Bachmann 52'-6" gondolas have arrived

[Mark5]

Bryan - looks great!

Thanks everyone for posting this - I think I will pick one up to redecorate as NKP or N&W (N&W class G30).

As pointed out in the Protocraft link:
"(note: in March of 1949, the NKP received a large order of 400 cars of the same car from American Car & Foundry as Lot 3351, Series 67000-67399 - however this car had Ajax side mounted hand brakes, a steel floor, and IDN ends - so not the car modeled)"

I will need to make the wood floor on the model look more like a steel floor, and add some ASF-3 Ride Control trucks (https://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/detail.php?ID=139287) - but that should get me into the "close enough" range. 

Of the 400 cars in this lot, 395 were still on the N&W roster as of January 1969 (N&W 267000-267399).

The only photos that I have been able to find of these so far is from the mid 1980s & up - by that time they were all in MOW service (it seems).

https://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/detail.php?ID=148350

https://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/detail.php?ID=148361

If anyone can point me to photos of this range from the 50s through 70s (NKP or N&W paint) - I would appreciate it!

Mark

[thomasjmdavis]

Here's a black and white of an NKP shopped in 1962-
https://www.lakestatesarchive.org/Ed-Wilkommen-BW-Collection/Freight-Cars/Gondolas/i-ZfGHscp

[bbussey]

Here's a black and white of an NKP shopped in 1962-
https://www.lakestatesarchive.org/Ed-Wilkommen-BW-Collection/Freight-Cars/Gondolas/i-ZfGHscp

Fixed ends.

[Mark5]

Here's a black and white of an NKP shopped in 1962-
https://www.lakestatesarchive.org/Ed-Wilkommen-BW-Collection/Freight-Cars/Gondolas/i-ZfGHscp

That car (#44064) is an ex W&LE car and as Bryan pointed out - not a part of the 67000-67399 series.

After further digging, there is a pic of NKP 67399 here (page 13): https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5be23b9196d455a4b380589c/t/5c5fb683fa0d60425ba0bad9/1549776521397/nkp_freight_cars_1950.pdf

I also found an in-service photo of 67320 (but I can't find the link at the moment  ).

Mark

[sizemore]

Progress report on the gondola modifications:  I swapped in Atlas 70-ton friction bearing trucks with ESM wheelsets. The bolster height is the same as on the Bachmann trucks.

Did you have to modify the Atlas truck to fit (ie. ream the bolster hole)?

The S.

[bbussey]

Did you have to modify the Atlas truck to fit (ie. rean the bolster hole)?

Yes, slightly.

[ai5629]

I received my first order of these (four NYC gondolas) from Trainworld today.  These are really nice cars.  They will definitely add a little variety to my heavily BLMA ACF dominated 52’6” gondola roster.  I am looking forward to stripping, painting and decalling these this Fall.  I am going to have to do some research and see if I can justify keeping one of the NYC cars.  Great job Bachmann!

Jeff

[bbussey]

I am going to have to do some research and see if I can justify keeping one of the NYC cars.

The NYC road number definitely is not prototypical.  It's going to take some digging to find a Greenville car in the late gothic scheme.  All the NYC pics I've seen have been the early as-built scheme regardless of era.  I'm sure there must have been some that were repainted into the late scheme, but the pics are hard to come by.

[bbussey]

Did you have to modify the Atlas truck to fit (ie. ream the bolster hole)?

Yes, slightly.

One other note regarding the trucks.  The MTL family of 70-ton trucks with the medium-extended coupler arm (the style used on the brakewheel end of the 50-foot drop-end gondolas) have and always have had a true centered bolster hole.  Cutting off the coupler tongue would allow use of the MTL trucks for those who prefer them over the Atlas 70-ton trucks.  But in my opinion the Atlas trucks are fine when fitted with upscale metal wheels.

[Chris333]

The NYC cars are a later scheme (I think after 1956).

[jargonlet]

So are there any correct decals available if one wanted to do a correct nyc car?

[bbussey]

So are there any correct decals available if one wanted to do a correct nyc car?

I suggest going to the Protocraft website to see pics of the prototype, and then piecing together from assorted Microscale sets.

[squirrelhunter]

I suggest going to the Protocraft website to see pics of the prototype, and then piecing together from assorted Microscale sets.

Couldn't this set from K4 decals be used?

https://k4decals.com/collections/gondola-decals/products/new-york-central-gondola-white-roman-lettering-decal-nycgr

[up1950s]

If Bachmann would produce some in 1950s paint schemes I would buy them .

[sizemore]

One other note regarding the trucks.  The MTL family of 70-ton trucks with the medium-extended coupler arm (the style used on the brakewheel end of the 50-foot drop-end gondolas) have and always have had a true centered bolster hole.  Cutting off the coupler tongue would allow use of the MTL trucks for those who prefer them over the Atlas 70-ton trucks.  But in my opinion the Atlas trucks are fine when fitted with upscale metal wheels.

Thanks Bryan its good to know the options! Was following similar on @Mark5 posts on the Bachmann Bethlehem hopper when he did his conversion as well. Bachmann has done a nice job with recent releases just surprised they didnt choose a better axle standard (.540 or .553 over .563 axle lengths.) at the cost point.

The S.