Roberto Parri's First Freight Car

Thanks for the pics.  Mr. Parri truly was an artist.

Now, if only Rich Yoder would produce this car.  I wonder how many would be interested.

Ed

Thanks for that picture!

Just happens to be my favorite hopper car.  I've got the Overland HO one but no such luck in O scale... and I doubt I'll ever see one of the Parri cars...

It would be nice if Rich would do that car.  Hope springs eternal!

Thanks for the post Larry.  The Erie also rostered similar cars.  According to the records of A.T. Kott   Mr. Parri only built 5 Erie/Susquehanna flat bottom hoppers. Someone check me - but I recall Quality Craft or Ambroid (both manufactured by Bob Weaver) offered wood body, white metal detail kits for the same prototype.  IMO your drawing a parallel between Fischer's passenger cars and Parri freight cars was spot on.  I'd love to see a thread on Fischer cars.  I spoke with Joe the month before he died to see where I was on his wait list - he said I was next. The car Joe was to have  built was the modernized PRR heavyweight Pullman Keystone Banks - my favorite Pennsylvania passenger car. 

Ed Rappe

I believe that was an Ambroid kit Ed. 

I know a certain O scale brass importer in PA has one built up. 

Those would be swell models; I would imagine that hand-punched rivets and a high level of detail would run about $375-425 from Korea.     Wouldn't mind a few if they were built.

If you are interested, then tell Rich.  Some time ago, I brought up the subject of this car with Rich and said I would take one for sure and possibly two.  

It your collective turn to make your intentions known to Rich.

Ed

Ed,

I emailed him the thread this am---hoping to hear from him soon.

Thank-you all for the positive responses to the hopper car. If you would all not be offended, I might be able to post a photo of a Fischer passenger car for Ed. I have a Keystone Banks car  he built in the l970's and if it would not be out of place in this discussion about Roberto, I'd try and convince our daughter Flannery to help me again. For some reason, maybe because of  the passing of time so quickly now it seems, I am thinking of the last few conversations Roberto and I had. Maybe the most salient similarity between Parri and Fischer was not their incredible artistic ability, or their prolific contributions to the hobby, but their modesty and humility. Each was a solitary man working alone and producing amazing results for those in the future as well as those currently buying their works to enjoy. We are today fortunate to have a very few people following in their footsteps-our friend Dan Pantera comes to mind. He has produced so many beautiful works of art for the hobby and like his predecessors is humble, friendly and fortunately for everyone, very prolific. His passenger cars will, like Parri's and Fischer 'sefforts,  live on for many years after we have appreciated them-a great blessing if you will, for us all. There is a lot of beauty in our hobby. We are in some ways traveling through an enormous museum of art-when we go to a convention or to visit a friend's layout. We have a lot to be happy about and grateful for to be in this hobby. 

Larry

I'll start a new Joe Fischer passenger car thread and encourage those on the Forum to post pictures and stories about Joe there.

look forward to seeing pictures of Keystone Banks.  I only own one of Joe's cars and it is at Dan Pantera's calumet Shop for repaint to PRR colors.  If the Fischer thread is popular perhaps I'll follow that up with one about Dan's work.

Ed Rappe