Eric Hansmann wrote: One of those typical railroad history minutiae, comparable to the fact that the Central Pacific, leased to SP in 1885, was not formally merged into SP until 1959. It might be

Ed I like your suggestion of USAX 26912-27231 as my currently planned replacement layout includes the SP Avon, Contra Costa (junction for the San Ramon Valley Branch) which is 1 mile west of the Port

Those rebuilt gondolas were indeed exNYC (or P&LE) Greenville (lot 150-G) gondolas. Unfortunately, Terry Link has taken down his invaluable "Canada Southern" web site with NYC et al

Tim, Your observation is correct, and I noticed it too, although the photo is pretty fuzzy when you enlarge it. I once photographed a 52' gon in Port Jervis in the mid-1970s that was painted PC

Thanks Todd. It's definitely NOT a G26 but the G33 (see attached photo) appears to have several beefier side posts (a common feature of 1950's gondolas) - but maybe this PC car was rebuilt?

Richard, I agree - if you already have 'em, go with it. The only modifications I made to the McKean car - besides better detail parts and the roof hatches - was the tabs on the side

Shoot. Couldn’t tell on phone. Todd is probably correct. Brian J. Carlson

Brian, I thought exactly the same thing, but the car in the photo has full-length sides stakes at every location, so it is neither G26 or G26A. Regards Bruce

G33? Blt in or before 1948 and has all full height ribs. The G26 and G26a had shorter ribs on the side (same length) except for 2 each side where the diagonal part fo the side sheet straightens out

Which is why I suggested the Evergreen Roundhouse car. Right roof, good graphics, for a car the OP said didn't need to be exact. YMMV. These were just suggested options. If I didn't already have three

Richard Townshend wrote: "True enough, but at three times the price." ...and a lot less rework required. When you start bringing up hacking roofs off of other carbodies (frankly, it's just easier

True enough, but at three times the price. Richard Townsend Lincoln City, OR

G26 or 26a can’t tell based on the small pic on my phone. They are similar but different to the AAR. Sides stakes is the most obvious difference.

This surprised me - I didn't think PRR owned any AAR 65 foot gondolas. Anyone have builder/class data? https://www.flickr.com/photos/66415287@N02/47970166157/ Tim O'Connor -- *Tim

While technically true, the SP wasted no time in erasing EP&SW reporting marks. -- Tim O'Connor Sterling, Massachusetts

While the gon is a former EP&SW car, the El Paso & Southwestern company was not merged into the SP until 1955. The SP leased the line starting November 1, 1924, but a formal merging was not until 29

Tim O'Connor wrote: "This is the McKean model decorated by Evergreen Roundhouse. It's not exactly correct. If I were building this model NOW, I would use the Kadee pre-1950 PS-1." Ken, I agree with

This is the McKean model decorated by Evergreen Roundhouse. It's not exactly correct. If I were building this model NOW, I would use the Kadee pre-1950 PS-1. Tim O'Connor

Here's another alternative. Get rid of the cars you bought, and go on eBay and buy the McKean PS-1 cars that were decorated by Evergreen Roundhouse. They are B-50-40 cars and not too expensive.

Ken, There are a number of changes that could be made to back-date the model, however, the significant issue is the UP B-50-40 PS-1 box cars built in 1948 came with 6’ door openings while the