What are the prototypes for the various MTL 50' gons supposed to be?

[bbussey]

Okay, we all know the MTL gons are too short and ride too high.  However, what are the prototypes for the various MTL gons (MTL series number in parentheses)?  Can anyone shed some light?

• Composite, fishbelly sides, drop ends (62000)
• Composite, fishbelly sides, fixed ends (63000)
• Composite, straight sides, drop ends (60000)
• Composite, straight sides, fixed ends (61000)
• Steel, 14 panels, fishbelly sides, drop ends (46000)
• Steel, 14 panels, fishbelly sides, fixed ends (105000)
• Steel, 14 panels, fishbelly sides, fixed ends, covered (106000)
• Steel, 14 panels, straight sides, drop ends (48000)
• Steel, 14 panels, straight sides, fixed ends (105700)
• Steel, 15 panels, fishbelly sides, fixed ends (105500)
• Steel, 15 panels, fishbelly sides, fixed ends, covered (106200)

[wcfn100]

We don't really know that they are too short (at least I don't), just that they are shorter than most of the prototype schemes that MTL uses.  There were many 50' gondola variations including at least one Pullman Standard car that the CGW used a lot on scrap service.  I know the cyclopedia have some of these cars.  I'll check it out when I get a chance.


Jason

[Sokramiketes]

I was excited about the 50' EJ&E gondola rebuilds until I counted panels... so they're out.

[wcfn100]

I'm fairly certain these cars are just shortened versions of War Emergency Gondolas.  I don't believe I've ever come across an example of a car like this that wasn't.  I hope N scale will get a correct version of this car someday (and hoping more that I'm not the one who has to do it).

• Composite, fishbelly sides, drop ends (62000)
• Composite, fishbelly sides, fixed ends (63000)

So for me, those are 'solved'.


Jason

[ljudice]

I thought a true 52/3' PS gon was coming from someone???

[Sokramiketes]

Which version was tooled first?  That's the likeliest candidate for a prototype match, with the rest of the versions being shortened to fit existing mold bases/underframes.

[wcfn100]

Which version was tooled first?  That's the likeliest candidate for a prototype match, with the rest of the versions being shortened to fit existing mold bases/underframes.

Or lengthened as possibly the case for the straight side composite. 

From what I can tell, the 46000 was the first to be released.

Jason

[Chris333]

I don't know about the length or prototype, but as posted before you can improve the composite cars by opening up the carbody holes and lowering.

[unittrain]

I thought a true 52/3' PS gon was coming from someone???

I sure hope so! I lengthened my MTL 14 panel gondolas using an exacto mitre box and .043 strip seems to have worked well just need to match paint and replace bolsters.

[John]

http://mrr.trains.com/~/media/import/files/pdf/7/5/f/transition-era_gondolas.ashx

http://www.tulsanmra.org/resources/Freight_Car_Modeling.pdf

[bbussey]

Looks like the original MTL car (46000) is based on the Bethlehem prototype, which was a 52-footer.

[wcfn100]

Looks like the original MTL car (46000) is based on the Bethlehem prototype, which was a 52-footer.

I think there's a good chance that's correct.  I was going to post the similarities when I got a chance but now I don't need to.


Jason

[Mark5]

I'm fairly certain these cars are just shortened versions of War Emergency Gondolas.  I don't believe I've ever come across an example of a car like this that wasn't.  I hope N scale will get a correct version of this car someday (and hoping more that I'm not the one who has to do it).
Jason

There is a fairly correct model of the War Emergency Gons - it was the first gon in N scale to scale out to 52' as well (1960's!):



I've been planning to document the conversion of this model to body mounts etc (N&W had these), but too much has been getting in the way.

Mark

[ai5629]

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Okay, we all know the MTL gons are too short and ride too high.  However, what are the prototypes for the various MTL gons (MTL series number in parentheses)?  Can anyone shed some light?

• Steel, 14 panels, fishbelly sides, drop ends (46000)
• Steel, 14 panels, straight sides, drop ends (48000)

I believe the 46000 series gondola is a 52' 6" Bethlehem Steel 70 ton rivited steel drop end gondola.  Two and one half feet too short.  The correct length car is made in HO by Tangent.  See photo of LV 32402.

The 48000 series gondola may have a 50' 0" prototype.  I saw a photo of a Lehigh Valley gondola that Ted Cullotta was selling on EBay.  The car has an interior length of 50' 0".  See LV 31540.  I will let you be the judge.  Thank you.

Jeff

[/list]

[chessie system fan]

The 15 panel covered gon is a nkp prototype.  There's plans in a Mainline Modeler from the late '90s (don't remember which one).