Como Roundhouse Kit

[pizlinard72]

I have been able to buy a Colorado Scale Model, Como Roundhouse Kit (35/100). Could someone explain what the difference is compared to the Caboose Hobby Kit? Is it the same?
Thank you
Christian

[Todd Hackett]

Don Meeker produced the Colorado Scale Models kit under his own company name. Later, Caboose Hobbies re-released it under their name (Don was working there at the time, and I'm pretty sure he was involved in the re-release). I'm pretty sure they used the same molds (or maybe new molds from one of Don's original casting sets or a master if he made one). IIRC, the Caboose Hobbies version represented a different era with a different boiler house configuration, but was otherwise the same. I may not remember quite right, but I think the original may have had the original boilerhouse with a small arched door on one side, and the boiler stack coming through the roof, and the other may have had a late C&S version with the larger double doors with no stone above, and maybe the later smokebox coming through the opposite wall.

This was very different than the original HO Model Masterpieces model in that the earlier HO model had the walls carved with very little relief in the field stones (just carved mortar lines) while the O scale model used actual stones giving much deeper relief. The prototype roundhouse had the field stones hand selected and oriented to have flat faces on the exterior, so the HO scale doesn't have enough relief while the O scale model has too much. Both make into good looking models, though.

[Todd Hackett]

Here's Mike Trent helping to measure the turntable pit on the cold January 26, 1985 when a group of us helped Don measure the roundhouse in preparation for the Colorado Scale Models kit. It's hard to believe that almost 37 years have passed since then.

[pizlinard72]

Thank you Todd
It makes  this kit even more special knowing that some of you worked on it. Thank you for that background story. Will report on the progress.
BR
Christian

[Jeff Ramsey]

What a cool image of mike you have Todd. What is remarkable
 is that now days that 80s CAD drawing that was done is now being used as a template for South Park Rail Society's planning process for what might become the "South Park Heritage Railroad Facility" were a modern machine shop, car shop ect in the wood addition. The unofficial Como Archeological, Collection and Geneological Team and I use the drawing also as a template for field notes from the archaeology as the pit "trajectories" are true. Soon I should post some new or revised findings about what I like to traditionally call the Como Mechanical Department. I really miss your presence Todd and your advanced intelligence input.
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[SteveG]

Somewhat surprisingly, there are a number of Como roundhouse kits currently available on eBay; most of them either marked as HO rather than HOn3, and at least one that attributes the railroad as the D&RGW, so they may not be returned in expected searches.
Pricing starts at $190 and goes up to $350 or so.

[Mike Trent]

Thanks, Todd and Jeff!

Like the old song goes,

"Still alive and well, I'm still alive and well. Every now and then it's kind of hard to tell, but I'm still alive and well!"

- Rick Derringer

Sad to think that the likely reason some of the great old kits are available is that closets of treasures are having to be sold due to age, or the demise of some of our railroad brethren. I've always thought that many kits and models were bought and stashed with the hope that eventually, the railroad of dreams would be built, but that day never came. Keep your eyes peeled, there will be treasures available.

Keep on rockin',

Mike