Train-Worx 52' Gondola - Experince/Thoughts/Comments

[oakcreekco]

Looking at these on line. Never have seen one in person.

What's the good/bad/ugly with these?

Appreciate your input.

[Curtis Kyger]

They are VERY EXELLENT.  Only issue is with the lack of interior negative corrugations on those cars that have exterior corrugated panels -- something almost impossible to accomplish with mass production cars while keeping pricing below astronomical.  I love my Train-Worx 52' gondolas.

[nkalanaga]

I have several of them, and haven't found anything "ugly". 

Like most (all?) N scale gons, interior details are limited.  In particular, as Curtis noted, the corrugated cars don't have inside corrugations, but I've never seen those on any other N scale gon, so can't really mark them down for that.

If you're picky about such things, you might want to check the stenciled capacity and the trucks.  Most of the cars I have a 100-ton cars, and came with the proper 36 inch wheels.  However, I have two that are 70-ton cars, and they also came with 100-ton trucks.  I replaced those with somebody else's 70-ton, and reused the 100-ton on other cars.

Other than  that, I have no complaints.  The cars sit at, or very close to, the correct height; the paint and lettering is good; the body-mounted 1015 couplers are at the right height; and they roll well. 

[wcfn100]

The TWX gone are very well done. I do have two things if I had to point something out. First, I don’t believe the rib spacing is 100% prototypical. I noticed this when exploring hood options.  IIRC, the TWX has all even spacing while the prototype varies slightly.  Second is that I’m not a fan of the coupler screw being sandwiched between the car body and the underbody.  Replacing the couplers requires the disassembly of glued parts.

Jason

[nkalanaga]

I've never tried to take mine apart, so hadn't noticed the coupler screw.  I agree, that isn't the best design.

And, comparing my GN gon to pictures, the two end panels should be a little wider.  The first rib should line up with the body bolster.  On the model, they do, but the truck pin hole is behind the center of the body bolster.  If the rib lined up with the hole, and the center of the truck, it would be about the right width.  It looks almost like the underframe was designed to use MT trucks, with their offset holes, and the trucks were changed to TWX's with the centered hole somewhere along the way.

At least on the GN cars, the other panels all seem to be the same width.

[bbussey]

… Like most (all?) N scale gons, interior details are limited. 

Most, but not all. BLMA’s ACF gondola has inside detail on their fixed ends and floor. The ESM G26 mill gondola and the Prairie Shadows NSC gondola have full prototypical interior detail on the floor, sides and ends.  The Prairie Shadows model in particular is incredibly well done, with tie-down rings molded into the inner side detail.

[oakcreekco]

Thanks for all the input on this model.

I found and ordered a couple of the D&RGW at a good price.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

[Ted Thorson]

I really like the GN car I have.  The only catch was that, on mine at least, the truck pins were glued in place.  I broke them getting the trucks off for painting, but fortunately Trainworx was nice enough to send me replacements.  If I was doing it again, I think I’d try to find a way to paint the trucks without taking them off the model.  I weathered mine for my 1982 era layout, using this picture as a guide: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2472212
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[oakcreekco]

That really looks nice. Great job

[Ed Kapuscinski]

My biggest complaint? I can't find the Conrail ones anywhere.

[GonzoCRFan]

My biggest complaint? I can't find the Conrail ones anywhere.

The PC/CR "G43"s they did are total foobs.  The only ones that would be correct for CR are the ex-Rock and ex-MoPac cars.

[nscalbitz]

Thanks for all the input on this model.
I found and ordered a couple ...

Like all models, you need to complete the details yourself. This means shading and dulling down interiors especially gons...looking at them in hand isn't the way you view them in action.
 I've had these for many years- while I think they're 'optimised' designs they were spot on for D&RGW; run and couple well. Gons used for dirty work stay that way. Other roads they become stands-in  ; but more accurate and superior to a lot of the 'old' competition.
I thonk you wont be disappointed in them, regds d

[jargonlet]

I have one of the conrail ones that I bought from Fifer Hobby back when they had some company doing weathered work for them. Looks great and runs well. Most people that I know wouldn’t realize it’s a foob so I can deal with it. Besides foob or not, it is really nice.

[robertjohndavis]

Bought a couple of RI gons. Would gladly pick up more. I have never had a bad Trainworx experience.

I ran mine for over 30 hours this month at a holiday exhibit and had no issues. Run great. Look great. Fair price.

Rob

[oakcreekco]

Well, the two gons arrived this morning. Again, appreciate all the input, as they are a very nice model, and are running very well.

Within the first hour of running, I was pleased enough to order 3 more different D&RGW Road #'s. With some loads and taming down the wheels, these will be perfect.

My first Train-worx cars and I'm very pleased.

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Again, appreciate all the input