Anyone have any ideas of dates on when these wreck trains were likely to be seen/used?
The steam crane was around from around WWI on up until at least the late 60's/early 70's and probably later on some roads. I think they were built at least thru the late 20's. The boxcars and derrick cars survived...well, until they literally fell apart. Starting in the early 50's railroads started replaceing some of the wooden crew cars with more "modern" steel boxcars, converted troop sleepers, HW passenger cars and so forth.
Since this is a steam train, you would at the very least want to add a hopper or gon for coal and of course ypou need water. One of the Bachmann steam tenders would be excellent. You might want to adda n old HW Diner or baggage car too.
I'm getting a C&O off the next run. Would look good with the MTL C&O ex-Troop sleeper camp cars.
