You guys like to play a joke with foreigners. Just wait next May I'll be in Florida and I'll stop by your house.
And you are all welcome at my house too, if you make it to San Jose, in the SF Bay Area. All Z Scalers are my friends!
I am somewhere between..... Somewhere between Florida and California! You spend time in Atlanta, give me a call! Hobo Tim
No Self-Appointed "Z" President Here! Yes sir, this is a very friendly group. The Yahoo Z_Scale group use to be as friendly till the groups creator/self-appointed president of all Z scale decided to stop all of the friendly chats and off-topic/topic messages. I have to say, that is probably the biggest reason so many Z scalers post messages here now. Heck, I got tired of the annual and semi-annual World Wars on Marklin vs. Micro-Trains! Always seemed to tear the group apart! I don't like getting the back of my hand slapped every time I open my mouth! Now, to post a message about this topic, Whale Belly Tank Cars. I had my order in, apparently Searails has lost interest in the project. I think he had trouble finding a good photo etcher to make the detail parts. I don't think Reynard Wellman, Lajos Thek, Kurt Lueck, or Harald Freudenreich are willing to share their sources with Searails. I do wish I had at least one of them tank cars though. Guess I will have to scratchbuild one of my own! :teeth: Hobo Tim
Maybe the reason is that the Whalebelly Car is to expensive? I remember it was 90$ for a ready to run Car.
Well, if you think about it, all the details would be etched brass, with a retail value of about $12, compared to a Micron Art fret of parts. Now add $65 for a round tank shaped car body made out of RP, and a guy would quickly think to himself, Why noy just make 3 RP masters for resin molds, then mold the car bodies to reduce the cost down to $15 with all the master/resin/mold overhead, and make the kit so much cheaper for both parties, seller and buyer. But there is much more work involved in doing it this way.
I'm not sure if Jim Shiff got as many takers as he was looking for on the whalebelly tankcar. Especially as the cost started climbing. He seems to be concentrating on Structures, bridges and vehicles lately. His new RP vehicles are on par with the MakeMyModel stuff. I still would really like to see a funnelflow type car. Those would be harder to scratchbuild than a standard tankcar or even a whalebelly car (assuming you know how to use a little bit of filler putty. Randy
SEARAILS is continuing and completing the "Whalebelly" tank car project and will honor all reservations. We regret not keeping you informed. All 100 units will be produced. Currently, as was seen at our NMRA display in Philadelphia., we have increased our level of precision to 13 microns (0.001"), and are currently changing our design to produce this product at 29 microns (0.003") precision. The design will follow the specifications and drawings provided by Ed Kaminski of ACF. The body will be RPM Acrylic with a hollow interior, and the etched parts will be prototypical steel. All 3-unit kits will be available in the following configuration; Two end caps, Two small diameter sections, Two eccentric conical transition sections, One Middle large diameter section with Dome, One etched steel sheet of railings, walkways, and end ladders. All body components will include circumferential "lip and groove" connection devices to insure proper alignment and fit. We are working on the design to provide the easiest assembly that can be achieved. Wheel sets and couplers will be available to those who reserved finished models. SHPX wet decals with three car numbers will be accompany kit orders, alternate road names and numbers will be available to finished product orders. Kits will be available primed in gray, finished models will be painted to the purchaser's specification with a choice of one of three road names and owner-appropriate colors. The final pricing will be announced 30 days in advance of release allowing those who would prefer to increase their order to do so, or those who wish to decline their reservation to cancel. All those who participated in the first reservation will be informed of the number of cancellations (if any), and be given first option on their purchase. We will post to this thread every two weeks between now and the estimated release date of November 1, 2006 (just in time for holiday purchasing!) to keep you informed of our progress. Additionally we will post drawings and 3D models for download on our website. 3D models may be viewed by downloading the FREE 3D viewer at www.modelpress.com. As always we welcome positive criticism and questions. We hope you have seen our advance in precision as evidenced at the Philadelphia NMRA and have shared your opinion with others. If not, you will see the introduction of our NEW line of Z scale vehicles and intermodal accessories, construction equipment, 20 new structures and other accessories on our website this week. Please keep an "eye out" this Friday. We hope our PayPal device works, and if not please tell us immediately. The "Whalebelly" will be our first rail car. If successful, we plan on introducing a TOFC, the previously promised Tri-level open Auto Rack, a three-dome tank car, and a series of military and Nn3 specialty cars. Our only problem is not, as some have stated, our etching, rather it is the wheel sets and couplers. We will work this out with manufacturers before delivery. Thanks for your continued interest in our efforts and support of Z scale. Jim Shiff
Jim, thank you very much for your detailed update, it's very appreciated! Can you please tell me in what price range a RTR Wahlebelly Tankcar will be and if it's still possible to order some.
