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.
by Smoky Mountain Model Works
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Prototype Info:
Based on the success of the experimental car, in 1936-37, the Mt. Clare Shops similarly rebuilt 1,240 M15 box cars, reclassified them as M15k, and numbered them #370000-370989 and #371000-371249. The car's heavy fishbelly centersill, notched lower sidesheets, and lack of a Duryea underframe distinguished them from the later M53 wagontops. The M15k box cars served until 1955-57, when all but 18 of them had their 40-year-old underframes replaced.
Model Kit:
The kit is currently being designed. The price will be $90 per kit. When you place your order for this kit, you can also order the ASF 50-ton Ride Control trucks at $29 per pair ($3 off regular price). You can order as many pair of these trucks as you wish at that price with your order for the box car.
by Smoky Mountain Model Works
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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.
by Fred Rouse
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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.
by Smoky Mountain Model Works
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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.
by B.T.S.
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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)
by S Scale America
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S Scale America (Des Plaines Hobbies) introduces 7 new paint schemes to their existing line of 10,000-gallon tank cars. These will come with AF-compatible wheels and couplers, but can be changed out by the modeler to "scale" version (not included). There will be three road numbers for each road name available. They are expected to arrive in late October 2019, and will retail for $59.95. As of this update, the models are not yet listed on their web site, so you will have to contact them to place your order. Update: they arrived at the store the day before Ron Sebastian's untimely passing.
by Patrick's Trains
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Patrick's Trains has taken their O-scale design and adapted it for use on S-scale models.
by Patrick's Trains
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On special commission by the retail store Patrick's Trains, MTH manufactured these box cars. Only 48 models were made.
by Pikesville Models
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Pikesville Models commissioned MTH to produce three new reefers for them. The models are available with two different road numbers each.
by Smoky Mountain Model Works
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Smoky Mountain Model Works is considering producing a number of freight car detailing parts (no passenger car, steam or diesel engine, parts; freight only). Suggested ideas are:
- air brake components
- brake levers, platforms, staff yoke
- brake wheels: what style?
- doors: size?
- roof hatches
- roofwalks
- steps: what style?
- ladders: specify number of rungs and height
If you have any ideas or interest in any of the above, or additional detailing parts that you find that are missing in S-scale, contact the company via their web site or the e-mail link.
by Smoky Mountain Model Works
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Smoky Mountain Model Works is considering producing one or more of the following trucks:
1. ACF 40/50 ton archbar truck, 5' 8" wheelbase
2. T-section Bettendorf, 5' 8" wheelbase
3. Vulcan with coil & leaf spring (3D-printed insert), 5' 8" wheelbase (used under cabooses, not just freight cars)
Contact the company to express your interest. Price will be $32 per pair complete with wheelsets, brake shoes/beams, screws, sideframes, bolsters and springs.
by Smoky Mountain Model Works
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This is the longer version of the 50-ton truck, produced in the 1950s. These were used under open and covered hoppers.
Smoky Mountain Model Works is taking reservations for this truck kit. They are expected to sell for $32 per pair. Contact the company to let them know how many you would like (no money required now; just a firm commitment). The S-Helper Service two- and three-bay hopper cars are a perfect match for these trucks.
Smoky Mountain Model Works is shipping the ASF A-3 50-ton "Ride Control" truck kit. It is designed to be 3D-printed with the finest layer thickness (14 microns). These are extremely accurate trucks. Includes brake shoes/beams, and two styles of journal lids, and are fully-sprung and equalized. The design represents the version of the truck that was used starting in 1952 by the SP. Place your no-money order now to get in on the next printing.
by Des Plaines Hobbies
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Ron Sebastian announced that they did another run of this car kit, so you can order yours now. Enter SSA708 into their web site's search field.
by Pre-Size Model Specialties
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Pre-Size Model Specialties announces the new Greenville Steel Car Company 52'6" gondola with corrugated sides. These were built in the 1970s, and can still be seen across North America. MoPac had over 2,600 and UP had hundreds of these cars. The kit comes with both the UP and MP decals. The kit is available to order directly from the company's web site.
by Des Plaines Hobbies
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Des Plaines Hobbies announces an inventory-reduction sale of their S Scale America 1400-series of tank cars. These are all 40% off (prices are marked on their web site). For product photos, see our web site's Product Gallery
by Des Plaines Hobbies
Des Plaines Hobbies announces an inventory-reduction sale of their S Scale America 1500-series 3-bay hopper cars. These are all 40% off (prices are marked on their web site). For product photos, see our web site's Product Gallery
by Jackson Standard Models
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Jackson Standard Models announces the plan to produce highly-detailed new diecast trucks for S-scale. Brian reports that the side-frames and bolster will be die-cast in zinc (Zamac #3). The brake shoes and bearings in Celcon. The journal lids in polystyrene. The wheels and axles will be stainless. These are planned for release before the end of 2019.
by Concept Models
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Earlier in 2019, the webmaster, yours truly, noticed that Concept Models had removed all of their S-scale models from their web site. Contacting the owner resulted in a reply that indicated insufficient sales. Well, today a press release was sent to us where the owner of Concept Models has changed his mind. He said that although he is over 80 years old, he will continue to offer S-scale models. Their web site has also been updated to once again list the S-scale products. So, if you have been looking at one of their kits, consider ordering it soon. A sample of previously-produced cars are shown here.
by Ridgehill Scale Models
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Ridgehill Scale Models announces this new kit. It consists of a one-piece cast-resin body, laser-cut roof walk, etched-brass details, AB brake detailing parts, and Black Cat decals. It does not include trucks or couplers, and it is designed to take Des Plaines Hobbies' 8-rung ladders. The kit is available for US$90 without the ladders, or US$95 with the ladders. Add to that shipping costs (from Canada). Place your order by contacting the company via postal mail, e-mail, or phone (no web site):
David Clubine
Ridgehill Scale Models
36 Godby Rd
Brantford, ON
N3R 0B8
davidwclubine@gmail.com
(519) 756-1610
The Bristol S-Gaugers, host club for the 2018 NASG Convention, have received the final shipment of the cars. Orders are being filled in the sequence in which they were originally received. If you are interested in one of these cars, contact them to see if any remain. Follow the link to download the PDF file that is the Convention Car Order form.
by South Jersey S Gaugers
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The South Jersey S Gaugers club will be celebrating their 30th anniversary in July. To help promote their accomplishment, they have partnered with American Models to produce a limited edition DuPont Alathon Plastic Resin 3-bay hopper. This is the first time this paint scheme has been mass-produced in S-scale, and it is a perfect choice to represent railroading commerce in their home-state of New Jersey. Follow the link to view the details about this project car, including how to order one. Available with three different road numbers, and with either scale wheels and couplers, or hi-rail wheels and couplers.
Also, be sure to check out the South Jersey S Gaugers' new web site. There is still much work to be done to get to the final vision they have for the web site, but it is a good start. The web site is mobile-device-compatible.
Ron Sebastian, of Des Plaines Hobbies and the S Scale America brand name, was at the Amherst Railway Society show in West Springfield, MA, where they announced the progress on their new Gunderson Maxi-Stack® IV 3-unit well car. These well cars are today's main container-shipping cars. According the Greenbrier Companies' web site (the manufacturer of the prototype cars), the three-unit articulated double-stack car that can handle containers from 20' to 53' long in the well and containers from 40' to 57' in the top position. The Maxi-Stack IV utilizes 70-ton end trucks and 125-ton intermediate trucks.
The work for the parts of the models is done, except for the photo-etched walkway parts. Once those are completed, they will be shipped to China for assembly, painting, and decorating. Hi-rail wheels can be used on the models. Each is a "permanently-coupled" three-unit set. No price or delivery date set yet.
by Lionel
Scenery Unlimited sent out a notice that items from Lionel's 2019 catalog can be ordered.
by Kaslo
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One S-scale modeler got a private message from the owner of Kaslo who indicated that there is a plan to do a re-run of their cylindrical hopper kits sometime during 2019. If this sounds like good news to you, consider contacting Kaslo to encourage them to return to S-scale again.
by Farmington Avenue Model Engineering
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Jeff Bissonnette, under the Shapeways name "Farmington Avenue Model Engineering", has made available the frames and bolsters for Sn2 diamond archbar trucks. See the Shapeways page for his recommendations to get the assembled truck to work well.
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