To All: I have entered very preliminary discussions with an individual about producing a special run of the Intermountain 100 ton hoppers in the pre-BN green merger scheme delivered to the Frisco from July through September of 1980. The car is pictured on the top of page 105 of Molo's Frisco/Katy color guide. The individual that I am talking to has experience in producing limited runs of various cars and feels that this one is worth consideration for the following reasons. (1) It applies to modeler's of two railroads, the SLSF and the BN. (2) There were 300 built which is a significant number. (3) It is painted BN green. Bottom line, for Intermountain to produce a special run it takes an order of 300 cars with 6 road numbers (50 of each). My question to all of you is two-fold. (A) Are you interested, and (B) if so, how many do you think you would buy? Also, please pass this information on to any BN modelers who might be interested.
Bob, if these cars come with your endorsement I could find room for four on my KCT. Thanks for initiating this. Jim Senese Claremore, Okla.
I'm interested in modeling one of these cars, but not so much in the Intermountain model. Accurail also makes a PS 4750 that could be an option for you. Personally, between the two I'd be more interested in the Accurail version since the ribs don't suffer from the extra width the Intermountain car does. Although the Accurail model doesn't have etched metal walkways, I think their prices might be more competitive than Intermountain since the retail price is lower. Just a thought. Of course, neither model will be correct since the Frisco cars have the large jacking pads and both the Intermountain and Accurail cars have the original smaller trapezoidal jacking pad. Also, Intermountain's model has truck mounted brakes and the Accurail model has body mounted brakes (I don't know which is correct for the prototype), but neither have the correct outlet gates. Tangent does in fact make the correct car with etched walkways and large late style jacking pads, but their models are more expensive (around $40-45 per car). I can't imagine the price would be better going through Tangent like the Amarillo Railroad Museum did (see: http://amarillorailmuseum.com/ftwd_ps_2cd_4750.html), but the model is top notch and blows away both the Intermountain and Accurail models.
I'm not interested in the Intermountain car. I could be interested in a Tangent car if produced in this scheme.
I would take a few to add to the ones I built and decal-ed. I would like to see Accurail used as they have better tooling IMHO, the end ladders and those related parts appear to be molded together and will fit together better and be more robust than IM. I have had many IM (really most of them) cars not put together properly from the factory, the condition in which they remain. Plus the Accurail cars are made, assembled in USA, and about $20.00, Not trying to be an isolationist. The Tangent are indeed great looking cars, but at less than 1/2 the price, I can put up with a couple minor discrepancies. Ryan is exactly right about the details he refers to but I had not even noticed till he pointed them out Thank you, Tom Like I really need some more grain cars Holley
