Got yet another one for the group. As part of a plan to expand load possibilities for my layout (not that I really need more freight cars), I am looking to purchase one of Athearn's new HO RTR 65'6" Mill Gondolas. The one thing that I keep running into is the lack of proper flats for my era (1970s to early 80s.) I was looking at maybe using some Walthers GSC flats. The problem I seem to be running into is I can't find prototype pictures for many of the roads that those cars were produced in (especially Great Northern [a pair is currently available on eBay]). I have checked all my usual photo sites and have struck out. There are some manufacturers have produced cars in schemes that are not prototypical, but I would not expect that from Walthers. If anyone has any ideas or photos, they would be very helpful.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/HO-Scale-Flat-Cars-s/1492.htm?searching=Y&sort=3&cat=1492&show=30&page=1&brand=Tangent%20Scale%20Models
I bought a few of these Tangent cars. They are well worth the investment.
Ed
I have a Tangent 60' GSC flat - they are very nice as are all Tangent Cars. ExactRail makes a 53' GSC, also very nice - don't have any yet but on my to-do list.
Here is a link to a Train Orders topic where photo's of prototypes were posted - only small photo's show unless you are a member.
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?3,3445439
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
In reading the suggested posts, I see that it appears that the GN cars are prototype. However, the main problem that I ran into with the Walthers cars was I couldn't find prototype pictures of the number series that those cars are supposed to be in.
FRRYKid In reading the suggested posts, I see that it appears that the GN cars are prototype. However, the main problem that I ran into with the Walthers cars was I couldn't find prototype pictures of the number series that those cars are supposed to be in.
Ugh.. That may be a issue since Walthers foobies a lot of road names and numbers.
Here's my thoughts buy the Walthers car and repaint it or remove the wrong numbers.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Google is you friend, you could have answered all your questions with a little research. I have used this site for buidling many of my GN cars.
http://www.gngoat.org/Modeling.htm
Ric J
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
I tried a different idea using one of the photo sites. Rather than using "GSC" as the builder, I used "GSI-Railroad" which solved the problem. As suspected, the GN GSI car were bulkheads which won't work for what I have in mind. I also checked all of the other regional roads that potentially could work and none of those were right either. Therefore, I think the idea to use GSCs for my project wouldn't work. Back to the drawing board.
I don't know if this interests you, but ExactRail's GSC flats in Northern Pacific (both versions - with and without cushion underframes) are appropriate for your region and era. I updated this one based on prototype photos for post-1978.
I am looking to purchase one of Athearn's new HO RTR 65'6" Mill Gondolas. The one thing that I keep running into is the lack of proper flats for my era...
Based on your original post, I'm curious if you're intending to use the flats in conjunction with the gons as idlers? Either way, beware the Walthers 65' mill gon is something of an oddball prototype if I recall correctly, and most of the Walthers schemes are bogus. The car is appropriate for D&RGW, but I'm not sure what other owners there were.
Rob Spangler
wp8thsub I don't know if this interests you, but ExactRail's GSC flats in Northern Pacific (both versions - with and without cushion underframes) are appropriate for your region and era. I updated this one based on prototype photos for post-1978.
I will have to look at the ExactRail cars. That is a manufacturer I hadn't considered.
wp8thsub Based on your original post, I'm curious if you're intending to use the flats in conjunction with the gons as idlers? Either way, beware the Walthers 65' mill gon is something of an oddball prototype if I recall correctly, and most of the Walthers schemes are bogus. The car is appropriate for D&RGW, but I'm not sure what other owners there were.
That's correct. I also can use the additional flats for regular operations as well. (I definitely don't have enough flat cars. The era I model is hard for finding accurate flat cars.) As I said in the original post, I am looking to purchase one of the new Athearn drop end gons that they will release next summer in "Q" colors. (One of which from what I can tell is not accurate. I won't be purchasing that one, of course. The other two look to be accurate from my photo research.)
FRRYKidAs I said in the original post, I am looking to purchase one of the new Athearn drop end gons...
Sorry for the confusion there. You mentioned a bit of surprise that Walthers used bogus schemes, and I started thinking Walthers gons...
FRRYKid If anyone has any ideas or photos, they would be very helpful.
If anyone has any ideas or photos, they would be very helpful.
Can you please be more specific?
I found some photos, but it is not clear to me if they will be useful.