hey everyone im thinkin about buying a couple sets of the walthers gold line ore cars im just hoping to get some opinions on them ??? what era are they from ?? would it be wrong to run them with my gp-38's ? are they a modern type of car ? thanx everyone
QUOTE: Originally posted by tomikawaTT As illustrated, the Walthers ore jimmy is accurately lettered for its primary prototype, the DM&IR, as built to carry high-quality iron ore. These cars were later modified by adding a little height to the sides in order to carry an equal weight of taconite pellets - 70 tons. I saw a yardful of the prototypes in (I think) 1992. Taconite mining is alive and well in Northeastern Minnesota today.
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
QUOTE: Originally posted by jrbernier The 'width' has nothing to do with the 'dock' The 'length' of the ore pocket is 24'. The t coupled length of an ore car is 24'. They dump between the rails, so the width is not an issue(it's only inches in difference on the two tyoes).. All of the Great Lakes cars were 24' on center, and most were 70t capacity. You can still see DM&IR ore dock operation in Duluth and maybe Two Harbors. The BNSF(ex-GN) ore dock in Superior is used to load ships, but the ore is dumped on land now and a conveyor moves it to the ore pockets on the dock. I am not sure if the LS&I is still moving ore, but the CN(ex-C&NW) dock at Escanaba also is a ground unloader and a conveyor to a 'loader' built on the outline of the old ore dock. Jim
QUOTE: Originally posted by wjstix The MDC Upper Michigan cars are a little higher and a little narrower than the Walthers Minnesota cars, which is correct for the prototype cars. CNW bought some used DMIR Minnesota cars about 15-20 years ago. As far as I know, these would be the only MN cars that were used in Yooperland. I looked at the NEB&W link, I doubt the railroads built their ore docks first, and then decided to build ore cars to fit the docks !! I'm sure they bought ore cars first. FWIW I bought the first version of the NEBW book with all the historical facts etc. and found many rather obvious mistakes in there, so I would take anything from there (especially relating to things outside of their region) with a grain of salt. [;)] BN used GP-38's (or GP-38-2's?? I'd have to check Pat Dorin's book) extensively on their ore trains going from the Mesabi Range to the ore docks at Allouez, WI in the seventies and eighties. Unlike many ore lines, BN generally used their newest power on the ore trains. I've been thinking of getting a couple of the Atlas Trainman engines for my BN ore trains.
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
Hi folks, I've only been in this since I took my grandson to a train show before last Christmas and he ate it up. So now Grandpa gets to build a railroad in the garage. Hopefully I'm not the only one around here that's told that story.
I model mainly L&N for my two grandfathers that worked there, and I model the DT&I because my wife's grandfather worked there. And I deal with NS because I help unload all the cars that bring coal to the plant. Ironically, I live in the only county in TN with zero trains. tracks cars, etc. (with the exception of my modeo railroad!)
But back to the question: I ordered a lot of locomotioves and cars from eBay. Some of it is good, some is........a learning experience. I look closer at each entry now and realize what things can mean and ralize there is differences in paint in details (and shipping!). But I am totally satisfied with my Walthers Mainline cars and engines. There are some other nice ones out there, but for the price I'm sticking with Walthers If they have what I want. I especially like the cars with the FRED that comes with them. They work great.
I've got buildings and containers and lifts and stuff to put together, but I'm waiting for my grandson to come down from Indianapolis for a visit so we can do some of it together.
My next project is getting the cars and parts for the bridge for the ore dock in Marquette for the CLF RR or the LS&I. Lots and lots of ore cars. I've got two of the BN engines and a few of the ore cars, but there are two sets of 12 on ebay that would fit right in. And Walthers says the dock is backordered,but in transit. There are some wonderful videos of these trains on youtube. And just down from there is a short line called E&LS RR that carries tons of logs north and south with lots of videos on youtube. Explor what's out there and hopefully you'll find a RR that suits your needs. Good luck!
Check my progress on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLw9L35qVJ9wKdMa6bWYqiQ
Greg Whitehead
Ironically, I live in the only county in Tennessee with no railroad tracks.
SlowmodemMy next project is getting the cars and parts for the bridge for the ore dock in Marquette for the CLF RR or the LS&I. Lots and lots of ore cars.
Hi, Slowmodem.
I might be able to help you build your collection of Walthers ore Jennies, if you don't mind them lettered for Bessemer and Lake Erie
I'll send you a PM with details. (click the "Messages" icon by your screen name)
Lot 2513006 by John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
I bought three twelve packs of Walthers ore cars close to twenty years ago. There is a gold line on the box under the Walthers name.
They are lettered for CN, and have a build date of 11-57. I don't know if these are the same cars, but sure are not the same run. I added steel wheels and are happy with them.
Timely post. I have some seven ore jimmy kits which I was thinking of building up for an ore jimmy train. I was going to invent a mine and mining company for my Boston & Maine layout. In real life the B&M never enjoyed an on line mine and the traffic it produces, but, I'll invent one. I have spent the last couple of days going thru my model rail mags looking for pictures, or even better a constuction article. No such luck. Flipping thru 3-4 years worth of mags, no ore jimmies. Lots of reefers, cabeese, box cars, tank cars, passenger cars, but no ore jimmies. I was very happy to see the John Barringer collection of photos in this thread. Excellent shots from all angles. I will use the photos for a little extra detailing. I thought I would paint them all box car red (actually Krylon red auto primer) and say they are owned by the mining company and letter them accordingly. I will make loads for them. It's going to be fantasy modeling, but heh, it's a hobby.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
More on ore:
https://www.shorpy.com/node/25437?size=_original#caption
And this can also be tied in to the thread on the A.I.M. concrete loader:
https://www.shorpy.com/node/25430?size=_original#caption
Can anyone explain why all the wires?
Regards, Ed
gmpullmanCan anyone explain why all the wires?
Well, Ed, it looks like there are lights on the wires, so I would guess that ore dumping (and ore loading into the lake boats) goes on 24 hours a day, just like in the steel industry.I'd guess that it's also much safer for the employees.
Wayne