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No More Cal Scale Harriman Super Detail Kits?

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No More Cal Scale Harriman Super Detail Kits?
Posted by Attuvian on Friday, March 11, 2011 11:05 PM

I would like to finish off an old MDC/Roundhouse 2-6-2 Harriman with Cal Scale's #190-2021 super detail kit.  Have heard that Bowser recently had a few but apparently they're now sold out as well.  Has anyone got a lead on one of these out there in someone's unused stock?  If that fails the next step is to ask if the kit was made up of other available Cal Scale parts and what, if any, part numbers apply.   Obliged, friends.

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Posted by maxman on Friday, March 11, 2011 11:53 PM

Attuvian

I would like to finish off an old MDC/Roundhouse 2-6-2 Harriman with Cal Scale's #190-2021 super detail kit.  Have heard that Bowser recently had a few but apparently they're now sold out as well.  Has anyone got a lead on one of these out there in someone's unused stock?  If that fails the next step is to ask if the kit was made up of other available Cal Scale parts and what, if any, part numbers apply.   Obliged, friends.

Looking at the Bowser website, it says that the 190-2021 detail kit is for the MDC 4-4-2 Atlantic.  But since I know nothing about steam engines, all I can do is direct you to the website page where they diagram all the parts that made up the kit: http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoother/calscale/6000.pdf.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards 

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Posted by Attuvian on Saturday, March 12, 2011 12:53 AM

The kit is applicable to all of the MDC/Roundhouse Harrimans (4-4-2s, 2-6-0s, 2-6-2s) as they all have the same boilers and cabs.  Only the undercarriage and wheel configurations are different.  The problem, at least as I'm reading it, is that all but I think one of the items identified with "Det" numbers have np other part numbers listed.  The 190- numbers are Cal Scale items and the 13- series parts are from Carey.  But the 90xxx series parts are still a mystery.

Welcome to old guys obsessing about the steam that they grew up with.  Believe it or not, I can still recall the fragrance of the hot cinders and gases being pumped out of NYC locos on the Michigan Central in the very early 50s.  I'll probably see a response suggesting that I just cough up the bucks and buy something already detailed.  Or someone questioning the throwing of time and money at a loco kit that originally cost less than $40.  I guess superdetailing steam is just a "different strokes" kind of thing - and one that appears to be on its way to becoming a lost art.  Thanks for your time, Maxman.

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Posted by Forty Niner on Saturday, March 12, 2011 5:17 AM

I see no problem what so ever with what you want to do and actually applaud your efforts in that direction but, you do realize that neither UP nor SP had any 2-6-2s ? Espee had 1 back in the 1930s that they acquired from the EP&SW but it barely survived long enough to be painted into SP colors. And it was a "straight" boilered engine and not a "Harriman Standard" design as they call these. As for the other MDC engines, the 4-6-0 comes closest to anything the SP ever owned. Of course this doesn't mean you can't use the old "modelers license" but when you can't find out what the roadnumbers were this will explain why.

That being said, they are great little engines and give the "feel" of the Harriman design and are usually great runners as well. I had a couple of the 4-6-0's back in the 1960s before the brass ones became available. Hated to see them go in a way but next to the brass ones they just didn't make the grade, in "my" eyes. Besides, I bought mine for what you paid for yours, $40 each. My how things have changed..................

Good luck on your project..........

Mark

WGAS

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Posted by Attuvian on Saturday, March 12, 2011 10:32 AM

Thanks for your support, Mark.  On one hand I suppose I won't have to stretch my license too far as this guy is being built for my own Southern Oregon short line.  And though it will have some connection to an SP main line (early Black Widow diesel era), who knows where they bought it.  But on the other hand, there's going to be a couple of other curiosities about it.  I'm replacing the cheesy MDC ones with spoked pilot and trailing trucks.  They were present on lots of Prairies (like those of the SP&S - though they weren't Harrimans, either).  And I'm jumping a little farther over the hill as the trailer is a Precision Scale Delta with the generator removed to fit.  Also working on dropping a flywheeled Mashima or Igarashi in it.  I think it will be a sweet little unit if I can get the detail kit somewhere.

John

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Posted by maxman on Saturday, March 12, 2011 11:24 AM

Attuvian

 The problem, at least as I'm reading it, is that all but I think one of the items identified with "Det" numbers have np other part numbers listed.  The 190- numbers are Cal Scale items and the 13- series parts are from Carey.  But the 90xxx series parts are still a mystery.

The 90xxx series numbers seem to be Bowser parts.  See the following link and scroll down to the number you want: http://www.bowser-trains.com/Prices/Bowser%20HO%20Parts%20Prices.htm.

I can't help you with the DET things, but a lot of them seem to be piping configurations or things that could be made from whatever they use to make the piping, the cab handrails for example.  I'm wondering if DET means "detail" and that the instructions that came with the kit had some sort of detail views showing how the wire was supposed to be bent.

My suggestion is that you call Bowser and discuss this with them.  Ask them what the DET means, and ask them if there were any instructions that came with the kit.  If they no longer have the kit, they should at least be able to get you a copy of the paperwork (if there was anything besides the sketch), especially if you indicate that you want to buy $100 worth of detail parts from them.  You might have to be persistent to get to the knowledgeable individual.  I'm not certain, but I think the most knowledgeable person there on your topic would be Lee English.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards

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Posted by andrechapelon on Saturday, March 12, 2011 2:06 PM

Attuvian

I would like to finish off an old MDC/Roundhouse 2-6-2 Harriman with Cal Scale's #190-2021 super detail kit.  Have heard that Bowser recently had a few but apparently they're now sold out as well.  Has anyone got a lead on one of these out there in someone's unused stock?  If that fails the next step is to ask if the kit was made up of other available Cal Scale parts and what, if any, part numbers apply.   Obliged, friends.

Try calling The Train Shop in Santa Clara, CA. They don't have an online presence, but they do have an extensive inventory of lost wax brass castings both PSC and Cal-Scale. I can't guarantee they'd have any of the 190-2021 kits in stock, but you don't know until you ask.

The phone number is (408) 296-1050 and they're open Monday thru Saturday from 9:30 to 6:00. Barring that, PSC and Cal-Scale both make individual parts that would be correct for the model. I don't know if you've got a PSC catalog, but it's a very good investment if you're into detailing steam locomotives. You could use the diagram here: http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoother/calscale/6000.pdf to determine what parts you need, either Cal-Scale by number or PSC by picture. The PSC catalog sells for $18.00 if you get it directly from PSC. http://psc1.virtualfocus.com/

Andre

 

It's really kind of hard to support your local hobby shop when the nearest hobby shop that's worth the name is a 150 mile roundtrip.
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Posted by Attuvian on Saturday, March 12, 2011 3:34 PM

Thanks, Andre.  Just gave them a call and they didn't have it.  The search continues . . . 

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Posted by Attuvian on Saturday, March 12, 2011 3:38 PM

Thanks.  That nailed down the Bowser number issue.  I'll se if I can get in touch with Mr. English.  I'm betting that the kit, which has been around for a long time, is the source of any number of inquiries with the Bowser folks.  They may have some idea if they are ever going to be produced again.

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Posted by yesterdaysradio1 on Saturday, March 12, 2011 6:48 PM

Hello,

I download the instructions for the 190-2021 detail kit. I have 100's  of Cal Scale parts.

What parts would you  like?

Jerry

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Posted by andrechapelon on Saturday, March 12, 2011 8:17 PM

Attuvian

Thanks, Andre.  Just gave them a call and they didn't have it.  The search continues . . . 

Sorry they couldn't help. It was worth a try.

Andre 

It's really kind of hard to support your local hobby shop when the nearest hobby shop that's worth the name is a 150 mile roundtrip.
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Posted by fwright on Saturday, March 12, 2011 8:57 PM

In my recent dealings with Bowser, they have taken a back order on detail items that are no longer in stock.  According to the person I spoke with, they will rerun detail kits if there is enough demand in back orders.  As an example, the super detail kit for the Cary 4-4-0 Pittsburgh boiler will likely never be rerun again.  But the detail kit for the Roundhouse Shay likely will in the near future.

just my experiences

Fred W

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Posted by Attuvian on Saturday, March 12, 2011 9:57 PM

Howdy!  I appreciate the offer.  Let me get back to you in a few days.  I need to sort out what might be in the detail kit against what individual items from the kit are available separately and what part numbers they have.  The Cal Scale diagram is not helpful in this regard because it doesn't specify numbers for some of the critical ones.

By the way - I listened to the radio once yesterday.  Does that give me "inside" status ?  : )

John

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Posted by Attuvian on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 12:04 PM

Jerry,

I found one at toytrainheaven.com!  At a discount, no less, that left me with $5 off even after the postage.  In any case I'm going to keep you in mind for some other Cal Scale stuff.  Is there a way to get in touch outside of the forum?  I'm kinda new to this forum stuff and am unfamiliar with some of the "ins and outs" that apply.

John

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Posted by cmmodeler on Sunday, September 4, 2011 5:55 AM

I have just aquired literally thousands of detail parts from a hobby shop that went out of business.  There is a box of 200-300 cal scale parts that I haven't gone through yet.  Some of the part numbers are alpha-numeric, i.e. GE-348 for a generator and some are the 190-nnn part numbers.  I have about 400-500 Precision scale parts.  I also have Kemtron, Details West, Grant Line, Scale rails, Utah Pacific, Overland models (parts only) and many many others.  Unfortunately, most of the the Precision Sale parts only have a part number on them and no desciption of what the part is.  Can anyone help me identify the Precision Scale parts?

 just aquired this and I am still sorting it out.  Let me know more specifically what parts that you want and I'll see if I can find it.

Darrel

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Posted by maxman on Sunday, September 4, 2011 10:56 AM

cmmodeler

 Unfortunately, most of the the Precision Sale parts only have a part number on them and no desciption of what the part is.  Can anyone help me identify the Precision Scale parts?

 

Try the Walthers on-line catalog: http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?quick=precision+scale

Generally Walthers catalogs items using a manufacturer ID number, which in this case appears to be 585, followed by whatever the manufacturer's part number was.

Regards

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Posted by maxman on Sunday, September 4, 2011 3:42 PM

cmmodeler, I'm sending you a private message.

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Posted by zt1951 on Friday, May 31, 2019 11:27 AM

Hi all,

I know this thread is old, but had to check here. Found the "6000.pdf" on the current Bowser site. It mentions instructions that came with the kit. Anyone still have a copy of these instructions that could be scanned? It would contain the "Det" information as to how to put this together. Thanks.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, May 31, 2019 10:18 PM

Welcome to the Model Railroader forums. Your first few posts are going to be delayed a bit by the friendly moderators. Please stick with us. That delay will end soon enough.

.

You might want to try the HOSEEKER website.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, June 1, 2019 12:54 AM

For anybody looking for Cal-Scale detail parts, contact, or better yet, visit English's Model Railroad Supply, in Montoursville, PA.   
Their selection of Cal-Scale detail parts is mind boggling, and when visiting there, I usually spend a couple of hours browsing through the pull-out racks of Cal-Scale stuff.  There are many items made for brass builders in other countries, specific perhaps to a particular locomotive belonging to a particular railroad.  It would be difficult to not find something you need that's suitable.

For spoked pilot and trailing truck wheels...

Precision Scale

should have something suitable.

Wayne

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Posted by Attuvian on Saturday, June 1, 2019 8:26 AM

zt1951

Hi all,

I know this thread is old, but had to check here. Found the "6000.pdf" on the current Bowser site. It mentions instructions that came with the kit. Anyone still have a copy of these instructions that could be scanned? It would contain the "Det" information as to how to put this together. Thanks.

 
ZT,
 
What is the "6000.pdf" a picture of?  That would really help some of us folks.
 
And welcome to the forums!
 
John
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Posted by garya on Saturday, June 1, 2019 9:07 AM

zt1951

Hi all,

I know this thread is old, but had to check here. Found the "6000.pdf" on the current Bowser site. It mentions instructions that came with the kit. Anyone still have a copy of these instructions that could be scanned? It would contain the "Det" information as to how to put this together. Thanks.

 

I have one of these kits.  I don't have a scanner, but I can bring it to work next week and scan the instructions.  I'll try to get it done this coming week.

Gary

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Posted by BigDaddy on Saturday, June 1, 2019 10:07 AM

Attuvian
What is the "6000.pdf" a picture of? That would really help some of us folks.

It's actually 6 pages of parts you can see in Wayne's link

doctorwayne
Their selection of Cal-Scale detail parts is mind boggling,

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by Attuvian on Saturday, June 1, 2019 10:31 AM

garya
 
zt1951

Hi all,

I know this thread is old, but had to check here. Found the "6000.pdf" on the current Bowser site. It mentions instructions that came with the kit. Anyone still have a copy of these instructions that could be scanned? It would contain the "Det" information as to how to put this together. Thanks.

 

 

I have one of these kits.  I don't have a scanner, but I can bring it to work next week and scan the instructions.  I'll try to get it done this coming week.

 
ZT and Gary,
 
I've already got this scanned.  I misunderstood (?) that it was the particular instructions to the Cal Scale 190-2021 kit that were being requested.
 
ZT - if you will send me a private, personal message (PM) with your email address (click on "messages" under your login in the upper right hand corner of this page), I will forward it to you.  It is a four page Adobe document.
 
BTW, in the string above, "DET" does indeed stand for "detail" and represents piping, handrails, and grabirons that you cut from the appropriate (and noted) piano wire sizes and bend according to the pattern in the instrictions.  Also, all 13- part numbers are Cary, 190- are Cal Scale, and all 900 series part numbers (without a prefix) are Bowser parts.
 
The entire superdetail kit is long since GONE from pretty much every on-line and local hobby shop (LHS) retailer on the planet known to man.  You MIGHT be able to locate one gathering dust by joining up and inquiring at HOswap.io or other inernet swap sites and blogs.  If Mike is not willing to part with his set for love or money (I also have one, but it's reserved for a long-standing project), most of the individual parts that make up the set are still available direct from Bowser and possibly some other vendors.  Of course, buying the individual parts is a bit more pricey than getting the whole set in one box, but that was always the case.
 
Good luck!
 
John
 
EDIT:  Sorry, Henry, I was still typing my response when you made everything plain with Dr. Wayne's ever-handy link to the Bowser page.  Still, I don't think that there's a note on Bowser's pages that indicates the 900 series part numbers as being their own.
 
I wonder if Bowser is still capable of resurrecting this superdetail kit or is inclined to do so.  Every year or two I check and it has remained virtually extinct.
 
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Posted by zt1951 on Monday, June 24, 2019 12:53 PM

John,

Thank you for your offer on the pdf, I have sent a private message with my e-mail and look forward to its receipt.

For general edification, I have spent a bit of time tracking down the individual parts with Lee at Bowser Manufacturing based on the parts list posted there for the kit:

http://www.bowser-trains.com/docs/Cal%20Scale/6000.pdf

The first column in the list below will relate to the numbers in the above drawing and the second is the "current" part number followed with the description.  Parts starting with "1-" are Bowser part numbers, "13-" are Cary part numbers and "190-" are Cal Scale.

  • 90018, 1-90018, Air & Signal Hoses Tender
  • 90019, 1-90019, Steam Hose Tender
  • 90433, 1-90433, Coupler Lift Bar Stanchion
  • 90463, 1-90463, Pipe Hanger Two Hole
  • 90492, 1-90492, Piping Bracket 4 Hole
  • 90427, 190-247, Pop Valves **
  • 90053, 190-603, Pilot Brace & Step
  • 6000, 190-604, Handrail Stanchions

** This item may not be exactly as the original, but is very close.

Also, the part number at the top of the drawing that is cutoff is "13-146" (Whistle Left Side Mount).

All the remaning parts are as printed on the drawing.  Several of these parts are listed as back ordered on the Bowser site or are not listed at all.  I supose that MRR shows and ebay will be the only source for these.

Best, Scott

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