John, in his presentations Bill typically passed out a small slip of paper with the link to a Dropbox account where one could download his entire PowerPoint. He started doing this instead of printing

Looks to be 138811 Doug Harding www.iowacentralrr.org

Thank you Guy. I’ll update my notes. Doug Harding www.iowacentralrr.org

Jim double deck loading chutes were very common in areas that raised and shipped sheep or hogs. The photo cited at Calumet has a side by side double chute, with the lower chute crossing over under the

Yes, Bill left instructions and handling of his estate is in process. But as with all things estate, it may be some time before matters can be settled. The pdf of Bill’s PowerPoint on modeling the AAR

In the May 1997 issue of Railmodel Journal, p 12, Richard Hendrickson writes “In the late 50s, in order to supply some of its leasing customers larger cars, Mather built some 50-foot cars with double

Bob, the trucks contain a Protzellers Fairmont-Goodyear rubber block spring produced by the Fairmont Railway Motor Co. Which apparently did not sell. Doug Harding www.iowacentralrr.org

Eric, according to the caption in the Billboard Refrigerator Cars book p. 180, the car was built by General American at their E Chicago shop. But the caption also contains errors giving the wrong buil

Ah, now that I know the question I can answer. Mont makes an excellent point. At many rural locations there was only one loading chute at the local stockpens, so car length was not an issue. Each car

Phil, they are what we commonly call 36’ wood reefers. Attached is the photo of the Cudahy reefer #5557 that closely matches the Atlas model. And at the photo of Swift 9863. 5557 was built in 1928 and

Garth that photo is of a 6 hinge car. The question is about a 4 hinge car. Doug Harding www.iowacentralrr.org

Steve are you referring to Mat Thompson’s presentation on Operations at his Swift Meat packing plant? I was not able to participate in the OpSig event, so I did not hear the question. I am familiar wi

Phil I assume you are asking about the Atlas wood 36’ wood meat reefer with 4 hinges. I believe it has been offered in a Swift p/l scheme. Atlas claims the wood meat reefer model is based upon a Cudah

The tank looks like an end fill propane tank. Doug Harding www.iowacentralrr.org

I have been using Anise seeds for sugar beet loads. I cut a piece of foam to fit the car, paint it dark brown. Then coat with glue and sprinkle anise seed. A second application of anise covers areas m

I have nothing, except Kristen’s note that states 1900 circa ORER’s do list some railroad owned poultry cars. The ORER’s would give you car numbers and dimensions. But as to what they looked like, I h

Schuyler I pointed out the Wool Soap signs yesterday afternoon with a comment I thought this was a building that dealt with by-products. Wool Soap was a brand name of the Swift company for one of thei

I’m suspect this is a building related to byproducts from Swift. Note the many Swift Wool Soap signs. There are burlap sacks under the loading dock, perhaps containing wool. The building next door is

I completely agree with the generally accepted practice that wood water pipes were common through WWII, particularly out west (here in the mid-west lead pipes were the standard). But creosote? I canno

Use an Olaf compass cutter https://www.amazon.com/OLFA-1057028-Rotary-Circle-Cutter/dp/B001CEAMCY Doug Harding www.iowacentralrr.org