This report lists freight cars that are available or in the works. This page may also contain detailing parts and other items applicable to these cars.
Pre-Size Model Specialties has released a new load of simulated sugar beets. Sugar beets look a bit like large potatoes. The load is compatible with both their new Beet Rack (PS588) kit and with their composite (PS570, PS571, and PS572) and steel (PS582 through PS587) GS gondolas. The load does not require the Beet Rack; it just depends on how big of load you wish to model in your cars. Photo shows both a car and the Beet Rack, both sold separately.
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Pre-Size Model Specialties also released a new kit to add a beet rack to the top of their gondolas. These racks are designed to fit on their composite (PS570, PS571, and PS572) and steel (PS582 through PS587) GS gondolas (previously released, and separately available).
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Smoky Mountain Model Works announces that they are redesigning their collection of Sn2 trucks thanks to the recent acquisition of an in-house industrial-grade 3D-printer. Their "Common", "Swing Motion" and J&S passenger trucks are affected. The drawing shows the "Common" truck. Price remains the same at $18 per pair. The J&S truck price has not been calculated. Kadee HOn3 wheelsets and 0-48 screws included. Postage is extra.
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Jim King is now taking orders for the Barber Stabilized S-2-A 70-ton truck with a 5'8" wheelbase and 1940 casting date. This truck was used under the AAR 70-ton 53'6" flat car kit for roads who bought this car in the early to mid-1940s, such as Santa Fe, Erie, and DT&I. A similar style Barber truck was used under AAR flats built in the late-1940s/early-1950s. Price will be $32 per pair.
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John Degnan is proposing approaching American Models to produce an S-scale three-bay, open-top, offset hopper, to be decorated for the Atlantic Coast Line with a paint scheme for up to the mid-1950s. The plan is to produce at least 20 models of each road number (two different numbers, and an unnumber version which will include the decal sheet to make your own numbers). They would come without couplers, and would be available with "scale" or "hi-rail" trucks. If this project proves to be successful, other offset hoppers are planned. Contact John via e-mail to let him know in how many you would be interested in purchasing.
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Available via Shapeways are a pair of Rockwell High Speed trucks without shock absorbers. These trucks are appropriate for some cabooses and railcars, most notably SLSF 200 (later 1200) and Santa Fe Flexivan flatcars in series 291000-291029. These trucks are designed to be used with Northwest Shortline wheelsets with pointed axle ends and an overall length of 1.280 inches.
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Also available are a pair of these trucks with shock absorbers.
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The Baltimore Area American Flyer Club are announcing that they have reduced the prices of their remaining 2017 NASG Convention cars (TOFC with McCormick trailers) from $60 to $45. The trailers themselves are still $20. The club is also exploring obtaining additional hi-rail wheels, so contact them if you are interested in those.
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Jim King, of Smoky Mountain Model Works, is pre-announcing his plan to create this truck for the MILW rib-sided box car.
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Jim King, of Smoky Mountain Model Works, discovered that his 3D-printed brake beam/shoes part perfectly fits the S-Helper Service/MTH Bettendorf/PRR truck. These parts are available for $10 per package, enough to do four trucks. Photo shows an S-Helper Service truck.
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Chuck Kemper reports that the American Models MNS cars have arrived and are being shipped out to those whom have ordered them now. Please be aware that shipping times will vary depending on how each region is responding to the Covid-19 issues.
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Jim King, of Smoky Mountain Model Works, announced that the production of the S-scale kit for this car is getting started. The kit will include decals (your choice of HIAWATHA or OLYMPIAN), and Kadee 802 couplers. The kit will be priced at $90 each plus postage. The 40-ton trucks will be sold separately and should be available prior to shipping of the box car kit (trucks are $32 a pair). The full-rib body will be produced first, followed closely by the short-rib. SMMW is currently looking for you to confirm your prior commitments, with an accounting of the number of kits for each version that you want (short and/or long rib).
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Smoky Mountain Model Works is planning to re-run the 2008 kit of this car. Jim announced that it will now include the 70-ton Barber S-2 roller bearing trucks. Further prototype information is now available, which includes the 10-post side design, which was purchased by Family Lines System ("FLS") for SCL, Georgia Road, Clinchfield, and L&N (all painted black with yellow stenciling) in 1980. Southern's cars were built in 1976 to the same design. Most of these cars made it to CSX; many were sold off and may still be operating on short-lines. The majority of Southern's cars soldiered on well into the NS era, often completely repainted. Like with CSX, a lot were sold to short-lines. The original SMMW kit was offered only for the Southern-style (without the door opening wheel and rack) which had one waffle missing at the lower left and lower right of the door (due to a reinforcing plate welded to the side in that area). FLS cars didn't have that plate so PS put a waffle in its place. The re-issued kit will have separate waffles so you can model the FLS cars (scrape off the "plate" before gluing on a waffle). To reserve this kit, contact SMMW. The kit is expected to cost $95. The 70-ton trucks are $32/pair. Southern decals are to be determined. CSX/NS decals likely available from Highball Graphics.
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Jim King, of Smoky Mountain Model Works, is proposing an S-scale version of an HO-scale model he has previously released. This would be the 1941 WLE/NKP Pullman Standard 40-ton box car with a flat roof. The car was also used by the Tennesse Central (TC). The TC cars were rebuilt with a different roof in the 1950s, but the WLE's cars retained their flat roofs, even after being integrated into the NKP. Smoky Mountain Model Works has the appropriate trucks for these cars available in S-scale. Some additional design work will need to be done to make a complete S-scale kit of this car, so please indicate to Jim your interest in this project, so he can decide if it warrants his up-front design time. Let him know the number of cars you would like, and which decal names.
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Jim King, of Smoky Mountain Model Works, announced that he will be working on releasing these trucks as separate components, which are part of the upcoming MILW rib-sided box car. These trucks were used from the 1940s through the 1970s. Please contact Jim if you would like order these. Cost will be $32 per pair.
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B.T.S. has received a re-supply of several parts that have been out of stock for a while. These are #02018 EMD door handles.
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A few details that won't 3D-print correctly have been omitted, but can be added by the modeler with brass wire. The bottom is hollow, so you can add weight, if needed. Photos of the O-scale version Bill Lane mentions on his page can be found here: Kohs O-scale.
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Upon thorough review of the NASG's contract with Lionel, Lionel's requirement that the NASG American Flyer Commemorative Cars be sold only to active NASG members, apparently expires after three years of the signing of the contract. So, for all but the 2019 car, the previous restriction of having to be an NASG member has now been lifted from this web site (and if you order them directly from Dave Blum). It applies to the 2018 tank car, because the contract for those was signed back in 2017 (they were a bundled deal).
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Mount Blue Model Co. releases a new Sn2 box car kit for a 24-foot early Dyer-built model with a 5'3" door opening. When on their web site, search of the kit number "61s" to find it more quickly.
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Mick Hinkle contributes the 1948 instruction sheets for Midway Model Makers models. The sheets seem to apply to the four scales of models for which they made kits.
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Pre-Size Model Specialties announces their 42-foot steel GS gondola kit. The kits are available for the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, Northern Pacific, Illinois Central, D&RGW, and undecorated. The kit includes everything except for trucks and couplers. Photo shown is the pilot model that Bob Hogan built, and the photo is courtesy of Bob. Bob stated that the kit goes together easily. The web site includes links to download the PDF version of the kit's instructions. Kits can be ordered now, and shipping is free.
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This is National Scale Car's first S-scale product, which is a pair of Superior auto box car doors for the Pacific Car Shop's 10'6" interior-height steel auto box car.
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The NASG is announcing the new "NASG Annual Car Program". The "A.F. Commemorative Car" project has come to an end with the 2019 issue of the special-edition caboose (it, and several other cars are still available, some at a reduced price!).
The new, limited-edition cars are available only to NASG members. The current plan is for the annual car to be related to the location of the annual NASG Convention. Since this year's Convention is in Minnesota, the car for this year is an MN&S box car. Follow the link below to learn more.
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Jim King, of Smoky Mountain Model Works, announced a summary of all the S-scale projects he has going for us. If you have not yet indicated to the company that you are interested in one or more of these projects, please do so now, so that he can determine how many to produce.
January 2020
- B&O M-15k box car kit
- ASF 50-ton Ride Control (re-release)
- revised B&O M53/M53a decals.
early-2020
- AC&F 40-ton archbar truck (5'6" wheelbase).
2020
- PC&F 57-foot mechanical reefer (R-70-15 class), suitable for freight roads and UPFE/SPFE.
Planned
- T-section Bettendorf truck (5'6" wheelbase).
- AC&F 70-ton covered hopper kit, with 8 square roof hatches; built in 1940.
- PS-1 40-foot box car kit with various door widths.
- Southern/D&RGW 52'6" PS gondola.
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Smoky Mountain Model Works (SMMW) has manufactured Sn2 trucks before. They offer both freight and passenger trucks. They are thinking about doing another run of these, using the latest in production methods, which will reduce the number of parts required to assemble these truck kits. If you are interested in either of these, please contact Jim King at SMMW a.s.a.p., so that he can devote some time to completing this project.
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Fred Rouse, former owner of S Scale Locomotive & Supply, still has wheel-painting masks available. These are made out of plywood, and can be used for 33" and 36" wheels. He sells the mask for $10, including shipping.
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Smoky Mountain Model Works has wheelsets that were a manufacturing mistake. These are not suitable for actual rolling cars (they would wobble), but they are still usable as scenery items or as flat car loads. Part #64-TK-33WS is a set of ten 33" wheelsets for $15, and part #64-TK-36WS is a set of ten 36" wheelsets for $15.
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B.T.S. announces another freight car fitting the late-1800s time period, the PRR XA box car. This kit comes without couplers, trucks, and decals. B.T.S. will have the decals available by the first week of November 2019. Update: B.T.S. is announcing an introductory offer of PRR XA Box Car 5-Pack for $200 (part #09426.1). They mentioned that the appropriate trucks are available from Wiseman Model Services. The prototype car weighed 21,000lbs and could carry between 30,000 and 40,000lbs of a load. Prototype information can be found on the prr.railfan.net web site. (HO-scale model shown in photo)
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