Anyone know what's up with RMJ? It seems to be declining rapidly in quality
of articles. I subscribed to this magazine because of the good freight cars
of the 40s, 50s, 60s, etc. articles. Recently it seems that we're getting
20-year-old reprints touted as "state-of-the-art," and not much else. I
for one,
having all issues since Volume 1 Number 1, detest reprints. Especially the
fuzzy junk in the last three issues.

It's too bad. RMJ once filled a very needed niche, but now the philosophy
seems to have changed. The latest yearly editorial promotes a "push" toward
2'x8' layouts as something new. I thought switching layouts and
double-length
modules had been around for years.

Jerry Michels

Jerry, I forwarded your post to Bob Schleicher, as he needs to hear such
complaints, especially when they come from serious scale modelers like
yourself.

In part, the answer to your query is that RMJ's focus has been on prototype
modeling with readily available RTR or kit models, and there have been
hardly any new steam era freight car models recently. That's in the
process of changing, and (speaking only for myself) I have a couple of
articles in the works for RMJ. All of the magazines, especially the
smaller ones with few (usually only one or two) full time staff members,
are heavily dependent on contributors, and for the most part they print
what they get.

Richard H. Hendrickson
Ashland, Oregon 97520

List,

Has anyone here been in touch recently with Warren Calloway,
onetime seller of Seaboard and Norfolk Southern freightcar
photos? The links to both of his web sites are broken, and
apparently he has a new e-mail address as well.

Thanks,

Shawn Beckert

Dean Payne asked:
"The kit has the Glacier Park SIDE facing goat, car #8976 with the
hopper bottoms. I want it to represent a car as run in the mid-late
30's, whether as newly painted in 1937, or in a previous paint scheme
that would still be running. Perhaps I need to replace the goat
herald, or the rest of the lettering as well?"

Dean, here are the lettering variations that you're interested in for
1937, conveniently posted on Al Westerfield's website:

1937 with 56" Glacier Park front facing goat
http://users.multipro.com/westerfield/10452.htm

1925 with 72" Glacier Park front facing goat
http://users.multipro.com/westerfield/10451.htm

I've got some conflicting information on when the Glacier Park side
facing goat was intoduced, with different sources giving the date as
1936 or 1939.

Decals aren't available separately from Al yet, but they will be one
year from the kit's introduction as stated on his website.


Ben Hom

The kit has the Glacier Park SIDE facing goat, car #8976 with the
hopper bottoms. I want it to represent a car as run in the mid-late
30's, whether as newly painted in 1937, or in a previous paint scheme
that would still be running. Perhaps I need to replace the goat
herald, or the rest of the lettering as well?
Also, I use Polly Scale paints, can anyone give me an idea of the
proper color/shade of Oxide and Brown? Or, will this era require
different colors? Looks like I have to strip (grumble) and repaint,
at least I haven't started the decals!
Dean Payne

--- In STMFC@..., "Al & Patricia Westerfield"
<westerfield@m...> wrote:

Dean - The color depends on when the car was lettered. See my

history. Do not rely on the F&C color instructions. If the F&C kit
has the large, front facing goat herald, then the sides are brown,
the underbody oxide, and the roof and ends (including the wrap-around
of the sides) black. These colors come from Staffan Ehnbom. - Al

----- Original Message ----- > > On the other hand, the instructions
explicitly state to use Box Car Red, while the photos on

Westerfield's site appear closer to Roof Brown, at least for the
early versions. Any comments before I decal?

Dean Payne

I've drawn the same conclusion. I too have all the issues but of late there
has been very few freight car articles of interest and so I've just let my
subscription lapse.

I think Richard just needs to write more. 8-)

Dave Nelson

Chris
You are correct. Our info shows that the oxide red came, as I recall without
access to it right now, that it was either 1948 or '46.
Central Hobby Supply confirmed that the solid door in our references was the
CRECO door. They didn't say what the three rib door was, but it was a major
error on their part to include it with a kit as a CRECO door. We are now
working on getting a Superior door from them as a replacement.
With so much reference material, along with groups like yours willing to
help, there is no excuse for an expensive kit of a specific prototype, not a
generic Athearn for example, not to be completely accurate
Thanks for the help.
Bill Williams

Thanks for passing my observations along, Richard. Even with the explosion
of R-T-R cars, there are still those of us who like to "fiddle around" with
them. And the resin kits aren't dead yet! I still see a niche for information
on freight cars regardless of the current market.

Jerry

Its not really freight cars, but maybe Mike will indulge me this once...

Well, its finally happened - As of today the first group of 8-1-2 Pullman
sleepers is shipping to dealers.

The first releases include:

5000 Undecorated

5001/2/3 Pullman (green pool service)

5007/8/9 New York Central

5010/11/12 Atlantic Coast Line

5020/21/22 Pennsylvania

Additional cars will follow in a week or so, keep an eye on the web site
www.branchline-trains.com

For those of you going to the Seattle NMRA show be sure to stop by the
Branchline Booth (264/274) where we will have samples of these cars plus
12-1, 10-1-2, 10-1-1, 14 section and 6-3 sleepers.

Bill Schneider
Branchline Trains

Folks,

In the August RMC, Crown Custom Imports (crowncustom@...) is advertising the "PRR F22 flat car with load support pivot, F/P" for $135. Crown Custom Imports has taken over Railworks, and these cars will be the same (or nearly) as those brought in by Railworks. I just spoke with Bob, and these cars are expected in about 3 weeks. They are doing 4 numbers, and the cars will be painted a "pre war" FCC.

I have no affiliation with them... just a PSA <G> for those looking for a couple of gun flats.

Happy Rails
Bruce

Bruce F. Smith V.M.D., Ph.D.
Scott-Ritchey Research Center
334-844-5587, 334-844-5850 (fax)
http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/~smithbf/

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin
__
/ &#92;
__<+--+>________________&#92;__/___ ________________________________
|- ______/ O O &#92;_______ -| | __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ |
| / 4999 PENNSYLVANIA 4999 &#92; | ||__||__||__||__||__||__||__||__||
|/_____________________________&#92;|_|________________________________|
| O--O &#92;0 0 0 0/ O--O | 0-0-0 0-0-0

Brian
I have received my order of these cars.
Andy Carlson
157 S Pueblo Ave.
Ojai CA 93023

--- Brian J Carlson <brian@...> wrote:

Andy, i assume the one kit is gone, put me down for
1 of the fortified kits.
Brian J Carlson P.E.
Cheektowaga NY
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Carlson
To: Steam Era
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 9:28 PM
Subject: [STMFC] Rib Side Models HO Milw Boxcar


Due to an unfulfilled commitment to purchase a 40'
1939 Milwaukee ribbed boxcar, I can offer it to
whomever might want it. It is a 1 piece body with
separate ladders, molded grabs and door. I am
including a pair of Branchline Trains Barber S-2
truck
sideframes, a Red Caboose '37 ARA running board,
and a
set of Grandt Line AB brake set. I am offering it
at
$21.00, postpaid. Contact me off-line, please, for
details.

I am going to have many of these "fortified" kits
for
sale in 10 days. I will send a post when I have
them.
Thanks,

<midcentury@...>

-Andy Carlson
Ojai CA

Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT

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

Yahoo! Groups Links

a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/STMFC/

b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an
email to:
STMFC-unsubscribe@...

c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
Yahoo! Terms of Service.



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



------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
--------------------~-->
Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion
Toolbar.
Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free!

http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/9MtolB/TM

--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Yahoo! Groups Links


STMFC-unsubscribe@...

Ted Culotta, apparently consumed with enviousness about Sherman Hill's magnetic attraction for obscure eastern hoppers, notes [ tongue in cheek ] about some NH car:

"However, I do believe that it was used in
captive service running back and forth over Sherman Hill coupled to a
block of H2/H2a/H3s."

Last night, watching some video of trains running through Cheyenne [ Mecca West ], I noted a single NYC panel sided, 2 bay hopper...obviously lost...coupler firmly attached to a turbine...somewhat akin to a lost child being led to its parents...heading east and home.

Mike Brock

Beginning on Wed., while I'm attending the NMRA National in Seattle and
other matters, Jeff Aley will be managing the STMFC until I return on July
25.

I would like to take the time to mention the process of "moderate". When a
member violates the rules of the STMFC, they MAY be placed in "Moderate
Jail". All violations are not treated the same. Thus, posting out of scope
messages will not automatically get you in the moderate status. Posting many
such messages will. Posting a message hostile to another member will
instantly get you in the "moderate" class. Ignoring an admin decree...such
as the ending of a thread...is not automatically a deliverance into
"moderate" but the practice should be avoided if one wishes to not spend the
night in Moderate Jail. The moderate function, incidentally, is not meant to
be a punishment but merely as a tool to avoid difficulties. With around 850
members now, smooth interplay between members is essential...IMO...to
maintaining the health of the group. I would also note that keeping the work
load of myself and my assistants at a minimal level is also essential.
Hence...moderate. Now, to be sure, once in the Moderate Jail it can be hard
to get out...because the group management has to review the practices of a
member's postings over a period of time. That takes time and effort. It is
by far a better practice to avoid the jail. I'll also note that a member may
not even know they are being moderated. Yes, that can happen...if the work
load of the owner...me...is too heavy at the time. Usually I ask a member
what they mean by a comment in a message.

If the group owner...or his assitants...miss a moderated message and don't
approve or reject it, it will eventually be rejected by Yahoo.

Anyhow, that's the process to some extent. Please support Jeff in his
management role. Oh...he's tougher than me <g>.

Mike Brock
STMFC Owner

Don Valentine wrote:
"I believe you will find the GTW had a number of such cars and,
speaking of replacing rusted panels, the Central Vermont as well."

These cars (plus CN 117600-117799) are actually rebuilds of a pre-
USRA design, 7" lower in height that the USRA twin. For HO scale
modelers, Stan Rydarowicz sells a modified Bowser GLA kit with laser-
cut sides and resin panel casting to model the lone PRR Class GLF car
(PRR 250000). This can be used as a starting point for the rebuilt
CN/CV/GTW cars.


"In the latter case I have photos of at least one car with only
SOME of the panels replaced! This makes a very strange looking,
albeit very distinctive, hopper car and leaves me wondering if
any other roads took a similar approach to use of the panels."

Paul Dunn photo, Richard Burg collection:
http://railroad.union.rpi.edu/rolling-stock/Hoppers/Twins/Hoppers-
Central-Vermont-panel-side-mismatch-Dunn-Burg.jpg

All of the sides appear to be new metal, which begs the question: why
did the CV have a partial set of panels lying about? At any rate,
here's to Yankee frugality!


Ben Hom

On Jul 6, 2004, at 6:19 AM, benjaminfrank_hom wrote:

Jace Kahn wrote:
"Which roads had panelside twin hoppers, 33' or 34' long?"

Jace, is the Railcraft kit 30 ft IL (USRA) or 33/34 ft IL
("Athearn")?  This makes a HUGE difference in useful prototypes for
your kit.  If your kit is 30 ft IL, it can be used to model USRA and
USRA "clones" rebuilt with panel sides for the following roads:

NH

For those of you interested in modeling one of these for kicks, there
was only one, meaning that even NH modelers like myself will have a
hard time justifying it. However, I do believe that it was used in
captive service running back and forth over Sherman Hill coupled to a
block of H2/H2a/H3s.

Regards,
Ted Culotta

On Jul 5, 2004, at 3:40 PM, benjaminfrank_hom wrote:

The M-53s and M-15 rebuilds later received Youngstown (corrugated)
doors:
http://www.steamfreightcars.com/gallery/boxauto/bo380601main.html

Ben, et. al.,

Any idea when these Youngstown doors began appearing on M53s?

Regards
Bruce

Bruce F. Smith V.M.D., Ph.D.
Scott-Ritchey Research Center
334-844-5587, 334-844-5850 (fax)
http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/~smithbf/

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin
__
/ &#92;
__<+--+>________________&#92;__/___ ________________________________
|- ______/ O O &#92;_______ -| | __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ |
| / 4999 PENNSYLVANIA 4999 &#92; | ||__||__||__||__||__||__||__||__||
|/_____________________________&#92;|_|________________________________|
| O--O &#92;0 0 0 0/ O--O | 0-0-0 0-0-0

Quoting Justin Kahn <harumd@...>:

I have several of the old RailCraft panelside twin hoppers (probably
older
than I am, and I'm no spring chicken, but still fairly nice cars with a
bit
of extra detail); my first was painted and lettered for Wabash, as I
know
they had many of them, the second for D&H (I saw a view of one in a yard

photo in MM), and the third is also going to be Wabash (supra, plus I
have a
set of decals for one), but two Wabash is plenty for my needs. I still
have
two or three others (which RC idiosyncraticly termed "offset side
hoppers,"
if any of you O scalers see them at shows) that I'd like to do for other

road names as I get around to them. I think NYC had some (although I
really
have sufficient other NYC hoppers) and apparently Frisco, although that

would not be my favorite if there are other possibilities.
Which roads had panelside twin hoppers, 33' or 34' long? Also, since
many
panelsides were the result of replacing rusted panels while gaining a
bit of
extra capacity, were any of them built new as such?

I believe you will find the GTW had a number of such cars and,
speaking of replacing rusted panels, the Central Vermont as well.
In the latter case I have photos of at least one car with only
SOME of the panels replaced! This makes a very strange looking,
albeit very distinctive, hopper car and leaves me wondering if
any other roads took a sililar approach to use of the panels.

Don Valentine

Add to the list the NKP. I've got one BAD photo of half a NKP panel hopper,
from the Howard Ameling NKP photo CD. Unfortunately, the number isn't
visible, so I have no idea which series these cars belonged to.

Ray Breyer

Hi Group,

I have experimented with glueing together various materials around the house using Gorilla glue and have not experienced any problems except for the expanding glue. I have not tried it on any model material yet and would like to hear more from those that have.

Bob Kennedy




-------------- Original message from RUTLANDRS@...: -------------- Jay and all,
Gorilla glue is a "urethane" glue, it will therefore expand of it's
own free will!!!
Chuck Hladik





Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT






Yahoo! Groups Links

To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/STMFC/

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
STMFC-unsubscribe@...

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Jace Kahn wrote:
"Which roads had panelside twin hoppers, 33' or 34' long?"

Jace, is the Railcraft kit 30 ft IL (USRA) or 33/34 ft IL
("Athearn")? This makes a HUGE difference in useful prototypes for
your kit. If your kit is 30 ft IL, it can be used to model USRA and
USRA "clones" rebuilt with panel sides for the following roads:

C&O
D&H
MP
NYC (http://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/images/nyc-850126.jpg)
NH
P&LE
RI
SL-SF
WAB

If it's the longer car, it's only good for two roads:

AA
WAB


"Also, since many panel sides were the result of replacing rusted
panels while gaining a bit of extra capacity, were any of them built
new as such?"

Only the longer WAB/AA cars were built new as panel-side cars in
1948. All other panel-side cars were rebuilds.


"Websites with good views of any?"

The pay side of the RPI website:
http://railroad.union.rpi.edu/rolling-stock/Hoppers/95-2-Hoppers-USRA-
hm-panel-types.asp

Also, a short article on "Panel Side Hopper Cars" appeared in the
January/February 1986 issue of Model RailroadING.


Ben Hom

Anyone know what's up with RMJ? It seems to be declining rapidly in quality
of articles. I subscribed to this magazine because of the good freight cars
of the 40s, 50s, 60s, etc. articles. Recently it seems that we're getting
20-year-old reprints touted as "state-of-the-art," and not much else. I for one,
having all issues since Volume 1 Number 1, detest reprints. Especially the
fuzzy junk in the last three issues.

It's too bad. RMJ once filled a very needed niche, but now the philosophy
seems to have changed. The latest yearly editorial promotes a "push" toward
2'x8' layouts as something new. I thought switching layouts and double-length
modules had been around for years.

Jerry Michels