GUYZ, This is why we "never say never" about prototype operations. I'm confident that a poster size copy of this photo will be prominently display in Coco Beach next month! Nice

Well, the car diagram I have for these cars (dated 1968) lists the running boards as "metal", which is less than adequate for your purposes. Close comparison of the photo of 20971 as well

Mark, Here's some info that may help you out: 3) All in this series had the 5 panel Superior Door. 5) Build date for series 20500 - 21499 is 1952. 6) Yup - that's original paint. Consider also

Were there instructions with this kit? If so I lost mine packing to move and just took it out and am at a loss to complete it (them). If anyone has instructions, could you do a good scan and email it?

Richard Townsend notes: "The more important question is what is that right behind the tender?? If it's on its way to California, will it be routed home over Sherman Hill?<VBG>" A rather

Hello everyone, I'm looking for some construction and paint information regarding some Great Northern 40ft steel boxcars, series GN 20500-21449. A prototype photo of GN 20971 is available

Yes. Well, literally, larger cars with larger door openings, though in the period most of us are interested in that meant 1-1/2 or double door cars with auxiliary doors. The Fe- classification was

What was the distinction the ATSF made between Box and Furniture cars - double doors? KL

A gathering of approximately 18 S scale modelers met for the first time yesterday at ETSU in Johnson City, TN. Our common interest is S scale modeling (not hi-rail), including Sn2, Sn3 and Sn42,

The more important question is what is that right behind the tender?? If it's on its way to California, will it be routed home over Sherman Hill?<VBG> Richard Townsend Lincoln City, Oregon

James Fellows wrote: These are okay if you don't mind that the Athearn flat has no protoype. Tony Thompson Editor, Signature Press, Berkeley, CA 2906 Forest Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705

While perhaps just outside the 1960 cut of this list Athearn is currently selling 50' flats with 40' trailers. Con Cor in the past has also sold RTR 50' cars with trailers. Jim Fellows

"Despatch," older spelling, same as "dispatch," current usage, means simply "to send off or out promptly, usually on a specific errand or official business," or as a noun, "efficient speed;

i have seen "despatch" applied to railroad names as A.C.D. and to rolling stock. what is the origin and use?of "despatch" within railroading?? thanks Jim Young @uwyo.edu> To:

Peter Ness wrote: "The best stab I can take at an answer to RTR TOFC would be some of the older (OOP?) Walthers TOFC cars." Excellent choice; unfortunately, these have not been offered in RTR

Hi; This is my first post to this group, so I hope I abide by the netiquette rules... First, hosam never did recieve much of an actual reply to his original question.... hosam, Your question

Joel Norman wrote: "GENTLEMAN: For our modeling time frame (my own railroad is set in Maine 1960) which of the ready to run (bad hands and weak eyes)in HO would be the best 50 ft (or 60 ft) flat car

GENTLEMAN: For our modeling time frame(my own railroad is set in Maine 1960))which of the ready to run(bad hands and weak eyes)in HO would be the best 50 ft(or 60ft)flat car for TOFC

Thanks to Lou Whiteley and Frank Valoczy for explaining that A.C.D. is an abbreviation for Atlantic Coast Despatch. Best wishes, Larry Ostresh Laramie, Wyoming

It was an Fe-21 class 50' single door box car, ATSF 7368, rebuilt in 1940 for auto parts service from a 1928 Fe-S class double wood sheathed composite automobile car. Note the National B-1 truck.