EL / Trailer Train / UPS Question

[lock4244]

The Erie Lackawanna is what I'd likely model (between Hornell and Binghamton) circa 1973-75 had I not been born in Canada and exposed to CN and CP all my life. I do sometimes buy equipment for the EL and am wondering about a few newer items coming in N that may be correct for the EL in that era. Specifically the BLMA F89, the Trainworx F85, the Trainworx UPS trailers, and the Athearn bay window caboose:

1) I know the brown F89's are a go, but what of the F89 and F85 in the yellow Trailer Train 'TT' scheme (first F85 release is in this one)? Would that have been in use during the 1973-75 time frame?

2) And with several versions of the UPS 40' van coming, which is correct for that era?

3) What of the upcoming Athearn bay window caboose for EL? I'm guessing not a match, but is it even in the ballpark?

[bbussey]

The Erie Lackawanna is what I'd likely model (between Hornell and Binghamton) circa 1973-75 had I not been born in Canada and exposed to CN and CP all my life. I do sometimes buy equipment for the EL and am wondering about a few newer items coming in N that may be correct for the EL in that era. Specifically the BLMA F89, the Trainworx F85, the Trainworx UPS trailers, and the Athearn bay window caboose:

1) I know the brown F89's are a go, but what of the F89 and F85 in the yellow Trailer Train 'TT' scheme (first F85 release is in this one)? Would that have been in use during the 1973-75 time frame?

2) And with several versions of the UPS 40' van coming, which is correct for that era?

3) What of the upcoming Athearn bay window caboose for EL? I'm guessing not a match, but is it even in the ballpark?

Yellow TT also works for Erie Lackawanna, probably more so since the commonly-known EL deco scheme wasn't immediately applied to all motive power when the railroad was formed in 1960.  Any pre-TTX scheme on the long flats would be prototypically accurate.

Either Railmodel Journal or Model Railroading had an extensive series on the UPS trailers.  I don't remember when and I can't put my hands on the information, but the articles are on TrainLife and one of the magazine online searches and pinpoint the issues.

[Mark5]

I found this using the MR magazine search tool:

Modeling modern intermodal part 1
UPS 45' Intermodal and Highway Trailers, pt. 1
from Model Railroading January 1998


But nothing on the 40'ers.

I did ask TWX about these in the context of my era (1974) and got this response from Pat Sanders:

These trailers first appeared in the mid 1960s.  The trailers without any markings are repaints from the 90s.

[bbussey]

I found them:  Model Railroading, Feb-May 1996, Aug 1996.

[Mark5]

I found them:  Model Railroading, Feb-May 1996, Aug 1996.

Ah thanks - the model train index kept "timing out"  

Feb 95 is 28' container and 28' chassis

[x600]

Lock4244,
from several members of the ELHS; The UPS trailer with the 2 red stripes are accurate for E-L late 60s to CR.
Athearn Bay window caboose is not correct for EL, however, the paint and lettering is VERY accurate. The art work was done by Paul T. from Primemover Decals.  The caboose body is close enough unless you count the rivets !
I just went through a discussion on E-L correct cabooses for N-Scale.
The Walthers Bay window is a good model of the E-L cars # C371 to C380 delivered W/O roof walks in 1970.
The side windows need to be squared off and one window needs to be filled in.
Any of the other Bay Window cars offered in N have the same issue. Very close, only 2 windows per side.
PMD decals makes decal sets that are spot on for E-L cabooses in all the paint schemes.

 The ONLY N-Scale caboose that is right on, is KV models resin kit for the DL&W Keyser Valley shops built cars.
Many of these lasted to the end of E-L in several paint schemes.
KV's cars have been sold out for a few years now, but some of are are going to try to get Scott to run some more.
They are not easy kits, but they can be made to look pretty good.

Greg O.
   

[James Costello]

I posted a summary of the MRing UPS trailer series and the timelines for the schemes in the Trainworx announcement thread....

[lock4244]

Thanks guys.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

As far as the caboose goes, it's not a match, but it's decently close. When Athearn did them in the CR scheme, they gave them the same number series as the CRHS's caboose (an ex-EL N7E bay window car).

Since the EL's a secondary interest, I'd say go for it. That and some (fixed up) IM SD45-2s would scream late-EL.

[lock4244]

SD45's, SDP45's, SD45-2's, U33C's, U36C's mingled with C424's, C425's, U25B's, GP35's... and I could finally find a reason to have a pair of PA's. Probably an excuse to have a few D&H units, too (already have a U30C). AT&SF, BN and MILW power was not uncommon on the EL as well, though not overly common east of Marion... excuse for an F45 or FP45. Hmmm...

[JDouglasFisher]

Make sure to include a couple Santa Fe units (run through power in 1975) and a couple of modern Milwaukee Road units "Working off" horsepower hours.

 

J

[MichaelWinicki]

The E-L passed east-west through my home town, while the PC went north-south.

While even as a young rail-fan one got the feeling of "decrepit" with the PC, the E-L was always held in higher (quality) regard... Even after the bankruptcy filing following Hurricane Agnes in '72.

The E-L trains seemed to run faster and their mainline through this area was considered to be top-shelf.  I have a video someone shot while riding an E-L train through the southerntier of New York State and the speedometer was hitting 70mph.

Boy, seeing a train come through being led by SD45's in that wonderful color scheme... Just took your breath away as a railfan. 

[lock4244]

Michael, I can only dream of the EL... would have loved to have seen her for myself. Note my avatar is of a former CP M630 working EB on the former Erie mainline in Olean. It was a real pleasure shooting along that storied mainline!

[SecretWeapon]

Hey,
 In the peroid your talking about, EL used SD-45-2 as their primery power on those trains. They had 5,000 gal. fuel tanks. They didn't need fuel until they got to Chicago or Croxton Yard in N.J. U-33's were also used. You could see any other engine thrown into the consist. U-25's, GP-35's were common sights also. It was also common to see run thru engines from other RR's. Like BN, SF, Great Northern before that. EL did alot with SF. They had trains back then that went back & forth between the coasts.

They had both TTX schemes.
The trailers that are coming, I've got 8 on order. They work. They'll go good with the old Con-Cor's & all the lease trailers.
The Bay window comng will complete the train.
As it is now, I run NY-100 & 2nd NY-100. I guess I'l do CX-99 now. 3 big IM trains.

[MichaelWinicki]

Michael, I can only dream of the EL... would have loved to have seen her for myself. Note my avatar is of a former CP C630M working EB on the former Erie mainline in Olean. It was a real pleasure shooting along that storied mainline!

Yeah, I kinda kick myself a little for not paying as much attention to the E-L as I should have prior to the formation of CR. 

The Salamanca yard with its turntable and concrete coaling tower was very interesting.  And it was still an active yard up until they quit running the coal trains to Dunkirk... about the time of Agnes.