I for one think it is neat looking, especially in and outdoor setting with turn of the century western buildings, live plants an flowers.
Seems like a foobie... if it's the same series as this car: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/slsf/slsf7870akg.jpg The markings are broadly in the same position. The "Ship it on the Frisco" logo wouldn't have been used on such an old car.
The nice thing about model railroading is that anything that YOU like is ok. What anyone else thinks is not relevant.
If you like it, its a tip o' the hat to Frisco, and you're not passing it off as "real and historic", there's no real problem. Looks nice. I understand the admirable desire to make it clear its not "true to prototype".
Indeed, Rule 1 always applies, but Dan did inquire about the fidelity of the model. Dan did make a statement that I thought to be interesting and thought-provoking, .i.e., "any offering for Frisco is a victory. No doubt, opinion about that statement runs entire spectrum. I would like to hear from others of this body. What would you overlook on a “Frisco” model before you would decline to buy it? …a car or locomotive never owned by the Frisco but with a good Frisco paint job? …the “wrong” color orange? …right car, wrong number? ...a nice effort, but with a few errors with the details? ...does scale matter? I am curious to hear what tolerance others might have in this regard. Is anything lettered Frisco a victory for the Frisco Modeler or does rewarding poor “effort” encourage “bad behavior”?
Karl - I retired from the "rivet counter club" long ago - I'm like to show the details specific to the Frisco whenever possible on a model, but my overwhelming driving force is the model must have the "feel" of something the Frisco had, or would have had, or should have had. For example, if I ever finish it, I'd like a Frisco E8B. I'm also started a Frisco FM Train Master in b/y. They also should have had an Alco PA1 in Racehorse colors. Some day maybe! Though I get highly critical of the manufacturer frequently, I have been guilty often of purchasing models with the wrong paint color (my Walthers GP15-1), with poor painting or lettering, incorrect features (IRC F7B with d/b), bad details (thick handrails, cast on grabs, etc) if the model has other redeeming qualities. But, by and large, the recent Frisco models we have seen come our way have been generally terrific, and I really enjoy them. Ken
Totally Bogus!!!! Frisco 7814, Official Railroad Equipment Register, 1901, Boxcar, 7000-7843 series, 34', 60000 capacity, double-sheathed, with reporting marks of: St. L. & S.F. Ry. Frisco 7814, Official Railroad Equipment Register, 1912, off the books. Car series is out of service, retired. Sorry. Refrigerators were number series 900-949 They should be ashamed of making that car. No outside braced refrigerator cars, with a truss rod underframe, and "Ship it on the Frisco" I believe, post dates 1923, where truss-rod cars were now illegal for inter-change traffic.
I think if a model manufacturer goes to the trouble and expense to produce a model, and if he's aiming at the railfan/modeler/consumer (In our case, the "Frisco Guy"), he should at least do a modicum of research, to get colors and lettering at least in the "neighborhood." Why not try to get it right rather than just throwing it away entirely. Each and every model I have, isn't exact, but I try to be selective and get as "close as I can" to having realistic models, Frisco or any RR of my prototype era. It seems to me that the model manufacturer should try to do the same... Tom G.
But remember, its G scale, its already out of proportion and not intended to be sold to modelers, its for garden layouts and train show floor layouts for the general public to enjoy. It is alot like all the Lionel Frisco stuff, grossly out of proportion and toy like. The manufacturers of this stuff are not targeting the handful of die hard Frisco modelers that still exist, they are targeting a couple thousand garden layout people and members of G scale clubs. Not my cup of tea but it serves its purpose and gives name recognition to the Frisco that we all love.
Even in "G" scale, if a model was prototypical, the manufacturer could increase his buying "audience." Besides the primary market of those G scalers, modelers of other scales and railfans might be open to trying out a large scale model or purchasing one for display. I'd love to have a large scale SLSF Railway Post Office car on my fireplace mantel or in my train room. Just my two cents... Tom G.
G scale isn't necessarily completely out of proportion! A few years ago there was an article in MRP about a G-scale layout which looked very realistic to me.
Just remember, new models, new tooling at today's cost. Molds are not cheap anymore. And just as an FYI, "G" scale is a generic term for scales from 1/20.5 to 1/32. It all runs on the same "gauge" track of 45mm. It all depends on what you like - narrow gauge or standard gauge.
