L&N 2551-2563 rebuilt coaches from Brass Car Sides- if enough orders

[thomasjmdavis]

See the recent announcement from Brass Car Sides.
http://www.brasscarsides.com/

Pics of the prototype:
http://www.brasscarsides.com/photos/L&N%202551-63/L&N%202551-2563.jpg

BCS will be producing HO sides for L&N rebuilt coaches in the 2551 series, and if there is enough interest, also in N. 

The MT coach would be an ideal core candidate (although would need to be shortened a bit as the prototype was rebuilt from a 73' combine with vestibule at only one end).  These cars would make an interesting (and prototypical) addition to a Pan Am, Hummingbird or Dixie Flyer.

I have no financial interest in the production, other than having a reservation in should the production go forward.  Hopefully a few others will want some too.

Tom D

[Upstate Gator]

I've put in a reservation as well.
Ben Woelk
Fairport,  NY

[thomasjmdavis]

Note that new photos of these cars are up on Jerry's Passenger car photo site.

I'm surprised there hasn't been more interest in these, given the number of folks who are asking for more southern and south-eastern road cars.

Seriously, having an accurate model from car sides is not all that difficult.  And the MT coach, shortened a few scale feet, should make an excellent core.

[thomasjmdavis]

Bringing back an old thread.  The project to do these sides in N scale is moving forward- I've sent Dennis a MT coach to take measurements from, as this appears to be the best "core" currently available (will need to be cut down).  At any rate, if interested, send an email to Brass Car Sides.

BCS has some photos of the prototype- http://www.brasscarsides.com/photos/L&N%202551-63/L&N%202551-2563.jpg

* I have no monetary interest in Brass Car Sides (other than having put down a deposit on some of these car sides).  My self interest is limited to having been a customer in the past, wanting to see these made available, and hoping more folks become interested in building unique cars from sides- so the small manufacturers who provide passenger car sides and details can stay in business.

[jmlaboda]

I've sent Dennis a MT coach to take measurements from, as this appears to be the best "core" currently available (will need to be cut down).

Why?  The prototype for the MT coach was 79' 11" long while the L&N combines, which the cars were rebuilt from were 79' 2"... is cutting it down really worth it?  9" in N-scale is very small.

[thomasjmdavis]

Jerry,

The 2551 series (and the combines they were built from) were 76'5" overall.  The second series of rebuilds (2570-82) were 79' 2".  The latter were rebuilt from old coaches and had 2 vestibules.  The 2551 was about the same size inside the coach, but had only one vestibule. (Source is L&N Passenger Trains by Castner, Chapman and Dorin.  Also articles in the Dixie Line.) 
Floorplan with dimensions is here:

http://www.brasscarsides.com/photos/L&N%202551-63/L&N%202551%20diagram.jpg

[jmlaboda]

My bad... read the wrong line in the ORPTE...