Another "special project" question

[bbussey]

As everyone knows, in addition to the conventional injection-molded RTR mainline items, I like to throw in the occasional limited run targeted appeal oddball project here and there.

While not at the top of the wish list, the lack of availability of buses is a regular observation.  I believe I've roughed out a plan to offer polyurethane resin bus castings (body, floor/interior, wheel/tires) at approximately $12 per kit.  Etched stainless steel side mirrors would be included.  No glass, the modeler would have to use Kristal Klear or go without.  No decals, the modeler would be on his/her own for decorations.  My first bus would be the GMC "old look" TDM4507,  built 1946-1949 and lasting into the 1960s.  The model was used both in intercity and transit service throughout the United States, including the (at the time) Territory of Hawaii.  You can see the full roster here:

http://www.omot.org/roster/GMOldLookList/tdhm4507.html

The kit would be sold through the ESM website (item number to be determined).  If the market exists, there would be at least two more bus kits to follow - including the iconic PD4501 Scenicruiser.  The TDH5304 "new look" Fishbowl bus from the 1960s would have been on the list, but I think someone already offers that model.

I'm looking at a maximum run of 50 kits per bus model.  How many folks here would be interested in a series of bus resin kits in general, and the TDM4507 specifically?

[Chris333]

With a 1948ish era I would go for one.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Bryan, I would be interested just to support the cause as I did when CMW and Trainworx offered MBTA busses. We modern modelers do NEED a quality RTS bus and this should be high on your list to such a project

[sirenwerks]

I would be in for both the 1960s PD4501 Scenicruiser and TDH5304 "new look" Fishbowl bus. The latter being the most interesting to me (at least 3 of the fishbowl for me, thanks), and I don't know of anyone doing it, at least one that appealed to my level of detail.

[Guilford Guy]

Aye, count me in!

[bbussey]

Surprisingly, even though they are identified with the 1960s and 1970s, the Scenicruiser built-dates are 1954 to 1956 and the model was exclusive to Greyhound, which happens to be perfect for my 1956 timeframe.

I'll see if I can dig up the link to the current Fishbowl model.  It was decent from what I remember.

Dan, NScaleWorld offers resin models of modern buses on eBay regularly:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2000s-American-Touring-Bus-N-Scale-1-160-/260812374561?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3cb9a10221
http://cgi.ebay.com/2000s-American-Touring-Bus-N-Scale-1-160-/250849269807?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3a67c8182f
http://cgi.ebay.com/2000s-American-Touring-Bus-W-Auto-Trailer-N-Scale-/260814577861?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3cb9c2a0c5

[SkipGear]

Bryan,
  One other thing that is needed is a simple Bluebird school bus in a few different lengths. It's a little modern for me but I started looking for one to put on my RBBB circus train and there is really nothing out there other than some toys and a sloppy resin cast on Ebay.

[bbussey]

Blue Bird has been making school buses for 80 years and still does.  That's a lot of school bus designs from which to guess which era would be the most appealing to everyone.

[SkipGear]

The two most prevelant are the:

 Conventional - at least the 70's till present with a few different hoods depending on power.

http://pictures.dealer.com/s/sonnymerryman/1402/5e7aca414046387201c81ac0bf0f1274.jpg

 American - a little later till present

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/257809590/Seattle_School_Buses_1999_Blue_Bird.jpg

An early 40's or 50's version would be nice also. The company started in 1938.

[sirenwerks]

Tony,

I'm still unclear as to whether MakeMyModel exists or not but - http://www.makemymodel.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=292&osCsid=63d6802472534d195b89467ecd3cf722 (It seems strange if they don't and still have their website up).

Also, I know I have seen a N scale flat faced Bluebird model advertised. If you have a Walthers catalog floating around, I think that's where I've seen it. Here's a 2nd gen casting being offered - http://cgi.ebay.com/Pirate-Models-Bluebird-1975-School-Bus-N-scale-Kit-/300571432016?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item45fb741450

For those looking for contemporary city bus, there's this 2nd gen casting as well - http://cgi.ebay.com/N-Scale-GMC-RTS-II-Transit-Bus-Kit-Pirate-Models-disc-/280708749720?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DMRU-220%252BUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D300571432016%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D1292254824381461115

[SkipGear]

Unfortunately, Make My Model and Pirate are no longer valid options. I tried to order the Pirate years ago for a customer and never saw it materialize. That Ebay listing is the first time I have actually seen one. I was beginning to believe it was vaporware.

[Mark5]

The two most prevelant are the:

 Conventional - at least the 70's till present with a few different hoods depending on power.

http://pictures.dealer.com/s/sonnymerryman/1402/5e7aca414046387201c81ac0bf0f1274.jpg

The body in this photo goes back to the 60s (when I was a kid). This kind of school bus body (more or less) pretty much stayed intact at least into the 90s (my kids rode). Different fronts on them - Intl, Ford, GMC, etc. Is that a Wayne body?

[sirenwerks]

Make sure you make a short bus version, for my old times sake.

[Roger Holmes]

I just received the Dan's Scenicruiser that I bought on eBay.  A decent casting but all of the graphics were hand painted--very good for hand painting but not up to decal or pad printed quality.  Unfortunately because of that it is not going to be a foreground model.

Brian--I'd be interested in a fishbowl bus.

[Bob Bufkin]

Wasn't there a scenicruiser done many years ago?  Believe by Bachmann.  I've got one stashede somewhere but it looked way undersize for N.