At age 83 I already have more kits and projects than I am likely to complete in this lifetime, although unlike my contemporary, Ed Loizeaux, I am still buying more in0stead of prudently disposing of them.??

I've managed to buy a couple of the Downs kits over the years, although I have no intention of robbing them of parts to fix the pair of problem children I've just bought.? His instructions in one of them—TK-600--indicate he intended to offer a number of different sizes with different details (as he did, although perhaps not all as kits).? They are fun cars to build and own, providing the cost is not ridiculous—some sellers are asking well beyond $100 for them.??

Someone told me that he was as likely to use HO decals where they fit as proper S scale ones.? Another source suggested he developed health issues from painting these and all the repaints of mass-production cars (AF, PRS, AM).

He used a limited number of cast components in white metal to fit the PVC pipe bodies, and presumably the variety of paint/lettering schemes kept them selling, particularly to high-rail buyers.? Although I've heard speculation, for some reason the tank end castings for the Canadian Starch cars all developed cracks—all I've seen so far have them—which is surprising, as white-metal/sort of pewter normally doesn't develop those the way zamac does in the presence of impurities in the mold.

Returning to my original post, I should have added that I don't need the trucks and couplers from any junkers, just the cast frame ends and brass corner steps.