2-8-2 Chassis Update

Friends, here is the latest. Subcriptions for the 'J' Class chassis and tender will begin on July 14. No reservation price at this time. We'll let you know. Remember the more we order the cheaper the price. You can know preorder I hear. Searails.com Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

Subscription for "J" Class 2-8-2 and Tender. Cast pewter, bead blasted matte black with receivers for body mounted couplers, decals for three (3) roads (PRR, NYC, CNW). $65 for the engine, $60 for the tender, $100 for both, $500 for a set decorated to specification. Advance paid reservations for September 26 delivery.

Any cast sample (I mean anything) like bell, smoke stack or a roof section to see Searails has the capability to produce credible cast metal steam locomotive shells in Z-scale? There is absolutely no track record of that. Some good quality samples are really helpful to relax the sceptics and build confidence.

Lajos

Lajos, I don't believe Searails is doing metal work in house. A second party is doing it. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

i ordered the loco shell last night -- a note from searails says i was the first! there is a tab for the steamer and heavy weights under the loco shells tab.

money back guarantee, can't beat that. $15 for shipping is automatically added thus bringing the total for the loco shell (w/o tender) to $65. just having the heavy pewter boiler to fit on the marklin chassis is a great place to begin. with domes/stacks, pumps, etc. we should get a great start on an american loco. put some BullFrog Snot (available at zscalemonster) on one set of driving wheels and this should pull like nothing before.

this is a good thing for Z and for steam fans. i'm really not a big steam fan, but it's nice to have something good to put on the marklin chassis. there's something about a steam engine, with siderods moving, that just captures your attention. my 2 year old grand daughter gets upset when my diesels are on my track, but watches for long periods when the steamer is chugging along.

i get the impression that some parts (for the loco) will be made from soft metal and other parts (like domes/stacks) from the Rapid Prototype material which is Searails bread and butter. if this is what gets us "adaptable" parts to arrange according to our specific prototypes, then i'm all for it. it's not clear to me, but i believe the extra parts won't happen until later, so i'm expecting the loco shell to come as seen in the picture (of the "J" class from the poll).

look, when their trucks cars first came out i was one of their biggest critics. but i jumped on the RS shell and i'm glad i did. Searails work is focused on making better products. i can understand them wanting "pre-orders" because if there isn't a demand then why invest the money. but if we will buy them, they will try to make them satisfactorily. both parties are taking a risk to advance Z products for modelers. by jumping on the mikado shell now (as i did with the RS shell)we get a better price break AND moneyback if not satisfied.

if you want steam and don't want this good possibility to dry up, then i think you should take a chance. this could be just the beginning of some good steam alternatives in Z.
dave f.

FYI,
This chassis probably can be also used on the Pacific. If I recall correctly both USRA designs relied on the same boiler, but different wheel arrangement. Please correct me if I am wrong.

You are correct. This shell can also be used with the Marklin 4-6-2 chassis. I'm going to use one on mine. Cheers, Jim CCRR:) Order at: searails.com

No chance to fit it on the forthcoming Japanese Mike's chassis?

Dom

Dom, We don't know yet. If the Japanese copied the German chassis then it should fit. I they did there own who knows? Someone will have to chime in and tell us there results. Cheers, Jim CCRR:unsure:

Anyone has a link describing the japanesee mikado?

kmalkowski wrote:

Anyone has a link describing the japanesee mikado?

Here's all we have at the moment:

www.1999.co.jp/eng/10092806

www.tenshodo-models.com/product/release/img/page11_1b.jpg

www.tenshodo-models.com/product/release/img/page11_2b.jpg

translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.yahoo.co.jp%2Fuo3jp&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Well, It was time to put my money were my pie hole is, I just ordered the shell and tender. How many others have taken the plunge? Tim

Here is and update:
There are new updates for BOTH the MIKADO 2-8-2 project, and for the first PULLMAN "HEAVYWEIGHT" - a Railway Express Agency/Railroad Post Office car with 2-axle trucks. They can be found on the SEARAILS.com webpage.

This coming week, RP acrylic prototypes of the 2-8-2 will be produced, and the RPO shell will have its CAD vestibules attached, and dormer and main windows cut with their frames and the mail catcher mechanism added.

Next steps include mounting the Mikado on the powered chassis for testing, and pewter casting of the RPO undercarriage and acquistion of its metal wheels.

Stay Tuned, we'll be mounting photos ASAP!

Comments and positive criticsm is always welcome.

Jim Searails

Cheers, Jim CCRR