-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Adams <steamera@...>
To: STMFC@...
Sent: Mon, Jun 28, 2010 8:23 pm
Subject: Re: [STMFC] Re: Wabash 50' #19000-19124 Autocar




Paul/Tim/Ron;

The Wabash 19000-19124 series were built with wood running boards, as
was the very similar 18000-18024 series with end doors. The 18000-18024
cars did indeed have Youngstown doors. Both series of cars had the
frequent Wabash preference of Miner power hand brakes with D3384
malleable iron hand wheel. (The Kadee, DA or similar Miner hand brake
parts will work)

For trucks, use an AAR spring plankless truck (NOT the Accurail, which
has spring planks). I'd suggest the Proto 2000 AAR truck as a good option.

Ron's warning about the side sill reinforcements is an excellent one.
The instructions with the mini-kit aren't particularly clear, and the
photo with it suffers from reproduction problems which renders it of
marginal use. The reinforcement panel meets the car body where the
angle ends transition to a vertical edge.

An article about constructing a WAB 19000-19124 series model using the
Sunshine mini-kit will appear in the next issue (Number 3) of /The
Wabash Modeler/ (TWM), available through membership in the Wabash
Railroad Historical Society. TWM Number 3 will also have an article
about the Wabash 50' express refrigerator cars. This will include
techniques for modifying the Walthers or BLI models to more accurately
represent the Wabash 950-974 series. A discussion of modeling options
in O and N scales will accompany the article.

Freight car fans may also be interested in TWM Number 1, which contains
an article about the Wabash 1958 cu ft covered hoppers (Think
Intermountain's model in HO). The article contained several builders
and in service photos, along with modeling discussion in multiple scales.

Regards, Rob Adams

On 6/28/10 5:26 PM, mopacfirst wrote:

I also am 'working on one'. The doors actually went onto a MoPac car
that I did, but the under-door bracing is still going to go onto a
Wabash car. Chet French graciously sent me a couple extra photos, from
which I concluded that the roofwalk is very likely wood based on how
the latitudinal running boards are attached. I also concluded that the
trucks are one of those with the two outer springs pretty far apart,
such as the Accurail 'Bettendorf' truck.

You may not care about this, but it appears that the lower numbered
cars in this block had Youngstown doors. The break was reported to be
around 19050, but no evidence shows the exact point. There was also a
group of end-door cars, 18000-18024, which appears to have Youngstown
doors.

I screwed up the first time, trying to mount the reinforcement under
the edge of the sill. Actually, it's supposed to mount behind the
sill, and the vertical portions of the end on the resin piece go
behind the plastic. Mine are still salvageable, but I'm waiting now
until I feel like stripping another Life-Like car. You may need to
file a bit of clearance between the resin parts and the underframe,
but the fit is so sloppy on the Life-Like car it may not be necessary.

Ron Merrick

--- In STMFC@... <mailto:STMFC%40yahoogroups.com>;, Tim
O'Connor <timboconnor@...> wrote:

Paul

The Wabash Freight Car Equipment listing of 12/1964 lists many
specs for 19000-19124 but has no column at all for running boards.
But since the cars were built in 1942, wood running boards were
still legal for new car construction at that time.

For the trucks it only says "Bettendorf Self Aligning". I can safely
say they are NOT ASF A-3 or Barber S-2 since the listings show those
under many other cars. So pick a pre-war "Bettendorf" and you'll be
close.

Interestingly the listings show VULCAN trucks used on several groups
of box cars in 1964, including some built in 1960. Wabash sometimes
recycled old trucks on new freight cars.

Tim O'Connor

I am finishing one of the Sunshine "Mini" kits. It is one where a

Proto 2000 double door boxcar is converted to a Wabash auto car in the
#19000-19124 series. The photo that is part of the instructions is not
very clear, therefore, I need a little help to finish it accurately.
Can someone tell what trucks were used on the prototype? Also, the
instructions says the prototype used a wood running board, but in the
photo the running board looks awful "thin" like it might be steel. Can
someone confirm the running board on the prototype was wood?

Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks.
Paul Lyons

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