Funaro & Camerlengo Custom PRR Project - Gauging Interest

[prr7161]

BUT I would also want the variants, the camp and cabin versions and the R7, so another 5 or 6. Is that possible with this project?

We'd need to go to Steve Funaro with a specific project.  That is to say, we wouldn't be able to get single-body kits for revenue X23, NX23, R7, and camp cars within this single 150-car order.  What I do think we can do is to get a basic revenue service X23 with doors as separate parts (likely Creco and Youngstown) and a framed-out door opening.  Individual modelers could use that door opening to build in the NX23 bay window and access door, or the R7 insulated door, or...  End doors and additional windows would have to be 'bashed in by the individual modeler.  What this means for your reservation depends on how much kitbashing you have an appetite for.

[prr7161]

Reservation update as of today at 6:30PM:

X23 - 64
X29b - 55
B60 - 48

Thanks to everybody that has thrown their hat in the ring so far!  The numbers track with the poll, but I definitely have not heard from everyone, or even most people, who voted in the poll, so please PM your kit #s to me if you want to see one of these come to light.

[prr7161]

June 1 update -

B60 - 52
X23 - 71
X29b - 61

These are the committed numbers - I have a few "soft" reservations so I'm pretty comfortable saying we are at, or just past, the halfway point for the X23.  FWIW, I recently found this photo at Tony Thompson's site:



An FGEX R7, in service in the early '50s (i.e. longer than the PRR revenue X23 boxcars).  With just a swap for an insulated door, a letterboard, and some miscellaneous details this would be a pretty straightforward kitbash from an X23 base body.  Food for thought for those that might be on the fence!

I'll be communicating with a few other groups to see what other support there might be for the project.  15 or 20 more people interested in any of these would likely put one over the top.

Thanks for looking and for getting in touch with me with reservations!

[Cajonpassfan]

What a cool, unique car!
Otto

[thbguy]

I’m in.
PM sent.

[sd45elect2000]

I’m in.
PM sent.

same here

[thomasjmdavis]

Which roof will be supplied with the X23 kit and will it be a separate part?  *(I'm thinking in terms of conversion to a 1950 era FGEX R7)

[prr7161]

Which roof will be supplied with the X23 kit and will it be a separate part?  *(I'm thinking in terms of conversion to a 1950 era FGEX R7)

Details to be worked out, but my assumption is that the base kit would need to represent a revenue X23 with enough separate parts to enable kitbashing.

[towl1996]

Details to be worked out, but my assumption is that the base kit would need to represent a revenue X23 with enough separate parts to enable kitbashing.

If the parts to kit bash the NX23 are made available, I'd be in for a couple more..

[muktown128]

PM sent.

Thanks

[prr7161]

Necrothreading this for a quick update - we have an X23 master!  Also, PPD is working on a photoetch detail fret for most of the remaining details.  Looking good for production early this Spring...

[thbguy]

Very exciting! Looks great.
Thank you for your perseverance.

Best,
Michael

[Lemosteam]

Since these etchings are common to my planned K7 coming soon, Keystone Details will be offering a bending jig separately, to bend the brake stand legs, the roofwalk end support legs, and all of the various grabs and drop grabs, and will include a soldering jig to make the side walk angled grabs.

[dem34]

That jig by itself would make a good product in a vacuum tbh.

Good timing with the X23 I'm about to cross the finish line with 2 HO FnC kits myself.

[Lemosteam]

That jig by itself would make a good product in a vacuum tbh.

Good timing with the X23 I'm about to cross the finish line with 2 HO FnC kits myself.

@dem34 Not clear on your first sentence?  This fixture is unique for the X23 and its derivatives.  Dimension-wise the grabs on these cars are not standardized for width at all.

If a standard width bending fixture is needed, that is quite easy, if I know all of the various standard sizes to design.