Another possibility is insulators for high voltage power transmission lines. The packing looks to be about the right size and type for high voltage insulators. Ernie Valentine Red Wing

Schuyler Good guess, could be something like mufflers. I also thought they might be stamped or extruded metal parts of some kind. On closer inspection I see an ampersand -- & -- on that gondola,

Just to make a couple of observations, sheet lead is not magnetic, and screws make an instant attachment with no solvent vapors or danger of shrinkage. So long – Andy

Hi Schuyler- I am sending a scan of the box car you screen captured in cocoa beach. It may offer more details? I am also enclosing an attached 40' PS-1 for your enjoyment. I should be able to ship

Well, I fat thumbed that post before it was done. Here is a list of the series with wood ends. Many are SP system and the MILW cars you mention, Tim: ERIE 68300 68324 25 1910

I tally 16 series of ~50' SS XA built new with wood ends between 1910 and 1924. Many had ends with posts and braces in the |\||/| pattern, but not all. All had door openings of around ~10' most were

Can anyone direct me to a good photo of this car? It’s a single sheathed 40 ton box built 5-36, that appears very tall, and has single sheathed ends. I took (with permission) a photo off the

The Soo Line retired its last wood cabooses with truss rod underframes in the early 1980's, although they may have been out of service since the late 70's. Their last use was transfer cabooses in the

The Maine Central still had some into the 70's even after rebuilding with plywood

Robert, I rarely ever drill #80 holes any more ... just for the reasons you note and a few of my own. I can't remember the last time I put a #80 in a pin vise! My "minimum drill size" is #78.

I don't really know, but if you enlarge the photo sufficiently, down at the water's edge, there is one of the cardboard wrappers that's broken open, and it looks like there is a gray-painted

Eric I was going to suggest the Rock Island cars too but you beat me toit. But as you imply if that was the intent, then they really screwed itup! But the sides do strongly resemble the RI car --

Greg says I have a better way . . . Well, he had to put up with my whining while I did them, so at least he’s heard me about this challenge. By the way, the side parts of ladders are stiles,

Anys idea what this gondola load might have been? http://www.ebay.com/itm/371236096724 That B&O gondola 352409 is nearly brand new in this 1958 photo. Tim O'Connor

Rich, I'm afraid I have to agree with Ben - there likely is no prototype. If someone comes up with on I would certainly like to know of it. In my box car database, which is based on thousands of

Did any truss-rod underframe cabooses survive in service on Class One railroads until 1960? I seem to recall an ICC order about not shoving on wood underframe cabs after, what, 1940? But was there

RDG had no 50' outside steel truss box cars. Theonly cars remotely similar were the USRA 40' cars. Eric N.

Rich Gibson wrote: "The braces on the model form a Howe truss. This is not the Northeastern SP model, as far as I can tell. It does not have a fishbelly underframe and the side bracing pattern is

Is this the kit with cast soft metal side posts and braces? If so, it's a Quality Craft kit, although I forget the intended prototype. Dennis Storzek

The braces on the model form a Howe truss. This is not the Northeastern SP model, as far as I can tell. It does not have a fishbelly underframe and the side bracing pattern is very different from