(I just wonder why the engine has trouble with just 8 cars...!?) Johannes Simple answer was too much graphite on the rails. Great for enhancing conductivity, but effects traction. Clark Propst

Between these photos and the discussion of the USRA design tank cars, it appears there were a lot of cars ordered by the government (possibly to USRA plans), but not by the USRA, and are not included

What was BETT. WT.? I assume it had something to do with the actual measured weight since it has not yet been stenciled. Jim Gates --------------------------------------------

For more than fifty years, my ordinary painting practice (all but several to my own account) has been to prime models before attempting finish coats. The primers have been variously automotive

A photo from the Northern British Columbia Archives: https://search.nbca.unbc.ca/index.php/informationobject/browse?topLod=0&query=boxcar Click on the photo to enlarge it several times. To me, the

These are one of the few original deliveries of the 50-ton USRA cars to serve into the 1950's in their original form with only AB Brake change. Westerfield has a great kit w/correct decals for later

Lester, I'm not sure if I thanked you or not when you posted the first part of this, but Thank You very much for doing so! I've printed and saved both for future reference. Take Care, Brian R.

While I have no issue with organizations trying to support themselves while making useful items such as photos and documents, I do NOT like having to make a "donation" (which is supposed to be

I think this is a copy of a Western Pacific order? https://catalog.archives.gov/id/45502189 A very late variation of the ACF channel-side hopper: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/45502185 David

Tim, many thanks for this impressive list! Months ago someone posted a very nice photo of a - once - yellow MKT wood box car. I saved that photo, perhaps I will have a car painted and weathered like

That is a fascia strip for the floor boards. David Thompson

Doesn’t have the weight stenciled in yet. Thanks! -- Brian Ehni From: <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> on behalf of Robert kirkham <rdkirkham@...> Reply-To: <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> Date:

Wow! This looks VERY good. Especially the grass between the rails makes for a perfect branchline appearence. (I just wonder why the engine has trouble with just 8 cars...!?) Many thanks for sharing

Interesting photo. I’m wondering about the “board” immediately above the side sill. It appears a different tone. Is it just a different width filler board, a floor board, or does it serve

 Hi Jim and List Members, The site Jim referenced https://catalog.archives.gov/ has some cool railroad photos. See below for a Clinchfeld USRA single sheathed boxcar.

Brian, Good catch on the Southern (CNO&TP) 40 foot cars. On the prototype the trucks were not a problem. The 6 in the center of the car are modeled. I include the floor diagram with dimensions, in

Hi Bruce, Rod and all you TrucTrain, TOFC and intermodal guys, The same rule applies to the loading of trucks and trailers. Concentrated heavy loads are typically placed over the wheels, and/or, in

Rod, Much to the contrary, this is absolutely the correct way to load a flat car. There were very few flat cars that could take the entire load limit in the center of the span (the PRR F22 being

Yep - should have said six CENTER tubes ;)​ (and for that matter on all the others, 4 CENTER tubes. In general. cars also had 2 tubes at each end for a total of 8 tubes on the X31/X31F and 10 on the

By sheet, are you referring to the large trapezoidal vertical that extends nearly to the railhead? If so, that "sheet" is in fact one of the four fishbelly channels that make up the underframe of the