Correct Gondolas for the 60-70's era

[wm3798]

But will you load it with an Atlas c55 turnout, or Peco?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That's real nice. Did you see the pics we just got of the interior on the crhs site?

[ljudice]

Lee - definitely Atlas - it looks better!  Ok well actually I'm thinking this is a place to actually build one with full profile ties.

Ed - thanks for the tip - there was a shot on rrpicturearchives but the thing is so amazingly filthy inside it wasn't clear what was what!  btw,  I need to join as well...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Sure thing! I was very happy to see them get posted, given the rarity and all the recent G26 buzz.

If you get in this week, you won't miss the upcoming magazine mailing.

[bbussey]

Speaking of gons - my kitbash of an Athearn 65' gon into a Conrail Panelized Turnout Carrier...  I did not want to wreck one of Bryan's beautiful models - but at least it is a start. I basically sanded down the sides and added new styrene sides and ribs. Will be heavilly weathered...

Looks great!  But don't feel bad kitbashing one of the ESM cars.  All existing models are fair game if they save you time in kitbashing a model you want.  Heck, if I modeled the Pennsy, I would have bashed the G26 into at least three other models by now.

[bbussey]

I checked the underframes btw.  The whole design was changed in 1996 when the brake hardware detail was turned into a plastic detail attachment to the main diecast component.  This underframe assembly is currently used under all of the MTL 50' gondola and flatcar models.  It was modified to fit the existing plastic bodies, so it wasn't "stretched" to 52 scale feet.  Subsequently, any new gondola models that have been tooled since 1996 have been designed to fit the revised underframe, and therefore were "compressed" to 50 scale feet.

[FrankCampagna]

It'd just be nice if someone would make an accurate transition era 52 foot gondola. Or more than one.

Frank

[Dave V]

We need more corrugated gon options.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I'm starting to think a flat kit is the way to go. Imagine a kit with different sides and ends that could be glued up to a metal underframe/floor like the ESM cars. You could cast the corrugations on both sides, add interior details to the floor and have different end designs (including ones with interior corrugations like the Tichy gondolas).

We really do need a line of accurate 52' gondolas that aren't garbage.

[bbussey]

I'm starting to think a flat kit is the way to go. Imagine a kit with different sides and ends that could be glued up to a metal underframe/floor like the ESM cars. You could cast the corrugations on both sides, add interior details to the floor and have different end designs (including ones with interior corrugations like the Tichy gondolas).

We really do need a line of accurate 52' gondolas that aren't garbage.

That would work.  The question is: would enough kits sell, even if they had interchangeable sides and ends, or would they have to be RTR and push the price higher a la the G26?  I wrestled with that and went with the latter choice.  Either decision is a tough one in regard to unit sales overall.

[ljudice]

How about a cast pewter "core" with resin ends/sides? 

[bbussey]

How about a cast pewter "core" with resin ends/sides? 

Lower up-front investment but much higher per-piece cost.

[GaryHinshaw]

Cool bash Lou.

[unittrain]

I do have measurments for the Thrall Railgon mill gondola and a Conrail one that is very similar to the Railgon type only longer, I also have measurments for a NYC fishbelly gon built in 1967 with dreadnaught ends and welded on side posts I have them drawn up in AutoCad I measure up cars whenever there parked on the siding along the CSX. If anybody would need drawings for reference in making a model I could provide them. I got the car numbers I'll try and find some pics of these car series and post a link to them.

[bbussey]

The inside detail of stamped ends always are a problem unless it's possible to incorporate the MTL drop ends, but having gondola sides etched always is an option for creating a diverse fleet.  Etching the sides for welded cars with styrene ribs would yield good results.  Drawing the patterns is what takes time, so having them already in AutoCad format is a step ahead.