FVM B&O M-53 wagontop sample photos...

[wes_sutton]

If the hobby is dying then bury me six foot under!

[Nato]

         I can hardly wait to retire my two resin cast "Old" Camden & Amboy shells on Atlas underframes with incorrect CDS dry transferr lettering. Nate Goodman (Nato).Salt Lake, Utah.

[Blazeman]

Have three on order at BLW. Inquired yesterday as to where things are with regard to shipping. Response below

"Everything is running late ... I really couldn't answer question ... you'd have to contact FVM direct.  We have been waiting on restock of wheels for months now."

So don't hold your breath.

[Sokramiketes]

Have three on order at BLW. Inquired yesterday as to where things are with regard to shipping. Response below

"Everything is running late ... I really couldn't answer question ... you'd have to contact FVM direct.  We have been waiting on restock of wheels for months now."

So don't hold your breath.

Huh?  These have been due in June since they were announced. Can we at least wait until July rolls along before starting the candle light vigil?   

[sizemore]

Have three on order at BLW. Inquired yesterday as to where things are with regard to shipping. Response below

"Everything is running late ... I really couldn't answer question ... you'd have to contact FVM direct.  We have been waiting on restock of wheels for months now."

So don't hold your breath.

Always the negative waves Moriarty!

Maybe you should start shopping some place else.

The S.

[MichaelWinicki]

Were these cars still used in interchange service in 1970?

[bbussey]

Yes.

[sirenwerks]

Have three on order at BLW. Inquired yesterday as to where things are with regard to shipping. Response below

"Everything is running late ... I really couldn't answer question ... you'd have to contact FVM direct.  We have been waiting on restock of wheels for months now."

So don't hold your breath.

The sky is falling too.

[H Lee]

Enjoy!

Anyone have any idea whose trucks are on these pre-production units. Definitely not MT's that I think FVM has used so far. If you take a very close look at the trucks they have two holes in the bolster on either side of the bolster pin...... doesn't help me identify the truck manufacturer but might give some of you a clue. Is it possible these are new to FVM using their wheelsets?

[DKS]

If you take a very close look at the trucks they have two holes in the bolster on either side of the bolster pin...

I don't believe those are holes, but instead ejector pin marks. (Have a look at the hi-res version of the image.) Of note is the MT-like offset between the bolster and the bolster pin.

[Dave Schneider]

What is the reasoning/advantages behind the offset bolster/pin?

Best wishes, Dave

[DKS]

What is the reasoning/advantages behind the offset bolster/pin?

It creates more room for the coupler pocket by pushing the bolster pin away from it, while allowing the bolster itself to be located (presumably) where it should be relative to the end of the car.

At least, that was the case back when coupler pockets were bigger and/or truck-mounted; in looking at the photos above, there's no apparent need for the offset, so you'll have to ask FVM why they did it (perhaps it was simply because of the OEM truck design).

[Dave Schneider]

Thanks David for the explanation.

Best wishes, Dave

[SkipGear]

It creates more room for the coupler pocket by pushing the bolster pin away from it, while allowing the bolster itself to be located (presumably) where it should be relative to the end of the car.

At least, that was the case back when coupler pockets were bigger and/or truck-mounted; in looking at the photos above, there's no apparent need for the offset, so you'll have to ask FVM why they did it (perhaps it was simply because of the OEM truck design).

David,
 If you look, the bolster pin hole on the car is offset to match the truck so that the truck remains centered on the ride pads. I think this is the first time I have seen anybody pay attention to this. I think off-setting the bolster in this case is for the same reason you mention. It gives more room for the coupler box. Maybe it is a plan to allow the customer room to move the coupler inward to close up coupling distance but they come in the long position for the RTR crowd.

[Sokramiketes]

Since FVM has used MTL trucks in the past, I'm guessing the new truck has an offset bolster to match MTL and allow them to use the truck on past runs which also have an offset bolster pin hole.