Funaro & Camerlengo Custom PRR Project - Gauging Interest

[ai5629]

Looking at their HO PRR offerings, my top choice would be an X29B.  Cars went everywhere and would work from 1948 to early 80’s.  I also vote for a G22, G28, G29, G30A, FM, X38 or X37.  Hope this happens!

Jeff

[garethashenden]

Before everyone agrees on the FM flat, N Scale Kits already make one. It seems silly to duplicate it as a first offering, especially since the NSK one is metal and the F&C one is presumably resin.

[prr7161]

Thanks, I had forgotten about the NSK version...

Also another few cautions on the FM - F&C released their HO version with two bodies in the box, meaning we likely just doubled the reservation total needed.  And getting the ride height / coupler height / floor thickness relationships right is probably hardest for a flat like this.

It was on my list but I am thinking it probably would be better to start with something else...

[drgw0579]

My modeling era is mid-60's so I'd be open to anything that might still be in existence.   But I'd probably commit to anything they do, just to see them be successful in N.   I know the owner of a previous resin kit manufacturer who really wanted to produce more models in N, but he wasn't seeing the demand he needed.  Maybe things have changed in the past 15 years.

Bill Kepner

[thomasjmdavis]

I hear you and like both these cars  - but of everything suggested so far the only cars that were actually out, or nearly out, of the fleet by '55 were the X23 and X25 boxes, so not to worry...

The PRR restriction was mine, not F&C's, in order to keep some guardrails on the discussion and to end up with something that a lot of modelers will want.  If Steve gets rolling with N scale projects there's a whole list of other cars I'd be interested in, particularly his B&O stuff.  But that's for the future!

I'd certainly be open to models of other cars. I would consider any that met my timeframe and were widely interchanged. I like building resin kits- they are not really any more difficult than working with an undecorated RTR car - and they yield a model that not everyone has. And they are frequently 'signature' cars for a given railroad.

My modeling era is mid-60's so I'd be open to anything that might still be in existence.   But I'd probably commit to anything they do, just to see them be successful in N.   I know the owner of a previous resin kit manufacturer who really wanted to produce more models in N, but he wasn't seeing the demand he needed.  Maybe things have changed in the past 15 years.

Bill Kepner

This is a common problem for modeling in N. I've heard the same thing from several small manufacturers of decals, car sides, and kits. However, I think a lot of the problem is that modelers often don't know they are there.  Witness, for example, the case here with the FM flat cars that have been made by N Scale Kits for many years.  If PRR modelers here on the Railwire are unaware of those kits, how many modelers in the broader market know those kits are out there, or even know there is a company called N Scale Kits?  Yes, it would come up in a google search, but only after ebay and  other listings- and then only if you are searching specifically for "N scale PRR FM flatcar kit"  -if your searches are giving the same returns mine are lately.  It's very rare to find resin kits on the shelves of retail hobby shops nowadays (I am not saying NO shops carry them- but very few).

Additionally, a whole lot of folks who have never built a resin kit assume that 3D printing is superior, because it is new, cool, and hi-tech. But truth be told (I know, it's heresy)- a high quality resin kit with etched details often produces a better model.  It surprises me that there are folks out there who will pay Shapeways twice the price for a model that is available in resin from a company that's been making them for years, but that seems to be the current reality.

[wcfn100]

An F30 would probably have the most appeal across multiple eras and railroads.

Jason

[Ed Kapuscinski]

An F30 would probably have the most appeal across multiple eras and railroads.

Jason

Except... I don't think modelers really get that excited about flat cars.

They're just not that "unique" and "signature" the way other cars are, mostly because there isn't that much visible to differentiate one from another.

I can tell you an X29 from an X58 from an X73 very easily and quickly.
I can tell you the difference between an H54 and an H56 covered hopper pretty quickly. And two of those were signature cars for the PRR.

What's the difference between an F41 and an F47? It's actually pretty tough to tell.
And for that reason, with the various 40, 50', 53' and 60' cars available, I think they'll be a tough sell.

[Tristan Ashcroft]

We talked about this one - I like it, but the master would likely be a bear judging by the HO version they make, i.e. possibly increased $$.  But a good X23 could be worth it!

Wait, wasn't a well-respected N scale manufacturer who's on the Railwire working on tooling for an N scale PRR R7/X23?  Or am I just making up old memories in my head?

[nickelplate759]

Whatever the car is, I'm far more likely to go for a boxcar than a flat car or hopper.  2nd choice would be a reefer.   And I'd be most interested in a car that was still in interchange service in the 1950s, even if fairly rare.

[wcfn100]

They're just not that "unique" and "signature" the way other cars are, mostly because there isn't that much visible to differentiate one from another.

I think these could be considered unique, at least as flat cars go.



Jason

[Lemosteam]

I think these could be considered unique, at least as flat cars go.



Jason

Not for the era of the original post. The F30 may be the only one in the timeframe.

As far as flats go, I’m going to have to disagree with you @Ed Kapuscinski , it’s not the flat itself that makes them interesting, it the proverbial load, right @dougnelson ?

[wcfn100]

Not for the era of the original post. The F30 may be the only one in the timeframe.

That was just the OPs wishes, nothing to do with F&C gauging interest.

I honestly have enough PRR specific rolling stock.


Jason

[garethashenden]

And the F30A and F30D are also already available from N Scale Kits...


I hadn't realized I was the only one to look at their website...

[Chris333]

I was gonna say there is already an N scale F30.

[prr7161]

And the F30A and F30D are also already available from N Scale Kits...


I hadn't realized I was the only one to look at their website...

This one I did remember as I've built a few myself.  They have their issues but build up relatively nicely.

Also, with Rapido now making F30a cars in HO, the F30a probably has a whisker's chance of a major manufacturer offering in the medium term.