Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies, Inc - Revision history

Dnevil: /* Gallery */

2025-04-01T13:38:53Z

Gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:38, 1 April 2025
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	File:Koster 84inch flatcar Boehmke.JPG\|Koster 84" flat car with Tom Bee trucks and air brakes. Photo by Boehmke, 2017.		File:Koster 84inch flatcar Boehmke.JPG\|Koster 84" flat car with Tom Bee trucks and air brakes. Photo by Boehmke, 2017.
	File:Koster gondola Boehmke 2017.JPG\|Koster gondola with Tom Bee trucks and air brakes, original paint and nicely weathered. Photo by Boehmke, 2017.		File:Koster gondola Boehmke 2017.JPG\|Koster gondola with Tom Bee trucks and air brakes, original paint and nicely weathered. Photo by Boehmke, 2017.
	File:KostersMiniatureRailroadSupplies PassengerTruck LiveSteam June 1975 0003.jpg		File:KostersMiniatureRailroadSupplies PassengerTruck LiveSteam June 1975 0003.jpg\|Advertisement featuring Koster's Passenger Trucks, from Live Steam Magazine, June 1975.
	File:Kosters NYC 5749 from Larry Miller III Facebook 20200430.jpg\|Larry Miller III posted this photo on Facebook, 30 April 2020. Said, "Stumbled onto this image on Flicker. There was no information." This same locomotive is featured on page 16 of Bill Koster's Wandering Locomotive Book.		File:Kosters NYC 5749 from Larry Miller III Facebook 20200430.jpg\|Larry Miller III posted this photo on Facebook, 30 April 2020. Said, "Stumbled onto this image on Flicker. There was no information." This same locomotive is featured on page 16 of Bill Koster's Wandering Locomotive Book.
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Dnevil: /* References */

2023-04-17T15:35:41Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:35, 17 April 2023
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	* [https://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazineold/85.html "#308 for the MSRy (The Toybox Caboose)", <i>DiscoverLiveSteam.com</i>]		* [https://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazineold/85.html "#308 for the MSRy (The Toybox Caboose)", <i>DiscoverLiveSteam.com</i>]
	* "Live Steam Supplier: Ten Year Milestone", Joe D. Rice, <i>Live Steam</i>, May 1980, Bill Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies		* "Let's Build a Caboose", build based on Toybox Caboose, Leo Myers, <i>[[Live Steam Magazine]]</i>, March 1973
			* "Live Steam Supplier: Ten Year Milestone", Joe D. Rice, <i>[[Live Steam Magazine]]</i>, May 1980, Bill Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies
	* [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=100058 "Behind the Scenes at Kosters", <i>Chaski.org</i>]		* [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=100058 "Behind the Scenes at Kosters", <i>Chaski.org</i>]

Dnevil: /* References */

2023-04-17T15:29:19Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:29, 17 April 2023
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	== References ==		== References ==

	* [~~http~~://discoverlivesteam.com/~~magazine~~/85.html "#308 for the MSRy (The Toybox Caboose)", <i>DiscoverLiveSteam.com</i>]		* [https://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazineold/85.html "#308 for the MSRy (The Toybox Caboose)", <i>DiscoverLiveSteam.com</i>]
	* "Live Steam Supplier: Ten Year Milestone", Joe D. Rice, <i>Live Steam</i>, May 1980, Bill Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies		* "Live Steam Supplier: Ten Year Milestone", Joe D. Rice, <i>Live Steam</i>, May 1980, Bill Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies
	* [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=100058 "Behind the Scenes at Kosters", <i>Chaski.org</i>]		* [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=100058 "Behind the Scenes at Kosters", <i>Chaski.org</i>]

Dnevil: /* Gallery */

2020-04-30T21:08:20Z

Gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:08, 30 April 2020
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	File:Koster gondola Boehmke 2017.JPG\|Koster gondola with Tom Bee trucks and air brakes, original paint and nicely weathered. Photo by Boehmke, 2017.		File:Koster gondola Boehmke 2017.JPG\|Koster gondola with Tom Bee trucks and air brakes, original paint and nicely weathered. Photo by Boehmke, 2017.
	File:KostersMiniatureRailroadSupplies PassengerTruck LiveSteam June 1975 0003.jpg		File:KostersMiniatureRailroadSupplies PassengerTruck LiveSteam June 1975 0003.jpg
	File:Kosters NYC 5749 from Larry Miller III Facebook 20200430.jpg\|Larry Miller III posted this photo on Facebook, 30 April 2020. Said, "Stumbled onto this image on Flicker. There was no information."		File:Kosters NYC 5749 from Larry Miller III Facebook 20200430.jpg\|Larry Miller III posted this photo on Facebook, 30 April 2020. Said, "Stumbled onto this image on Flicker. There was no information." This same locomotive is featured on page 16 of Bill Koster's Wandering Locomotive Book.
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Dnevil: /* Gallery */

2020-04-30T21:06:30Z

Gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:06, 30 April 2020
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	File:Koster gondola Boehmke 2017.JPG\|Koster gondola with Tom Bee trucks and air brakes, original paint and nicely weathered. Photo by Boehmke, 2017.		File:Koster gondola Boehmke 2017.JPG\|Koster gondola with Tom Bee trucks and air brakes, original paint and nicely weathered. Photo by Boehmke, 2017.
	File:KostersMiniatureRailroadSupplies PassengerTruck LiveSteam June 1975 0003.jpg		File:KostersMiniatureRailroadSupplies PassengerTruck LiveSteam June 1975 0003.jpg
			File:Kosters NYC 5749 from Larry Miller III Facebook 20200430.jpg\|Larry Miller III posted this photo on Facebook, 30 April 2020. Said, "Stumbled onto this image on Flicker. There was no information."
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Dnevil: /* First GP-7 */

2019-10-02T21:18:05Z

First GP-7

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:18, 2 October 2019
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	: I looked over the IBLS website and saw a piece on [[Bill Koster]] and his first GP-7 in 1970. I own and operate that same engine (I replaced its motors and controls). That first GP-7 had no doors or louvers on the long hood as his later Geeps did. I joined the BLS back in the [[Charles A. Purinton\|Carl Purinton]] days.		: I looked over the IBLS website and saw a piece on [[Bill Koster]] and his first GP-7 in 1970. I own and operate that same engine (I replaced its motors and controls). That first GP-7 had no doors or louvers on the long hood as his later Geeps did. I joined the BLS back in the [[Charles A. Purinton\|Carl Purinton]] days.

	: I contacted [[Bill Koster]] regarding mechanical and electrical details of the engine after I had purchased it from an estate in Indiana. I later corresponded and spoke with him at a steam meet in Florida. Bill told a story of how the engine was damaged during his visit to the west coast, repaired and sold while he was still in Oregon. It wound up spending most of its life out west (thus the SP black widow paint scheme) before being sold to a fellow in Indianapolis who ran it on tracks in Michigan and probably elsewhere. I believe the damage occurred at the [[Pacific Northwest Live Steamers\|PNWLS Shady Dell track]] near Portland, OR. Bill's story was particularly interesting, as I had been an associate member of the PNWLS the late 1970s and 1980s. Several pleasant sessions were spent with PNWLS president Harry Harvey and others in the club during my several business trips to Oregon and Washington. Small world! Great hobby!		: I contacted [[Bill Koster]] regarding mechanical and electrical details of the engine after I had purchased it from an estate in Indiana. I later corresponded and spoke with him at a steam meet in Florida. Bill told a story of how the engine was damaged during his visit to the west coast, repaired and sold while he was still in Oregon. It wound up spending most of its life out west (thus the SP black widow paint scheme) before being sold to a fellow in Indianapolis who ran it on tracks in Michigan and probably elsewhere. I believe the damage occurred at the [[Pacific Northwest Live Steamers\|PNWLS Shady Dell track]] near Portland, OR. Bill's story was particularly interesting, as I had been an associate member of the PNWLS the late 1970s and 1980s. Several pleasant sessions were spent with PNWLS president [[Harry Harvey]] and others in the club during my several business trips to Oregon and Washington. Small world! Great hobby!

	== Wheel Flange Depth ==		== Wheel Flange Depth ==

Dnevil: /* First GP-7 */

2019-10-02T21:16:56Z

First GP-7

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:16, 2 October 2019
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	[[File:ChrisSchiecks Kosters GP7 FWRR 2014.jpg\|thumb\|right\|500px\|Chris Schieck's latest motive power addition is Bill Koster's first GP-7, built in 1970. It received new motors and control system in the Forest & Western shops during 2011. This is the most powerful engine on the [[Forest & Western Railroad\|Forest & Western RR.]]]]		[[File:ChrisSchiecks Kosters GP7 FWRR 2014.jpg\|thumb\|right\|500px\|Chris Schieck's latest motive power addition is Bill Koster's first GP-7, built in 1970. It received new motors and control system in the Forest & Western shops during 2011. This is the most powerful engine on the [[Forest & Western Railroad\|Forest & Western RR.]]]]

	I looked over the IBLS website and saw a piece on [[Bill Koster]] and his first GP-7 in 1970. I own and operate that same engine (I replaced its motors and controls). That first GP-7 had no doors or louvers on the long hood as his later Geeps did. I joined the BLS back in the [[Charles A. Purinton\|Carl Purinton]] days.		: I looked over the IBLS website and saw a piece on [[Bill Koster]] and his first GP-7 in 1970. I own and operate that same engine (I replaced its motors and controls). That first GP-7 had no doors or louvers on the long hood as his later Geeps did. I joined the BLS back in the [[Charles A. Purinton\|Carl Purinton]] days.

	I contacted [[Bill Koster]] regarding mechanical and electrical details of the engine after I had purchased it from an estate in Indiana. I later corresponded and spoke with him at a steam meet in Florida. Bill told a story of how the engine was damaged during his visit to the west coast, repaired and sold while he was still in Oregon. It wound up spending most of its life out west (thus the SP black widow paint scheme) before being sold to a fellow in Indianapolis who ran it on tracks in Michigan and probably elsewhere. I believe the damage occurred at the [[Pacific Northwest Live Steamers\|PNWLS Shady Dell track]] near Portland, OR. Bill's story was particularly interesting, as I had been an associate member of the PNWLS the late 1970s and 1980s. Several pleasant sessions were spent with PNWLS president Harry Harvey and others in the club during my several business trips to Oregon and Washington. Small world! Great hobby!		: I contacted [[Bill Koster]] regarding mechanical and electrical details of the engine after I had purchased it from an estate in Indiana. I later corresponded and spoke with him at a steam meet in Florida. Bill told a story of how the engine was damaged during his visit to the west coast, repaired and sold while he was still in Oregon. It wound up spending most of its life out west (thus the SP black widow paint scheme) before being sold to a fellow in Indianapolis who ran it on tracks in Michigan and probably elsewhere. I believe the damage occurred at the [[Pacific Northwest Live Steamers\|PNWLS Shady Dell track]] near Portland, OR. Bill's story was particularly interesting, as I had been an associate member of the PNWLS the late 1970s and 1980s. Several pleasant sessions were spent with PNWLS president Harry Harvey and others in the club during my several business trips to Oregon and Washington. Small world! Great hobby!

	== Wheel Flange Depth ==		== Wheel Flange Depth ==

Dnevil: /* First GP-7 */

2019-10-02T21:16:36Z

First GP-7

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:16, 2 October 2019
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	: Our business was founded as a hobby. As such, prices were established that did not reflect true manufacturing costs but rather what I would expect to pay as a customer. While the business was small and I did all or most of the work, the prices charged for machining did not matter very much. I enjoyed the work and it was a sideline so it didn't matter that I paid myself a very meager wage. As the business grew and I had to hire employees to do the machining, it became apparent that we were not charging enough for the machining to pay employees' salaries. Time studies had to be made and prices adjusted accordingly. A recent order for parts that have a catalog machining price of $23.60 (up from $17.40 last year) required 9 hours of my best employee's time at $2.62 per hour. Obviously the price for these parts will have to be raised much more.		: Our business was founded as a hobby. As such, prices were established that did not reflect true manufacturing costs but rather what I would expect to pay as a customer. While the business was small and I did all or most of the work, the prices charged for machining did not matter very much. I enjoyed the work and it was a sideline so it didn't matter that I paid myself a very meager wage. As the business grew and I had to hire employees to do the machining, it became apparent that we were not charging enough for the machining to pay employees' salaries. Time studies had to be made and prices adjusted accordingly. A recent order for parts that have a catalog machining price of $23.60 (up from $17.40 last year) required 9 hours of my best employee's time at $2.62 per hour. Obviously the price for these parts will have to be raised much more.

	=== First GP-7 ===		== First GP-7 ==

	Chris Schieck wrote, May 2014:		Chris Schieck wrote, May 2014:

Dnevil: /* History */

2019-10-02T21:16:17Z

History

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:16, 2 October 2019
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	Now in his 80’s (2013), Bill still stays active in the hobby, with about 4,000 feet of track on his property in Florida. He has also written a number of articles for Modeltech and Live Steam and Outdoor Railroading.		Now in his 80’s (2013), Bill still stays active in the hobby, with about 4,000 feet of track on his property in Florida. He has also written a number of articles for Modeltech and Live Steam and Outdoor Railroading.

			== Growth ==

			[[Bill Koster]] wrote the following which appeared in <i>[[Live Steam Magazine]]</i>, October 1973:

			: Our business was founded as a hobby. As such, prices were established that did not reflect true manufacturing costs but rather what I would expect to pay as a customer. While the business was small and I did all or most of the work, the prices charged for machining did not matter very much. I enjoyed the work and it was a sideline so it didn't matter that I paid myself a very meager wage. As the business grew and I had to hire employees to do the machining, it became apparent that we were not charging enough for the machining to pay employees' salaries. Time studies had to be made and prices adjusted accordingly. A recent order for parts that have a catalog machining price of $23.60 (up from $17.40 last year) required 9 hours of my best employee's time at $2.62 per hour. Obviously the price for these parts will have to be raised much more.

	=== First GP-7 ===		=== First GP-7 ===

Dnevil: /* SOO Line Switcher */

2018-06-26T21:59:41Z

SOO Line Switcher

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:59, 26 June 2018
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	: An interesting note. I wasn't sure if I knew that much about motors before I started using them so I consulted with someone at the Livesteam meet. Turns out he was the designer who designed the traction motors for the Alco PAs. So I enjoyed discussing motors with him. He later visited my railroad in North Carolina and was impressed with the pulling power of my locomotives.		: An interesting note. I wasn't sure if I knew that much about motors before I started using them so I consulted with someone at the Livesteam meet. Turns out he was the designer who designed the traction motors for the Alco PAs. So I enjoyed discussing motors with him. He later visited my railroad in North Carolina and was impressed with the pulling power of my locomotives.

			[https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=106899 Ken Roeh posted photos] of Koster's Powered Switcher Trucks on <i>Chaski.org</i>, 2018.

			<gallery widths=300px heights=300px perrow=2>
			File:KostersPoweredSwitcherTrucks1.JPG
			File:KostersPoweredSwitcherTrucks2.JPG
			File:KostersPoweredSwitcherTrucks2.JPG
			</gallery>

	== Gallery ==		== Gallery ==