Twin Cities Zephyr Dome Observation

[skytop35]

Skytop:
I hate to rain on your party, but I got a response from Kato saying they are out of the underframe: \Part # 805238 Budd CZ Dome Obs Underframe and interior.  I haven't heard back from them when these will be back in stock.

I was afraid this would happen with some of the parts eventually, just didn't think it would happen so soon.

[peteski]

I was afraid this would happen with some of the parts eventually, just didn't think it would happen so soon.

And I suspect that unless they re-run those cars (for another passenger set) there will not be any more spare parts.

[CBQ Fan]

You might be able to find the whole car on eBay or buy a set an part out the observation and sell off the cars individually.

[thomasjmdavis]

What's with all this "bah, humbug"?

When no big manufacturer was willing to turn out a TWZ obs, Mike and Bill MADE one (and hopefully will get going on the Blue Bird car soon).  Are we seriously going to let a shortage of underframes from Kato stop us?

Let's face it, if we were going to go to all this trouble to have the car look right on the outside, we were probably going to replace the interior (TWZ were parlor cars) and rearrange things underneath a bit too.

Out of curiosity, any possibility that either the older Kato (non dome) lounge obs underframe would work?  Or the (current version, not 1980) Con-Cor dome lounge underframe. Both cars are fairly often available on eBay. I was planning to use the lounge obs frame under my Blue Bird (my current kitbash version, which is not unlike what Mike Skibbe did, just not at his level of craftsmanship)- granted with some cutting and pasting.

[spookshow]

buy a set an part out the observation and sell off the cars individually.

This can actually work out quite well. Last year when I was modelling my UP excursion train, I wound up purchasing three COLA sets to get all of the cars I needed. And after I'd eBayed all the cars that I didn't need, I actually wound up turning a profit on the whole operation

Cheers,
-Mark

[CBQ Fan]

Bill would you be able to cast these parts and sell them for those who need them?

[nickelplate759]

Could the Concor Dome-One under frame and interior be hacked up and used for parts?

[Bobster]

Merry Christmas Eve,

Since Wabash 1601 is on the horizon is there a possibility of doing Wabash 650 baggage, lounge?  I just had to ask.  I believe someone is doing it in HO but I never heard anything about them doing it in N.

I also saw the error of my ways  and modified my earlier post as I forgot about the wheel area being different too.   Skytop, what would be the approximate time frame for 1601.  I know graduate school will take up a lot of time but I was kind of hoping for a general idea.


Thank you,
Bob L.

[skytop35]

Bill would you be able to cast these parts and sell them for those who need them?

I'll look into casting the underframe and interior after the holidays.

[skytop35]

Merry Christmas Eve,

Since Wabash 1601 is on the horizon is there a possibility of doing Wabash 650 baggage, lounge?  I just had to ask.  I believe someone is doing it in HO but I never heard anything about them doing it in N.

I also saw the error of my ways  and modified my earlier post as I forgot about the wheel area being different too.   Skytop, what would be the approximate time frame for 1601.  I know graduate school will take up a lot of time but I was kind of hoping for a general idea.


Thank you,
Bob L.

Wow, lots of interest in the Wabash. I'm not the Wabash expert however. Mike Skibbe is the driving force behind the masters for these cars and I'm just doing the mold-making and casting.

[CBQ Fan]

Bill you rock!  I got my order in to Kato early so I am good to go but I am sure you will get more orders with a casting.

[Nato]

       First of all Bill and Mike, thanks for making this needed car happen, I lucked out several months ago when KATO had a parts sale on put-it together cars and obtained a complete CZ Dome Obs car whose underframe, interior and trucks will now go on my TZ Car. I' am glad to hear though that Bill will cast an under frame for those not as fortunate as myself. There is a huge interest in Wabash, Con Cor has announced if they get enough orders a Foob Blue Bird train, using their Budd Dome Coaches, Diner, CZ Dome Observation, and their Santa Fe Pleasure Dome Car to represent the PS Dome Parlor car. For SPF's if they get enough orders the "South Wind" in "Fleet of Modernism Colors" using their Budd cars and "Heaven Forbid" a Dome Obs Car instead of using their Navajo Super Chief flat top Budd car. Nate Goodman (Nato).

[skytop35]

I'll look into casting the underframe and interior after the holidays.

It began to bug me and luckily I had one spare underframe. So......I started working on an underframe master today. It will also orient the underframe components more correctly. Should have something next week I hope ! 

[CBQ Fan]

It began to bug me and luckily I had one spare underframe. So......I started working on an underframe master today. It will also orient the underframe components more correctly. Should have something next week I hope !

Now that is what you call customer service!

[PAL_Houston]

It began to bug me and luckily I had one spare underframe. So......I started working on an underframe master today. It will also orient the underframe components more correctly. Should have something next week I hope !

I agree: THIS is customer service!
Please sign me up!