Thanks for the dispatches from Sacramento, Dave and your plug on the journal box. The combined convention was a blast for me, as an electric railway person, to see the "other end" of the transcontinental railroad after being in Ogden a couple of years ago. Here's the official announcement with the final pricing and dates. Sorry for the disclaimer, but in this day and age I feel it is necessary (especially since we can't control how the journal box is used once it leaves our control):

BRILL 79E JOURNAL
BOX CASTING CALL

North Texas Historic Transportation, Inc., a Texas non-profit corporation, is preparing to cast new, reproduction Brill 79E journal boxes in WCB Steel for the use in streetcar/trolley trucks for static display*. To support the restoration community and share the cost of this complex and expensive casting pattern, NTHT is inviting interested organizations to participate in the casting.

If you are receiving this letter, you have either asked to be notified or we have identified that you possess a Birney Safety Car Streetcar/Trolley that may be in need of a reproduction truck to complete the restoration of your street railway vehicle. If you are uncertain whether your car was equipped with a Brill 79E Truck, you can reference Harold Cox’s book, The Birney Car, online at http://www.telcen.com/streetcars/ although you may want to consider the option of using a 79E since only one other Birney streetcar truck reproduction is planned at this time. For those needing a Cincinnati truck, contact Bradley Martin at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum.

A standard truck requires 4 journal boxes which are estimated by the foundry to cost $395.00 each for a 78 pound WCB steel casting. The actual price will be determined by the actual casting weight and may slightly vary more or less than the estimated price. The pattern cost is quoted at $9,000.00, of which, $5,000.00 has been covered by a generous grant from the 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation. A one-time design surcharge of $200.00 will be included in the price of the first set of journal boxes ordered by each individual organization.

A set of 4 journal boxes, suitable for reproducing one 79E streetcar truck is available for $1780.00 (pending final weight), FOB Longmont, Colorado or Fort Worth, Texas. Each additional set of 4 journal boxes is available for $1580. Blueline copies of the 79-E-1 truck will be provided and buyers will be given the opportunity to participate in future casting calls of the remaining parts necessary to produce a complete truck.

The deadline for participation in this casting call is January 11, 2006. NTHT does not have the resources to stockpile extra castings for future sale, so the only way to confirm your order is for your check to be received by January 11th.

North Texas Historic Transportation
P.O. Box 861
Fort Worth, TX 76101

Contact Andy Nold with any questions at 817-235-2687 or andy@rplsfaq.com

*The patterns for this casting have been prepared from original drawings of the Brill 79E Journal Box. While standard quality control methods will be employed to reduce casting defects, North Texas Historic Transporation, Inc. has not evaluated the use of this casting with respect to operational loads and the buyer agrees that they will seek appropriate engineering consultants to evaluate the suitability of the casting for any use other than static display of an unloaded car of the standard single-truck Birney design. North Texas Historic Transportation does not warrant, either expressly or implied, the suitability of this journal box for operational use. Please contact North Texas Historic Transportation, Inc. if you have any questions.

Andy, Well done presentation. Didn't you mean for the deadline to be Jan.11 2007 not '06 as stated????
Ross Rowland

Right you are. I am trying to get an early start on saying the wrong year for next year. :)

Commitment (in the form of a check) is due at our post office box by January 11, 2007.