Modeling the B&O Shenandoah SD, late 1956. Many of my industries have outbound empty boxcars. How common (or not) was it for the doors to be left open when released as an empty? I figure some of you on the list might have an idea based upon the many photos you have seen. 

Always appreciate the help. Thanks.

Fran Giacoma 

Group, looking for any info for the NH XM-2  Rebuilds with Dreadnaught ends, drawings, photos, number series, 

Thanks 

Dave Schroedle 

I recently completed the NYC USRA offset side conversion. The castings weren't too bad. I used a Tichy hopper (not an Accurail car as recommended) and the process went well, although the decals supplied by SS were horrible. Very fuzzy. I ended up decaling the car letter-by-letter and it took forever.

I believe Martin did a MP hopper-top conversion. If you've got that one and are letting it go, can you give me a shout, please?

You mean other than the fact that you already own it, probably no
one wants the minikit anymore, what the heck else can you do with
the Atlas models, and where are you going to find accurate decals?

I will try to provide a bit of an update on that sweating concern.

        Looking at records of XM's constructed on the NP Ry in the later fifties, (beyond my modeling timeframe) there are products that can be certainly found in Railway Age advertisements if one looks. These are spray on products composed of cork granules in asphalt like substances.  They were advertised for use on caboose interior roofs also, both as a sound and temperature insulator.

    I am not sure of the longevity of these as I had also seen other correspondence of these same materials later flaking off and contaminating the loads.  However that was this company vs that companies product.

    I will see if I can find the mfg names, so that the HS societies of these two cars might check if these products can be found in connection with the cars records. 

                                                                                                         Jim Dick - Roseville, MN 

A parcel of goodies arrived today from Speedwitch including new sets of Fruit Growers and Western Fruit decals to do older cars, meaning those built to the 1922 and 1926 FGE designs as well as some reefers that came from other railroads. I have three models waiting for these. I have to admit that Sunshine's decals for these two companies always looked a little heavy—a subjective statement I admit— but a part of me will cringe a little when Speedwitch and Sunshine decaled cars are side-by-side. "Double Deck" decals are included that can be used with Sunshine's #34.2 kit. These have never been available before. Three variations of the GN goat herald are included.

Another package highlight is the Vol. 3 of Prototype Railroad Modeling which for this issue is essentially a "Ya'll" road issue since the Frisco went into Birmingham , Ala. (LOL) Bob Chapman's article on modeling L&N coal hoppers is really well done in terms of showing us "how to do it." I love the rare photo showing the L&N's USRA hopper with its Andrews trucks. Very well illustrated and comprehensive in terms of their large and diverse fleet.

I also appreciated the remembrance of our beloved Richard and the tip of the hat to the FSA/OWI Collection housed at the Library of Congress.

Bill Welch

Pierre Oliver
www.elgincarshops.com
www.yarmouthmodelworks.com

Is there anything special about this minikit that would make it