August 2011 Edition

Site Update: August 2011

Here is the update for August on the Topeka Cabs: Basically there have been issues beyond my control and after a "battle" with the tool maker, we have decided to split the cab and nose mold. The nose will still be one piece and all the modeler will have to do is glue the nose to the sub base. The ejection problems are with one slider on the nose and I'm tired of the delays so it was easier to tool a new mold for the nose and solve the problem. I'm not sure how long it will take to tool this new mold and get it ready for production but it should be around 35 days or so.

The photo etch is on the way finally and I'll be test fitting the etch to the plastic. Initially I was supposed to have the photo etch before the St. Louis RPM Meet but again, it was delayed. I am officially closing orders as of August 25th, 2011.

To those who have supported this project I sincerely thank you for your patience and in the next few months, I should be shipping these out. I have had some inquiries on a few refunds and there are no refunds. This was a very limited production run and that's why I had to take pre-orders. I will give an update as soon as I have a firm date on when I can get the nose and quality control it. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me at anytime!

Site Update: May 2011

With a long overdue update, here is the current information on the Topeka Cab Project. I was hoping for a Late Fall/Early Winter release on these cab kits. The project is still moving along, but were caught up in Chinese New Year and final mold refinements were put on hold until after the New Year. With the manufacturer back at work, mold refinements are continuing. In the next few weeks we are expecting new samples. If these pass quality control, the final production run will start. If you have pre-ordered your kit, please do so quickly. I will have an official announcement on stopping orders. As of May 5th, mold corrections are taking place. I haven't been given a date yet of new test samples. I really owe my customers an apology for the lack of updates on the project however, this has been a very stressful and challenging experience to produce a good product.

The photo-etch test sheet should be completed soon and a sample sent for final production. Once this is complete, the glass will be made as well and the kits will start shipping! I am as anxious as everyone else to get these out as I have my own projects, but wanted everyone to know it's not "vaporware." My apologies to everyone for the delay but now I understand what the larger manufacturers go through on product release. If you have any questions please feel free to send me an e-mail.

We will have a display at the St. Louis RPM Meet on August 5th and 6th located in Collinsville, IL.

  

Site Update: August 2010

As of August, the Topeka Cab is still on schedule at this time to be released in the Fall/Winter 2010. The molds are complete for the most part and we are expecting test shots anytime. As soon as a good quality test shot is available, it will be posted for all to enjoy.

In September I will be at Western Prototype Modelers at the San Bernardino Depot in California. I am hoping to bring a pre-production sample with me. I will announce about a week before if I have a sample and if so, be sure to come out and take a look!

We are also extending the pre-order date so you can still place your order and get one of these limited kits. So please, spread the word we are extending the pre-order date at this time.

Here is the add on components mold just after production.

Site Update: June 2010

A lot of updates have occurred in a short period of time here. The website has been completely rebuilt and is still a work in progress. Under the Model Pages, the SD40-2 project has started and will be added to in the near future. All of my time has been devoted to the Topeka Cab and Nose Project and to add a shopping cart to the website. More products from manufacturers will be available as soon as I can finish it. We are also a Tru-Color Paint dealer now. If you need that good old BAR Blue for the Santa Fe blue, we are your source! 

There is also some very exciting news to share with everyone. The Topeka Cab and Nose project is designed and ready for production. The price is a little more than anticipated, however that was in resin. This is not and is injected molded and will be a very high quality kit. This will be a very limited production run of these kits and once they are gone, their gone!

Originally we intended for these components to be made in resin, however we were very concerned with the quality of a resin kit. Railflyer  Model Prototypes was contracted to develop the drawings in a 3D Cad format for rapid prototyping. Through those efforts, a model produced in injection molding was developed. This kit will be very high quality for you the modeler which have come to expect from injection molding.

Santa Fe Prototype Models is proud to announce the upcoming release of the Santa Fe “Topeka” Cab and Low-nose conversion kit. This kit will contain injection-molded, laser-cut and photo etched components to be added on by the modeler. These kits are designed to fit the Proto 2000 GP7 and GP9 decks with modification. The nose portion will be molded with the nose as initially rebuilt with no light. However, molded on the back side of the nose are guides to remove the headlight area for the included photo etched plate for a nose head light. Whether you model the as-built version or the crew comfort upgrades started in 1988, you have your options. Also included are the battery boxes to model the cut-down version behind the conductor’s side of the cab where Santa Fe modified the handrails and added a full length door. Included in this kit are nut-bolt-washer castings, headlight, doors, battery box tread, knuckle buster latches, door handles, window gaskets, windshield wipers, laser cut window glass, sunshades and tracks, cab headlight blank-out plate, and sand filler hatch. This multi-media kit will produce a remarkable model being tooled from the highest quality materials available.

This will be an extremely limited production kit and will be built to order. All orders must be pre-paid no later than August 15th, 2010 to guarantee a kit. Visit Santa Fe Prototypes Store to reserve yours and don’t miss out on this limited production kit! For more information e-mail Perry Lambert HERE. I can also accept money orders and personal checks so check the contact page on where to mail your payment. Please contact me first via e-mail so I can send an invoice please. Expected Delivery Fall/Winter 2010.  MSRP $42.95