For what it is worth the Michigan Sugar mill in Caro, MI is supposed to be the oldest standing business of this type in the USA. It is inland and only served by rail and truck. Mont Switzer

Dick, Well done. As a side note, cars 9001-9150 had ASF A-3’s. CI&L 9157 had the National B-1 trucks which you so nicely crafted. Are those trucks made from the slick engineering plastic, and if so ho

Bruce, As I detail my KATO covered hopper cars (dead nuts on for MONON) I apply Kadee running boards. First, I use the 50 ft. size. I slice off the corner platforms with a razor blade and cut the “tru

Mike, Eldon and all, The info that I have shows the MONON had two designs of composite coke cars. CIL 1019 is a former low side stone gon onto which the composite coke body was lowered and secured. MO

Bob, Your work is top drawer as always. Your jig for making the end bulkheads is interesting. Can you share from what the job is constructed? We all know that assembling styrene components in a styren

The Monon had the same problem with composite coke cars used as late at the 1960's. Coke was loaded in Indianapolis and hauled north to destinations throughout the Midwest. It usually happed between I

..........and the sides most likely were shot and needed replacement anyway. However, the stamped side panels obviously would cost more. Good way to make an older car worth hanging onto. Mont Switzer

Brian and all, I'm getting a pretty good scolding on this one so I won’t repeat any more transporter humor. I'll stick to the endless posts all of which are full of useful facts. Mont

However, after loading the helium cars became lighter and therefore less need for the clasp brakes. One professional railroader told me they had a helium car on the PRR that was overloaded and it actu

I am looking for one of these cars made about 10 years ago by MDC. Road name is not important. What IS important is I need the single steel door version. If you have one you can part with contact me o

Eldon, Those who stenciled compartment capacities on the domes hoped it would help the loader avoid overfilling and overrunning the compartment. Another reason for the voids between compartments (doub

Jack, Good point. I don't know how many pairs of blue jeans I've torn up crossing barbed wire fences in my younger days, but never took note of which side the wire was stapled to the posts. Inbound tr

At the elevator in the small town I grew up in (Indiana 1950's-60's) they shelled corn for farmers. The corn cobs were gravity fed into a cob burner. I used to watch the whole operation from the schoo

Tony, How do you handle the car cards on that one? Mont

Bruce, Unlike the PRR that had an extensive infrastructure smaller roads (like the Monon) could only turn cars (and locomotives) at certain locations, so it took some planning. As the need to turn ste

All, When we talk about stock cars we usually think of long cuts of them loaded with enough cattle to be called a herd. In my part of the country there were a lot of hog farmers who took their fattene

Good suggestion. I do this for my historic vehicles. For the basement I called ORKIN. Took care of rodents and insects. Montford L. Switzer President Switzer Tank Lines, Inc. Fall Creek Leasing, LLC.

Todd and all, Hmmm. Maybe that is why I have a few mystery dead spots even after the track cleaner has done its thing. I hate to think of it, but maybe a closer inspection is in order. Mont Montford L

I made ear corn loads and corn crib filler out of out of bird seed, painted yellow and glued to Styrofoam fillers. We took a 2 week trip to FL and Cocoa Beach in January during which time a mouse fami

Charlie, I cannot forget the PRR K7A with sound either. Beautiful model but the sound in the damned thing drives me nuts. Mont