BILL PARDIE wrote: There are photos of Associated drums in red with a white center stripe, and black with a red stripe. Probably other combos too. Most oil companies did this for different products, s

Bill Hirt wrote: No, that's a quite different dealer. IIRC the Grandt Lines kit was already available well before that RMJ article. I also have a faint recollection that Grandt did several structures

I wrote: Should have added that Grandt made a very nice warehouse, though a separate kit, and I think was INTENDED to go with the "oil dealer" kit. I see that same warehouse listed on the San Juan pag

Scott Haycock wrote: Absolutely that is it. Good find, Scott. I wouldn't have said that the tanks were better, particularly, but that all the components are so nicely done. Just needs a warehouse buil

Dave Bott wrote: Yes, the detail pages must have been standard throughout, as they match what I have for SP, EP&SW (not yet acquired by SP), and UP. Tony Thompson tony@...

Guy Wilber wrote: Thanks, Guy, an interesting film and one I don’t think I’ve seen. And it includes a nice segment on wheel production. But the one I’m remembering was black and white. Tony Thompson

Some have asked, off-list, for a citation of the SP video I mentioned. I don't have a link and don't know if it's on-line or not. But I did write a blog post on the topic of wheel production in SP's s

Ed Mims wrote: No argument. I just maintain that cranes were by no means always used or available. Small jacks, to support side frames or bolsters, were used in many of the photos I have seen. Tony Th

Richard Webster wrote: As experienced riggers and workmen will tell you, when there's no crane, you use the tools the Egyptians built the pyramids with: wedges, levers and rollers. There is a video fr

Marvelous modeling -- shows what can be done in O scale. Good one, Gene! Tony Thompson tony@...

Richard Webster wrote: In the 1920s and 1930s (the photo below is from May 1930) things were even simpler. This image is from PFE's Nampa Shop, and is one of a long series showing MANY steps in replac

Richard Webster wrote: I wouldn't dispute your account, but will just append two photos of the prototype in the 1950s, that I used for modeling. I can supply more if anyone wishes. Tony Thompson tony@

Bruce Smith wrote: True, assuming they were otherwise ready for service. But often the machining of the bearing surfaces (and sometimes the wheel tread (to make sure contour was right) would be done s

Dave Parker wrote: I would assume new wheels, that have sat awhile before shipping. Otherwise, if used wheels, treads would be shiny and wheel faces SERIOUSLY dirty. Tony Thompson tony@signaturepress.

Claus Schlund wrote: Actually, that's PFE car no. 1. The number was so dirty that it has been "enhanced" slightly in white, but is hard to see. The PFE people I interviewed vouched for the authenticit

Nice project and a nice result. The paint scheme looks quite realistic and the detailing is well done. Good one, Lester! Tony Thompson tony@...

Dave Nelson wrote: In later years, those bolts were just shorter, and pulled the two halves of the jacket together. Tony Thompson tony@...

Ken Akerboom wrote: Ken is exactly right. And these details are almost certainly a buyer specification, not a builder standard. Tony Thompson tony@...

Bob Chaparro wrote: Seems likely. This cannot have moved any substantial distance with the rolls of rope just lying on the flat car. Tony Thompson tony@...

Bob Chaparro wrote: Too bad we don't see more of the M&O box car at the left, with its "North & South Dispatch" emblem. Tony Thompson tony@...