BusTalk

[fishbowl]

Looks like the Classic Metal Works TDH-3610's are finally out (HO and N gauge). Go get 'em!!

[Mr. Linsky]

F.B.,

On the face of it, the Classic Metal 3601 seems to be much better detailed and proportioned that Corgi's Old Looks.

Do you have pictures of the rear?

I've been to the site and can't find anything except one GM Parlor Car.

Also, is it possible that they only want $9.00 for them or is that just for a copy of the picture?

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

[fishbowl]

Actually, whereas (good lawyer word, huh?) the Corgi old-look rear was/is too square, it looks like the rear on this one is too sloped. Neverthless, the back windows are the correct shape (if not a little too large), which makes it somewhat more appealing (to me) than the Corgi. Price seems to be in the $20- $30 range for a single HO gauge model, depending on who's selling, and a little less for the N gauge 2-pack.

[Mr. Linsky]

F.B.,

Error, error, error!

The rear here is far superior to Corgi - hands down.

However - one glaring error; the 3610's began the era of ThermoMatic heating and ventilation and is correctly depicted on the model but no 3610 had the screened engine hatches which were eliminated on all models in late 1946 when the 3610 was introduced.

Maybe someone should point that out to Classic Metal before they go hog wild on distribution.

It's trivial and wouldn't mean much to the average collector but to us experts it's inaccurate!

Overall though, I give the model high marks.

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

[HwyHaulier]

Mr. 'L' - All -

Noted the profile shot, too. Above the "belt line" at the rear, it is not quite the familiar "right look" to it, but
not too much of an oversight. The rear end vent screens? Alas! The maxim says, "...the die is cast...". At this
point, there would be little enthusiasm to rework the tooling, IMHO.

The new replica might invite some to work with it, and figure how to put a different destination sign in place.
The "CHICAGO LOOP" sign is more a caricature of NCL, and not operating fact. The company was more a
collection of smaller market fleets. On average, thirty to fifty coaches. To use the slogan from an insurance
company ad spot, "...so simple a caveman could do it..." as far as daily management concerned! <G>

The few, notable large metro area fleets were often simply managed, not legally controlled entities...

.....................Vern.................

[Rob]

In my typical rip, snort and bust manner (One would think patience would come with age) I tore my first of two CMW units apart and painted it. The top is Tamiya Gloss Aluminum the bottom is Haze Grey. Decals are Microscale Amtrak Superliner stripes and Condensed Roman Alphabet. After applying the individual letters for the Reading Bus Company, which is barley visible to the naked eye, I seized upon the ability to just grab the bus number from consecutive numbers that sounded good, more so than being accurate. Especially considering at this point I cannot confirm RBCo even had the 3610 model (Sorry Mr. L maybe on the next one)

On the topic of the destination sign, I also somewhat cheated in grabbing two models that said "LOCAL". Safely generic. The clear plastic has a black cover paint that apparently has the wording masked out and the an overlay of a white backing to show through that opening, all this on the inside of the clear plastic piece. It will be a challange indeed to get a proper destination for my layout, but I have considered removing the applied stripes, using white letters for my destination and then applying a black decal stripe behind that.

First I must decide if the next bus gets this same paint job or after Mr. Linsky jarred my memory of those yellow(creme) over red paint jobs of the pre BARTA era. This silver and grey does look classy and is what most of my memories involve ( I think it was a psychological block of the red and yellow!) Time will tell, the rush s over

Rob

[Mr. Linsky]

Rob,

Paint job is great and very accurate for the RBCo. earlier livery (I like the other buses in the photo too!).

BTW; if Reading et al operated any 3610's they would have to have been used because records show no 'new' purchases.

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

[timecruncher]

1948 TDH4507's came new with the vents on the rear engine access panels. Kept 'em from overheating in Louisville's hot summers!

timecruncher

[buslist]

[buslist]

[buslist]

And ironically this video shows a 4507 with the vents

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIl7oZNMk0E&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIl7oZNMk0E&NR=1

[buslist]

[Mr. Linsky]

Buslist,

I figured that I better get back in on this thing before it goes completely out of control!;

I will give you the fact that there may have been properties that, for whatever the reason, elected to have the screened engine hatches on their 4507's (I would certainly like to see a picture of the front of CTA 6535 out of curiosity though).

Actually, the basic reason for the sealed and insulated hatches that first appeared on GM 'Diesels' built from mid 1946 on was to reduce noise complaints from residents along bus routes.

So that discussion now becomes moot!

But, your spec sheet (enlarged and brightened below) does not!

This is strictly a 4506 specification as noted in the information box to the lower right of the image.

You will also note that in the list of equipment (lower left) no mention whatever is made of ThermoMatic and, in fact, the six standard roof ventilators are not only listed but are demonstrated in the schematic.

No 4506 ever had a ThermoMatic system and no bus with ThermoMatic ever had or had the need for the six exhaust vents on the roof (in other words, what you're seeing in the diagram never existed!).

Whoever drew the sheet erred in showing a ThermoMatic intake over the destination sign of a 4506!

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

[HwyHaulier]

[buslist]