MTL Gunderson Husky Stack well car

[jagged ben]

It's difficult to see because of the angle, but the First picture in my post is a 53' CN container on top of a 48' BN container in a husky stack

Technically you are right, but it's an AP Husky Stack.  See points made upthread.

The only reason I lack more examples is my own fault not capturing them. I do concede that what was the case up here was not the case everywhere.

To be sure, it's not that they wouldn't have existed or been used, it's just it wouldn't have been so common and if you are really seeking to call to mind a an era after the early 90s then you don't want a whole train of Husky Stacks, maybe one or two in a train.  It's not just it being a 48' well, it's also being a stand-alone well when articulated cars became a lot more common.   (Heck, would be nice to MTL consider an articulated car as a 'runner pack' type offering.) 

[Missaberoad]

I do concede that by the 2000's it was a minority car, and that it would be unrealistic to have any great number of them in a train.

The only thing I take issue with (and all in fun of course  ) Is your statement that a 48'/53' combo in a standard Gunderson Husky Stack was a near non existent rarity beyond the late 1990's. Since my own photo collection failed to turn up an example I did a quick search online. 

Just looking at the DTTX 56xxx series and giving up somewhere about half way through. I found more then 30 post 2005 examples just on the RRpicturearchives.net site. Here's a small sample of what I found

I stand by my statement that depending on your prototype you can realistically run some of these cars well into the 2000's. 

2006
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=575821
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=452230
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=569894
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=269444
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=450865

2007
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=706629
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=719724

2008
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1070949
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1187127
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1096108
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1364998

2009
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1592581
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1786905

[jagged ben]

Kudos Ryan, you proved your point by doing homework.  I know when to admit defeat. 

My consolation prize would be that shot of the Alliance Shippers 48' reefer container.   

[MetroRedLine]

A pic of the production sample has surfaced:



Disappointed to know it's just a 48'er. Meh.

[ednadolski]

A pic of the production sample has surfaced:

Looks like a body-mount coupler.  I wonder if it is a proto ride height, and if the production version will have metal wheels.  Does GMM make etched walkways that will might fit this?

Ed

[MetroRedLine]

Looks like a body-mount coupler.  I wonder if it is a proto ride height, and if the production version will have metal wheels.  Does GMM make etched walkways that will might fit this?

Ed

Definitely no metal wheels as MTL doesn't make them. As for the ride height, good question with regard to MTL's product history. Methinks it's not ride height but the space between the bottom of the well and the top of the rail is negligible.

[peteski]

Definitely no metal wheels as MTL doesn't make them.

I seem to recall that Joe from MTL mentioned that MTL will start producing metal wheels.  Maybe it was a dream?   

[muktown128]

I seem to recall that Joe from MTL mentioned that MTL will start producing metal wheels.  Maybe it was a dream?   

Calling @bbussey ...
Sounds like another question Bryan could ask the folks from MTL at the social function on Friday night.

Scott

[ryan_wilkerson]

I seem to recall that Joe from MTL mentioned that MTL will start producing metal wheels.  Maybe it was a dream?   

Not a dream!

[ryan_wilkerson]

I held a sample in my hands at the November show in Medford, OR. Nice and heavy.

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[JoeD]

I seem to recall that Joe from MTL mentioned that MTL will start producing metal wheels.  Maybe it was a dream?   

  We are working on them
JOe

[JoeD]

Definitely no metal wheels as MTL doesn't make them. As for the ride height, good question with regard to MTL's product history. Methinks it's not ride height but the space between the bottom of the well and the top of the rail is negligible.

unfortunate comment.  I think we have done a pretty good job the past 15 years getting them down...certainly the past 30 or so cars I've worked on have been made with that in mind.   I can't speak for cars done 30 years ago, different time and different standards.  We always have to deal with the dreaded standard coupler height that complicates how you handle the ends of the car.

Joe

[mu26aeh]

unfortunate comment.  I think we have done a pretty good job the past 15 years getting them down...certainly the past 30 or so cars I've worked on have been made with that in mind.   I can't speak for cars done 30 years ago, different time and different standards.  We always have to deal with the dreaded standard coupler height that complicates how you handle the ends of the car.

Joe

Can't please them all Joe.... 

[jagged ben]

I think the pics look good.  While the hole patterns may not be GMM quality, they are equal to or better than Athearn's, and using plastic instead of etched metal means they have a more realistic thickness.  Also the hand grabs go the correct direction.  I think that if MT announces any paint schemes I pre-ordered from Athearn, I'll cancel my pre-order for the latter.   Not havng to replace McHenry couplers is worth something, too.   

And yes, if you really want, the GMM product should probably work on these.   (BTW, GMMs product has been out for 25 years.   Interail's was of equal quality and done earlier.  Why can't the rolling stock manufacturer's meet the same standard?) 

[peteski]

I think the pics look good.  While the hole patterns may not be GMM quality, they are equal to or better than Athearn's, and using plastic instead of etched metal means they have a more realistic thickness. 

How thick are the 1:1 walkways?!  Usually etched stainless steel is around 0.010" (or 1.6 scale inches), isn't it?  That's too thin?