FVM 50' Rib Side Milw Road Box Cars Schemes !!

[SkipGear]

We got them in the shop late last week. I didn't even think to look if they are body mount or not. The first half of the second batch of Wagontops arrived with these and that was where my attention was directed.

[Sokramiketes]

Should be body mounted couplers on these:

http://www.model160.com/n-scale-news-blog/springfield-2012-fox-valley-models-shows-50-ribside-samples/

[Dave Schneider]

Cool. Thanks Mike!

Best wishes, Dave

[nkalanaga]

50517 was still running in 1971, according to Morning Sun Books' "MILW Color Guide vol 2"

If I'd know that they were all gone by 1974 I wouldn't have ordered 8 of the things!

[Dave Schneider]

50517 was still running in 1971, according to Morning Sun Books' "MILW Color Guide vol 2"

If I'd know that they were all gone by 1974 I wouldn't have ordered 8 of the things!

Where did you get the info that they were all gone by 1974? I looked through my October 1974 ORER and didn't see many 50 ft cars with 6 foot doors, so I see what you mean. I am just curious as to your source. I didn't see this in the Color Guide, but maybe I missed it. Thanks.

Best wishes, Dave

[wazzou]

I would think that those 50' Boxcars with the 6' doors were amongst the first re-purposed for Woodchip loading. 
They removed the roof and door, sealed the door opening and added some interior bracing as well as renumbered and reclassified the cars.
It appears that some, if not all were fitted with top hinged, end doors for the unloading of woodchips using hydraulic lift dumps.

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=51865

[Dave Schneider]

Good point Bryan. Those are really great looking chip cars. Makes me wish I had a reason to make some. Maybe in crushed beer can service!

Best wishes, Dave

[PGE-N°2]

I would think that those 50' Boxcars with the 6' doors were amongst the first re-purposed for Woodchip loading. 
They removed the roof and door, sealed the door opening and added some interior bracing as well as renumbered and reclassified the cars.
It appears that some, if not all were fitted with top hinged, end doors for the unloading of woodchips using hydraulic lift dumps.

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=51865

I believe I've seen quite a few photos of these ribsides rebuilt for woodchip service. I actually have a small collection of the 50 foot double door ribside cars that Puget Summit did. Maybe that might be an idea to use for some rebuilt woodchip cars instead of cutting up one of these Fox Valley gems. They really are good looking models.

[wazzou]

I actually have a small collection of the 50 foot double door ribside cars that Puget Summit did. Maybe that might be an idea to use for some rebuilt woodchip cars instead of cutting up one of these Fox Valley gems. They really are good looking models.

I do have a few photos of the Milwaukee woodchip cars that were converted from Double Door 50' cars.  So, I know that the Milwaukee drew from that lot some.
My thoughts are that due to the nature of the Puget Summit casting, the N Scale conversion from that model may be more difficult than the FVM cars.

[Glenn Poole]

We got them in the shop late last week. I didn't even think to look if they are body mount or not. The first half of the second batch of Wagontops arrived with these and that was where my attention was directed.

Are they at the correct height above the rails?  FVM has been slow to adopt this new standard.  To me, this is more important than body mounted couplers.

[bbussey]

They haven't been slow.  This model and the B&O Wagontop are the first FVM cars with body-mounted couplers, and both ride at the correct height above the rails.

It is impossible to have a car with truck-mounted couplers have scale ride height without compromising the car ends.

[Sokramiketes]

Are they at the correct height above the rails?  FVM has been slow to adopt this new standard.  To me, this is more important than body mounted couplers.

[nkalanaga]

Dave:  I'm assuming they were all gone because the number series was reused for leased modern boxcars in late 1974.  These are the 50000-50474 series, and the late 1974 50000-50569 series was built by SIECO.   (MILW Road Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equip, vol 2, Morning Sun Books)  They never come out and SAY these cars were replaced by the new ones, but they also don't show these with new numbers.  Given the lack of demand for such cars by the 70s, I doubt that they were renumbered.

Since I model, more or less, June 1974, and the new cars seem to have appeared in October, I might be able to squeeze in a couple survivors.  On the other hand, I have a pile of MT 10 ft doors, so may try kitbashing the modernized versions.

[PGE-N°2]

I do have a few photos of the Milwaukee woodchip cars that were converted from Double Door 50' cars.  So, I know that the Milwaukee drew from that lot some.
My thoughts are that due to the nature of the Puget Summit casting, the N Scale conversion from that model may be more difficult than the FVM cars.

I did reconsider that, and since the Puget Summit kits are not a single solid casting, cutting the roof off, etc., to make them into woodchip cars would negatively effect the structural strength of the car. Perhaps if we wait long enough, Fox Valley will come out with ready made ribside woodchip cars.

[sirenwerks]

I did reconsider that, and since the Puget Summit kits are not a single solid casting, cutting the roof off, etc., to make them into woodchip cars would negatively effect the structural strength of the car. Perhaps if we wait long enough, Fox Valley will come out with ready made ribside woodchip cars.

Or at least double-door rib sides to make them ourselves.  Some of the single doors I picked up may be slated for the same fate. Not sure yet though.  All around a great model though, and sorely needed to add variety to my fleet.