Hello Everyone,

I'm interested in doing one of the following 40' B&LE Boxcars as it would have appeared in the late 1970's utilizing a Speedwitch Media 1937 AAR Boxcar kit, but I need to confirm that the following are indeed rebuilt & renumbered B&LE 1937 AAR Boxcars. My hunch is that they are, but I have no evidence to back up any renumbering, or dates of rebuilds. I'm also looking for evidence that the cars retained the original roof if they were indeed rebuilt.

B&LE 81000 Series

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=4151
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ble/ble81180acs.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ble/ble81310ary.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ble/ble81585.jpg

The Speedwitch Media Kit (B&LE 91000 Series)

http://www.speedwitch.com/Models/k112.htm

Thanks in Advance,

Darrall Swift - Colorado Springs
Modeling the BN/MILW in North Central Montana, Great Falls to Shelby, CiCirca: 1979

On Apr 21, 2011, at 9:22 AM, rwitt_2000 wrote:

Anthony Thompson wrote:

This model is certainly an express refrigerator, and I've
never seen a "Frigicar" photo of this body style. My understanding of
the Frigicar history (without digging out sources) is that it was one
of several pioneer mechanical refrigeration schemes prior to WW II
which did not catch on. IIRC there was one or more sample cars out
there demonstrating the technology but to my knowledge no significant
orders were ever placed.

The photo stimulated the memory and I found a crude drawing of a
"Frigicar" in the Carstens Publication "Rolling Stock Plan Book" on
p.14. It illustrates a typical 40-ft wood reefer lettered as NADX
3004.
A Google search finds multiple listings for a poster with the same
drawing, which I assume was originally published in RMC.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/90014589

This probably spending way too much time on a model, but reviewing the
photo of the model I could be convinced that this was a kit-bash with
pre-painted 40-ft reefer sides applied to a 50-ft express reefer
body as
there appears to be distinct splices in the side sheathing on either
side of the door.

Bob Witt

Let's stop; wasting our time on this one. The experimental
"Frigicars" apparently were a failure and disappeared shortly after
they were placed in service in 1929. They were 40' wood cars, and by
1931 the 3000-up numbers were part of a 150 car series of 36' meat
reefers. In any case there never was, even briefly, a "Frigicar"
express reefer, so the model is totally bogus.

Richard Hendrickson

Anthony Thompson wrote:

This model is certainly an express refrigerator, and I've
never seen a "Frigicar" photo of this body style. My understanding of
the Frigicar history (without digging out sources) is that it was one
of several pioneer mechanical refrigeration schemes prior to WW II
which did not catch on. IIRC there was one or more sample cars out
there demonstrating the technology but to my knowledge no significant
orders were ever placed.

The photo stimulated the memory and I found a crude drawing of a
"Frigicar" in the Carstens Publication "Rolling Stock Plan Book" on
p.14. It illustrates a typical 40-ft wood reefer lettered as NADX 3004.
A Google search finds multiple listings for a poster with the same
drawing, which I assume was originally published in RMC.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/90014589

This probably spending way too much time on a model, but reviewing the
photo of the model I could be convinced that this was a kit-bash with
pre-painted 40-ft reefer sides applied to a 50-ft express reefer body as
there appears to be distinct splices in the side sheathing on either
side of the door.

Bob Witt

Gentlemen,

I'm preparing an article for the SCL Modeler magazine and was wondering if
anyone has information on the Southern low-side gondolas from the 1920s--the
prototypes popularized by the Speedwitch kit.  Did Speedwitch provide a
prototype data sheet for that model?

Thanks,
John  
 
John Golden
O'Fallon, IL
 
2011 St. Louis RPM Meet Info:
http://icg.home.mindspring.com/rpm/stlrpm2011.htm


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have one of the PFM ones, it took me a couple of years to finally find one. But I'd love a digital scale caliper as well.

Echo Mountain Models lists a standard scale caliper (similar to the PFM one) on their site:

http://www.echomtn.com/08CAT.htm

The catalog is from a couple of years ago, so I have no idea if it's still available.

Randy Hammill
http://newbritainstation.com

Hi can anyone give me a color/paint formula for the "Red" used on these wood cars in the "Pre-WWII" era? I believe it was a red/red color but need to know if there is a Floquil paint mix I can make for the Sunshine kits that I have. Many thanks for your time. Robert Deis

Thanks for looking on my behalf!

Dave Nelson

And then after the war, there was the "Frigifrater" -- see
Trains magazine Nov 1955. This one had a removable carbody!

Tim O'Connor

This model is certainly an express refrigerator, and I've never seen a "Frigicar" photo of this body style. My understanding of the Frigicar history (without digging out sources) is that it was one of several pioneer mechanical refrigeration schemes prior to WW II which did not catch on. IIRC there was one or more sample cars out there demonstrating the technology but to my knowledge no significant orders were ever placed.

Tony Thompson Editor, Signature Press, Berkeley, CA
2906 Forest Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705 www.signaturepress.com
(510) 540-6538; fax, (510) 540-1937; e-mail, thompson@...
Publishers of books on railroad history

The photos have been approved.

-Jeff Aley
Deputy Moderator, STMFC


From: STMFC@... [mailto:STMFC@...] On Behalf Of gpnrr
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 7:34 AM
To: STMFC@...
Subject: [STMFC] Re: NADX Express Frigicar Reefer



Jeff, apparently the photos have to be approved before they are published. So I guess it a waiting game.

Thanks,

Bob Werre
BobWphoto.com

--- In STMFC@...<mailto:STMFC%40yahoogroups.com>, Jeff Sankus <uvrail@...> wrote:

Bob;
Your album appears to be empty

Jeff Sankus

On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 12:40 PM, gpnrr <bob@...> wrote:

Gentlemen:

I've been on the listening end of this group for several years, learning
what I can. Now I have a question that has been bugging me for some time. I
have modeled in S Scale nearly forever so the choice of items has been
somewhat limited.
Last Summer at our annual convention I picked up a extremely well-built
express reefer lettered for NADX with the words Frigicar and Mechanical
Transit Refrigeration placed on the car sides with the silk screen process.
The car itself seems based on the former Kinsman line of wooden kits
generally similar to the Ambroid kits. I built several while in high school.
This car shows some evidence of cut and splice on the sides, but that's not
unusual in our scale. The underbody, is considerably different than the
layout of the appliances I'm familiar with, but seemed very well done
considering all the wooden parts. I've uploaded two images into the photos
section under the name of PhotoTraxx.
I'd like to determine, if such a car was ever built,in that form, as well
as any other information. I did a Google search and came up with several
versions of the paint scheme applied to more typical cars.

Thanks for you insite

Bob Werre
BobWphoto.com

Thanks Howard! Duh, that never occurred to me!!

Tim O'Connor

On Apr 18, 2011, at 10:37 PM, Dave Nelson wrote:

Richard, try cars in this range:

102505-104506

Thanks!

Dave, my regrets, but I don't have single photo that shows what you
want.


Richard Hendrickson

Tim O'Connor wrote:

What I'd really like is a "calculating caliper" with a memory, so
you could "save" a measurement, make another measurement, and then
tell the caliper to add/subtract the old value and the new one.
Would save me some time... :-)

Not much of a problem with a digital caliper.
Make the first measurement, press the zero reset, the make the second measurement. This will give the difference between the two. Yes, this does give negative numbers,

Howard Garner

Hi Jerry,

The STMFC is about "steam-era freight cars AND HOW TO MODEL THEM" [emphasis added]. As a result, I judge that calipers are on-topic. You may note that we have had past discussions on pin vices, air brushing, and various other techniques for modeling steam-era freight cars.

That said, I will keep an eye on this topic to ensure it does not wander too far afield. Certainly there are limits to how much discussion is appropriate. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Regards,

-Jeff Aley
Deputy Moderator, STMFC


From: STMFC@... [mailto:STMFC@...] On Behalf Of jerryglow@...
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 4:35 AM
To: STMFC@...
Subject: [STMFC] calipers OT?



Even if measuring steam era models, isn't this disscussion OT and getting out of hand?

Jerry Glow

On 4/19/2011 8:14 AM, Gene wrote:

I would buy one if in the $20-$30 range. Higher priced than that my present caliper displaying thousandths of an inch is adequate. The math ain't that difficult, even for me.

Gene Green

The thing to remember about pricing is that the Chinese are making
the same identical caliper for sale/import to many different
sellers/wholesalers not just Harbor Freight. The prices vary depending
on how much the importer wants for a margin and minor changes (lettering
etc.). To make a MRR caliper is a very limited market and the price
goes up accordingly.

--
Jon Miller
For me time stopped in 1941
Digitrax--Chief/Zephyr systems, JMRI User
NMRA Life member #2623
Member SFRH&MS

I'm posting this at Denis Blake's request . Jim King

--------------------------



Hey guys, just a little reminder that the 2nd annual Central Ohio RPM meet
is quickly closing in on us. It is to be held at Marion Union Station,
Marion, Ohio. We have our webpage updated with current information for this
year's meet.



http://www.hansmanns.org/meet/



The cost is still ONLY $20.00 for the whole weekend. Last year we had a
GREAT time and encourage all to attend the festivities. For an extra $10.00
we feature a cookout as an extra fare event after the meet closes on Sat.
evening. I don't think you can get that at any other RPM meet!!!!



Be sure to make arrangement to attend the ONLY RPM meet in Ohio.



2011 Central Ohio Prototype Modelers Meet, May 19-21





Jim King

Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc.

Ph. (828) 777-5619

<www.smokymountainmodelworks.com>

I'm posting this at Denis Blake's request . Jim King

--------------------------



Hey guys, just a little reminder that the 2nd annual Central Ohio RPM meet
is quickly closing in on us. It is to be held at Marion Union Station,
Marion, Ohio. We have our webpage updated with current information for this
year's meet.



http://www.hansmanns.org/meet/



The cost is still ONLY $20.00 for the whole weekend. Last year we had a
GREAT time and encourage all to attend the festivities. For an extra $10.00
we feature a cookout as an extra fare event after the meet closes on Sat.
evening. I don't think you can get that at any other RPM meet!!!!



Be sure to make arrangement to attend the ONLY RPM meet in Ohio.



2011 Central Ohio Prototype Modelers Meet, May 19-21

http://www.hansmanns.org/meet/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/#!/pages/Central-Ohio-Prototype-Modeler
s-Meet/326645470797



DB





Jim King

Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc.

Ph. (828) 777-5619

<www.smokymountainmodelworks.com>

Having seen builder's photos of SHPX tank cars built in 1940 and 1941, and leased to Heyden Chemical Corp. of Garfield, NJ, I initially jumped to the conclusion that they were black. I just purchased copies of the AC&F bills of materials for these 8K insulated cars and they were actually painted "S. W. Kem Green Enamel". I gather that Kem was Sherwin-Williams line of commercial coatings at the time. Current product data sheets list a variety of Kem greens from pale to forest to dark.

I'm trying to find out what shade of green these cars were painted. They were used to ship formaldehyde and they were insulated, so I imagine their range would have been limited to the Northeast. The Tank Car Color Guide, Volume 1 by James Kinkaid illustrates a few green tank cars. From the B&W builder's photo, I suspect Kem Green was rather dark, perhaps like the Linde tanks-in-boxcars, or the green on the DuPont anti-knock compound cars.

Has anybody spotted any of these SHPX cars (4208 - 4210 or 4214 - 4217) lurking in the background of any of the color guides for the northeastern railroads? Or has anyone delved into the paint suppliers of other green freight cars such as M&StL or EJ&E?

I sent a query to Sherwin-Williams to see if they can provide a current formula or name for that pre-war color.

Parenthically, Ted Culotta's tank car book shows two views of a Heyden car leased from NATX and taken in 1952. This car appears to be aluminum or light gray, so the SHPX lease may have expired by then so that would further reduce the possibility of seeing the green cars in color photos in the color guides.

Thanks in advance for any help or guidance.

Lou Whiteley
Lawrenceville, NJ

Jeff, apparently the photos have to be approved before they are published. So I guess it a waiting game.

Thanks,

Bob Werre
BobWphoto.com

Biggest problem is coming up with a scheme to display feet, inches, and
fractions within the confines of the LCD.
... My 6" Mits have a five digit display, with two choices of decimal point
location; 0.0000 (for inch measurements) or 000.00 for metric. I just don't
see a good scheme for output of feet and inches with resolution finer than
the even inch.
Dennis





If you just use inches it would work.

A 6" caliper can read up to 522" in HO scale.

So, using the metric display 000.00 the caliper could read inches to 2
decimal places.

For those who find converting fractions to decimals challenging go to

http://www.sdplastics.com/fractdecimilli.html

and print the chart.

Cheers

Dave North