3rd Rail ATSF 2-6-2

This would be a good time for Scott to make up for the SP prototype wood caboose he lettered for the Santa Fe.  PRB cabooses have dried up, Santa Fe modelers could use a new scale waycar (caboose). 

This engine is begging for a fine caboose to complement it.

All it takes is sufficient reservations/orders for such cabooses (waycars). Remember though, the last caboose that Sunset/3rd Rail produced, the C&O version, was priced at $239, as I recall. Some folks complained about that price, for a highly detailed BRASS piece, so it can be a difficult decision whether to try and market brass cabooses today. Besides, don't those beautiful Pacos River Brass Santa Fe waycars show up fairly often on eBay?

Agreed!  

Reserved!  

Besides, don't those beautiful Pacos River Brass Santa Fe waycars show up fairly often on eBay?

 

Not as often as the did a little while back. 

Besides I want Scott to offer the wood caboose he offered years ago.  I would hope he still has the plans.  I don't know if PRB ever offered a wood ATSF caboose, but I don't think they did.  I doubt that PRB cabooses could match the product 3rd Rail offers today.  Fidelity to scale, interior, and well lighted.

the C&O version, was priced at $239, as I recall. Some folks complained about that price, for a highly detailed BRASS piece, so it can be a difficult decision whether to try and market brass cabooses today

I agree with what you posted, but those that complain about a highly detailed brass piece are fooling themselves.  That's cheap for the quality of what you are getting. 

I never opened the ATSF lettered SP cabooses that 3rd Rail produced until this summer.  I was floored at what a fine product they produced.  I'm sure that anyone that has had one in their hands feels the same way.  It had a fantastic exterior, interior, and was well lighted.  

I always see complaints from 3 rail (not 3RS) guys about price.  There are many that don't appreciate brass.  I've been buying 3rd Rail products for about 14 years.  They have only gotten better.  The quality of detail is unmatched at the price. 

If 3rd Rail offered a wood ATSF caboose, they would beat any ebay priced PRB caboose and be more complete.  Also, they would be available for those with 3 rail track without modification.

BTW Hot Water, I doubt if you wanted one of those C&O cabooses, you would have complained.

Scott ought to offer it.  If he doesn't get the orders, he doesn't produce the caboose.

Marker;

Pecos River did offer an ATSF wood waycar.  I have the 1950's version.

Not too long ago Division Point was going to produce Santa Fe waycars but apparently nothing came of that...they would probably been over $600.  And I think it would take $600 to produce something better than the Pecos River cars.

Allan

Allan, thanks for posting.  You probably have a better handle on this than I do.  Unfortunately, I only became aware of the PRB equipment at the very end of John's operation.

Regarding your comment, "I think it would take $600 to produce something better than the Pecos River cars", would you help my education and elaborate?  I know the exterior was perfect.  Did they have interiors?  What other features did they have?

I've only seen pictures.

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My only comment about a possible Sunset/3rd Rail ATSF version is that the brass Southern Pacific caboose produced a few years back was very well done.  At the usual 3rd Rail price point, a ATSF waycar becomes a very attractive option.

I remember the talk about the Division Point ATSF waycars, unfortunately at the $600 price point there wasn't enough interest.  There might interest at roughly $250.  After all who can't use a well priced accurate brass waycar? 

The only choice now is to wait for a PRB to become available or create your own using the MTH steel caboose as a basis.  That isn't really a great option, especially for a 3 railer.  The only way to get the trucks right on an MTH caboose it to buy 2 rail MTH caboose trucks and 3 railers then have to install a pickup roller, etc, etc.  Then you have to move the bolsters inboard, remove the goofy stuff like the blinking lights and antenna, fill the holes, etc.  

Another rarely considered option is to produce a wood side-door caboose with a wig-wag.  (OK, so I'd pay a bit more for that.) It was done in HO.

Take a look here for pictures of the side-door caboose with wig-wag.

http://www.atsfrr.com/resource...0%20%207-16-2010.pdf

Personally, I don't care which caboose 3rd Rail would choose to model.  I'd buy any of them and most likely more than one.  If Scott is considering the producing a waycar (caboose), he seriously ought to consider producing it with a wig-wag signal.  It's a very unique feature and would probably increase it's marketability.

Marker;

Re the $600 to equal a Pecos car, once again, I'm probably guilty of exaggeration.  You are right...they lack interiors and working markers.  When appropriate, they do have the wig-wags.

The MTH waycars are of a late era steel car with, as you mentioned, the roof light as well as only one tool box, a toilet stack and the wrong truck spacing.  I've redone one removing the toilet stack and lights, redoing the roof walk, new cupola railing, second tool locker, a new smoke stack from Utah Pacific and new trucks from RY.  Just need to get the courage to repaint it.

If Scott can do a waycar for around $250 - $300, (I've paid as little as $150 for a Pecos car at O Scale West and as much as $275) I would be interested.

Guys,

Cabooses from Sunset are getting to be a tough project. There are still some B&O and C&O cabooses available from a few years ago as well as some eerie (it is almost halloween after all) cabooses.

If it happens at all, the price point would be $300 at least which is the retail for the Erie caboose. I do agree that a 1950's era Santa Fe waycar is a good idea from Sunset.

A side door one would be ordered by me.

Meanwhile, back at the post topic....the 2-6-2 Prairie...

I haven't seen any more definition of the specific class being modeled than the tiny picture on the 3rd Rail website.  Could anyone elucidate por moi, sil vous plait?

I suspect it's one of the 'Park Princess' classes...e.g., 1050.  I had hoped for the 1800 class...more interesting hardware, trailing truck, Baldwin-esque example.

(sigh)

Nonetheless, since I've been among the bellyachers and a proponent of this ATSF Whyte arrangement, .....I'm in.

KD

As far as I know there is no firm decision on which version to produce. Send Scott an e-mail with your chosen class.

Oh goody!!  Hope reigns!!  Will send an email on the morrow from the shop.

BTW, Millie and Daisy send their 'woofs' to you!!

KD