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Post by cpr4200 on Jul 1, 2024 19:32:57 GMT -8
Has anybody seen an actual CMR Products Puttman Car Works kit? Interested mainly in the EL bay window cabooses and the NYC/PC/CR N9 transfer caboose. Are they any good? Well proportioned? Junk? Been thinking about kitbashing an N9 but would take the easy way out if these kits are any good.
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Post by Baikal on Jul 1, 2024 21:25:55 GMT -8
Has anybody seen an actual CMR Products Puttman Car Works kit? Interested mainly in the EL bay window cabooses and the NYC/PC/CR N9 transfer caboose. Are they any good? Well proportioned? Junk? Been thinking about kitbashing an N9 but would take the easy way out if these kits are any good.
Or a photo of a physical model? 3D renderings = atrist's concept.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Jul 2, 2024 0:08:54 GMT -8
The renderings look ... chunky.
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Post by Macowiec on Jul 2, 2024 1:21:28 GMT -8
I asked this question just last week in the Conrail Modellers group on Facebook. There were a number of replies, and they were almost overwhelmingly negative.
Some excerpts:
"I bought the EL bay window caboose and besides being a crude 3d print it was a one piece body. There was no way to get inside to remove the supports, add weight and put window glazing in. The only saving grace to the model was when I threw it in the garbage I had only lost $30 by buying it."
"I have a few cars from them that I have picked up over the last year. They are definitely rough and have to be trimmed from the spruce they are printed on which can be difficult and cause handrails to be destroyed in the process. The more recent EL caboose I purchased has a much better print quality than the N11’s I bought last year although still rough and requiring a good amount of cleanup work. No access to the inside to add weight or trim the inner supports out either. It really comes down to how much work you are willing to do on these and how bad you want the specific prototype car. For me I could probably kitbash the cars I have bought from them but in the end it would cost more in parts and require way more time for something that would come out roughly the same (I suck at body work lol) So ill take them as a stand in until something better comes along or I have the time to build my own version."
"I bought one, not worth it. To much excess flashing to remove, handrails easily broken, and the bolsters for the trucks are too close to the steps to allow proper swivel"
I decided not to order one!
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Post by cpr4200 on Jul 2, 2024 3:34:44 GMT -8
Whew. Thanks guys!
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Post by markfj on Jul 2, 2024 6:20:16 GMT -8
I just did a Google search for reviews of CMR products last week as I was considering order one of their parts. The reviews I found were not good. You might want to steer clear or at least get photos of the product before you buy.
Thanks, Mark J
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Post by 12bridge on Jul 2, 2024 7:50:45 GMT -8
Isn't this the next incarnation of Big Dawg Resin?
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Post by wp8thsub on Jul 2, 2024 8:54:04 GMT -8
Isn't this the next incarnation of Big Dawg Resin? When the Puttman brand was cast resin shells I thought that's what it was too, as it seemed to include the old stuff the Dawg was cranking out. If the new product is the same guy, it makes for an interesting pivot from crappy resin castings to crappy resin prints. |
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Post by snootie3257 on Jul 2, 2024 9:50:45 GMT -8
Isn't this the next incarnation of Big Dawg Resin? When the Puttman brand was cast resin shells I thought that's what it was too, as it seemed to include the old stuff the Dawg was cranking out. If the new product is the same guy, it makes for an interesting pivot from crappy resin castings to crappy resin prints. If it is the same guy you have to admit he’s consistent 😁 Steve |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jul 2, 2024 10:51:27 GMT -8
"The Puttman Locomotive Works Product line will begin carrying the full HO Scale and O Scale line from Big Dawg Originals. BDO Announced today on his facebook page… 'I would like to announce I will be spending more of my time working on models and making masters of engine shells that have been suggested along with some freight cars and starting very soon I will hand the sales of the HO and O Scale over to long time friends and dealers Aric & Bryan Hartle of CMR Products who have been selling our HO shells , cabs and parts and soon will be carrying the entire line. Sales, Production, and development is a huge job to do and way too much for 2 people so I will soon be shutting down for a while the web site, and eBay store and sending everything over to CMR Products starting on April 15th . This will free me up to do what I enjoy the most and that is build masters and my partner will do the production. More details to follow in the coming days so don’t worry I am not going anywhere my face book page will still be here for suggestions and conversation.” The CMR Products line of N Scale Shells and Detail parts will be combined into the Puttman Locomotive Works product line. The entire product line of shells and detail parts will be available on the CMRProducts.com Web Site along with eBay as of April 15, 2017. At this time, we are no longer manufacturing new resin casts of these shells. We are transitioning our Resin casting operation to 3d designed Masters and printed shells. You can find our 3d Printed Detail parts in HO Scale Here. New Shells will be released in the future in HO Scale.The Puttman Locomotive Works Product line will begin carrying the full HO Scale and O Scale line from Big Dawg Originals. BDO Announced today on his facebook page… “I would like to announce I will be spending more of my time working on models and making masters of engine shells that have been suggested along with some freight cars and starting very soon I will hand the sales of the HO and O Scale over to long time friends and dealers Aric & Bryan Hartle of CMR Products who have been selling our HO shells , cabs and parts and soon will be carrying the entire line. Sales, Production, and development is a huge job to do and way too much for 2 people so I will soon be shutting down for a while the web site, and eBay store and sending everything over to CMR Products starting on April 15th . This will free me up to do what I enjoy the most and that is build masters and my partner will do the production. More details to follow in the coming days so don’t worry I am not going anywhere my face book page will still be here for suggestions and conversation.” The CMR Products line of N Scale Shells and Detail parts will be combined into the Puttman Locomotive Works product line. The entire product line of shells and detail parts will be available on the CMRProducts.com Web Site along with eBay as of April 15, 2017. At this time, we are no longer manufacturing new resin casts of these shells. We are transitioning our Resin casting operation to 3d designed Masters and printed shells. You can find our 3d Printed Detail parts in HO Scale Here. New Shells will be released in the future in HO Scale.'" www.cmrproducts.com/ho-scale-locomotive-shells-and-detail-parts/"...DON'T WORRY I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE..." (if you WERE worried) Ed |
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Post by snootie3257 on Jul 2, 2024 11:07:53 GMT -8
"The Puttman Locomotive Works Product line will begin carrying the full HO Scale and O Scale line from Big Dawg Originals. BDO Announced today on his facebook page… 'I would like to announce I will be spending more of my time working on models and making masters of engine shells that have been suggested along with some freight cars and starting very soon I will hand the sales of the HO and O Scale over to long time friends and dealers Aric & Bryan Hartle of CMR Products who have been selling our HO shells , cabs and parts and soon will be carrying the entire line. Sales, Production, and development is a huge job to do and way too much for 2 people so I will soon be shutting down for a while the web site, and eBay store and sending everything over to CMR Products starting on April 15th . This will free me up to do what I enjoy the most and that is build masters and my partner will do the production. More details to follow in the coming days so don’t worry I am not going anywhere my face book page will still be here for suggestions and conversation.” The CMR Products line of N Scale Shells and Detail parts will be combined into the Puttman Locomotive Works product line. The entire product line of shells and detail parts will be available on the CMRProducts.com Web Site along with eBay as of April 15, 2017. At this time, we are no longer manufacturing new resin casts of these shells. We are transitioning our Resin casting operation to 3d designed Masters and printed shells. You can find our 3d Printed Detail parts in HO Scale Here. New Shells will be released in the future in HO Scale.The Puttman Locomotive Works Product line will begin carrying the full HO Scale and O Scale line from Big Dawg Originals. BDO Announced today on his facebook page… “I would like to announce I will be spending more of my time working on models and making masters of engine shells that have been suggested along with some freight cars and starting very soon I will hand the sales of the HO and O Scale over to long time friends and dealers Aric & Bryan Hartle of CMR Products who have been selling our HO shells , cabs and parts and soon will be carrying the entire line. Sales, Production, and development is a huge job to do and way too much for 2 people so I will soon be shutting down for a while the web site, and eBay store and sending everything over to CMR Products starting on April 15th . This will free me up to do what I enjoy the most and that is build masters and my partner will do the production. More details to follow in the coming days so don’t worry I am not going anywhere my face book page will still be here for suggestions and conversation.” The CMR Products line of N Scale Shells and Detail parts will be combined into the Puttman Locomotive Works product line. The entire product line of shells and detail parts will be available on the CMRProducts.com Web Site along with eBay as of April 15, 2017. At this time, we are no longer manufacturing new resin casts of these shells. We are transitioning our Resin casting operation to 3d designed Masters and printed shells. You can find our 3d Printed Detail parts in HO Scale Here. New Shells will be released in the future in HO Scale.'" www.cmrproducts.com/ho-scale-locomotive-shells-and-detail-parts/"...DON'T WORRY I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE..." (if you WERE worried) Ed Worried? I’d say more afraid. Steve |
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Post by lvrr325 on Jul 2, 2024 12:28:37 GMT -8
You should be able to buy a brass model of the transfer caboose for under $100. I bought one a couple years ago for $50 at a show thinking it was a deal and it was but only by like $10 or $20 - and only because someone had upgraded the trucks (or maybe added trucks?). I have it squirreled away waiting for me to pick up a spray can of Scalecoat PC green to paint it with.
Given the brand and the reputation here I wouldn't be shocked to find out theirs copies the brass one anyways. I forget who made them but it's been long enough I'm sure there's no one to object to it being cloned.
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Post by cpr4200 on Jul 2, 2024 14:32:45 GMT -8
Wasn't F&C rumored to use brass cars as masters for their one-piece body kits?
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Post by markfj on Jul 3, 2024 4:26:09 GMT -8
This is off topic, but I would like to see F&C move some of their flat kits from resin to 3D printing. That might improve the quality of the kits and make assembly much easier especially if they go to a hybrid kit format like Cannon where some detail parts are provided by a third party. Most of F&C's detail parts are just unusable and need to be replaced anyways.
Mark
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Post by ernestbaron on Jul 3, 2024 8:24:37 GMT -8
Has anybody seen an actual CMR Products Puttman Car Works kit? Interested mainly in the EL bay window cabooses and the NYC/PC/CR N9 transfer caboose. Are they any good? Well proportioned? Junk? Been thinking about kitbashing an N9 but would take the easy way out if these kits are any good. I purchased on of the PC/CR N11 transfer caboose kits. It was a shit show just from how long it took to arrive. The whole body needs "weeded" and in the process, because its difficult tot ell the difference between a #D printed support structure and a handrail, I realized later I inadvertently clipped some handrails off. At that point I put it back in the box and buried it because I was disgusted with it. |
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Post by ernestbaron on Jul 3, 2024 8:25:44 GMT -8
Wasn't F&C rumored to use brass cars as masters for their one-piece body kits? Not rumor, FACT. They admitted it in some cases, and if they didn't, you can see how they used inaccurate brass models as a master and the mistakes on the brass models were transcribed to the resin models. |
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Post by ernestbaron on Jul 3, 2024 8:29:32 GMT -8
This is off topic, but I would like to see F&C move some of their flat kits from resin to 3D printing. That might improve the quality of the kits and make assembly much easier especially if they go to a hybrid kit format like Cannon where some detail parts are provided by a third party. Most of F&C's detail parts are just unusable and need to be replaced anyways. Mark Mark, All I can tell you is Good Luck. The last "show" I saw F&C at was RPM-East in Valley Forge back in March. Since then it's my understanding that Steven Funaro has been having some health issues and so they're not planning to attend any shows in the future and have people order via phone/website. This might be the beginning of the end for F&C. Steven and Sharon are both in their 60's and I don't anticipate seeing their son taking over the business. There's s many models that in the past Steven said he was working on that have never actually come out as kits that it's kind of too bad, but life finds ways of getting in the way. |
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Post by gevohogger on Jul 3, 2024 8:58:13 GMT -8
You should be able to buy a brass model of the transfer caboose for under $100. I bought one a couple years ago for $50 at a show thinking it was a deal and it was but only by like $10 or $20 - and only because someone had upgraded the trucks (or maybe added trucks?). I sometimes wonder if that old PC brass transfer caboose model was so vastly over-produced for some reason, because sometimes it seems everyone even remotely interested in PC or Conrail has one and even at my old club the official "club railroad" had two or three of them painted up in a garish paint scheme (purchased no doubt because they were available for pennies on the dollar). If I've seen one of them in my lifetime, I've seen a dozen. |
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Post by loco8107 on Jul 3, 2024 9:29:15 GMT -8
I just did a Google search for reviews of CMR products last week as I was considering order one of their parts. The reviews I found were not good. You might want to steer clear or at least get photos of the product before you buy. Thanks, Mark J Like what was posted above, the folks on the CR group don’t have favorable reviews of anything made by CMR. |
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Post by lvrr325 on Jul 3, 2024 10:53:11 GMT -8
You should be able to buy a brass model of the transfer caboose for under $100. I bought one a couple years ago for $50 at a show thinking it was a deal and it was but only by like $10 or $20 - and only because someone had upgraded the trucks (or maybe added trucks?). I sometimes wonder if that old PC brass transfer caboose model was so vastly over-produced for some reason, because sometimes it seems everyone even remotely interested in PC or Conrail has one and even at my old club the official "club railroad" had two or three of them painted up in a garish paint scheme (purchased no doubt because they were available for pennies on the dollar). If I've seen one of them in my lifetime, I've seen a dozen. I just remember being somewhat surprised because most brass cabooses that haven't been done better in plastic (northeastern, PRR cabs) usually command more in the $150 and up range. If you want a super nice caboose now you're paying $100-$125 anyways, so $70 plus paint and decals doesn't look so bad. And right now would be a good time to go after one, eBay has been down for a couple of months due to whatever factors. When I look for comps for sales they're all high in March and April and nothing or much lower since. Even some Hot Wheels redline cars I picked up were pretty slow to sell. |
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Post by 12bridge on Jul 3, 2024 11:04:22 GMT -8
NJ Custom Brass made them. They made some OK stuff, somewhat generic, a bit crude (especially for today), zero details underneath. Can be found pretty cheap too these days. Here is one I painted for a customer a few years ago.  |
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Post by hudsonyard on Jul 3, 2024 15:15:03 GMT -8
Wasn't F&C rumored to use brass cars as masters for their one-piece body kits?
The LIRR 2900 coaches that F&C make have the exact same errors as the Alco Models ones, because they were directly copied. That and they all eventually begin to warp.
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Post by cpr4200 on Jul 3, 2024 16:12:31 GMT -8
^^^ I just obtained a very hard to find BGR Group CP Parlor-Buffet-Obs that has a very badly warped and deformed body and floor, so bad I think it's unbuildable. Thankfully the seller offered a very generous partial refund if I decided to keep it. I did, and plan to build a new floor and sides, and use the kit's interior details, trucks, and maybe the roof. I also had a pair of BCW resin boxcar doors that shriveled up so badly (after many years) that they were unusable. I guess urethane isn't the most stable stuff. Thankfully my stash of Sunshine kits hasn't suffered any ill effects.
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Post by hudsonyard on Jul 3, 2024 16:32:29 GMT -8
^^^ I just obtained a very hard to find BGR Group CP Parlor-Buffet-Obs that has a very badly warped and deformed body and floor, so bad I think it's unbuildable. Thankfully the seller offered a very generous partial refund if I decided to keep it. I did, and plan to build a new floor and sides, and use the kit's interior details, trucks, and maybe the roof. I also had a pair of BCW resin boxcar doors that shriveled up so badly (after many years) that they were unusable. I guess urethane isn't the most stable stuff. Thankfully my stash of Sunshine kits hasn't suffered any ill effects.
When I lived in MN i operated on a nice early-transition era MSTL layout that had a large number of older resin kits in the car fleet, slowly the layout owner was taking 25-30 year old builds out of operations rotation because castings were either warping or failing completely.
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pjm20
Junior Member
Posts: 74
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Post by pjm20 on Jul 3, 2024 16:56:35 GMT -8
Wasn't F&C rumored to use brass cars as masters for their one-piece body kits? Not rumor, FACT. They admitted it in some cases, and if they didn't, you can see how they used inaccurate brass models as a master and the mistakes on the brass models were transcribed to the resin models. Care to share those that are inaccurate for the peanut gallery? |
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