ALM Core Kits returning in February 2023

[bbussey]

All,

While discussing an unrelated matter with San Juan Car Company today, I was informed that the American Limited core kits finally are returning to market next month.

[bigdawgks]

Hmm, I guess now I have an excuse to pick up some Point series car sides from you at Springfield (assuming there are some left).

[nickelplate759]

With the underfloor detail sprue by any chance?

Either way, Huzzah!

[thomasjmdavis]

I predict we will now see "vintage, not available for years" ALM core kits going for $75 on eBay, until word gets around about new production.

Snark aside, I think this is great for my favorite part of the hobby- which is to say, passenger car building.  Hopefully, this will inspire enough demand from model builders to keep the car side manufacturers in business in N scale.

[nickelplate759]

I predict we will now see "vintage, not available for years" ALM core kits going for $75 on eBay, until word gets around about new production.

Snark aside, I think this is great for my favorite part of the hobby- which is to say, passenger car building.  Hopefully, this will inspire enough demand from model builders to keep the car side manufacturers in business in N scale.

I've already seen them going for $40!   Anyway, I'm psyched to dig into my backlog of passenger car projects.

[dem34]

Ooh, an excuse to snap up all those ESM NH car sides in my LHS so I have something for my DL109s.

[UP Simon]

Now just need sides for Idaho, Fox River and 2066…

[EspeeGoldenState]

Now just need sides for Idaho, Fox River and 2066…

@UP Simon you mean these from Union Station Products?

Fox River:
https://unionstationproducts.com/union-pacific/-4189a-r2-up-ps-smooth-side-theater-track-inspection-car.html

Idaho:
https://unionstationproducts.com/union-pacific/-3069-r2-acf-up-smooth-side-track-inspection-theater-car.html

No 2066, but they do have the newest power car. UPP 2055

2055:
https://unionstationproducts.com/union-pacific/-2055-up-stlc-smooth-side-executive-fleet-power-car

[DirtyD79]

I predict we will now see "vintage, not available for years" ALM core kits going for $75 on eBay, until word gets around about new production.

Snark aside, I think this is great for my favorite part of the hobby- which is to say, passenger car building.  Hopefully, this will inspire enough demand from model builders to keep the car side manufacturers in business in N scale.

An eBay drinking game, do a shot every time you see something described as "vintage." You'll be on the floor before you reach the bottom of the first page.

[bigdawgks]

Still no news about these yet it seems. Does anybody know if there's a reference somewhere that shows what the original kits came with? I have never seen one before and keep seeing 3D printed offshoots of some of the parts, but I've no idea what the full kit looked like.

[thomasjmdavis]

Still no news about these yet it seems. Does anybody know if there's a reference somewhere that shows what the original kits came with? I have never seen one before and keep seeing 3D printed offshoots of some of the parts, but I've no idea what the full kit looked like.

Not a complete list, but here are the instructions.  Complete kits came with 2 sprues- one for the body- roof, ends and floor, and the other had a variety of vents and underbody equipment, and a pair of diaphragms.  Kits were available with or without trucks.  The sprue with the vents and underbody parts was reportedly damaged, and in recent years, only the body sprues have been available.  So awaiting an announcement of whether the new kits will be the "complete" kit or just the body sprue.

Hope this helps:

[bigdawgks]

Thanks, that is actually super helpful.

[bigdawgks]

So here we are halfway through March and no news on these. I'm wondering if something caused an unexpected delay or if whomever informed Bryan was just being speculative. I realize there hasn't been any official announcement from San Juan but in all honesty the statement did seem fairly definitive. I've been waiting for some kind of official confirmation that these would return eventually (there's certainly been plenty of rumors about it) so I am slightly disappointed that the closest acknowledgement we've got still appears to just be word-of-mouth. I'd settle for even just a "coming soon" entry on their website or social media.

[bbussey]

The "word of mouth" came directly from the manufacturer.  Feel free to reach out to them directly to get an updated release date.

[robert3985]

I was going through some boxes of train stuff I haven't unpacked since my last move, and I found I had 14 ALM Core kits.

Just sayin...

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore