Fellow Z-ers. Why don't we hear about things like this? While doing some InterWeb wandering, I stopped into one of Uncle Will's former dealers. Lo and behold, they have this gorgeous beer car in Z. Of course I purchased on immediately. But can't we get the word out a little better than this? Perhaps an announcement board (oh, being new here, perhaps we already have one). -Mitch http://www.hobbycraftsnmore.com/php3rd00grb0033/index.php
New product announcements do show up here, but the Z Scale forums have been barely active over the past few years. The hey days for internet forum Z were 2005 to 2012, and things have been slowing down ever since. There are a few hardcore actives, but not like it was, and new product announcements have slowed down quite a bit too. I hardly ever hear of new Will Wright products, even though I know they are still coming out.
Nice to see they're still using the Pennzee car body, it's an attractive 40 ft steel reefer. Being only recent into Z (having been an n-scaler for decades) I've found the Father Nature, Pennzee, and Full Throttle reefers particularly attractive.
The car you referenced is a very old Pennzee release. New release information on popular forums from any manufacturer is almost non-existent. I don't know about Facebook since I'm not a member. You would need to subscribe to the email newsletter for each of the manufacturers that you're interested in. AZL makes new release info available on their forum and their web site. Ztrack Magazine also has pages of new releases from most, if not all, manufacturers. I, personally, keep an eye on Z Scale Monster for new releases from a lot of manufacturers.
You were already aware of this one? Can you help us and tell us when it was first released? The description doesn't have that information.
I cannot tell you when it was released. I purchased it when it was released but I don't keep records of my purchases. It is, however, a Pennzee product. Pennzee has not been in business for at least 5 years....maybe longer. I'm sorry but I don't keep track of that either. I've been modeling Z scale trains since 1972 when Marklin released it so there's a lot of history for an old man to remember.
Thank you for your additional insight, most appreciated. I hadn't seen any mention of this one in most of the places that have partial Z archives. It's not even on Anthony's fabulous website. Was hoping that perhaps work was still being done with Pennzee molds or body stock. Would be fun to see a revival of new designs on the adorable Father Nature reefer body.
You're welcome. This might have been a special, exclusive release for Hobby Crafts N More. I seem to remember it that way ...... but I've been known to be wrong before.
The Pennzee releases were already available when I got back in ~2005. Uncle Will has been custom painting the Boxcars, Cylindrical and other tonnage Hoppers periodically. TrainBoard restricts Product Announcement to the 'Model Railroad Product News' forum under the main Model Railroad forum. https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?forums/model-railroad-product-news.119/ (it's ALL the way down the Model Railroad forum list)
I keep an eye on the Z-scale retailers out there, the bigger sellers usually update everytime new stuff is for sale. Plus, going to individual manufacturer's websites usually have updates as well.
Agree wholeheartedly! The z releases get quickly buried behind N & HO releases. Might be something for Trainboard mods to consider - for this smaller volume scale to allow the new item posts here. I can understand on N & HO where there's likely tons of daily content and releases really need to have their own location. Respectfully, Frank
Okay I did a little digging. The car was released in 2008. We covered the release in Ztrack Magazine: https://www.ztrack.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=hobby crafts This was one of only a very few special runs done with Pennzee. Over the years there have been a a handful of special releases by individuals. Andy Shaw is one who comes to mind that did special runs with MTL. Ztrack has had a history of special runs, including Marklin, MTL, Full Throttle and FR of Germany. The special runs are great if you can find them. They are very unique. We do get them once and while on our Resale site. And if you want a history of pretty much everything released in Z scale... just check out the Ztrack Magazine back issues! We do try and include all new items in Ztrack. It is a heck of a resource!
Update. This marvelous little gem arrived in yesterday's mail. The printing is truly stunning and the plastic case and inside cradle is an improvement over the earlier versions. For my collection, it's well worth the price. Fun history reading that the Northern Brewery today is the Gluek Brewery for which we have a nice MT reefer. In corresponding with the shop owner, this project was your typical tale of woe, with production difficulties and glitches that made it much more difficult than anticipated. After my purchase, there are only 47 left.
