The concept of crowdsourcing rests with the notion that those most interested in a project (or projects) are the ones most willing to step forward to see them become reality. The idea is that if I like or want something then I am willing to help fund its creation. While some crowdsourcing is donation-based, what is being proposed for Speedwitch involves providing goods in exchange for the funding, in the form of exclusive items, discounted items or both. While you are also welcome to “contribute” to the effort, the standard arrangement is that for your investment in this project, you will receive goods.
Why am I moving in this direction? Since I scuttled Speedwitch (for the most part) several years ago, the tools to support much of what I do have deteriorated, been consumed or ceased working. My software needs upgrading and two computers, two printers, and two scanners have all died and need to be replaced, to name a few items, in addition to the restocking of inventory and the accompanying consumables. To get things restarted I need to make upgrades, purchases and investments and my goal is to do it now so that I am up and sprinting by next May rather than just getting things primed and pumped at that time.
What will you receive for your investment? There are a finite number of “slots” in each tier. The two books will be available to the general public as soon as they are completed, so the primary advantage to acquiring them through this offering is a discounted price, as well as the decals that accompany them. However, everything else is exclusive to this project and will not be sold again. To repeat, the decals, the model kit, and the prints will only be available through this offering and will not be released (or re-released as it were) at a later date. This is the only time they will be offered.
Note: if you live outside the United States, there will be an additional charge (at my cost and no more) for shipments to international locations. I must do this as shipping costs to international locations can be prohibitive. I will use the least expensive option, which may actually consist of mailing your items in more than a single parcel.
The first question many will have beyond wondering what they will receive for their investment is “when will I receive my items?” Here is the timeline I have laid out:
Decal sheets and print sets will be mailed early in 2014, unless you request to defer them to be shipped with your books.
The books and model kits will be mailed in May, 2014. I realize that is well into the future, but I am setting realistic expectations based upon my current employment continuing through April, 2014.
Decal subjects:
Boston & Albany USRA-design steel and 36’ double sheathed box cars
New York Central and Pittsburgh & Lake Erie 36’ double sheathed box car
Missouri Pacific and subsidiaries panel side gondola
Michigan Central USRA-design steel auto car
CCC&St.L USRA-design steel box car
Pennsylvania X25/X25A box & auto car
Santa Fe Bx-11/-12/-13 box car
Northern Pacific 36’ and 40’ double sheathed box cars
Missouri – Kansas – Texas 40’ steel gondola
Texas & Pacific 1937 AAR box car
Chicago & Eastern Illinois 1937 AAR box car
Milwaukee Road Ribbed side box car
Southern 36’ double sheathed box car
Great Northern double sheathed truss rod box car
Texas & Pacific 1937 AAR box car
New Haven 36’ double sheathed box car
Baltimore & Ohio ARA 70-ton hopper
Roads represented in prints from negatives:
Baltimore & Ohio
Canadian National
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Chicago Great Western (4)
Chicago and NorthWestern
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
Michigan Central
Milwaukee Road (2)
Minneapolis & St. Louis (4)
New York Central (2)
Northern Pacific (4)
Rock Island
Pennsylvania (2)
Pere Marquette
St. Louis – San Francisco (2)
Southern Pacific (2)
Union Pacific
Total – 31 prints
