MICRO-TRAINS/NSC/NSE NASA ROCKET BOOSTER CARS

[Philip H]

I think I may get rich if I want to list all of my version of them!!

Those deserve a build thread.  Or at least a PM to me telling me how much for the housings.  I need a train of these to divert from Michoud through Baton Rouge periodically.

[48Fan]

I know how NSE could have saved some money on the project.... Only include 1 brakewheel stand like on the prototype. The cars didnt have the one on the same end as the forward decal!




Just sayin... They look good though.

[ArtinCA]

Those deserve a build thread.  Or at least a PM to me telling me how much for the housings.  I need a train of these to divert from Michoud through Baton Rouge periodically.

Hmmm.. I think you might hit a snag there.. The booster cars come from Utah if I remember correctly. Michoud makes the tanks and those are barged in. I worked for a company that made fasteners for them. What a joy to deal with!  :

[RockGp40]

Did these railcars go to the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi by any chance? I remember taking a tour there about 10 years ago but I don't recall seeing railroad tracks in the compound.

[Philip H]

Stennis has tracks, but these went straight to Kennedy once loaded for assembly. 

[48Fan]

All my research says the same thing but they made a VERY long trip across the country, so they could show up in places randomly maybe.

[Philip H]

ok, now I have to do at least one:

http://www.trainweb.org/mopac/kcs710032.jpg

[Denver Road Doug]

All my research says the same thing but they made a VERY long trip across the country, so they could show up in places randomly maybe.

I have been trying to research if these might have ever been routed on a more southernly route through Texas via the ex-C&S/FW&D line, but nothing so far.   I would think it might have been either early on, or during the UP meltdown in the late 90's.

When were these cars first put into service?

[ArtinCA]

Try this..

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/pr/article/Short-lines-NASA-Railroad39s-future-in-question--25734

Interesting reading. Looks like NASA's railroad may go the way of the Dodo or shuttle..

BTW, Green Frog I think did a video on the NASA railroad years ago, including loading the booster cars.

[christoph]

There is a video about the NASA railroad in the NASA Video Gallery
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/

Go there and search for "NASA Railroad".

It is a rather recent video and addresses some of the points mentioned here.  You can even download the video  

[Philip H]

There is a video about the NASA railroad in the NASA Video Gallery
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/

Go there and search for "NASA Railroad".

It is a rather recent video and addresses some of the points mentioned here.  You can even download the video 

Yep, and if you watch to 00:57, you'll see the reason I got into this whole trains mess if the first place - my Uncle Dave, who is both a retired railroad professional, and an EBT HOn3 modeler.

On another note, does anyone know if there are drawings of the car published anywhere?  Google is not, so, far, my friend in that quest.

[48Fan]

I never found any drawings either. I based my dimensions off the door in the ends. The NSE cars look like my first attempt, to tall. I will see if I can dig up my drawing and get the dimensions.

[Day One]

I thought I remembered reading something about these cars before.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4768982.html

[TrainCat2]

Overland did an HO model of the car a while back. I offered to purchase the drawings from Brian Marsh a few months ago and he said he is not through with that model as he had some more projects before retiring the plans. A phone call to the UP Museum for a copy of the plans also came up empty.

The OMI Booster Car is very rare on eBay and usually commands around $600 per car. At least it is not as bad as the DC-10 Wing Gondola. That car comes up 2-3 times a year and never sells for less than $900 w/o the Idler Flat.

[pnolan48]

I expect the booster segment cars will be around for a few more decades. Some of the future heavy lift vehicles, IIRC, will use seven-segment boosters, where the Shuttle used five-segment boosters. The O-ring failure in 1986 was certainly catastrophic, but haven't these boosters otherwise performed well? I think there have been cancellations, but they will be back.