Only encyclopedia pages.
Keith, all the drawings for the masters were from Rio Grande Diesels, Vol III. I also sent info from the Prospector. What info is this, and how might it change things? I really need to become a member!! I buy them at the hobby shop, nearly every issue. The main reason I'm doing this, is due to the high cost of the OMI caboose....... I need a small fleet of these, and refinancing the yacht I don't own is out of the question... {edit:} I just looked up the latest issue--must have! [ October 14, 2005, 03:28 PM: Message edited by: HemiAdda2d ]
Really nice work, gents. Erik, awesome way car (ATSF term for the crummy on the end of the train). Jason, nice marker light, very effective. This stuff ALMOST makes me want to go back to modeling D&RGW...heh heh...almost!
Ata standstill.. Other D&RGW projects have a priority over this one, and Pray59, my laser cutter guy has other projects as well. Several improvements are being made to the master, and a complete kit could follow. Watch this space in early '06....
I like the light, but I'd like to very gently point out that it's in the wrong position. If you look at the picture at the top of the thread, you will notice that there are two light mounts on the back of this type of caboose. The center light is white, and the one off to the right side is red. Since many of the Grande's coal bunkers are at the end of valleys, a lot of trains have to back up the branch, and the white light is then a head light. I got a note from my dealer this morning, and the brass D&RGW cabooses are probably coming in the first part of next year. He's trying to pin down a date for me...
Once I get some time this weekend, I may attempt to detail, and paint the cabeese I have built, pre-production or not, just to see how they look.. Stay tuned for pics!
Well, 2 weeks later, I managed to get some details on the first caboose.. Roofwalks, smokejack, grabs, antenna, etc.. Sure looks nice! Just needs Action Orange paint!!! Pics soon....
Well, I tried to paint it--the paint bottle hiccupped, and the spray made a mess.. I had to strip it--and, well.. uhm.. forgot about it in the 91% alky.... The shell ends, and cupola ends MELTED.....
OUCH.... If it makes you feel any better I just finished painting up and weathering a bunch of ballast cars and went to give em a clear coat..... and primed them instead... I feel your pain Bro grant
Rattle can mixup? Ouch! Sorry to hear that! Apparently, one of the styrenes used to make the caboose ends and cupola ends are different than the styrene used in the sides. The sides were just fine!
That's too bad. I hate it when I loose all that hard work. But that's okay, I shook a bottle of SOO red yesterday that the cap wasn't on tight. 91% alcohal does remove it from the walls along with the latex. And I was easier just to cut out the few carpet fibers that were red.
