Bachmann 52'-6" gondolas have arrived

[thomasjmdavis]

Or, I’ll redeco as Erie or DL&W, whichever road had them (since EL inherited them).

There never can be too many prototypical N scale 52’ gondola models. This would make three (BLMA and Prairie Shadows being the other two).

Erie.  Assuming it is indeed a Greenville.  Protocraft had a nice article relating to their O scale model, produced in specific variants for the roads that had them:
https://www.protocraft.com/category.cfm?Categoryid=49

[bbussey]

Trainworx?

I forgot about the Trainworx models.  Yes, I count them although I don't own any.

Erie.  Assuming it is indeed a Greenville.  Protocraft had a nice article relating to their O scale model, produced in specific variants for the roads that had them:
https://www.protocraft.com/category.cfm?Categoryid=49

Agreed.  They have a nice Erie photo in that article as well.  That's probably what I will redecorate the Bachmann model into.

[Chris333]

https://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/erie10325ab.jpg
1941 font in the diamond. A few months later:
https://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/erie10575adb.jpg


https://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/gon.html

[bbussey]

FYI, while the prototype is correct for NYC, Bachmann used the wrong number series.  NYC 712500-712999, built in 1949, is correct for the wood-plank floor variation.  It is quite possible that the Gothic repaint scheme is accurate for some of the numbers, as it was for the P&LE cars.  The NYC car# Bachmann used does not appear to belong to any number series used on the prototype regardless of floor type.

Good news regarding NYC in general, but I'm still repainting into the Erie 10575-10824 series, which allows me to keep the Ajax brakewheel.  While all of the Erie series had wood floors, all other series had ratchet hand brakes.

[thomasjmdavis]

Good news regarding NYC in general, but I'm still repainting into the Erie 10575-10824 series, which allows me to keep the Ajax brakewheel.  While all of the Erie series had wood floors, all other series had ratchet hand brakes.

Thanks for the info on the Erie numbers. I may be repainting one or 2 myself, and this is helpful. It will be my first Bachmann freight car purchase in a very long time (4 or 5 decades?).

[bbussey]

Thanks for the info on the Erie numbers. I may be repainting one or 2 myself, and this is helpful. It will be my first Bachmann freight car purchase in a very long time (4 or 5 decades?).

They have been releasing some decent freight tooling in recent years, even if the deco schemes are suspect.  The single dome tank, northeastern caboose and USRA twin hopper are all top-notch.  This model looks like a winner also.

[squirrelhunter]

They have been releasing some decent freight tooling in recent years, even if the deco schemes are suspect.  The single dome tank, northeastern caboose and USRA twin hopper are all top-notch.  This model looks like a winner also.

The new triple dome tanks are good too!

[Point353]

FYI, while the prototype is correct for NYC, Bachmann used the wrong number series.  NYC 712500-712999, built in 1949, is correct for the wood-plank floor variation.  It is quite possible that the Gothic repaint scheme is accurate for some of the numbers, as it was for the P&LE cars.  The NYC car# Bachmann used does not appear to belong to any number series used on the prototype regardless of floor type.

The canadasouthern website indicates that certain cars assigned to "special service" were renumbered in the range of 501800-501899.
Original 1930 roadnumbers were 300500-300999; later 706500-706999; eventually 705500-705999, starting in 1952, when they were equipped with steel floors.
See lot #592-G: https://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/NYC-MODELS-FREIGHT2.htm

[sizemore]

They look pretty good! My only concern is that the truck bolsters are proprietary, and .563" wheelsets are limited to Scaletrains at this time (to my knowledge). Given the cost of the car, makes it real hard to buy more than a one or two and then change wheels/trucks to bring this up to snuff.

The S.

[thomasjmdavis]

The canadasouthern website indicates that certain cars assigned to "special service" were renumbered in the range of 501800-501899.
Original 1930 roadnumbers were 300500-300999; later 706500-706999; eventually 705500-705999, starting in 1952, when they were equipped with steel floors.
See lot #592-G: https://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/NYC-MODELS-FREIGHT2.htm

I think this is getting a bit confusing.  The 1930 gondolas (300500 series) were a different prototype (14 instead of 15 panels, and lacking the wider center panel) than the Greenville gondola - and are listed at 50', not 52'6".  The Greenville (of more accurately, the A.M.C. Design) gondola did not appear on the NYC until the late 1940s. The first series I could find was built for P&LE in 1945 (2000-2999) and there were similar cars that are referred to as "high side" gondolas, that have the same basic appearance, just some inches taller- and without a model to measure, I couldn't say for sure which it is.
Numerous gondolas of various descriptions were renumbered when assigned to special service. My guess would be that out there somewhere is a photo or diagram to justify Bachmann's choice of number for their NYC version (with a relatively late paint scheme). Given it is out of my era, I will leave it to those interested to try to scare up a photo.

[prr7161]

The Greenville (of more accurately, the A.M.C. Design) gondola did not appear on the NYC until the late 1940s.

Correct - the earliest lot on the system was P&LE 740-G, built 1945.  Anything with a lower lot number is not a Greenville. At the other end, the last P&LE Greenville lot was 878-G from 1957, so that brackets the dates.

The earliest all-steel 52'-6" fishbelly cars were P&LE Lot 689-G/NYC 702-G, built 1940-41.  These are 14-panel cars, however, and will require some work to model, although this Bachmann car is a good basis for them.

The 592-G and 593-G cars, as noted, are 50 footers and could be worked up from the Microtrains cars.  Bachmann pulled the road number for their model from this group but it is misassigned.

[Point353]

I think this is getting a bit confusing.  The 1930 gondolas (300500 series) were a different prototype (14 instead of 15 panels, and lacking the wider center panel) than the Greenville gondola - and are listed at 50', not 52'6".  The Greenville (of more accurately, the A.M.C. Design) gondola did not appear on the NYC until the late 1940s. The first series I could find was built for P&LE in 1945 (2000-2999) and there were similar cars that are referred to as "high side" gondolas, that have the same basic appearance, just some inches taller- and without a model to measure, I couldn't say for sure which it is.
Numerous gondolas of various descriptions were renumbered when assigned to special service. My guess would be that out there somewhere is a photo or diagram to justify Bachmann's choice of number for their NYC version (with a relatively late paint scheme). Given it is out of my era, I will leave it to those interested to try to scare up a photo.

https://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/gondola.htm

[bbussey]

My NYC arrived today, which is being stripped and repainted as Erie.  Nicely-done model.  I thought I might have to upgrade the Ajax brakewheel to MTL but it is comparable.  The weight is only about 1" x ½" in the center of a 2" x ¾" cavity in the top of the floor.  It's cemented in pretty well and will take some effort to remove, but there definitely is enough room to add a brass slab and get it closer to NMRA specs.  As Angela noted, the truck detail is the only sub-standard aspect of the model and the trucks definitely are getting changed on mine.  But the model overall is a positive effort and a nice addition.

[bbussey]

Progress report on the gondola modifications:  I swapped in Atlas 70-ton friction bearing trucks with ESM wheelsets. The bolster height is the same as on the Bachmann trucks. I removed the extra retaining valve and line after stripping the paint. I followed Angela’s suggestion regarding the coupler boxes and removed them. I installed MTL 1015 knuckles in 2004 boxes to get the correct height. After an airbrushed coat of black lacquer, one side has decals applied, along with both drop ends. I couldn’t remove the existing weight without risking damage to the plastic floor, so I filled the remaining cavity with tungsten rods. The model still is underweight but it’s much better than it was. Hoping to finish decals sometime tomorrow and then clear-coat and weather on Monday.

[bbussey]

All done. It’s a very nice model with just a little bit of work.