Scale Trains PS 5820's are out

[lock4244]

So these are out but I haven't seen any mention of that here. These are very nice cars, ST has done a really good job with them. Though they do have those boxing glove couplers, they seem to work better than earlier ones on the carbon black cars. Better being a relative term, since they still require 'heavy coupling' speeds to couple. They look good, roll very well (probably amongst the most freely rolling cars I have), and the printing is sharp. I had one with a truck that wouldn't sit flush on the track (inner wheel was a little off the rails), however backing off the screw attaching the truck to the car seems to have eliminated this issue completely. These (and the upcoming Rapido Procor 5820's) fill a big gap in my fleet.

Now if only someone would tackle the LPG tankcars of the 70's and 80's.

[Rivet Miscounter]

Thanks for the heads-up.  I had preordered the Rapido versions but hadn't gotten around to placing the order for the ST's. 

Perfect timing, too, as the bulkhead flats are set to ship this week, and hopefully I can combine the two to save on shipping since I only had preordered two of the flats.  I'm hoping the spartan looking "North Petro" PTLX scheme is good for '89....I imagine it is.

[lock4244]

Thanks for the heads-up.  I had preordered the Rapido versions but hadn't gotten around to placing the order for the ST's. 

Perfect timing, too, as the bulkhead flats are set to ship this week, and hopefully I can combine the two to save on shipping since I only had preordered two of the flats.  I'm hoping the spartan looking "North Petro" PTLX scheme is good for '89....I imagine it is.

ST's North Petro / PTLX cars are NEW 2-72, so I'd say there's a very good chance they're good for 1989... they'd better be since I bought all six for my 1987-89 era. I've seen pics of the blue Norchem cars at CP's Agincourt Yard in 1980, which is close enough for me.

FWIW, I found a pic yesterday of one of the UNPX 'No Logo' cars taken in 1989 (they're NEW 8-88), so those are also acceptable for your era. Up until finding that pic I was convinced they were early 90's cars.

[milw156]

I Seemed to have more trouble uncoupling than uncoupling  but yup, they look nice.

[lock4244]

White PTLX in 2005... you're good.

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=ptlx41164&o=ptlx

[Mark5]

Appreciate the heads up!  Norchem was sold out at ST so I ordered one from Lombard.

I "had to" order a few BLMA trucks to rationalize it as $13.95 shipping for a single N scale freight car  was a bit much. 

Mark

[Rivet Miscounter]

FWIW, I found a pic yesterday of one of the UNPX 'No Logo' cars taken in 1989 (they're NEW 8-88), so those are also acceptable for your era. Up until finding that pic I was convinced they were early 90's cars.

Nice catch, thanks for sharing that.   I have added that single car to my other two on order from Rapido, and (maybe) two of the Spartan PTLX cars from ST.

Decided to hold off on the Norchem car...the five I have ordered are all pretty well confirmed for my era, and a good representative number for these cars at least for now.   While I would almost bet money that a Norchem was still around then, my only evidences so far are a handful of repainted (spartan) cars from the early 90s in that PTLX number series.   While the Norchem scheme is a very attractive paint job, my penchant for spartan gray covered hoppers (and the aforementioned era question) wins out this time.

[lock4244]

Nice catch, thanks for sharing that.   I have added that single car to my other two on order from Rapido, and (maybe) two of the Spartan PTLX cars from ST.

Decided to hold off on the Norchem car...the five I have ordered are all pretty well confirmed for my era, and a good representative number for these cars at least for now.   While I would almost bet money that a Norchem was still around then, my only evidences so far are a handful of repainted (spartan) cars from the early 90s in that PTLX number series.   While the Norchem scheme is a very attractive paint job, my penchant for spartan gray covered hoppers (and the aforementioned era question) wins out this time.

Understandable, the vast majority are plain gray or plain white. The unique, custom schemes seem to have died with the 1970's more or less, and it seems that equipment used to get painted more often prior to the 1990's and the passion for cost cutting, so not a lot of them survived and I think the overall numbers of colorful cars was never great to begin with. Kind wish ST had done more plain schemes, but one assumes they'll be more releases. That said, I've seen a 5701 or 5800 or similar car (or cars) running around with 'KENITE' lettering on the side in the past few years, so a few of these less plain cars survive.

I don't mind a little color, but I've avoided Bakelite cars thus far 

[Mark5]

I grabbed a Norchem for my 1975 era. It's true that most covered hoppers are plain, but 1) I wanted a Norchem represented in my freight roster, and 2) at $36.95 a pop I prefer to fill out the plain representation with less expensive models. 

Hopefully ST made the coupler pockets so that they can easily accomodate less ridiculous couplers.

Mark

[lock4244]

I grabbed a Norchem for my 1975 era. It's true that most covered hoppers are plain, but 1) I wanted a Norchem represented in my freight roster, and 2) at $36.95 a pop I prefer to fill out the plain representation with less expensive models. 

Hopefully ST made the coupler pockets so that they can easily accomodate less ridiculous couplers.

Mark

What's so ridiculous about ST's couplers? 

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[Bendtracker1]

Though they do have those boxing glove couplers, they seem to work better than earlier ones on the carbon black cars. Better being a relative term, since they still require 'heavy coupling' speeds to couple.

 
I wondered too if you would have ram the cars to couple them, but to my surprise, all four that I got seemed to couple with ease to a MTL coupler and slow speed mind you.  Maybe it's fluke, but I hope they got it figured out.
Still not a fan of the size, but if they work, they'll stay put for now.

I had one with a truck that wouldn't sit flush on the track (inner wheel was a little off the rails), however backing off the screw attaching the truck to the car seems to have eliminated this issue completely.

One of mine also showed this problem, the fix was the same as what you stated.

[BruceStikkers]

I just got the Lauhoff one (now Bunge Milling) since I live about 20 miles from their Danville, IL location. Nice car and I have always liked the graphics on them.

Bruce Stikkers
St Joseph, IL