I've finally gotten to a point on my layout where I can really concentrate on scenery and things like rolling stock, etc. I'm interested in a few passenger cars for my NYC layout.
Ok, on my layout, I plan to run small 2-3 car "local" passenger trains; Heavyweights pulled by my Bachmann 2-8-0. I would like a couple of coaches + maybe a combine and baggage car.
I like the Walthers cars, but I see that they are 85' cars. But, I don't have 40"+ curves, so that might not be the best route. Now, I don't want 60' "shorty" cars, but I have read that a lot of real passenger coaches, etc. were 72' cars. Does anyone make those size cars? What scale length are the Bachmann passenger cars? Also, does anyone make a 60' NYC Baggage car?
I'm interested in any brand, from Bachmann to Walthers, to Branchline or whatever. If it's the only route for 72' size cars, I'd even mess around with IHC Heavyweights if they are that size...
Well, you kind of talked yourself into a box here. First, the Bachmann cars are PRR P70 prototypes all made to fit the same mold so they are about 74' - correct only for the coach. the rest are short.
Most of the 60' cars are actually prototype sort of, the Athearn baggage and RPO are OK, the coach etc are short, again made to fit the same mold. The 60' Rivarossi/Walthers cars are correct CNW prototypes but are not in production any more.
Concor has 72' cars made the same length as the Athearn but are CNW - sort of.
The IHC cars are all about 85' except a couple heavyweights, which are not prototypes of anything and have several major design flaws.
For steam era, I think you are best off with the Athearn even though not exactly correct they will look better , run great and not cost an arm and a leg.
NYCentral1 wrote: Ok, on my layout, I plan to run small 2-3 car "local" passenger trains; Heavyweights pulled by my Bachmann 2-8-0. I would like a couple of coaches + maybe a combine and baggage car.
A typical secondary route NYC passenger train (non commuter) would generall consist of an RPO, a full baggage, and a day coach or two. Your best bets for each car are:
Rivarossi/Walthers Trainline 60' steel RPO (similar to some NYC designs)
Rivarossi/Walthers Trainline 60' steel full baggage (similar to some NYC designs)
Branchline or Walthers paired window coaches (these ARE NYC cars)
The vast majority of the NYC's head end cars were in the 60 foot range. The Rivarossi/Walthers car is the closest mass-produced model that represents these cars (BCW and NKP Car Co do make a couple of kits for truly correct NYC head end cars, but they're VERY involved mixed-media kits).
The Walthers NYC coaches should take 24" curves just fine, and the Branchline cars can be made to run through curves that tight.
If you want older cars (wood heavyweights) you have to make 'em yourself by kitbashing old Roundhouse Pullman Palace cars. Wood heavyweight cars lasted into the mid-1950s on the NYC, especially in Ontario.
Ray Breyer
Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943
Thanks for the answers...
My problem is that 90% of the "traffic" on my layout will be 40 foot boxcars, hoppers, F unit size diesels, at most a 2-8-2 Mikado, etc. So, I have only 24" curves. Better than 4 x 8 style 18" curves, but not quite the 30" + radius I wish I had. I can only imagine a BLI Hudson pulling 8 - 12 Walthers Heavyweights...
In saying this, I know that 24" curves are a little tight for passenger cars. I'm just trying to do what I can. The curves are why I will be running 2-3 car passenger consists. I just thought that the 85' Walthers coaches might be a little difficult on 24" curves and would look pretty bad.
NYCentral1 wrote: Thanks for the answers...My problem is that 90% of the "traffic" on my layout will be 40 foot boxcars, hoppers, F unit size diesels, at most a 2-8-2 Mikado, etc. So, I have only 24" curves. Better than 4 x 8 style 18" curves, but not quite the 30" + radius I wish I had. I can only imagine a BLI Hudson pulling 8 - 12 Walthers Heavyweights...In saying this, I know that 24" curves are a little tight for passenger cars. I'm just trying to do what I can. The curves are why I will be running 2-3 car passenger consists. I just thought that the 85' Walthers coaches might be a little difficult on 24" curves and would look pretty bad.
Well you best choice is the Athearn cars..Those full length beauties require a large curve.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
NYCentral1 wrote:Athearn doesn't have any NYC Heavyweights listed anywhere on their website...
Well another road name dropped..
How about the Bachmanns or IHC?
BRAKIE wrote: NYCentral1 wrote:Athearn doesn't have any NYC Heavyweights listed anywhere on their website...Well another road name dropped.. How about the Bachmanns or IHC?
Bachmann and IHC cars are the same nominal length as the Walthers and Branchline cars, and don't look anywhere near as good. That's why I suggested at least the Trainline head end cars: they're short (and prototypically so!), so will go around tighter curves.
But who needs decorated cars? That's why God invented paint and decals!
NYC1,
I have a 6-car consist of the Athearn streamlined lightweights and a mixed, Athearn and Walther's, seven-car consist of heavyweights. with a little tuning and weighting they all run quite well, even through the 18-inch radius reversing loop and snap-switches on the BRVRR.
I purchased most of both types at local hobby shops and train shows in the last few years. Many vendors have old stocks of Athearn cars. I got lucky and found some 'used' ones at good prices at a train show.
I just purchased a Walther's 64-seat streamlined coach that I'm putting lights and passengers in. It is a little long for my 22-inch radius outside mainline but it fits in with the rest of the streamlined consist. Besides, I run my passenger trains in the dark most of the time and the overhang isn't noticeable then.
Check out the next train show in your area, I'll bet you can get what you need. Try Trainworld too. They have a huge stock of Athearn rolling stock and their prices can not be beat.
Good luck on your search.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Go get some Con-Cor 72' NYC passenger cars, change the plastic wheels to metal wheels, replace the stupid horn hook couplers with prototypical couplers and you won't regret it.
I searched for months for these NYC cars for the same reason as you state. The 60' cars from Rivarossi and Walthers are no longer made and impossible to find on eBay. Athearn makes nice 72' cars in several road names but not NYC. Walthers, Branchline, etc. all make 85' cars and that just won't do on layouts like yours and mine.
Here's what I did. I ordered Con-Cor cars from Walthers web site for around $16 per car. I replaced the wheels with brass wheels from Intermountain Railway Company for $3 per car. Then, I bought Kadee #505 coupler conversion kits from Walthers, currently on sale for $3 per car.
So, for $22 per car, you have some very nice, and very reliable, NYC passenger cars.
Alton Junction
Perhaps this photo will help you to decide what to purchase. There are others, many others, on the rr-fallengflags.org website.
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc-s6002o.jpg
Though for some reason I can't paste the link right now, I think you'll find the article on modeling NYC passenger cars on the modelrailroader.com website helpful.
Look under articles/modeling projects.
Terry
NYCentral1 wrote:Just a quick update for my question... Would it have been possible to see steam engines in the 50's pulling Pullman standard type cars instead of heavyweights, or were the standards more of a diesel thing?