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@...

Awfully close for SP Class A-50-14. Tony Thompson

Mike Schleigh wrote: Not sure where this idea came from, but rolling stock was very definitely part of EVERY valuation. Remember, the purpose was to establish the investment value of each railroad, so

Charlie Vlk wrote: A guy named Bill Edson used to sell these sets by railroad. I bought a bunch for roads I was interested in. Tony Thompson tony@...

Dennis Storzek wrote: As I always chime in on this topic, the AAR found in surveys around 1950 that barely 2/3 of all loaded car movements were in accord with Car Service Rules. So there were plenty o

Dennis Storzek wrote: Sure, and I don't want to wrangle nomenclature here. But I do think physical appearance matters. I believe you CAN distinguish a rib from the flat parts. The ribs have convex sha

Dennis Storzek wrote: I disagree, Dennis. Look at the ribs with the "indents." They are the major ribs, not the flat parts between the ribs. On normal Dreadnaughst, the flat parts between the major ri