Smoky Mountain Model Works Southern Gondola

Bob Delbridge posted:

Jim King sent out an email, looks like the O scale Gondola is a go.  For those who  haven't heard about it here's the email I got today:

The Southern 41-6 low side steel gon upscaling and upgrade is progressing well and will include MANY new details that larger scales allow.  I’m about 70% toward completion and working on it about 4 hours each day.  More than that makes my brain hurt!  The goal is to order patterns by end of next week and begin shipping kits in late-January.

For those of you who have not reserved either car (Roman or Block-fonts decals), there is still time.  Go to his web site to see te the S scale pilot models:

If you have previously ordered or wish to place a new order now, I’m offering FREE SHIPPING to Lower 48 addresses or a 10% discount on kits for AK, HI and international customers if payment is rec’d by 12/27.  Reply to this email with your order quantity (how many kits with Roman decals?  How many kits with Block font decals?).  If you have never ordered from me, please include your mailing address.  I will respond with an invoice stating payment options, including postage.  Remember:  payment must be received by me on or before 12/27 to allow the free shipping/kit discount.  After 12/27, USPS Priority amount shown on your invoice must also be paid.

Kit price will be in the $140-range excluding trucks and couplers and $145-range if you want Kadee 740 couplers.  Either kit option includes decals of your choice (Roman or Block), 1-piece urethane body, separate underframe, details sheet, brass weight that hides between underframe and body’s floor, detail parts, wire and mini-CD packed with instructions and proto pix.

This is my way of saying THANK YOU to O modelers supporting my re-entry into the scale with the successful AAR 70-ton flat and switch stands (all still available).

Don’t delay placing your order to allow time to send payment and get FREE SHIPPING or 10% discount.

Jim King

 

If we keep him going MAYBE he'll offer the SAL Turtleback boxcars!!!

The gons look sweet though I am expanding my WWII era focus so I have to pass on it.

I already asked about the boxcars once I got the Southern Gon email.  

He again said would consider doing the turtleback roof cars if there was enough interest.   From what I can gather they need additional higher cost tooling so he would need more reservations (read more interest) before considering doing them.

BTW I pulled the links from your quote before we get yelled at for posting up direct links to a non-supporting vendor.

Anyone get onboard for this?  Jim indicated to me that it's in the works, seems like he said March we should hear/see something.

Bob Delbridge posted:

Anyone get onboard for this?  Jim indicated to me that it's in the works, seems like he said March we should hear/see something.

Maybe at the March Meet?

He's announced on his website the the production phase should start this month.

I STILL want those SAL Turtleback boxcars!!!

Bob Delbridge posted:

He's announced on his website the the production phase should start this month.

I STILL want those SAL Turtleback boxcars!!!

Me too. And the Robert E. Lee decals to go with them.

I'll take the Seaboard turtleback boxcars.  I have the Champ R E LEE decals waiting.

 

Seaboard had 3 different classes of these cars: AF-1, AF-2, and B-7.  The AF-1 and AF-2 cars were double-door and the B-7 was a single-door.  I'm not sure if SMMW offers anything other than the B-7 car in S-scale at this time (not even sure if they have drawings for the AF-1/AF-2).

Unfortunately, the only photos of these cars I've seen with the RELee logo were of the double-door variety.

The AF-1 was delivered with the Route of the Orange Blossom Special slogan

The B-7 was delivered with the Route of the Silver Meteor slogan

The AF-2 was delivered with the Route of the Robert E Lee slogan

When delivered, all had the 40" round medallion Seaboard Air Line Railway.  In 1946 they changed to a 56" medallion with the name Seaboard Air Line Railroad.

Initially, cars were painted metallic brown, later in the 1950s some used black car cement on the roofs.

With that said...I'd take 1 or 2 of each.  Lionel has a round-roof car, close but not the same, and not really that close, the ends are very different as are the number of side panels and the roof.

So, email SMMW and let him know what you/we want.  Won't happen if we don't ask.

AF-1 #11041 (11000-11699)

B-7 #19268 (19000-19499)

AF-2 #22007 (11700-11999 and 22000-22199)

By my count that's 1700 cars total.

Here's a shot of one of the R.E.Lee cars:

Railway Prototype Cyclopedia Vol. 13 has a nice article on Seaboard Turtle Back boxcars. It starts on page 76 and on page 86 it has a photograph of a R E LEE car.

Update...Just got the Southern Gondola from Jim King in the mail.  Really nice, crisp casting with a ton of detail.  Hopefully I can start assembling the car soon.  Came with a CD that has instructions, photos, and lettering diagram for the included decals.

I have a pair of Andrews trucks (Athearn?) that I'm going to use, making this my first 2-rail piece of rolling stock to ride on my code 148 2-rail layout (all other rolling stock is 3-rail right now).

Will be interested to see progress photos.