January 2024 Speedwitch Update

Kits

  • CNW PS-1 Auto Car (K124) This is the last group of these cars. As soon as this supply is exhausted, I will retire this kit
  • SP A-50-11 (K125) – there will be more of these available in mid-January. Stay tuned
  • Milwaukee 50’ single sheathed Auto Car (K126) – board-by-board construction of the pattern… the launch of these will be soon… I will post that news in the usual places
  • CG Emergency Box Car (K129) – board-by-board construction of the pattern… this is progressing with an expected release some time in February
  • ATSF Bx-34 (P126) – this is also expected some time in February; it is not a full kit, but rather includes detailed Duryea underframe with side sill support tabs, placard and route card boards, ladders, and other details unique to these cars plus decals (decals will letter one Bx-34 as well as a “bonus” Bx-37). It will be offered in two versions: as-built (incl. curved map) and postwar repaints with ’ship and travel’ scheme

Other kits are in the works and details will be provided as they near release

Books

I will ship all orders for the week of Jan 1 during the week of Jan 8, so if you place more than one order during that period, I will combine them and refund the shipping balance

End of October Update

I am disappointed that I missed the new new new Naperville this past weekend (can’t believe it’s on its fourth incarnation… I remember attending my first ca. 1997!) I had an unexpected death in my family that hit hard. I know that many of you had reached out in advance of the meet and were expecting to see me. Next year if not sooner! Here are a few updates in no particular order…

Revised SFCRM 1 – preorders are open for a revised version of Steam Era Freight Cars Reference Manual, Volume One: Box and Automobile Cars with shipping scheduled for the third week of November (week of Nov. 16). I have added additional content (with the page count now over 230 pages,) primarily to the late 40s and early 50s era although there are updates sprinkled throughout. These are now being printed as a perfect-bound (softcover) book. If you missed the original version, this is highly recommended as a “top of the workbench” reference to answer many basic questions about significant prototypes. Best news: the price remains unchanged at $60!!!

Other books of note in stock (note that if you click and the quantity shows as out of stock, that has happened since this posting… apologies!):

Parts – in reorganizing things, I came across a few odds and ends of parts that I have in small quantities. They are listed below. If you click and inventory is zero, then it has sold out since I posted this message

K124 CNW PS-1 40’ Riveted Auto Car – there are a couple of these left. There will be one more “drop” of approximately 25 kits in the next month or so and then that’s it…. the kit will be retired by me. If you click and inventory is zero, then it has sold out since I posted this message and the next and last batch will be updated in late Nov or early Dec

The next kit info can be found here – it’s the Southern Pacific A-50-11 Auto Car 

The details about the subscription plan for kits can be found via this link

Thank you for all the support! Stay well and enjoy the end of year and holidays