Available CSS&SB Models in Kit or Other Forms

Before getting into the subject of this post, an explanation is in order. Pete Busak was an O scale traction modeler. Over the years Pete had many jobs but most notable were those with All-Nation and ChicagoLand Hobby Shops. Pete had a steel-trap mind when it came to knowledge about traction products. If you had a questions about a product, Pete was the man to ask. Unfortunately Pete died several year ago. Along with Pete went a lot of information and knowledge.

After Pete's untimely death I had questions about what CA&E models were available over the years. There was no one individual to turn to for information. The material could be looked up in magazines and stuff but what if it was not in print. As it turned out information about all of the models I was interested in was not available.

This started me on the idea of making lists of the commercially available models for the CSS&SB, the CA&E, and the CNS&M in O scale. As long as I was looking up info on one of the area traction lines, why not copy down the info for all 3 Insull lines. In preparing the lists, issues of Trolley Talk, Traction and Models, 48/ft. O Scale News, plus other information sources in my personal files were utilized. To verify the information Eric Bronsky, Terrell Colson, Ron Hastie, and Fred Oakland reviewed my work.

In making the lists only commercially available (or what had been available) models were included. Scratch built or a commercially made one-of-a-kind model, like a Joe Fisher built model or a sample of a model to be commercially produced, were not included. Sometimes describing the evolving kits and/or bodies turned out to be a problem. They may have been produced by more than one manufacturer or available from more than one vendor. This made some of  the descriptions cumbersome as you will see.

A word of caution - the lists are not exhaustive and some knowledge of the industry is required. In other words you have to know your history of the O scale traction hobby industry.

If you do not know the manufacturer's names for some of the items listed, chances are the the manufacturer and his item(s) are "long gone".  In a future posting how to find models and parts will be covered.

There will be 3 posts of the lists. This posting covers the CSS&SB models. The next posting is for the CA&E models while the 3rd posting will be for the CNS&M models.

Because a model is listed does not mean an endorsement from me. Some items listed are fantastic while other may be very basic in nature. However, even very basic models with proper finishing can be extremely well done model!

The CSS was the easiest and shortest list of models of the 3 lines so here it is -

Explanation of descriptions used for models:

• brass body – unpainted built-up brass body without trucks
• brass body w/trucks (non-powered) – unpainted built-up with non-powered trucks
• powered brass body – unpainted built-up brass body with powered trucks (RTR)
• wood body - unpainted built-up wood body without trucks
• urethane body – unpainted built-up urethane body without trucks
• “zinc” metal castings kit – a kit composed of “pot” or zinc alloy metal castings without trucks
• various materials kit – a kit composed of metal stampings or castings, wood, etc. material
• soft metal body – unpainted built-up “lead” based alloy body without trucks
• epoxy body – unpainted built-up epoxy body without trucks
• painted, complete powered model - a ready to run model

CSS&SB

Passenger
#1 series Pullman or Standard Car Company Passenger Coach (original version)
            Walthers – various materials kit
            Max Gray – powered non-painted brass model
            Russ Briggs Designs – brass kit and built-up brass body

#1 series Pullman or Standard Car Company Passenger Coach (lengthened version)

            Walthers – various materials kit
            Russ Briggs Designs – brass kit and built-up brass body

#100 series Pullman Car Company Combination Baggage-Coach (original version)

            Walthers – various materials kit
            Max Gray – powered non-painted brass model
            Russ Briggs Designs – brass kit and built-up brass body

#100 series Pullman Car Company Combination Baggage-Coach (lengthened version)

            Russ Briggs Designs – brass kit and built-up brass body

#201 series Pullman or Standard Car Company Passenger Coach  Trailer (original version)
           Walthers – various materials kit
           Russ Briggs Designs – brass kit and built-up brass body

#301 series Pullman Car Company Dining Car
            Russ Briggs Designs – brass kit and built-up brass body

#351 series Pullman Observation Car

            Russ Briggs Designs – brass kit and built-up brass body

Service & Freight Equipment

#700 series Also-GE ex-NYC R2 C+C Electric Locomotive

            Electric Shop – brass kit of NYC R2 (modifications required)
            Max Gray – powered brass model of NYC R2 (modifications required)

#801 series GE 273-ton 2-C+C-2 Electric Locomotive

            Overland Models – powered brass model
            Locomotive Workshop – brass kit
            Weaver Models – powered, painted brass model

#1001 series 80-ton Steeple Cab Locomotive

            IMP – powered brass model

#1011-1012 GE 85-ton Steeple Cab Locomotive

            Overland Models – powered brass model

#1054 series CSS&SB Built Bay Window Steel Caboose

            Locomotive Workshop – brass kit

Cheers,
Ed