Pte ST. Charles Caboose

[Wutter]

Keep in mind the magnetic wand only controls the marker lights on either end (there's a reed switch inside the caboose on either side of the cupola) while the interior lights are always on. I colored my interior lights with a little bit of Tamiya X-19 Smoke to dim the lights a little bit but they're still very bright.

[lock4244]

I just spent a pleasant half hour admiring the van and playing with the magnetic-actuated lights.  Mine seems to be more of a golden color compared to some early reports of a harsher blue tone.  Not sure if they changed this.

Are those bulkheads still used for lumber, or are they replaced by the centerbeams?  I have to be cautious with my funds, need to pay for a train of 18 potash cars this summer 

The HS and MIL bulkheads have pretty much disappeared in the Toronto area (can't speak for other parts of the CN system). I can't recall the last time I saw one, but a combination of age (40 year rule... large numbers of them were built in 1973, 74, & 75) and replacement with larger capacity cars have made them noticeable in their absence. Beyond lumber service, these bulkheads were also used in steel service, carrying plate and structural steel, as well as being modified with racks to carry baled wire, slabs, billets, barstock, and of course, aluminum ingots.

I'll assume you're referring to the NARC NSC cars? I'm so glad that everything they do is out of my era or locale... if they ever do the CN / ONT barrel ore cars I'm in trouble!

[Scottl]

OK, thanks.  I have not seen them either, but I have the same kind of setting as you do.

Yes, I have an order in for a set of the NARC cars.  The coal/sulphur gons are amazing- so many versions and paint schemes.  Unit trains dominate out west and the potash will double as a CN or CP train at Cisco.

[Puddington]

I'm glad you're pleased with Jeff's products - we love making them (well; I really love it) I've got a brace of gon's waiting for weathering.... (Ohhh Homer likes weathering gondolas....)

I posted this on Weekend Update but this shows what just a little weathering does to the van (and wire hand rails which I don't feel were worth the time and effort....)

[lock4244]

OK, thanks.  I have not seen them either, but I have the same kind of setting as you do.

Yes, I have an order in for a set of the NARC cars.  The coal/sulphur gons are amazing- so many versions and paint schemes.  Unit trains dominate out west and the potash will double as a CN or CP train at Cisco.

I won't tell anyone if you get a few of the HS bulkhead flats... they are such wonderful cars. As I gazed approvingly at them last night, alongside a few cylindrical covered hoppers, offset hoppers, ECC gons, NSC paper boxes, and of course the PSC van, headed up by an RS-18, I'm struck by how much N scale has changed in our favour as Canadian modelers. These are halcyon times, indeed!

Now where is the #$%&! GP40-2L?

[lock4244]

I'm glad you're pleased with Jeff's products - we love making them (well; I really love it) I've got a brace of gon's waiting for weathering.... (Ohhh Homer likes weathering gondolas....)

I posted this on Weekend Update but this shows what just a little weathering does to the van (and wire hand rails which I don't feel were worth the time and effort....)

I agree Pud, adding the wire handrails are superfluous... they look good, but not a do or die. Plus, more for me to break handling 

[Scottl]

Now that I have one in hand, I agree that the handrails are fine.  My overall sense is that the level of detail is comparable to brass a few years ago, and it even has a nice weight to the van.  Even the packaging is above the cut- a nice paper sleeve for the case and a parts diagram and list.

Now where is the #$%&! GP40-2L?

That is not beyond the realm of possibility now, given the investments that have been made in recent years.    These models are mainstream enough for Athearn to tool a GP38W and Atlas a GP40W, and Rapido tooling an n-scale locomotive puts them into the contenders for this offering.  My semi-foobs will have to do, but I am hopeful.

[cv_acr]

Are those bulkheads still used for lumber, or are they replaced by the centerbeams?  I have to be cautious with my funds, need to pay for a train of 18 potash cars this summer 

Many of them were rebuilt from plain flatcars with centre posts and ratchet tie downs to turn them into "centrebeam" (equivalent) cars. These were really common for a long time, but now that you mention it, I'm not sure I've seen too many over the last few years. I think they've all been displaced by the larger purpose built 73' cars now.

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cn604751&o=cn

On the other hand, a bunch have been rebuilt with side stakes for pulpwood and pipe service, with WC reporting marks, and these are definitely currently operating:

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=wc237833&o=wc
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=wc237311&o=wc
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=wc238066&o=wc
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=wc237476&o=wc

[Ian MacMillan]

Looking to pick up my international service one shortly. These are HAWT.

[trainforfun]

There is so many details under the floor that I had to cut some airline because they were causing some obstruction for the trucks to swivel . Not a big thing to cut them as the brakes are not functional ... 

Everything is now OK , I have to find a way to dim the interior lights down a bit , they are way too bright on DCC . I tried some yellow paint over them and they are still very bright !

The other thing is everytime you shut down the layout , it reset "ON" the red marker lights on both ends when you turn it back on . Not a big thing but it's a little problem .

[lock4244]

There is so many details under the floor that I had to cut some airline because they were causing some obstruction for the trucks to swivel . Not a big thing to cut them as the brakes are not functional ... 

Everything is now OK , I have to find a way to dim the interior lights down a bit , they are way too bright on DCC . I tried some yellow paint over them and they are still very bright !

The other thing is everytime you shut down the layout , it reset "ON" the red marker lights on both ends when you turn it back on . Not a big thing but it's a little problem .

Louis, I to a black sharpie marker to the interiour lights and it helped a lot. I'd prefer no lighting, but am not at the point where I want to cut the pick-up wires... yet.

[BCR751]

I also want to get rid of the interior lights but I can't figure out how to get the shell off without ruining it.  Also, I wonder if the interior LED's are wired in such a way that if taken out of the circuit, would that also kill the markers   If not, I would just like to cut them out.

Doug

[lock4244]

I also want to get rid of the interior lights but I can't figure out how to get the shell off without ruining it.  Also, I wonder if the interior LED's are wired in such a way that if taken out of the circuit, would that also kill the markers   If not, I would just like to cut them out.

Doug

Can't help you with the wiring Doug, but the shells come off remarkably easily. I just hold a truck and the shell and gently pull... no force required, and as such, no damage.

[skm]

The Prairie Shadows cars are available?  Their website doesn't show them as in stock.

Still doesn't show the gondolas as available! 
Did the Canadians get first dibs? I thought I had pre-ordered some, but I'll wait and see....

[Puddington]

I will speak with Jeff tonight about the site......