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HO Scale 52' - 55' passenger cars?

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  • Member since
    January 2022
  • From: Michigan, USA
  • 120 posts
HO Scale 52' - 55' passenger cars?
Posted by allegedlynerdy on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 12:26 PM

Hi all,

The prototype I model (Copper Range Railroad) had a fairly extensive fleet of passenger cars for what was essentially a short line. However, all but one of them were between 52' and 55' in size, and the majority of those were only four wheel trucks. A couple of them survive to this day at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, WI, so I luckily have some reference for what they looked like.
Copper Range Combine

Both the surviving ones were built by American Car & Foundry around 1903.

That said, I have sworn I've seen models of this sort of passenger car before, but for the life of me can't find them. It is possible I saw them in a different scale than HO, or custom built at a show. Is there any special name for these mid-size passenger cars that I am unfamiliar with? Anyone know of any manufacturers of them?

Thanks in advance for any info!

  • Member since
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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 12:55 PM

I'm not sure what the length of these are...

https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=258_316_323

Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by wjstix on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 1:07 PM

Closest would probably be the 50' "Overland" cars originally made as kits by MDC/Roundhouse, now sold as RTR items in the Athearn "Ready to Roll" line. MDC made a lot of the undec kits back in the day, they turn up quite often at railroad flea markets or Ebay for a decent price.

https://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=50%27+Overland+set&CatID=THRP

Another option - if you like wood craftman's kits - would be LaBelle's "1883 Open Platform" kits.

https://www.labellemodels.com/scale-passenger-cars-c-21_23.html?osCsid=4qqfl93u0o82kr70o4esqscn36

 

Stix
  • Member since
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Posted by ndbprr on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 4:08 PM

not the same but the PRR had 54' cars later converted to mu electric commuter cars.  there were both straight coachs and combines.  i believe they were made by Rapido or Concor.  might be a starting point for you

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Posted by snjroy on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 7:29 PM

Pocher/AHM also made some. They pop up on Ebay regularly.

Simon 

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    November 2006
  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 9:11 PM

Con-Cor has "Old-Time Passenger Cars" that probably fit the bill. 

Here is one with a pair of Accurail 2-bay covered hoppers for reference.

 This weeks projects, Part 1 by Richard Woodworth, on Flickr

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

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3: Any objections, consult above rules.

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Posted by NVSRR on Thursday, December 15, 2022 7:49 AM

Most likely labelle kits.   They have many common design passenger cars from that era as well as parts.  Even for kits they made 40 years ago. 

shane

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 jjdamnit on Thursday, December 15, 2022 2:51 PM

Hello All,

On my pike I run an "Olde Tyme" excursion train.

It consists of two (2) 47-foot passenger cars; #43-1029-01, a Combine; #43-1028-01, and a bobber caboose; 43-1027-01.

All are Union Pacific livery, manufactured by Bachmann, that I found on eBay.

Along with a Mantua® Classics; 28-foot low-sided gondola- -converted for outside seating,

I also have a Mantua® Classics 40-foot AT&SF (green) combine; #716110. Again found on eBay.

A quick search on eBay showed the passenger cars and caboose are currently available.

Not exactly the sizes you are seeking but...

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

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Posted by doctorwayne on Thursday, December 15, 2022 4:41 PM

Model Die Casting offers a train of shorty passenger cars, but I used mine as MoW crew cars...

They don't get a great deal of running time, but every once-in-a-while they might get hauled around the layout (sometimes with other track maintenance equipment).

Wayne

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, December 16, 2022 3:11 PM

It would make a cool kit bash project, if your into that sorta thing.

I needed a couple of streamliner 75' sleepers, which are getting just as hard to find.

Ended up bashing some longer sleepers to get it done.

Mike.

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