I have always heard that S is the builder's scale. If so, how many
would build a locomotive kit? I am thinking of generic kits based
on common designs with basic detailing to control costs.
What would it take to produce a steam kit similar to those made by
Bowser, Mantua, and MDC in HO? This would be a basic screwdriver
assembly kit. For the widest appeal how about the USRA designs?
The 2-8-2 and 4-6-2 share a common boiler and cab design as well as
the 4-8-2 and 2-10-2. Photo etch can produce Walshearts and/or
Baker valve gear more cheaply than stamping or investment casting
for small production runs. How about two basic tenders - a small
one with 4 wheel trucks and a larger with 6 wheel trucks? It would
be a good idea to offer the coal load separate so it could be
replaced with an oil bunker.
Similarly, what about diesels? It would be nice to have an F unit
kit with various parts available to build any phase of any model
from the FT to the F9. This would probably best be produced similar
to the Highliners kits in HO. SHS already has an excellent
mechanism for this series of locomotives, only the body parts are
missing. For small production runs the best approach would be to
make the body parts as urethane castings instead of injection
moldings. Rapid prototyping as done by Smoky Mountain would work
well here. Benefits are faster turnaround time and much lower
initial cost for tooling. Other body kits to fit some of the AM
mechanisms are also possible.
What about cars? This could add variety to the offerings already
available. I need pulpwood cars and what about the ACF centerflow
hoppers?
Thoughts? Comments? If I am off base here let me know. I would
hope that S is not overrun with the "instant gratification"
syndrome. I do not have a way to make complex masters but can make
RTV molds and cast parts.
I have followed several threads about growing S. This is offered as
a possible way to increase the available offerings at a reasonable
cost.
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
