Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
QUOTE: Originally posted by jdavid93225 Sounds like you have everything covered except cabooses (cabeese?). I wish I had some of everything you have!
QUOTE: Originally posted by jrbernier The basic question is what cars are correct for no later than the late 50's. Most freight cars will be in the 50-70 ton capacity range and all should have roof walks. Most of the cars will have friction bearing trucks. Only some special freight cars will have roller bearings. Here are some pointers: Box cars: Usually 40-50' long, with a 40-50 ton capacity. And still a lot of composite construction. Reefers: 36-40' long, ice staged cooling. Still lots of wood side cars. Hoppers: 34-40' long. Twin bay, some triple/quad bay cars. 55-70 ton capacity. Covered Hoppers: Most are 34' twin bay - many in cement service. Most have a 70 ton capacity. 3 bay grain cars did not start showing up until the very late 50's/early 60's. Gondolas: 40' & 50' gons, with 50-70 ton capacity Tank cars: Mainly small 8,000 & 10,000 gallon capacity cars. Flat cars: 40-50' cars. 50-70 ton capacity. Stock cars: 36-40' wood side cars, both single and double deck cars. Cranes? - Anything up to 250 ton lift capacity. I hope this helps, Jim Bernier
QUOTE: Originally posted by JohnT14808 I've heard of 'pickle vat' cars ( flats with vats on them?), log cars, m.o.w. cars, staked flat cars....do they count as something different? Sounds like a fun layout. Any particular location being modeled?
QUOTE: Originally posted by dgwinup Tracklayer, Don't forget about the old war-era freight cars like troop trains. They were still around in the early fifties, just not for troop transport anymore. Many were converted to lineside buildings, others for MOW dormitories, etc. Anything else would have been unusual and probably special-built for a single purpose, like flatcars used in early rocket development. I seem to remember a rather large (75-80' flat?) that had FOUR sets of two-axle trucks, 2 on each end. But maybe that was later. Darrell, flatly quiet...for now
Carey
Keep it between the Rails
Alabama Central Homepage
Nara member #128
NMRA &SER Life member
QUOTE: Originally posted by cjcrescent Tracklayer; A couple that weren't mentioned 50' depressed center flats. 4 and 6 wheeled trucks, not sure of capacity, 70-150 ton? Carried Hi-Wide loads like transformers etc. 40' grain loading box cars specially equipped with grain loading hatches up near the roofs for grain harvest. During this time, grain was hauled in boxcars instead of hoppers. Regular box cars were also pressed into service for this by being equipped with "grain doors" which in some cases was nothing more than a heavy paper barrier across the inside of the regular doors, to prevent the grain from leaking out in transit. Grain was loaded thru a slot near the top of the door. Other suggestions, go to http://www.steamfreightcars.com/. This website has many pix and articles on these cars, both prototypes and models.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer I'm an N scaler, and in my basic steam era freight rolling stock inventory I have reefers cars, box cars, open hoppers, covered hoppers, gondolas, tanker cars, flat cars, stock cars and crane cars. Am I missing anything ?. Tracklayer
Ray Breyer
Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943
QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer I'm an N scaler, and in my basic steam era freight rolling stock inventory I have reefers cars, box cars, open hoppers, covered hoppers, gondolas, tanker cars, flat cars, stock cars and crane cars. Am I missing anything ?. Tracklayer You've pretty much got everything the railroads ran, witht he exception of other specialty cars (MOW, mostly). However, the real question shouldn't be "is there anything else I need?", but "what do I need to look right?". Even if you're not into prototype modeling, it's usually better to build a freight car fleet that represents reality (in general), to make your layout look more believable (unless you're deliberately modeling fantasy). That means getting the car ratios and colors right. For the steam era, your fleet should be heavy on the boxcars. Something like 55% of the national car fleet in 1949 was 40 foot boxes. In descending order, any steam-era fleet should have the following cars: boxcars (50%), hoppers (25%), gondolas(15%), reefers (5%), tanks (2%), flats (1%), stock cars (1%), covered hoppers (1%). Of course, that mix should be modified to fit your prototype (if any) or your preferred region. If you're modeling the eastern coal fields, hoppers should dominate. If you're modeling southwestern oil fields, beef up the tank fleet. If you're modeling a bridge line, increase the number of reefers. But in general, concentrate on the mundane stuff like 40 foot boxes and gondolas (no modeler has enough gons!) and ignore the flashy stuff like covered hopppers and MOW. Likewise, try to ignore the fancy paint schemes. Even if you don't mind that a lettering scheme is right for the steam era, try to make sure that the colors are OK. The steam era freight car fleets was BLAND. In general, ALL boxcars were a variation of mineral brown, and all hoppers, gons, tanks, flats and stocks were either black or brown. Yes, there were exceptions, but they'd be very rare, and NOT something you'd see in every train. The only regular color you'd see would be from reefers, and they came in either orange or yellow.