News: Passenger Cars
This report lists passenger cars that are available or in the works. This also covers parts that are available for detailing passenger cars. Click photos to visit the web sites.
SR&RL Combine 14 Kit (update) by Portland Locomotive Works
Portland Locomotive Works has the Sn2 Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes combine #14 car kit in stock. The car was built in 1903 by Jackson and Sharp out of Wilmington, Delaware for the Franklin and Megantic Railroad. Sometime after the SR&RL acquired the car, it caught fire. It was rebuilt in 1929 at which point its clerestory roof was replaced with a simple curved roof. The car still exists today and is displayed at the Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum. Portland Locomotive Works will produce both the pre- and post-1929 versions. The roofs will be 3D-printed, and the frame and body will be made out of laser-cut wood. The interior will include seats.
Start an e-mail message (m2fq@aol.com).
D&RGW Baggage Car by Ride Trains
Ride Trains has added the Sn3 baggage car kit. The parts are 3D-printed and unpainted. The kit includes the trucks, but not the wheels. This model represents the 1936 version where a generator was installed into this car.
Laser Horizons Passenger Car Sides Catalog
Thanks to Tommy Lennon we learned that Dennis Sautters, owner of Laser Horizons, is still actively producing replacement sides for passenger cars. The link below is to the document provided to us by Dennis, listing all of the sides that he can produce in S-scale (the same document is available via the "Resources" section's entry for Laser Horizons). These are styrene plastic sides that are accurately cut with a laser. Dennis mentions that his production method does not allow for contours such as fluting, belt rails, and rivets. If you have a need for something that isn't listed, contact Dennis. Note that these are replacement sides, so the modeler must have a donor car, be willing to cut its sides out, and rebuild the model. Another option is to scratchbuild a car, using Laser Horizons' sides are your starting point. Laser Horizons does not have a web site, so contact Dennis via e-mail or phone: (303) 966-3186. Be sure to ask for the S-scale version, as Dennis produces sides for other scales as well. The photo is courtesy of Tommy Lennon.
Start an e-mail message (laserhriz@aol.com).
Passenger Car Interior Parts by Pre-Size Model Specialties
Palace Car Co's owner, Mark Malmkar, announced his retirement earlier this year. Steve Wolcott, owner of Pre-Size Model Specialties, has taken over that company's N- and S-scale product line. This transfer includes the current inventory that Palace Car Co had on hand, so items are available for sale. Pre-Size's web site has been updated to reflect these additions. This is a perfect fit as Pre-Size already has a collection of passenger car detailing parts available.
The history of these parts stem from Dick Karnes' efforts in 2006 as part of the NASG's Special Projects program, to commission interior detailing parts from Palace Car Co for American Models' passenger cars released in 2004.
D&RGW Open-vestibule Coach by Ride Trains
Announced and shown at the recent Sn3 Symposium, the company has added this open-vestibule coach car to their Sn3 product line-up. The kit comes with 3D-printed resin body, underframe, interior, truck frames, and the needed screws.
Sn3 Business Car Kit by Leadville Designs
Leadville Designs is now accepting pre-orders for this Sn3 water service car. It is a wood kit with details made out of etched-brass, and plastic. The kit comes with decals, but no trucks or couplers.
Be sure to see all, or other, products announced over the past year via the main News page.