1970s Trailers

[mkearns]

I mentioned elsewhere that I'm on the search for vaguely 1970s-ish vehicles for a TTRAK side project that exists outside of my main modeling era. My local hobby shop had an Atlas Ford 9000 truck, it fit the vibe I'm going for, so I got it. Now I need to figure out what trailer to pull behind it. I'm aiming for something plausible without breaking the bank or spending a ton.

I scoured the Railwire archives. I quickly got bogged down in discussions of TOFC and the details of individual models: flex vans, drop sill, side doors, etc. I've gathered enough to suggest that 40' is my size cutoff.

I'm asking for a way zoomed out perspective and opinions on the following questions, so I don't make any big mistakes and waste $20-30:

Which N-scale 40' trailers best fit "generic 70s"? I've gathered that Trainworx is top of the line, but they can be of limited selection and more expensive than Atlas, Athearn, or Micro Trains. Are there any trailers I should stay away from?

Would a "railroad" branded trailer be cruising the backroads of West Virginia? I'm leaning toward just a generic, undecorated trailer. If I go for an undec, would I paint the model white or silver? 

I assume I would just glue it to the hitch of the Atlas Ford 9000? Probably have to shorten the front legs?

[jagged ben]

The Athearn are just as good a model as the Trainworx.   MT is a bit less so but still good, and the Atlas 40ft and Con-Cor are rather toy-like by comparison. 

I don't know what trucking companies were roaming WV backwoods in the 70s but Athearn did do some non-railroad names such as Roadway.  Railroad branded trailers, I'm guessing, would not have been as common.

For the 70s silver seems to have been much more common than white.

The Athearn and Trainworx trailers usually come with parts for raised and lowered front legs.

[mkearns]

Thanks for your insights.

[OldEastRR]

Also depends on where you put the model. Out alone on a highway right up front on the layout a well-detailed trailer would be the thing. If the vehicle is on a road near the back, partly behind a building, or in heavy traffic, the Atlas or ConCor plain ones are a good choice.

[randgust]

This is 1963, but a classic:

https://www.wvncrails.org/uploads/5/8/1/4/5814082/100594779-622538198355100-7896151520901595136-n_orig.jpg

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1289703

It's a DIY project, but if it were me, I'd go for it - it certainly establishes era, here's the decals:
https://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=d32480db196b2538d9013054c2d789f4&Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MD&Product_Code=87-295&Category_Code=BO

[mkearns]

Thanks Randgust. I’ve thought about those. Atlas offers one with a B&O flatcar. But I think that might fix me in time and place more than I want. I respect the prototype modelers but I’m looking for a more “generic” Appalachia vibe with my first TTRAK experience. Who knows what will trundle across my module.

[wm3798]

If you want trailers from the 70s,


You gotta get a trailer from the 70s!

Lee

[cec209]

@mkearns
Interesting you should ask today. I just went through my stash of tractors, trailers and containers this morning. The eras cover from the mid 60's to present. If you have an idea of what you want I'm sure for the price of shipping we can get you fixed-up. PM me and I can sent you some pics of what might meet your needs.
Charlie

[nkalanaga]

There were many owner-operators in the 70s, and they could pull almost anything, from plain "unbranded" trailers to company trailers, and a railroad-owned trailer wouldn't be surprising. 

If all you want is the tractor-trailer I'd probably go with the plain one, simply because it's easier, and will fit anywhere.

But a railroad-owned trailer wouldn't be surprising, especially along a railroad.  Back then most trailers were "circus loaded", and could be unloaded at any station with a ramp.  Those trailers could be seen miles from the ramp, and usually had to go back when empty.  If you have room you can put a ramp at the end of a stub siding.  Get a bunch of old ties, build a retaining wall across the track end, two tapered side walls, and fill it with dirt!  Just make sure that any flatcar unloaded there has bridge plates, and there should be at least one extra on the ramp, since most flats only had one on each end.