BLI NYC USRA All-steel Box Car in N Scale

[bbussey]

I picked up a Dreadnaught post-`55 NYC and the B&A four-pack of which I've kept the first car and dispersed the remaining three.  The printing is crisp and first-rate, and all the fine print is legible.  The paint is thin and even and a good finish.  There are notable differences on the B-end of the Dreadnaught and corrugated models.  The ladders, retaining value and line, and brakewheel platform mounts are different on the two variants.  The brakewheel, roofwalk, doors and underbody detail is common between the two variants.  The stirrups are more fine than the roofwalk.

I blue-taped my doors shut from the inside.  I did notice there was some resistance in rolling, even after swapping in FVMs.  I hadn't noticed it is caused by the axles rubbing against the coupler box.  I'll rectify that tomorrow.  The model adds to the variety of the boxcar fleet, and is distinct enough to have subtle yet noticeable differences with the USRA/X29 and the USRA rebuilt models.  Even with the plastic roofwalk, this is the second-best BLI freight model (behind the N&W hopper).

One note on the BLI couplers — they appear to be a little stiffer than on earlier models, and they take a little force to couple with each other.  Also, they don't play nice at all with the current version of MTL 1015s, due to that extra-fat bump on the MTL knuckle (which I believe @peteski has stated makes it more difficult even for MTL/MTL automatic uncoupling).  MTL/BLI stayed coupled once coupled, but it's difficult to get them to couple simply using a locomotive.

[Dave V]

@Chris333

Those look pretty nice!  I might need one.  In spite of the rivalry there was no shortage of NYC cars on the Pennsy.

[Chris333]

I'm guessing that's you Dave? 

[Cajonpassfan]

Doctor Hotballs ? Really? 

[peteski]

One note on the BLI couplers — they appear to be a little stiffer than on earlier models, and they take a little force to couple with each other.  Also, they don't play nice at all with the current version of MTL 1015s, due to that extra-fat bump on the MTL knuckle (which I believe @peteski has stated makes it more difficult even for MTL/MTL automatic uncoupling).  MTL/BLI stayed coupled once coupled, but it's difficult to get them to couple simply using a locomotive.

Not me. I think it might have been John Sing.

[reinhardtjh]

Pics.    I put in FVM wheels. Even before that the axles were rubbing the coupler box. The couplers were a bit low (maybe why they were bent up?) so I added a .010" grey Kadee washer to raise the car up a bit. It is a lowrider and still is, but now no axle rub. Last one is with an Atlas PS-1.

*snip*

Do the Atlas PS-1's ride too high or were they that way in the prototype as well?

[bbussey]

The prototype rides (rode) high.

And these BLI cars are really low.  Could be prototypical, and they do match up with the Atlas USRA rebuilts regarding floor height.  But the .010" washers to get the coupler pockets off the axles probably helps the visuals also.  The body height is less than the Atlas USRA, a good foot at least.

[Chris333]

With an Atlas USRA box

[bbussey]

They are lower than I realized. They could stand to have a shim or two inserted to get it even with the Atlas cars, which are spot-on regarding floor height.

[Dave V]

An N scale car that's too low?

What a wonderous age to live in...!   

[Chris333]

Yeah maybe a .015" shim is better. The photos I posted already had the .010" shim.

[Iain]

Those do look decent.  I have zero NYC stuff, so this may be a good excuse.  I wouldn't need four, though.

Did any other roads own these cars?

[bbussey]

Only NYC and its affiliates.

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, my wife texted me earlier today that I got a belated shipment of three packages from Santa.... She was right
Turned to be an Atlas PS1, two of the NYC BLI boxcars, and a BLI B&A car (thanks for splitting the pack Bryan, truly appreciated!)

The BLI cars are beautiful, but I must concur with some of the other posts...the axles rub and the cars ride almost (sacrilege!) too low...they kind of feel like narrow gauge cars see pics below.

But before I knock the ride height and fix it, does anyone know the actual prototype height to the running board? I do like the contrast with more modern cars, like the PS1...see pic.

Otto K.

[Chris333]

My B&A car arrived today as well. Thanks Bryan!