I'm looking for some help from some HO model old timers who might have a clue as to themanufacturers of two rail-cars my Dad put together between 1948 and 1955 (estimate). I've been able to identify the rest of Dad's inventory (4 Loco's and about 15 cars). Other kits are from Ulrich, Varney, Mantua and John English.
These two have been impossible to pin down and I'm wired to try to get a full accounting of what I've uncovered!The first is an all metal (lead?) MKT Caboose #817. I know Roundhouse has a plastic version of this, could this be a predecessor? I'm thinking this might be the oldest of the collection. I have found one picture match, but the eBay entry links to a set of decals for Southern Pacific.The other is a Pacific Fruit Express #45792, model is wood construction. Have not found a car # match anywhere, the closest being a #45702 (Athearn).Pictures should be available in the link
Thanks, in advance
I'm not seeing the link to pictures... try this
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kds9c1fkzqrk7qq/AAAg1LdJGULiwkfPXlqpsaUda?dl=0
That should work.
Your reefer looks like a Silver Streak kit.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Regarding the MKT caboose.
Roundhouse was originally called Model Die Casting (MDC). Their frieght cars and cabooses were made of die cast metal parts. The cars were kits for the modeler to assemble.
Long ago, I had the MDC MKT caboose which somebody gave to me. It was a model of a wood caboose with outside steel framing. It had yellow sides.
Edit ..... I just saw your photos, and the MKT caboose is the MDC (ROundhouse) model like I had. ..... The reefer looks like it has stamped metal parts as well as wood parts. Early Athearn kits has that kind of construction.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
BRAKIE https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kds9c1fkzqrk7qq/AAAg1LdJGULiwkfPXlqpsaUda?dl=0 That should work. Your reefer looks like a Silver Streak kit.
The separate roof ribs do look like Silver Streak but also like other kits of that era.
And the sides look like pressed metal, and the underbody looks like an Athearn pressed metal kit to me: wood floor with the metal center sill with slots in which two part cross bars back to back fit into the slots. Based on the floor I'd say an old Athearn.
The caboose looks like it is cast metal sides.
Dave Nelson
Those answers were exactly what I was thinking. Some car manufactures would buy parts from other companys to go with their kits, some still do.
I built one of the Silver Streak Reefers in about 1957 and I am thinking it wasn't a steel side reefer, but rather was a wood prototype. Also, I remember the roof being plain wood, not any molding. Just the metal bands that bent around the edge of the roof to hold them on. This photo sort of looks like a modled plastic roof as well as the molded sides. I would agree that the one pictured looks Athearn. It was about the same time the Athearn rubber band drive GP9 diesel was put on the market.
Thanks... this helps
most of the caboose is metal, Just the trim along the roof is wood (frame, body, roof all metal). I've got this on video now and it's brittle enough I want to pack it away (for what?) and replace it with a look alike.
dknelsonAnd the sides look like pressed metal, and the underbody looks like an Athearn pressed metal kit to me: wood floor with the metal center sill with slots in which two part cross bars back to back fit into the slots. Based on the floor I'd say an old Athearn.
Dave, It's been eons since I built a Silver Streak or Athearn metal kit. After studying the photo more closely I believe you're correct..Its a Athearn steel reefer and you can see the rivets if you enlarge the photo.