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BN/NP Tie Car (retired cattle car) Help

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  • Member since
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  • From: Miles City, Montana
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BN/NP Tie Car (retired cattle car) Help
Posted by FRRYKid on Sunday, March 4, 2018 7:53 PM

This one is for the NP/early BN fans in the forum. What would be the closest commercially available (including OOP) plastic car to model a MOW tie car? (Former stock car.) I have seen a few models for sale but I'm not sure which one is right. As usual, any assistance that can be provided would be most welcomed.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by dknelson on Sunday, March 4, 2018 8:09 PM

All I can say is that Central Valley makes a Northern Pacific stock car that I have seen built up into a very nice model.

https://www.shop.cvmw.com/StockCarKit-1001.htm

Dave Nelson

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Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, March 4, 2018 10:13 PM

Maybe you can find something in here, the historical society for the NP.

http://www.nprha.org/Pages/Equipment.aspx

Lots of drawings of cars.

So, what did you end up doing with the horn on your SW 1200?  You never mentioned anything in your original post, as to the out come.

Mike.

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Posted by wjstix on Sunday, March 4, 2018 10:34 PM

As noted the Central Valley stockcar kit is of an NP prototype. However, the model is about 1 scale foot too wide. The NP Ry. Historical Society offers ends to help in coverting the car to full scale proportions if you want it to be precise. 

http://store.nprha.org/ho-scale-stock-car-ends/

BTW stockcars were often used for ties, because in an enclosed car the fumes from the creosote could cause problems.

Stix
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Posted by doctorwayne on Monday, March 5, 2018 1:50 AM

Here's the Central Valley stockcar...

Other options include the Athearn Blue Box car...

...the former Train Miniature car (now Walthers)...

...the Proto2000 car (now also Walthers)...

...Accurail offers an easy-to-build kit...

...and the AHM/Rivarossi version...

LifeLike Canada also offered a 36' Fowler-type stockcar, and MDC had an older style 36' truss rod stockcar, too...no photos, as I have neither.

Wayne

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Posted by dehusman on Monday, March 5, 2018 7:21 AM

Do you actually know if they were converted from stock cars or are you just assuming they were "converted" from stock cars because they have slotted sides and stock cars have slotted sides?

Most tie cars I know were purpose built cars that had sides with large moveable panels that allowed the ties to be unloaded out the sides or just had slotted sides add to a gon to allow unloading from the top.  Stock car sides are fixed.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

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Posted by NVSRR on Monday, March 5, 2018 9:08 AM

I dug through the historical site. Did find a tie car.   Didnt look like it was a stock car unless from the floor up was changed.   Didnt see an equipment card either.   Doesnt mean one didnt or does exist somewhere. Just none at the historical group listed online

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

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Posted by FRRYKid on Monday, March 5, 2018 9:19 AM

I think I will throw the idea down the ash pit. It was a thought. Of course, I don't really need any more rail equipment. (30+ engines and at leat 1.5X that on freight cars should be quite enough.)

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by 7j43k on Monday, March 5, 2018 10:28 AM

mbinsewi

So, what did you end up doing with the horn on your SW 1200?  You never mentioned anything in your original post, as to the out come.

Mike.

 

 

Some people are like that.  After awhile, I loose interest in their problems.

 

Ed

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Posted by mbinsewi on Monday, March 5, 2018 10:59 AM

He did just send me a PM.  He's waiting for parts.  But I know what you mean.

Mike.

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Posted by dknelson on Monday, March 5, 2018 11:32 AM

I can also say that one use for stock cars as the need to transport animals started to fade away was to line them with plywood and use them to transport grain during the grain rush.  I have seen photos of various roads' stock cars used that way.  Rock Island being among them, and C&NW.  I think the CNW coupled two such stock cars and offered a special shipping rate due to their lower capacity.

Hopefully the plywood wasn't just on the slotted sides (and ends if applicable) to keep the grain from spilling out.  You'd like to think the floor was covered too.  Or maybe that explains why I never did much like the flavor of Wonder Bread as a kid .....

Dave Nelson

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