Usual history is that WW II greatly increased awareness and use of steel strapping. Tony Thompson

As always, I find Guy's advice concerning MCB/ARA/AAR standards and rules to be sound and helpful. I spent a bit of time paging through my 1928 to 1932 ARA Proceedings to get some sense of how much

Sorry, but both that statement and the implication that steel strapping is a post-steam era technology are wrong. The patent cited is for an improvement in the metallurgy of steel strap. Basic patents

Apparently its been around since at least the 1920, or even earlier: https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/single-post/signode Richard Townsend Lincoln City, OR

Jim Betz wrote: “The tie downs were actually different sizes of steel cable and that was produced in the factory. I'm guessing you can build a twisting jig that is similar to what they use at the

Doug Harding wrote: " The first patent for steel strapping was applied for in 1966." I won't argue with you about that, but I was using steel banding (strapping) in the Air Force in 1963. Dave

Oh well, just one more incongruence on my railroad. Nelson Moyer

Attached are builder photos of the MSTL gon, a diagram drawing, and a photo of one of these gons in CNW MOW paint. I have a photo of one of these gons in MOW service dated 1983. I have sent all photos

According to https://patents.google.com/patent/US3421951 The first patent for steel strapping was applied for in 1966. Doug Harding www.iowacentralrr.org

Doug and list, Similar, sort of, but built in the 20's. A 3D printed kit is available for these.

From the ends of the tank body and the end sills I believe this is a UTLX pressure tank, a late model X-5 built in the early '50s. Similar to the ACF cars Atlas and Kadee but with detail differences.

I haven’t actually done wire tie-downs, just the 1/64 in. chart tape and chain on log loads. I’m getting four FM-11 flat cars from Jerry Hamsmith in Lisle, and I’ll need loads for them, so

Thanks Tim, I don't have a pic I can post. It does appear to be the same design car, the spotting feature being the little pressed flange on the bottom edge of the stub side sills. There is a builders

bingo! -- Tim O'Connor Sterling, Massachusetts

I believe magnet wire always comes with insulation (otherwise it won't make a magnet). If you use it, you'll be coloring the insulation. Perhaps that same permanent marker I mentioned? It comes in

Nelson/any one, The magnet wire certainly allows you to get scale size (close enough). Since it is not the correct color what methods have you used - successfully - to change the color? I'm

I'm going to have to check pix of Soo Line cars; they built some all weld nominal 40 footers in their own shops in '48 or '49 that had the angled bottom of the side sheets. Dennis Storzek

Didn’t the DRGW have similar 41’ cars? Doug Harding www.iowacentralrr.org

I have finished upgrade of Northern Pacific hopper 70168. A Train-Miniature hopper with offset side side gussets corrected to seven from nine and Archer rivets applied to get correct rivet patterns.

Oh, yes. The dimensions I gave were for the small stuff: "Fine". There's also a "Heavy". May be thicker, certainly wider.--didn't get any. THAT one might be better for banding. Ed Edward Sutorik