This one is for the GN modelers of the bunch. I have what looks to be an old Walthers GN boxcar. It is numbered 39400. After that, I have a few questions about this car. First, did this series ride on roller bearings or on friction bearings? I have seen pictures with both. Second, am I correct that in the 70's era, the roof walks had been removed but the ladders were still high? Third, what would be the best green to match the green on these cars. (The car for some reason has the ladders and the roof walk silver.) As usual, any assistance that can be provided would be most welcomed.
I found some info on this site:
http://www.greatnorthernempire.net/index2.htm?GNEBoxcars_40ft.htm
You can scroll down to the 39400 series, and see if this what your looking for.
The GN historical society site might have some info, as well.
Mike.
My You Tube
FRRYKid, according to "Great Northern Equipment Color Pictorial Book One: Boxcars and Stockcars" by Scott R. Thompson, Four Ways West Publications, GN 39400-39414 was a group of 15 40 foot PS-1 boxcars purchased in 1954. The cars had eight wide Superior or Camel doors, cushion underframes, friction or roller bearing trucks, Evans or Spartan load restraining devices and Omaha orange and Pullman green paint. These XL classed PS-1s were a rarity on the GN and some of them made it until the early 1980s. Many boxcars of many railroads went to scrap in the 1980s with full height ladders, roofwalks, and friction bearing trucks but, I could find no proof of ANY GN XL class car with silver painted ladders and roofwalk. Remember, a loader equipped boxcar such as an XL commanded a higher per diem when it was off line, so it may be years between its visit to home rails. As long as it was on some other roads rails, it was earning money it would not get sitting at a home road shop just to have the roofwalk removed, ladders shortened etc.
This was a special car produced by PS to test their initial cushioned underframe, this lot of cars were spread over a number of railroads including the BAR, NYC, PRR, GN, WP, and N&W among others. Mainline Modeler had a large article regarding these cars.
Another website that is usefull in modeling the GN is one page of the website that refers to these cars.
http://www.gngoat.org/40'_ps_box_8'_sd.htm
I found this website very usefull when modeling the GN and keeps me from stuffing up the forums with questions that are answered already online.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
dti406 Mainline Modeler had a large article regarding these cars.
Mainline Modeler had a large article regarding these cars.
You wouldn't happen to remember what issue that article was in.
NHTX I could find no proof of ANY GN XL class car with silver painted ladders and roofwalk.
I could find no proof of ANY GN XL class car with silver painted ladders and roofwalk.
I wasn't intending to imply that was prototype. That was the way I received the car.
FRRYKid dti406 Mainline Modeler had a large article regarding these cars. You wouldn't happen to remember what issue that article was in.
January 2002