New Bowser N5c

[ai5629]

I thought that these cabin cars took MT 2004's (under-slung couplers).  When the production photos showed the washers under the trucks, I assumed they needed to raise the height of the car to get the MT 1015 clones to the proper height.  I like the fact that they got the paint correct on the Conrail cars this time (blue cupola sides).  Now all I need to do is buy them.  Thanks.

Jeff

[eric220]

Got mine today. They look like the same tooling as the old ones. Interestingly, they're using a new shade of FCC.

[Joetrain59]

Could really use on "open" smokestack. Any available in this style?
 Joe D

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Got mine today. They look like the same tooling as the old ones. Interestingly, they're using a new shade of FCC.

Did you get a handful? Do you see any pattern with the smokejack/cupola orientation? That's really puzzling me, like they used both the old an new cupolas.

[eric220]

Did you get a handful? Do you see any pattern with the smokejack/cupola orientation? That's really puzzling me, like they used both the old an new cupolas.

I did. I'll check on that when I get home tonight.

[eric220]

So yes there is a pattern to the cupolas/smoke jacks. The trainphone antenna versions are all oriented one way, and the non-trainphone antenna versions are all oriented the other way.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Hmm. But the mbk photos show otherwise. So weird!

I really hope someone does replacement cupolas.

[OldEastRR]

It also looks like the cupola windows are too small; the frames around them seem thicker than in the prototype photo. Especially the angled frame next to the trapezoidal window. And the posts between windows seem too thick.
Ride high seems to go w. these N cabeese. I have one of those Quality Craft brass/wood cars and as-built it sat way high. This past year I deconstructed it to assemble again (I built it 40 years ago) and ditched the old floor for a new one made of styrene, with an Intermountain underbody frame and equipment.

[nscaleSPF2]

As nearly as I can tell, no one has posted photos of the most recent caboose.  Here are a couple, without the spacer washers for the trucks.
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The cupola is not perfect, but I don't think it's bad, either.  The couplers and the end railings bother me the most.  Does anyone make replacements for the railings?

While I was at it, I took a few measurements.

Prototype cupola length = 11' 4".    Model = 11' 1"
Prototype overall length = 31' 1".    Model = 30' 1"
Prototype rail to top of cupola = 13' 5".    Model = 14' 1"

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I don't think the issue is rail to cupola top, it's roof to cupola top.

[Lemosteam]

Investigating....

[muktown128]

Investigating....

Yes!

[eric220]

Investigating....

NOOOOOOOOO!  Do not need the project of color matching and replacing 20+ cupolas! 

[peteski]

NOOOOOOOOO!  Do not need the project of color matching and replacing 20+ cupolas! 

Black is black, isn't it?     Come on, deep down inside you really want this.  In the worst case you might have to paint the roof to match the new black.

[nscaleSPF2]

While I was at it, I took a few measurements.

Prototype cupola length = 11' 4".    Model = 11' 1"
Prototype overall length = 31' 1".    Model = 30' 1"
Prototype rail to top of cupola = 13' 5".    Model = 14' 1"

Prototype top of roofwalk to top of Cupola = 2' 3".    Model = 1' 11"

I'd spend my time and money on improving those railings.