I am constantly searching for E. Suydam & Company accessories/parts for my collection of Suydam HO scale brass interurban car models. My collection consist of brass models that represent real-life cars of the Pacific Electric and the Sacramento Northern Railways. Most of these Suydam accessories/parts (like the brass models they were designed for) are over four decades old. Therefore they're very difficult to find - even on eBay. Some are easy to find, some are not. I am always on the lookout for Suydam couplers. Suydam couplers come in two groups - "interurban wide swing couplers" (item# S-154) and "simulated Tomlinson couplers" (item# S-176). These two accessories are very hard to come by on the internet.
I tried Alpine - the company that took over E. Suydam & Co. But they don't answer their e-mails. I guess I may have to give them a call. I refuse to give up on my search for the Suydam couplers. Because I believe there's someone out there who has Suydam couplers they may want to part with. But I can sure use some suggestions that may help me find the couplers quicker (on the internet). Any help?
TractionNut,
Did you ever check, these people out. Maybe, they can help you!:
http://www.trolleyville.com/trolleyville.shtml
Just a Thought!
Cheers,
Frank
Edit: I probably,should have mentioned, that there is an article, on the site, on how to make, your own, if you choose. Browse around, on that site, I found it very interesting!
I have a friend who also is putting together a set of trollies by suydam bros. ,,no garantees but I well ask him if he knows any thing on where to find couplers ... he may know as his dad was one of the bros. ...JW
he says the same , alpine or e-bay with luck ... sorry JW
I would check Precision Scale Company's website. This would only give you the address to get a catalog from. PSC bought out Kemtron many years ago, and advertize over 14,000 parts. I remember that Kemtron offered several Interurban and Streetcar couplers, including the wide swing ones. They may be your best bet.
Carey
Keep it between the Rails
Alabama Central Homepage
Nara member #128
NMRA &SER Life member
cjcrescentI would check Precision Scale Company's website. This would only give you the address to get a catalog from.
Actually I believe that you can view their catalogs on-line: http://www.precisionscaleco.com/. Click on the button that says "detail parts" and you'll get to another page with the catalog links.
Thanks to you all!!! I am grateful for your replies and suggestions. I knew searching for these rare Suydam couplers wasn't going to be "a walk in the park". But, I have no intention of giving up. I will try all of your suggestions.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to help me out in my quest for rare Suydam couplers.
TractionNut
TractionNut: Check your "Conversations" for a message re: Suydam Tracton
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Gary M. Collins gmcrailgNOSPAM@gmail.com
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"Common Sense, Ain't!" -- G. M. Collins
http://fhn.site90.net
maxman Actually I believe that you can view their catalogs on-line: http://www.precisionscaleco.com/. Click on the button that says "detail parts" and you'll get to another page with the catalog links.
I have to admit, that is news to me, even if its just the PIA parts. I'd have to say 6 months ago they weren't listed. For the longest time they stated on the website, that there was no way to get all 14,000 of their parts on line for viewing as it would be just "too much work, and take up too much bandwideth..."Used to all they had listed were just some of the scratch-building supplies, trucks, track, etc.
Maybe they'll actually start getting all their parts on-line, as I hate having to buy a catalog only to find that there isn't enough new things listed to actually justify the cat. price every year or so.
I like the PSC parts, and hope that they do continue to add more than just the PIA. They have a greater variety than Cal-scale although some of the CS parts are better. Considering that one of Bowser's reps, (they own Cal-Scale), at the National Train Show this past summer told me that except for more diesel parts there would be no more steam parts made, kinda shocked me. While steamers are not as popular as they once were, there are still some of us who get great pleasure out of redetailing, or superdetailing certain locomotives. I hate to have to think that one day, I'd have to also scratchbuild a cross compound air pump out of 30-40 pieces of filied and soldered brass. I'm good, but even I don't want to go through that much.
The PSC catalogue for HO Scale Steam Locomotives shows couplers for traction or passenger cars, Part #31175. The two drawings show long-shank couplers mounted on a radiused end assembly, but it's not clear if that's part of the coupler package or not. The second drawing shows that the casting into which the coupler shank fits does swing with the coupler, so it's likely that what's shown may all be included. That second drawing shows two coupled car ends at a 100° angle to one another.
Wayne
cicrescent,
I've checked out your Alabama Central Homepage. And though I had no time to look it over thoroughly, I was extremely impressed by what I saw and read. I'm going to check back every now and then. Even though you are far from finish, what I've seen can still be described in one word - AWESOME!!! I hope you get your family issues you mentioned in the website resolved - what you have there is a masterpiece in progress. I'm a strict traction guy, but I know this would still be a fun layout to watch. I like steam and diesel, too. Though you are experiencing a slow down, you will get up to speed again. And I wish you a load of success with you layout.