Question about HO RoadRailers

[Anonymous]

So far I've only found that Bowser makes RoadRailers in HO and even they are hard to find online. That's surprising considering that Intermodal is quite popular among modellers [:(]

Also, whoever owns these from Bowser (I assume noone else makes them) here's the question: As I understand I need to buy Couplermate separately. It says only one is needed, but what if I want to couple something behind.
Also I am confused how trailers are fixed to trucks. I can see trailer sitting on one, but how is the next trailer attached ? Wrom what I see the first trailer occupies truck completely.

[jrbarney]

Dimastep,
Intermodal is too modern for me, but perhaps one of the 13 articles cited in this keyword search in the Index of Magazines will provide an answer:
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=S&cmdtext=Roadrailer&MAG=ANY
if the intermodal fans are slow to respond.
Also, the Durango Press kit for a Railroader is now available from JL Innovative:
http://www.jlinnovative.com/Catalog.ASP?WCI=DisplayProducts&WCE=ByCI1337B20&WCU=mv3TBMBuqGSP5S5cmioO2R5JCpOIiHgD
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info ! Yeah, looks like not many intermodal fans here.
Actually it looks like that kit from Bowser is essentially trucks and trailers mounted together.
I can do it myself. And I can use some old caboose to cut an end of it and use as Couplermate.

I tried to search for closeup pictures on how exactly trailer sits on bogey, either on model or
on prototype. Can anyone help with picture or diagram ?

[PennsyHoosier]

Ya, not too many itermodals here--at least on the surface. Let the question stand. I suspect there might be some out there somewhere.

[Anonymous]

intermodal is no fun[:D]you dont get to do all of the great switching and such you get with mixed frieght cars

[Anonymous]

There's a bowser model at the LHS where I work. Next time I'm in I'll take a look at it and see what I can find our for you.
Andrew

[DSchmitt]

To pull RR cars behind the Roadrailers, you will need a second couplermate to provide a knuckle coupler in the rear. That is how both the prototype and the model does it. The Roadrailers couple to each other with a draw bar. (I own two HO Roadrailers and a couplermate for display and two N scale 10 unit sets to run)

A year or so before the UP took over the SP, Roadrailers came through my hometown two or three time a week coupled to the rear of a regular train. They had a couplermate front and rear and always had a single box car (never more) with a FRED on the rear of the train.

Later solid Roadrailer consists started coming through.

I believe that Roadrailers are not really designed pull regular cars.

If you can get a look at the instructions that come with N scale Roadrailer sets (Deluxe Innovations) there is a good explanation of how it all works.

[Anonymous]

I've heard that Roadrailers aren't able to cope with having extra cars behind them - they're too lightweight compared to normal cars. I also recall reading that they're often moved around by some form of crane at terminals rather than being switched normally. Hope this is of some use!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I thought so too, not only are they lightweight but also not as sturdy as regular flat or boxcars. Still they look pretty cool !