Author Topic: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales  (Read 481 times)

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bbussey

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Showcase Miniatures announced a new resin model from Mad About Cars half an hour ago that they are calling the 1947 "G" Bus, I assume to avoid licensing issues.  The model is available in HO, N and Z.  Can anyone identify the prototype that the model is based on?

N Scale


HO Scale



Bryan Busséy
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Bridgeport & New London in N scale


nickelplate759

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2026, 03:56:32 PM »
0
GMC PD 3751
 most likely.
GMC PD 4151 looks similar, but was 1948

https://pacbus.org/museum-roster/1947-pacific-greyhound-lines/
« Last Edit: March 07, 2026, 04:00:22 PM by nickelplate759 »
George
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I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

Mark5

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2026, 03:56:47 PM »
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For a second was thinking PD-3751 - but no.  :?


rodsup9000

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2026, 05:02:33 PM »
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 Don't know what it is, but they sure put the wrong front rims on it. Those are modern aluminum wheels.
Rodney

My Feather River Canyon in N-scale
http://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31585.0

Rasputen

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2026, 06:13:57 PM »
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Looking at the rear of the model, I think it is meant to be a PD3751, it just has some details wrong as mentioned.  I guess I can put my version of it on the back burner  :(

thomasjmdavis

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2026, 06:16:34 PM »
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It looks enough like a PD 3751 to me that I think that is what it is supposed to be, although the detailing on the front looks out of scale, in terms of depth. 
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/12/curbside-classic-1947-gm-pd-3751-silversides-greyhound-bus-the-first-modern-diesel-bus/
Tom D.

I gave up rivet counting when I couldn't see an N scale rivet anymore.

peteski

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2026, 11:02:45 AM »
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I believe those photos are of H0 scale version. N scale seems to have much thicker walls (I also wish they would make their N scale model's walls thinner).
Yes, the wheels do look wrong.
. . . 42 . . .

Mark5

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2026, 01:16:14 PM »
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It looks enough like a PD 3751 to me that I think that is what it is supposed to be, although the detailing on the front looks out of scale, in terms of depth. 

I agree that it has many 3751 "cues", but that "brow" ...  :D


bbussey

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2026, 01:26:17 PM »
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I believe those photos are of H0 scale version. N scale seems to have much thicker walls (I also wish they would make their N scale model's walls thinner).
Yes, the wheels do look wrong.

The top photo is the N scale model. The bottom photo is the HO model. I did not include the Z scale model but there are photos on the website. There also is a photo of the three models stacked on top of each other.

It definitely is based on the PD-3751 but there are some modifications I’m guessing to avoid having to license the models with GM. It’s very close to accurate.

I ordered one. Yes, the front wheels are too modern. But I have to turn the wheels counterclockwise on my model anyway so I will be replacing the front end of the chassis. The Greyhound paint scheme will be a b!tch, and the dog artwork is on placards rather than painted on the fluted stainless steel, not sure how I will proceed at this point.
« Last Edit: March 08, 2026, 01:29:11 PM by bbussey »
Bryan Busséy
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www.bbussey.net
Bridgeport & New London in N scale


Jimbo

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2026, 01:30:30 PM »
+2
While I appreciate that not everyone will agree with me, in my mind the focus is on the trains, and if the background details (e.g. vehicles) aren’t perfect, I don’t lose sleep.  (Which is why I’m OK with generic Woodland Scenics vehicles.)

Having said that, I don’t want the vehicles to feel anachronistic!  And, value is important to me.  SO, I won’t spend significant $$ on vehicles that are either “off” or require a lot of work (such as paint) to get them layout-ready.

Fortunately, @Rasputen has graciously made available MANY vehicles that fit my time period that are fairly priced, and definitely worth the effort to make them “layout-ready.”  His vehicles are works of art!

Here’s hoping he chooses to take this bus off the back burner and make a more-accurate and more-affordable option available to us!

Jim

TechnicalATSF

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2026, 02:49:34 PM »
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Maybe they are based on GMC PD 4151. Similar to PD3751, but seating 4 more passengers. Officially a 47 model, but the PD4151 where all made in 1948.

https://pacbus.org/museum-roster/1947-pacific-greyhound-lines/

rodsup9000

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2026, 03:00:02 PM »
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I ordered one. Yes, the front wheels are too modern. But I have to turn the wheels counterclockwise on my model anyway so I will be replacing the front end of the chassis. The Greyhound paint scheme will be a b!tch, and the dog artwork is on placards rather than painted on the fluted stainless steel, not sure how I will proceed at this point.

 Bryan

Can't wait to see it done
Rodney

My Feather River Canyon in N-scale
http://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31585.0

OldEastRR

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Re: Showcase Miniatures releases "1947 G Bus" resin model in three scales
« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2026, 09:13:34 PM »
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Actually, looking at a picture of the prototype restored 1937 bus, those ARE the right front wheels. We young'ns often don't realize that streamlining vehicles began in the 1920s,and that opened a whole new world of design that looked almost SF-like. Imagine  how weird the M-10000 looked to people in 1939 when parked next to NYC Hudson-led heavyweight cars. Wheels with oval openings seemed to fit right in then.