Dave Parker wrote:Thanks, Dave. I appreciate the additional details. The side-mount safety valves, though ordinarily performing exactly the same as dome-top valves (and both being 5-inch diameter), ha

Dave Parker wrote:Not clear which part of my comments you state isn't true. The gallonage on a tank car end is indeed the shell-full gallons. And many commodities were loaded shell-full. I spoke at le

Dave Parker wrote: This seems an odd story. The MCB report which was the basis for the 2 percent rule had accepted input from many shippers of all kinds, to create a "safe" volume. Perhaps Texaco wasn

Ed Bommer wrote: Thee are complications with the domed heads and other issues. I explored ALL of that and came up with an excellent approximation to account for the details. It's at this link if you'r

Tom Evans wrote: I don't know territories for most (at least some were nationwide). There were four really big companies, Adams Express, Wells Fargo, American Express, and Southern Express, along with

Charles Peck wrote: This was true, but not impossible to circumvent. SP's Pacific Motor Trucking held franchises in several adjoining Western states, and though a trailer could not be hauled across st

Dennis Storzek wrote: Thanks for these insights, Dennis. It is certainly evident that newer trucks and wheel sets work with shorter axles. Tony Thompson tony@signaturepress.com

Denny Anspach wrote: This is of course correct. An axle of 1.002-inch length will flop around badly and in fact not roll well in a classic Athearn truck, but is too big for many brass trucks. I would

Bob Chaparro sent a comment with this remark: Here's the common from Doug Hoslert: Following up was this comment from Tony Wagner: Its my understanding that reefers moved on mileage rates, not per die

I have an axle reamer and use it, but rarely find it essential. Axle length is the dominant variable IMO. Tony Thompson

I’m amused at those holding forth about which brands roll best. They evidently haven’t noticed how important is axle length, and in that case, my view would be that there is little if any generality t

Denny, my caliper consistently finds Kadee’s at 1.020 inches. Comment? Tony Thompson

Ralph Brown wrote: I don't see the F-7 on the F&C web page. Is it brand new? Tony Thompson tony@signaturepress.com

Brian Carlson wrote: The ones I saw were resin. Don't know who did the masters. Greg Martin has the molds for these. Tony Thompson tony@signaturepress.com

Going by Richard's instruction originals, here is how they seemed to be organized: Box cars 100 series, ATSF "War Emergency" box cars, Class Bx-38 200 series, ATSF Duryea underframe Class Bx-34 300 se

As already pointed out, the Athearn 200-ton flat car has way too thick a body, but also rides very high on its span bolster. The appearance can be GREATLY improved by filing or sanding down the span b

And before that there was essentially the same car as a kit from M. Dale Newton's Red Ball. Tony Thompson tony@signaturepress.com

Jack Wyatt wrote: Jack, I have originals of all of Richard's kit directions, and can infer what was produced, but am not sure what all decals he may have put into kits so as to make the range of proto

Brian Carlson wrote: Certainly true for SP, especially at the end of the 1930s. New cars not following the 1931 SP drawing. Seems unlikely that SP wouldn’t send same. Tony Thompson

al.kresse wrote: All major railroads, only revenue cars; my personal interest is the transition era, but I think something like your suggestion of 1900-1972 would be good (or until a railroad was abso