Wow......beautiful. If only there was some G-Scale model kit of this one and for Ripley.

JA

Yeah! Ambient Occlusion pass!

With Preston's work and the combined talent of other modellers, can we at least approach Disney or some other modelling company to create model kits of these? If Disney disagrees the idea can be proposed as the Central Pacific 173 and it'll be up to the modeller to modify these and come up with their own decals.

Anyone agree?

I have almost 400 unique parts drawn up in 3d CAD. The actual number of parts in the engine (so far) is about 3000 since many parts are repeated (boiler tubes, for example).

The point is that most of these parts can simply be sent to a CNC shop and have the major parts machined cut and fabricated, either from steel or even wood.

In fact, I've been researching this option for a while now on the backburner. The idea is that the major parts could be sold as a semi-kit (frames, pilot truck assembly, valve gear comes to mind). Unfortunately, the cost per kit would be very high, so like I said, I put it on the backburner, unless I find a vendor willing to absorb the cost if they can produce enough kits.

If you would, please be specific about what you would like. Are you speaking of a static model, like the MPC 1:25 General? Or, an electric or live steam operating model? And, in what scale?

In response to Roy, I meant a "static" model in G-Scale. I figured we go either electric or live steam would be very expensive (perhaps over a $1000). A scale model kit would roughly be slightly less than $100 if mass produced. I'm currently building an EP RIPLEY that took years for me to gather the parts and scratch built many others. I'll post progress pictures if someone can indicate how to upload pics onto this website.

Preston.....please continue the good work. I dream of building a serious kit of both Holliday and Ripley in this lifetime.

Since the General kit is long out of production, I doubt the interest exists to justify the costs of an injection-molded plastic kit. Dave Van, and perhaps others here, can speak to that. Because of the scale of the models in question, more interest could be expected, if the model could be made electrically operational. That introduces the requirement of UV-resistant materials, though.

One question: are you looking to build Holliday and Ripley models which depict their interior details?

The 1/25 scale General kit was reissued not too long ago and can still be found. The current owner of the molds, R2 could release it but I doubt they feel there is interest.
It's not a real good start for any Disney loco anyway.
A all new, 1/48 scale plastic kit, or running model, of any Disney loco would be fantastic IMHO.....but the numbers are not there for a kit. Add to that the reputation Disney has for being 'difficult' to work with and it's a no go. Now as a Disney fan the 'difficult' is more 'controlling', they keep tight control over their property...and they have the right to do so.....but this turns off most manufactures. Multiple approvals and revisions just add tot the cost and then marketing restrictions make it a NO for most companies. Not to say it will never happen....just unlikely.

Fellas....

Roy.....yes my model will have detailed interiors and using Degaetano's book and Preston's cad drawings as reference. By the way I had already done this when I was "accurizing" Hartland's Lilly Belle since Accucraft doesn't make them anymore.

Dan...I totally agree with you since I used to work for the Disney company years ago.....and yes they are difficult. However, I like Preston's idea of perhaps selling sub assemblies or a kit of the CP 173 without suggestion of Lilly Belle or CK Holliday. If so a true modeller can easily modify these. That's what I'm doing on my Ripley. When it's done, I'll gladly bring it to Downtown Disney on a Sunday morning with coffee so us admirers can critique and talk. Anyone interested?

I would disagree that a CP 173/Lilly Belle can be "easily modified." The number of differences between the two engines is far larger than most realize.

Better to simply market the Holliday as a "Typical Narrow Gauge 4-4-0 American."