What product was Monon moving with these cars? Sand for glass? Scott McDonald

Fenton Oh my goodness that looks superb. Paul Doggett

Nice work. Hubert Mask

I just finished another Covid build. This is a Smokey Mountain Southern, 1953 blt date, 53'-6" gondola. Jim at Smokey Mt has sold this line of models and it appears the new owner is going to release

Bill, Adding to Mike's response, I started watching Monon rolling stock closely from 1963 on and never saw a gray one. Few photos exist. Sunshine offered a mini-kit for this car and Bowser

On page 200 of RPCyc 35 is a discussion of the Allied trucks, their issues and the fix. The same page also has photos of the car in question. Bill Darnaby

The January 1953 ORER Shows these cars listed as 64700-64704 as Freight Equipment. Microscale decal set 87-1512 has the lettering for these cars but in black. Bev-Bell did these cars in the correct

The CB&Q rebuilt several steel waycars with radios in the late 1940, but they used wagon wheel antennas into the early 1950. I received an off group reply suggesting that the firecracker antennas

Hi Folks, Occasionally someone asks an off-topic question. That’s no big deal, but the responses should be sent OFF LIST to that person. As a reminder, this is

Hello Nelson and Group! The ERIE was installing FM radios on locos and cabooses in the early 1950s, 1951 I think. The 'firecracker' antenna was typical. There was a contemporary TRAINS article

The Allied Full-Cushion trucks were outlawed in the 1950's, so the current trucks may be close enough - if that paint job was still on the car when that change took place. Ken

Bill, 4-5 years at the most, I have a "Bob's" photo from 1952 and the paint is barely legible. They were repainted in the scheme used by the Kato models. Mike

Also should have Allied Full-Cushion Trucks. Jerry Michels

How long was the original paint scheme in use? Cheers, Bill Keene Irvine, CA

The answer is the mid 1960s They are still manufactured by Antenna Specialist model ASP-16. It's 11.4 inches tall. It currently sells for $293. Looking in the Diesel Spotters Guide the GP-18 in 1963

While setting up my new Athearn CB&Q GP-7 241, I noticed a firecracker antenna on the roof. Athearn’s CB&Q GP-7 218 doesn’t have one. What year were firecracker antennas introduced? My F units

Thanks, Fenton. Tony

Tony well done. Hope many who have not built a resin kit will take your advice and try this one piece body kit and find they too can do. Lester Breuer

Good looking car Tony, nicely done Fenton -- Fenton Wells 250 Frye Rd Pinehurst NC 28374 910-420-8106 srrfan1401@...

Thanks, Paul. Tony Thompson tony@...