Stuff AT&SF N modelers want and nobody makes

[Curtis Kyger]

I'd just like to have some Atlas GP7's and GP9's on the market again; especially now that we should be able to get sound in them.  Is that too much to ask?

[Cajonpassfan]

I second that, Dirk’s work is a lifesaver for us classic Santa Fe guys.
Still, getting accurate, quality ready to run models would be welcome.

My short list?
a 3800
a decent Santa Fe classic era caboose (for crying out loud, there must be a dozen ATSF based cabooses out there, and they are all crap)
3776/2990 4-8-4 (same lament as above, multiple versions of the same bad model)
Blue and Indian sleepers (original, with duplex windows)
Bx-11/12
more SFRD 40’ reefers; maybe woodsided ARA or RR-47/48 plug door

Oh, and a bunch of 3800’s
Otto K.

@Sokramiketes, that is one gorgeous photo, Santa Fe personified!

[chessie system fan]

Are there any plans of that sleeper anywhere?

[kiwi_al]

kiwi_al,

ATSF N Scale Models do a few conversion kits that may fill a couple of your requirements, specifically the 2-10-2 Class 3800 and the Mikado.  Ok, it's not the same as being able to pick them up from the shop shelf, but I've welcomed the projects during lockdown .
https://atsfnscalemodels.com/
So far, I've done four of the loco conversions and am really pleased with the results.
Cheers, Ted

Hi Ted, I'm already a big fan of Dirks kits, I have a lot of upcoming projects that are based on or need his kits

[kiwi_al]

Diesel shortlist:
E1A + B shell available from Robert Nunes
HH600
HH1000
FM 10-44 shell on Shapeways
FM 12-44 Shell on shapeways
FM 12-44TS
DT 6-6-2000 - kit on shapeways
F9A + B  Freight
DS 4-4-1000
Class 2610
Class 1A Bulldog
Class 1 Amos and Andy
Doodlebugs -  Articulated
TR4 A & B cow and calf
MK1200G Green Goat
EMC SC

Just a few 

[Tad_T]

Are there any plans of that sleeper anywhere?

The review on the Walters HO version of the Indian sleepers states:

“Our sample closely matches the floor plan and dimensions published in the book Sleeping Cars of the Santa Fe, published by the Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society.”

https://www.trains.com/mrr/news-reviews/reviews/staff-reviews/quick-look-walthers-ho-scale-santa-fe-24-duplex-roomette-sleeper/

[thomasjmdavis]

Are there any plans of that sleeper anywhere?

https://sfrhms.org/product/vol-5-sleeping-cars-of-the-santa-fe/

I'm not sure which sleeper you meant by "that sleeper" (Blue? Indian? Other?), but it will be in that book if the ATSF had it.  Even more detail on Pullman Standard Sleepers in Randall's Pullman Standard Library Vol. 1, and no doubt the SFRHMS could also supply plans.

Sides for the Blue and Indian sleepers have been done by (at least) JnJ, M&R, and Union Station (the last are still available).  The later Indian sleepers (after conversion to 11 dbr) were done by Kato a few years ago, along with a skirtless Budd 10-6.

[chessie system fan]

Thanks.  I've heard of those books.  I guess I should have been more specific.  If any of those cars in question had plans that were published in a magazine like Mainline Modeler or MR I've probably got them and was curious. 

[arbomambo]

Thanks.  I've heard of those books.  I guess I should have been more specific.  If any of those cars in question had plans that were published in a magazine like Mainline Modeler or MR I've probably got them and was curious.

Aaron,
  I have the books.

BTW, Roberto says that the indian sleeper sides that he produced (pre-rebuild duplex style) are inaccurate (wrong positioning of the letterboard) and that he intends/intended to produce another.

[Mark5]

BTW, Roberto says that the indian sleeper sides that he produced (pre-rebuild duplex style) are inaccurate (wrong positioning of the letterboard) and that he intends/intended to produce another.

Has anyone actually had contact with Roberto recently? I've emailed him several times in recent years with no response.    (@libero.it)

[thomasjmdavis]

Thanks.  I've heard of those books.  I guess I should have been more specific.  If any of those cars in question had plans that were published in a magazine like Mainline Modeler or MR I've probably got them and was curious.

Dec 1997 MR had an article about building an Indian sleeper from car sides (probably HO), but Kalmbach has put all the tables of contents for their magazines behind a paywall, and for whatever reason, I have Nov 97 and Jan 98, but the one in between is lost, mislaid, or was one of many lost to water damage 20+ years ago- so I can't say whether plans are included in the article.

Without the handy "Trains" index, looking them up is difficult for the time being. Wayback Machine (internet archive) maybe?  You can see the basic side layouts by looking up the cars on the Union Station Products website.
The newer index is not as helpful, since it brings up 30-50 ads for every actual article, but rrmagazineindex.org may still help if you can narrow the search terms enough.

Has anyone actually had contact with Roberto recently? I've emailed him several times in recent years with no response.    (@libero.it)

He has posted a few times on N Scale Varnish relatively recently.  I believe he's had to find a new etching company.  But AFAIK, no new production.

BTW, Roberto says that the indian sleeper sides that he produced (pre-rebuild duplex style) are inaccurate (wrong positioning of the letterboard) and that he intends/intended to produce another.

Well, that sent me to my project boxes to look at both my M&R and JnJ sides for the cars to compare them to photos in the sleeper book.....but.....since I haven't worked on those cars since we moved back to the "country house" upon retirement, they aren't in the project boxes....which means they are in one of the 2 dozen "waiting for the layout" boxes....

[jagged ben]

What are differences between the original Indian sleeper and the Kato version?

[thomasjmdavis]

What are differences between the original Indian sleeper and the Kato version?

The original Indian sleepers had 24 duplex roomettes.  They were rebuilt (1964) to a completely different floorplan with 11 double bedrooms, including new sides with large windows on one level, and new fluting to accommodate the new window pattern, and even new trucks for better ride. Virtually new cars. The Kato is correct for the post-1964 cars, that ran on the Super Chief.

[chessie system fan]

Aaron,
  I have the books.

Good to know!

I looked up my Dec 1997 MR. The article is actually a product review of the HO Union Station Indian car sides.  So no plans, but it did mention that there is a drawing in the plan booklet MR published for Santa Fe back in 1948 or so, which I have. So I at least have drawings for one side.  I assume the other side is identical?  Once I finish my Empire Builder project I could probably add this to my 3D project list.

[thomasjmdavis]

The other side is close to identical (mirror image), but the small windows at the vestibule end are different on the 2 sides, at least according to the drawings in the Randall book.