Two pieces of information were found in the materials on hand. One is Kawai's advertisement in a Japanese hobby magazine, and the other is a sales promotion drawing of a mail order company. The latter says at the exchange rate at the time, the assembly was $3.75 and the kit was $2.36. How much did IMP make by selling this kit for $10.00?
the Sept. 1953 issue of "the Hobby of Model Railroading" magazine
the 1955 extra issue of "the Model and Radio" magazine
I happen to think a diner would be an excellent use for this relic. I do not think it would be a sacrilege at all - why shouldn't a roadside diner be this nicely detailed, and why shouldn't a model streetcar enjoy the same honorable retirement as the prototypes did if they were lucky? And compared to many diners of this sort (of which I have only the vaguest recollections) this one is already "selectively compressed." Your time would be better spent superdetailing the interior with kitchen and dining counter than trying to make it run well, or finishing off the detailing.
I am reminded that there was a firm called Paul Moore that had all sorts of interurban and streetcar models in the 1960s, some of which and maybe most of which were unpowered. That would be another place to look for future roadside diner material.
Dave Nelson
Really looks like the International model. Also the wood roof probably IS original - easiest way to insulate the trolley pols and make them work, without an ugnly plastic bushing in the hole. Much like old Walthers passenger cars, I'll be the wood was shipped as a plain block, and it was up tot he builder to sand it to shape. Some Walthers cars has cast metal ends for the roof, but not all of them did.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I would have to say that it's a Ken Kidder import.
Russ
Modeling the early '50s Erie in Paterson, NJ. Here's the link to my railroad postcard collection: https://railroadpostcards.blogspot.com/
The attached image is an advertisement for International Models Inc. published in the May 1955 issue of MR Magazine. They used the brand name "International Model Products." The closed street car is said to have been manufactured by "Kawai Model" for the Japanese market.
Kuriu, KotaroKyoto, JAPAN
You could use the wooden roof as a template.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
I hope that you get it as well .... I would rather change out a motor than make a new roof .... the roof construction will keep you busy for a while ..
I have noticed that this auction site has gone down in final value just recently, I am winning two HO steam locos with DCC and sound for less than forty dollars [each], right now , lol
Birney trolleys mainly had a standard design, which was rather simple. However, the trolleys got modified over the years as voltage was increased, controls change and brakes improved. There are a fdew Birneys still in use in Lisbon, but they were heavily modified to accomodate recent safety standards.
NVSRRIs that based on Japanese style trolleys?
I haven't a clue, but from what I have seen on the eBay and Brasstrains.com websites, the Asian trolleys seem to have much more complexity on their roofs.
I rather suspect that the trolley in question is not a model of any specific prototype. The design is very simple and there is very little detail. However, that's what makes it attractive to me. I hope I win the auction!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks Ulrich!
I agree that having good quality ingredients is essential to making good food. Petra's burger recipe is very simple but it sounds delicious. We are remiss in that we do not buy fresh buns for our burgers simply because they seem to go stale before we get around to using them. However, recently Dianne has been experimenting with a bread recipe that does not require kneading and the results have been pretty tasty! I'm going to suggest that she try to make some burger buns with the recipe. They would be great!
Always a pleasure conversing with you Ulrich!
Cheers!!
hon30critterP.S. How about getting Petra to share her hamburger recipe with us? I'm always up for a good burger!
I hope I am not hijacking this thread with it, but basically, there is not much of a recipe you don´t already know. Petra uses prime choice ground beef for the patties, seasoned with salt and pepper. Good quality beef is essential. The key difference is in the bun. We do not use those regular sugary hamburger buns, but German rolls (Brötchen) for our hamburgers. The suce is a mix of a sauce remouade, German mustard and ketchup. Add tomatos, lettuce, slices of Danish pickled cornichons and cheese - that´s it. We tried various ready made hamburger sauces and found them to sugary as well.
Tinplate ToddlerThe model seems to be a basket case, but that should not deter you. It´s a good price - I´d say go for it.
Hi Ulrich,
The wee beastie is so cute that I can hardly refuse it! It's just begging for a second chance at life. I just hope that the price doesn't go too much higher.
P.S. How about getting Petra to share her hamburger recipe with us? I'm always up for a good burger!
Tinplate ToddlerJapan-made brass models of Birney trolleys were imported in the 1960s and 1970s by Ken Kidder and LMB.
Suydam was another popular line of brass, HO interurbans and street cars:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Suydam-1300-Niles-Suburban-Combine-PE-14-Unpainted-Brass-HO/124107884585?epid=1871157925&hash=item1ce5680829:g:pKAAAOSwKpdeYUV0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Suydam-Co-HO-PACIFIC-ELECTRIC-TEN-1032-Class-Wood-Pwd-FREE-SHIPPING/383260682198?hash=item593c1de7d6:g:w3gAAOSwS1Jdv1xD
For diner kitbash fodder, the old Roundhouse Pullman Palace cars are a great starting place. Easily shortened if desired.
IMG_7122_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
Mine has a way to go.
Good Luck, Ed
Japan-made brass models of Birney trolleys were imported in the 1960s and 1970s by Ken Kidder and LMB. In an accepatable condition, the ones on offer fetch much higher prices, than the one you are interested in.The model seems to be a basket case, but that should not deter you. It´s a good price - I´d say go for it.
I went to the site's US based page to find brass trolleys .. You may be right in that some of the listings do not ship to Canada, I didn't check ..
I did rank those that needed a motor higher than those that needed cosmetic parts though
wvg_casame site ... they need motors [most of them], but not roofs ...
If you are referring to eBay, I'm not seeing very many brass trolley cars when I view the Canadian site, and those that I can see are much more expensive than the particular model that I am bidding on. It may be that most of what you are looking at is not being offered to Canadian buyers.
This particular trolley appeals to me because it is so short and simple. I would have no problem scratchbuilding a new drive system if I decide to use it as a running model, so my questions about the power source are probably irrelevant. On the other hand, using as many of the original components as possible does add to the interest of the project.
Is that based on Japanese style trolleys?
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
same site ... they need motors [most of them], but not roofs ...
most seem to be track powered, not sure if that is what you want though ..
they do seem to be mostly brass ..??..
Hi wvg_ca,
wvg_caLook like you can get more complete ones for about the same price
Can you tell me where you are looking?
Thanks
Look like you can get more complete ones for about the same price ... but if you your heart set on it, go for it !
As if I didn't have enough projects to work on, I came across this trolley when I was searching for a trolley shell to use in a diner scratchbuild. It would be a sacrilege to use just the body for a diner so I'm contemplating having a trolley line running up and down the main street of my new layout. That would be a bit of a challenge, especially if catenary is required, but I have never claimed to be sane.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/HO-Brass-Trolley-Birney-Kit-Japan-motor-runs-smooth-wooden-roof-2-poles/254551062789?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649
Can anyone identify the manufacturer? Brasstrains.com doesn't have anything similar currently listed.
Do you know if this would have been track powered or would power have been supplied through the poles with the track acting as ground? I can't tell if the wheel sets are insulated or not.
The wooden roof is obviously not original but making a proper roof out of brass is an acceptable challenge.
Any other comments would be appreciated, including those related to my sanity!
Here is a link to the new layout thread:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/281323.aspx
Thanks,