Thoughts?
Dave Evans

Oh. Thoughts. Well...

I think that Atlas could pull off a Frisco version and maybe a slightly less-good ACL version--this based on Ben Hom's data posted in the Files. I haven't found anything else that works. I've looked up a bunch of the Atlas car numbers and they are always WAY wrong. I've wondered whether Atlas has chosen to hold off on the only two "rightish" cars to maximize sales of the "wrongish".

Curiously, they seem to make great efforts to get their 1932 ARA box really close.



Ed (who's looking forward to their as-yet unannounced USRA DS boxes)

Edward Sutorik

Brian Carlson and Ben Hom make it rather clear that in their opinions the
Atlas cars don't represent any prototype. Since these two members are very
knowlegeable and at least Ben has written at length on the subject, I would
think that other members might consider that assuming these cars DO
represent something real is similar to encountering a field with a sign
saying "Danger Mines". If one choses to cross the field on foot, one might
not be too happy. However, there certainly is no rule that restricts STMFC
members from attempting to use the Atlas car to represent some
prototype...nor does it restrict a member from walking across a mine field.

Mike Brock
STMFC Owner

Brian Carlson and Ben Hom make it rather clear that in their opinions the
Atlas cars don't represent any prototype. Since these two members are very
knowlegeable and at least Ben has written at length on the subject, I would
think that other members might consider that assuming these cars DO
represent something real is similar to encountering a field with a sign
saying "Danger Mines". If one choses to cross the field on foot, one might
not be too happy. However, there certainly is no rule that restricts STMFC
members from attempting to use the Atlas car to represent some
prototype...nor does it restrict a member from walking across a mine field.

Mike Brock
STMFC Owner

Again, I pointed out years ago when the S Helper Service model first came out -
the best use of these "rebuilt" boxcars, whether in S, O, N, or HO, is to use
the 5/5/5 end, 8 panel side models with fishbelly underframe to represent the
ACL, C&WC, and SL-SF "basic" rebuilds where the original roof was reused.
Unfortuntely, the work goes beyond changing the doors. The side sill is poorly
represented - it is not recessed enough on any of these models, and the side
sill brackets are incorrect.

I ask you all to please review the archives regarding these models - we seem to
keep reinventing the wheel on these models everytime a new run comes out.

Ben Hom

Bob Chaparro asked:

"The Atlas HO scale USRA steel rebuilt boxcar due in March 2011

(http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/hosteelrebuilt1.htm) will be offered

for the following roads:

Ann Arbor, Canadian National, Chicago & North Western, Detroit, Toledo &

Does this car appear accurate for those roads?"

No. We've discussed this model and its precursors in N, O, and S scales

I'm still trying to find prototypes for the 5/5/5 and 7/8 Murphy end cars with

Ben Hom

I have an FGE lettering arrangement drawing for swinging door cars dated 6-8-59 showing sans serif lettering.

Staffan Ehnbom

----- Original Message -----
From: lnbill
To: STMFC@...
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 1:19 PM
Subject: [STMFC] Re: FGE lettering change



Tim's information surprises me. My research had shown this change occurred in about 1960.

Bill Welch

--- In STMFC@..., Tim O'Connor <timboconnor@> wrote:
>
>
> I think the first use of the plain (not Optic) lettering was
> on RBNX insulated box cars in 1959 -- for example, RBNX 81123,
> stencilled "AX 12-59". The earliest use I've seen on FGEX reefers
> is in 1961. I've seen photos of freshly painted/repainted reefers
> in 1958 with Optic lettering.
>
> So I totally agree with Richard, if you model prior to 1960 all
> of your FGE reefers can have the Optic lettering as far as I know.
>
> Tim O'Connor
>
>
>
>
> >I thought that someone who is more of an expert on FGE and its
> >affiliates than I am would respond to this, but apparently no one did
> >(or posted it off-list). So I took a quick look through my photo
> >collection, and the earliest date I could find for the later
> >lettering style was ca. 1960. I think you can confidently assume
> >that in 1959-60, many, if not all, FGEX cars still had the earlier
> >Optic block lettering.
> >
> >Richard Hendrickson
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tim O'Connor asked:
"What class of box car is this?"
http://cgi.ebay.com/PRR-BOXCAR-89315-RAILROAD-SLIDE-/140511276481

Class X41E from series PRR 89100-89999.

Ben Hom