Funaro & Camerlengo Custom PRR Project - Gauging Interest

[prr7161]

EDIT 2: With the poll results in, if interested in this project please PM me with your name, a good contact email, and the numbers you are interested in for each of X23, X29b, and B60 cars.  One of these that can clear the 150 reservation hurdle will be what we go to F&C with.  Please be conservative in your kit numbers as these will ultimately turn into firm reservations at ~$20/kit, pending further details.  Please respond by Sunday, June 5.  See the "Why you want" posts further downthread at

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=54085.msg742274#msg742274
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=54085.msg742275#msg742275
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=54085.msg742276#msg742276

EDIT: Please note that the goal here is to get to 150 committed orders so that an entire F&C production run can be bought collectively by the participants.  Future commercial viability is not a concern here, we are making it viable by buying at least the minimum unit count.  Thanks!

In the interest of generating a pipeline of new N scale resin kits, I was speaking with Steve Funaro at the PRRT&HS Annual Meeting this weekend about custom projects.  He's been pondering over an N scale project for a while, but rather than wait and see I discussed with him what it would take to get an N scale project out.  He's open to the idea, with the following requirements:

• Minimum 150 unit order at ~$20 per kit, for a total of ~$3,000 for the project.  1/3 down as a deposit, 2/3 due on delivery.
• All the kits need to be spoken for, he will not take anything back to sell himself (although he would have the right to produce a new, second run for his own sales later if he chose)
• Subject is not important, but if it's not something he's made already he will need a basic research pack including drawings

My own parameters are:

• PRR rolling stock
• Built 1948 or earlier
• Not currently mass-produced or likely to be anytime soon

I thought we could put the power of the group together here and get together an interest list.  I have some ideas for a subject (see the next post) and would like to use this thread to bat ideas around.  If it needs to come to a poll I am happy to set one up.

Within the parameters above, I am open to suggestions!  Please, if you are expressing interest or suggesting a subject, be willing to buy, build, and/or run what rises to the top of the list, preferably more than one copy.

Thanks in advance!

[prr7161]

Here's a list based on my own thoughts and some ideas tossed out at the convention:

Flats: FM
Gondolas: GRa, GS, G27
Hoppers: GLca, H25
Boxes: X25, X38
Cabins: N6b, ND
Passenger / Express Cars: B60 (no subclass, the early clerestory roof car), PB70, B74 horse car

[prr7161]

Once we have a consensus on the project I can confirm pricing, schedule, etc., with Steve and we can get the trigger pulled.  I could likely front the deposit but it would be great to have some folks help out with that if it's comfortable.  Interested to hear thoughts!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

GR gons.

I don't think they'd be commercially successful, but I'd love a few!

[garethashenden]

How about an X23? Distinctive and long lasting, but gone by the '50s.

[prr7161]

GR gons.

I don't think they'd be commercially successful, but I'd love a few!

Luckily we would be guaranteeing commercial success of the first run!

[prr7161]

How about an X23? Distinctive and long lasting, but gone by the '50s.

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!

[chicken45]

My first and immediate thought was the FM.
You can use them in almost every era, prob even into PC or Conrail. 

[dem34]

Yeah an FM would probably be a good start to get their feet wet in the Scale. That and I'm honestly a little burned out building one of their HO H25s for a friend so while that would be my next choice in terms of need but I need to recharge the mental batteries for it.

[thomasjmdavis]

I'm not a PRR modeler. But that said, I've built a couple B60b's, an R50b, and several of the FNS PRR boxcars, in addition to a fair number of RTR X-29s and some other odds and ends.
I would be interested in rolling stock being interchanged with other roads circa 1955. The G27 gondola or X38 mentioned earlier, for instance.

Now, another question- is F&C only interested in PRR projects, or will they consider any project that can reach the 150 minimum?

[Lemosteam]

PM sent.

An X23 is a missing class that I have received may design requests for (and @chicken45 ‘s semi annual request)

Weight is an issue, with small flats.

An F25, A really good X29 casting would be great since there simply aren’t any but the credco door version from Fine N Scale.

And the proverbial variants of a B60, as the Hellgate Models are becoming scarce.

I will eventually have every PRR freight truck class in my Shapeways arsenal.

[prr7161]

I would be interested in rolling stock being interchanged with other roads circa 1955. The G27 gondola or X38 mentioned earlier, for instance.

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...

Now, another question- is F&C only interested in PRR projects, or will they consider any project that can reach the 150 minimum?

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!

[Snark45]

My vote:

N6B cabin

GPa ballast car

[dariaphoebe]

An FM or a GR would be top of my list, but I suspect I’m in for anything that is likely

[Chris333]

GRa