Gorre & Daphetid question for Andy

[Anonymous]

Andy, as a former operator on John Allen's G & D, I wonder if you can recall what make of kits the majority of John's kit-built cars were ?
Were they Mantua, Varney, Ulrich,......were there any MDC or Athearn???
I THINK I recognize some Mantua cars, but John was such a master photographer, it's hard to tell for sure. ( I look at all his published photos again & again, and marvel at how those big ol' Baker couplers virtually never show in the picture..! )
I re-read everything I have on the G & D over the holidays, including Linn's great book. The one thing never covered in the articles I have, was his choice of kits, and as I recall at least half the freight car fleet was kits, as John's time for scratchbuilding cars was limited after the move to Cielo Vista, due to layout building and operating.
Thanks & regards,
Mike

[Anonymous]

I am not Andy, and I was a kid when John Allen was modelling, but I thought that most of his stuff was scratch built.

[Anonymous]

Jim, please don't take offense, but if I didn't already know that at least half of John Allen's freight cars were from kits, I wouldn't have asked a former G & D operator for more details.
I am fortunate in that ever since 1953, when I was 10, I've been reading just about everything published by, or about John Allen and his railroads, including picking up all the MR's and RMC's from the late 40's onward that featured his work.
I'm just trying to 'fill in' whatever info I can, that I'm not sure of.
I'm throwing this back up front to see if I can get a response.
Thanks anyway, I appreciate your posting.
regards,
Mike

[dknelson]

I am not Andy either ... but I remember that Varney's ads were almost always photos of the G&D so I assume there was at least some Varney stuff on the layout.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Dave, that series of early 50's back-cover MR Varney ads was shot on versions #1 and #2 of the G & D. Most of the Varney equipment was only staged there for the purpose of the ads, but I believe John DID use at least some Varney car kits....I'm just trying to find out what else....Mantua....Ulrich ...what have you ?
I think I recognize some early MDC ore cars also, in various photos.
thanks,
Mike