BLMA Spines, F89J (brown) and Trinity Reefers are out...

[JSL]

Jeff at http://stores.ebay.com/Prairie-Shadows-Model-Railway-Com has as some on his ebay store front.

JSL

[nkalanaga]

OK, here's a question, and a puzzle, about the F89Js:  Does anyone have a picture of one showing the ACI label?  All cars were required to have them during the 70s, and all TTX cars were brown during the early 70s, but I haven't been able to find a single 1970s picture of one of these showing where to put the label.  Plenty of earlier pictures, and plenty of yellow cars, but they're no help.

I can, of course, stick it anywhere, but it seems likely that Trailer Train had a more or less standard location for them.

[mplsjct]

Received 3 of the brown flats early last week, finally took them out of the boxes to get them ready for the layout, a few observations.

The good, they have body mounted couplers, metal bodies, they'll probably track very well, painting is very good.

The bad, blotches of glue on all three, in different places, the kingpin holes, previously mentioned (yes I know some of you will think this is a plus), the vacuum formed cradles are not designed for the hitches in the up position, and the end ramps are glued on, they're not collapsable like MTL cars are.

As hard as I try, I can't remember seeing glue blotches on any MTL, Atlas or Kato items I've purchased.

[bbussey]

OK, here's a question, and a puzzle, about the F89Js:  Does anyone have a picture of one showing the ACI label?  All cars were required to have them during the 70s, and all TTX cars were brown during the early 70s, but I haven't been able to find a single 1970s picture of one of these showing where to put the label.  Plenty of earlier pictures, and plenty of yellow cars, but they're no help.

I can, of course, stick it anywhere, but it seems likely that Trailer Train had a more or less standard location for them.

Some TT cars were brown during the early Seventies.  The yellow-repaint program began before the ACI program.  While it's certain that brown TT cars received ACI plates, the majority of the cars were yellow at the time.  Use a photo of an ACI-equipped yellow car to provide location for ACI plates on a brown car.

[C855B]

Bryan, when did TTX start using yellow?

[wcfn100]

Bryan, when did TTX start using yellow?

The TTX site says 1970.

Jason

[Mark5]

Some TT cars were brown during the early Seventies.  The yellow-repaint program began before the ACI program.  While it's certain that brown TT cars received ACI plates, the majority of the cars were yellow at the time.  Use a photo of an ACI-equipped yellow car to provide location for ACI plates on a brown car.

I thought the ACI program started in 1967 or 1968.

Plenty of brown TTX flats persisted at least through the mid 70s, and I've seen pix of a few in the 80s.

[C855B]

Yeah, ACI/KarTrak was required starting in '68. According to the Wikipedia article, 90% compliance wasn't achieved until '75.

So considering I model '69-'71 or so, then it's going to be a mix of clean yellow cars all with ACI labels and dirty brown cars, probably half with clean ACI labels. 

[nkalanaga]

I knew some of the GN's cars had ACI labels in 1969, but didn't realize it took that long for 90% compliance.  Apparently the Northwest was early, as I don't remember seeing any "local" cars without them by 72 or 73.

Everyone:   Thank you.  I have some yellow ones on order as well, so would have had to look them up anyway!

[Wardie]

I got my six F89J's on Monday and has a chance to take a good look at them tonight. Overall I am quite satisfied with the appearance and heft of the car itself, this weekend I will see how they run over the various radius curves I have. My one regret is the raised hitch, I wish it had a hole/slot that was matched to the Atlas/Athearn/Trainworx/Microtrains trailer pin. I sent an email to BLMA asking them if they would consider offering a separate raised hitch with the standard hole, depending on there response I will have to look in to finding a way to drill out the 5th wheels to accept the pins. It will be much easier to modify my 6 BLMA flats then all my trailers and my Trainworx and MT TOFC flats.

[Bob Bufkin]

Got mine Monday and they are good looking cars.  One thing is the folding loading ramps (not sure what they are called) on each end.  Mine fell off one car when I just touched them.  Guess I can glue them back in the up position since I'm going to do any kind of unloading ramp.

[bbussey]

OK, here's a question, and a puzzle, about the F89Js:  Does anyone have a picture of [a brown F89J] showing the ACI label? ...

Here's one.  The plate is dirt encrusted since the photo is from the post-ACI era, but you can see where it's mounted.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ttx/ttx601395wba.jpg

[nkalanaga]

Thank you!  Most of the yellow ones I've seen had the plate between the initials and number, but there's barely room to squeeze one in there on the brown cars.  I did it on one, but the rest will go on one of the ribs.

I also found a non-F89J car with the panel on a similar rib inboard of the front truck, so either one is probably more likely than on the number plate.

I can also use the deck shot for weathering.  The clean white deck looks a little out of place on a car at least four years old...