New Run of PC&F Insulated Boxcars from WofT

[sirenwerks]

Landis Door cars:
http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/spcars/byclass/box/b070-44.htm

Only the latter two Evergreen examples listed on this site actually have the Landis door - #3315 and 3550.

[wcfn100]

Anyone know what's special or different about the 'SK' GN cars?


Jason

[nkalanaga]

Only the "DFB" stenciling, as far as I can find.  The SK versions have an "SK", in smaller letters, under the "DFB".  I assume there is a difference inside, but looking at pictures, that's all I can find.

I told Chuck that either one would work for me, although I ordered one without the SK.

[wcfn100]

Only the "DFB" stenciling, as far as I can find.  The SK versions have an "SK", in smaller letters, under the "DFB".

Okay, that's what had to assume  but I've only seen 'SF' markings never 'SK'.  I'll have to keep my eyes open for a picture of this and maybe ask the MFCL what SK stood for.

Jason

[nkalanaga]

Found it!  From the GNRHS Reference Sheet 372, December 2011, by Staffan Ehnbom, a reproduction of the GN's official equipment diagram for cars 200000 to 200074:

"Cars 200000 to 200024 have side wall fillers diagonally opposite 1/4 panels."
"Cars 200000 to 200004, 200015 to 200019, 200025 to 200030 equipped with pallets."

Since 200027 has just the "DFB", no "SK", the "SK" apparently refers to the "side wall fillers", whatever they may be.  All had Evans one-piece steel load dividers, while the first 25 had Evans side wall fillers.

The next series, 200075 to 200079, also had side wall fillers, but had "DFB SF", which makes more sense.  It appears that the WOT "SK" should be an "SF", as I doubt that this car was restenciled before being photographed in 1990.

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=gn200017&o=gn

So, we have two questionable features on the GN cars.  They should have roofwalks if as-built, and definitely should have high brakewheels, and the "SK" should be an "SF".  Hopefully WOT can correct the lettering, but the ladders and brakewheels would require new tooling.  For what it's worth, the reference sheet has a picture of the Athearn HO model of the same cars, and they also used the incorrect modern low brakewheel and short ladders.

[wcfn100]

  It appears that the WOT "SK" should be an "SF"

That's what it feels like but without knowing what the SK refers to, there's really no way to know what's what.

I contacted WOT and they didn't know exactly what is was except to say it had to do with the Evans DF equipment.  I replied with a subtle suggestion that maybe SK might be SF with an attached photo but haven't gotten a reply yet.  Even if it's a typo, I have to imagine the cars will be decorated correctly to the prototype, I'm actually more curious if there is an SK and what it might mean.


Jason

[sirenwerks]

I'm hoping for the high brakewheel and roofwalk, but not holding my breath.

[wcfn100]

I just heard back from WOT, the 'SK' is just a typo on the flyer for the 'SF' cars.

Jason

[nkalanaga]

Sirenwerks:  I'm with you, hoping but not holding my breath.  They're nice cars in any case, but getting the ladders and brakewheel right would be even nicer.  For me, in 1974, the roofwalk is optional, and would require a new roof, probably not worth the effort.  But I wouldn't be surprised if the ends with high brakewheels could be used for other models in the future.  I wonder if the GN was the only purchaser of these cars to get the roofwalk?  Maybe the first to order, just before they were eliminated?

Jason:  That's good to know.  As long as the model is correct the ad copy doesn't really matter.  It just gets people asking questions.

[sirenwerks]

Sirenwerks:  I'm with you, hoping but not holding my breath.  They're nice cars in any case, but getting the ladders and brakewheel right would be even nicer.  For me, in 1974, the roofwalk is optional, and would require a new roof, probably not worth the effort.  But I wouldn't be surprised if the ends with high brakewheels could be used for other models in the future.  I wonder if the GN was the only purchaser of these cars to get the roofwalk?  Maybe the first to order, just before they were eliminated?

This is one reason I advocate for separate ladders and relocatable brake rigging on models that would be caught in the transition.  No remolding required, just two different ladder catsings/etchings.  As for the roof, why a new one.  An etched walkdoesn't require mounting pins.

[nkalanaga]

No. but the prototype roofwalk has mounting brackets on each rib.  Those have to be added, or the roofwalk won't look quite right.  If I did it, I could use bits of styrene strip, as I did on my NP boxcar.  For a commercial model, it would be easier to make a new roof than to hire someone to glue all of those little bits on.