The theory about X29 predominating is a good one supported by the evidence.
However, what modelers have been able to get most easily is -- the X29. So if you're modeling B&O, you're most likely short of the M53 in the 1 in 4 cars you might want as a representative sample.
If we're bringing back an old thread, let's do it in style -- with a solution to your wagontop shortage...
http://www.foxvalleymodels.com/pdfs/jpgs/feb11bobox.jpg
Not really a B&O fan, I do think wagontop just screams B&O.
Those B&O X29s? They're just part of the scenery to me.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Wayne, thanks for the great info and pics (as always). As you can see, my first post is over 3 years old, it was before I knew much about transition era RR practices. Also, since I've learn that Accurail is not #1 in "correctness", even though they have nice and affordable models. Last one I have is B&O N-17 2-bay hopper:
Since that post I bought Athearn M59 double door boxcar, I like it a lot even if it does not have all separate grabs etc... It rolls great and looks nice.
Mike, I am aware of the new FWM waggontops, I will deffinetelly try to buy one or two.
Wayne, you mentioned dry transfers... Is there a company or individual modeler who makes dry transfers, from customer graphic file?
Thommo, C-D-S used to make a good selection of dry transfers in several scales, along with custom order sets. Unfortunately, they're no longer producing new material but, as far as I know, they still have some stock on hand. I can't think of any dry transfer manufacturers that do custom work - perhaps someone else here knows of one.
A not-so-quick search yielded this: Decal Pro Dry Transfers
Wayne
Well, since September, several FVM models of waggontops has arrived in shops... Judging from first photos, it is a great looking car.
Pictured is special run from SMD - most correct version for late transition era. Photo (c) RailfanZ Dotcom
I hope one ore two will be on my rails soon!
Maybe not boxcars, but still well travelled B&O car was announced by Tangent - gondola type O-59.
Interesting times for B&O fans!
You may want to check into the BOHS company store for a few new offings in HO.
http://www.borhs.org/shopping/index.html
M53 box and express
http://www.borhs.org/Shopping/images/33250.jpg
http://www.borhs.org/Shopping/images/33261.jpg
AAR 70 ton flat http://www.borhs.org/Shopping/images/33221.jpg
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Well, it was not fast, but one waggontop finally arrived on my home rails...
IMO car looks great, runs without problems. Loose weight was taken care of with the little hot glue.
What a nice photo for PRR and B&O fans: http://www.shorpy.com/node/5510?size=_original#caption
The PRR car is X26, but not sure for B&O. M-26 or M-27? Red Caboose has nice M-26D models, but this on the photo has double door.
wm3798 The solid blue diesels started appearing around 1963 when the C&O bought the B&O. I believe the GP-30's that were delivered that year were the first to wear the simplified scheme. Lee
The solid blue diesels started appearing around 1963 when the C&O bought the B&O. I believe the GP-30's that were delivered that year were the first to wear the simplified scheme.
Lee
Lee,The C&O never bought the B&O..The C&O just bought 51% of the stock and that was to keep NYC/PRR from wanting to add the B&O to the PC merger.The PRR/NYC talked about adding the B&O in the PC merger.
Around this time N&W merged with NKP,Wabash and two other roads the AC&Y and P&WV.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Have noticed several mentions of Enchantment Blue. This was a C&O color --- not a B&O color --- until C&O got control of the B&O. Until then, the B&O's blue was a Royal Blue shade that was commonly called "Bando" (B and O) Blue. Enchantment Blue has a bit of a purplish cast. It seems that mpodel paint manufacturers have a hard time understanding this, as you will often hear of folks who think Enchantment is right for the independent, pre-C&O, Baltimore & Ohio. By the way, the "Big B&O" lettering was rarerly, if ever, seen before about 1953 or 1954; and the circular "13 Great States" emblem could still be seen well into the 1960's.
I have a question about B&O 40' steeel boxcar purchases in period just before and after WW2; as I understand M-55 family of cars are 1937 AAR type, and M-59 is AAR 1944 type. I was reading great articles in Trainlife.com from RMJ magazines, from authors like Hawkins and Hendrickson, and all 1937 and 1937 modified roster lists does not have any B&O boxcars listed.
Also no mention in 1937 rosters of B&O boxcars there: http://www.steamerafreightcars.com/prototype/frtcars/protofrtcarsmain.html
What am I missing?
What you are missing is that all B&O Cars were oddballs due to the clearance problems on the East End of the Railroad, also many of them were homebuilt in their shops with oddball ends and their inside hight was never more than 10' high which is why they had so many of the X29 clones on the roster as they were only 9'4" high.
An M-55 kit used to be availale from Sunshine Models and may be found on E-Bay but it still had problems in total accuracy.
I would suggest getting on the B&O Historical Group website and reading the available modeling quides and maybe purchasing the DVD of the old guides if you want to model the B&O.
Rick 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!
Lee,If I may so,folks won't be confused on this matter..
The C&O never bought the B&O..C&O bought 51% of the stock and took control of the B&O..They didn't merge until '87 under CSX.First merger was B&O/WM in May of '83 then B&O into the C&O in '87 and then the C&O into CSX in '87..
Either one of the 40' steel boxcars will be good from the 50s-70s.
The B&O yard at East Salamanca NY is a sea of M-53 and M-26 boxcars in this transition era photo.
-Stan
Nice photo, Stan.
Looks like several of the foreground tracks are occupied by cars undergoing repairs.
Yes they were Wayne. There were four cripple tracks there. The yard had about 35 tracks overall.
The Accurail USRA twin hopper was mentioned in reference to the B&O. It is correct for B&O class N-17, although Andrews trucks would make it more accurate. Remove the cast-on ladder rungs and attach separate ladders, and you'll have a pretty close representation of a B&O N-12.
The Accurail SS boxcar referenced earlier has a rather vague, rough resemblance to a USRA SS car. B&O had those, and I guess the Accurail car could serve as a stand-in, but they were nearly extinct by the early 1950's. If you want a wooden B&O boxcar, the Westerfield M-15 is your best bet, although a lot of them had been retired or rebuilt as wagon top cars by the 1950's. Some surviving wooden M-15's were still in Company service in the 1950's, but few still in revenue service.
Sorry if I'm coming into this late, but I had a question. Did the B&O consistently repaint their boxcars, or could you have had some earlier lettering/paint schemes sneak into later years? I have a wagontop with the brown steam era scheme, but I model transition era when it would've been red-thinking about getting rid of it.