Kadee Quality Products has announced in their August Newsletter that the #78 coupler is to be discontinued. Most Rail Yard Models products currently specify use of the Kadee #78 coupler in the draft gear castings supplied with each kit. The two tank car kits can use McHenry shelf couplers (Kit 104 with minor modification to the draft gear castings and Kit 111 with no modifications.)
The Kadee web site indicates that a new #178 coupler will replace the discontinued #78, however there is no information provided on their web site regarding a #178 product.
For those customers that have unbuilt Rail Yard Models kits, the best and safest course of action I can suggest at this time is to pick up enough #78 couplers for each of your kits.
I will be in contact with Kadee in the next few days to get additional information on the changes. I will post updates on this issue as I get more details.
PENN CENTRAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY CONVENTION
Due to changes in my travel plans, I will not be able to fill orders "on demand" at this year's PCRRHS Convention. I don't have the space to bring the usual assortment of inventory this time around. However, I will be able to satisfy any pre-orders you may wish to make prior to the September 8th cutoff date. I apologize for this inconvenience.
MOPAC SHORT BAY WINDOW CABOOSE RETURNS!
After months of self inflicted delays, and one last minute setback, the Missouri Pacific Short Bay Window Caboose returns to the Rail Yard Models line-up. Hopefully you will find the changes to the kit worth the wait!
1. Etched Metal Handrails! 2. Near scale width draft gear castings. 3. Improved brake rigging detail 4. CD-ROM instructions 5. Updated full color history
The move to include etched metal railings was to simplify construction and improve the appearance of the car. For anyone that has ever built the original version of this car, the old "bend your own" wire railings was the most challenging steps in construction. And the good news for anyone that has the old kit, but never started or finished it because of the railings, an upgrade kit will be available that will include the etched metal parts and CD-ROM instructions for installing the handrails on your model.
A new feature has been added to the Catalog page, an option to get all of the product info for your order on a full sized CD-ROM. This option is provided for the growing number of Mac and laptop computer users that can't work directly off of the mini CD-ROM that is usually included in the kit box.
When you add the Full Size CD-ROM to your shopping cart, a 1 cent item will be added to your order indicating your request for a full sized CD. (Sorry, the shopping cart won't let me do it for free!) In order to cut down on the amount of extra "junk" you have to deal with, the mini CDs will be removed from the kits.
Should you want both the mini CD-ROMs that usually come with the kits *and* the Full Size CD, you can select that option for just $1.00 per order.
PRODUCT UPDATES
The Penn Central/Kellogg's X79 Box Car (Kit 101) has been updated with several significant revisions:
* Addition of a full Conrail repaint decal option. (Including KELX marks for CR/KELX paint-outs) * Modifications to the draft gear to better represent the cushion underframe * Upgrade to CD-ROM instructions and improved history document with detail photos.
It has been known for some time that a few of these cars were given full Conrail repaints after the end of Penn Central. What was not known was the exact layout and details of the paint scheme. A couple of years ago, I was fortunate to capture a Conrail/KELX paint-out X79 on a siding in Hollidaysburg, PA. Photos and close-up observations of this car provided the missing info to put together a decal set for the now confirmed (but still never photographed!) full Conrail X79. Click here go to the updated PC/CR/KELX catalog page.
The Trinity Molten Sulfur tank cars (Kit 111) are now available with the Martin Gas Sales paint scheme. Click here to go to the Molten Sulfur tank car catalog page for a diagram, photo and ordering info.
SHOW SCHEDULE
Here is a list of upcoming shows Rail
Yard Models will be attending. If you know you would like to purchase specific
kits at these events, it is best to pre-order. I try to bring a supply
of kits to each show, but have been known to sell out of certain
popular models. Pre-ordering guarantees you will get the kits you want.
All you need to do is send an e-mail before the event deadline listing
the event you will be at and kits you would like to get. You can
pre-pay by PayPal or pay at the show by cash or check unless otherwise instructed. (Please don't
use the shopping cart, it will charge shipping!)
2010 Shows Penn Central Railroad Historical Society Convention September 16th-18th Crown Plaza Hotel Coraopolis, PA Pre-Orders ONLY Pre-order deadline: September 8th For more information on this meet, click here Naperville Prototype Modelers Meet October 22nd & 23rd Holiday Inn Select 1801 Naper Blvd. Naperville, Il Pre-order deadline: October 20th For more information on this meet, click here
Mid Continent Prototype Modelers Meet November 6th & 7th Benton Lions Community Center 150 S. Main St. Benton, KS Pre-order deadline: November 4th For more information on this meet, click here
