New Bachmann 40' reefer: PFE R-40-21?

[Cajonpassfan]

Anyone measured the IH of one of these "oversized" Con-Cor reefers?

GN did had some double-sheathed boxcars that were basically 1937 AAR boxcars but for the wood sides:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/gn/gn49126rsa.jpg

Depending on the IH of the Con-Cor reefer, it may be possible to combine car sides from the Con-Cor reefer with the 6' sliding doors, 4/5 ends, and Murphy panel roof from an IMRC 1937 AAR kit to build these GN cars...

Well, yes, and the Concor cars are 10'3" wide over the eaves, wider than the IM cars and ends, in addition to being quite tall, see pic below compared to its contemporary, a relatively modern steel side R-40-23.

But back to my original question: does anyone here have (or have seen) the "new" Bachmann 40' wood side reefer??
In any scheme? I could buy one on line, but I'm reluctant to shell out over $30 for a sight unseen model by Bachmann.
Or anyone visiting a hobby shop mind taking a look?

Oh, and a Happy New Year 2017 everyone!
Thanks, Otto

[cjm413]

If you're going to that much trouble, it would be almost as easy, and much cheaper, to make new sides from scribed styrene.  I did that for my one car, and it worked very nicely.

If someone already has a Con-Cor reefer to get rid of, the sides have already been paid for

[nkalanaga]

True, if you have the reefer, it would be cheaper that way. 

[cjm413]

Well, yes, and the Concor cars are 10'3" wide over the eaves, wider than the IM cars and ends, in addition to being quite tall, see pic below compared to its contemporary, a relatively modern steel side R-40-23.

But back to my original question: does anyone here have (or have seen) the "new" Bachmann 40' wood side reefer??
In any scheme? I could buy one on line, but I'm reluctant to shell out over $30 for a sight unseen model by Bachmann.
Or anyone visiting a hobby shop mind taking a look?

Oh, and a Happy New Year 2017 everyone!
Thanks, Otto

Over $30 for MSRP or an actual price from an online vendor?

Even if this is a brand new car vs a revised version of their old reefer, I paid less than $20 for one of Bachmann's brand new ACF tank cars.

[Mark5]

But back to my original question: does anyone here have (or have seen) the "new" Bachmann 40' wood side reefer??
In any scheme? I could buy one on line, but I'm reluctant to shell out over $30 for a sight unseen model by Bachmann.
Or anyone visiting a hobby shop mind taking a look?

Otto, resist buying!

The 2016 NMRA Announcement lists these as "new and existing tooling":

http://resources.bachmanntrains.com/nmra2016_brochure

They are not out yet at the moment ("Shipping November 2016") - but the likely scenario is that they just added body mount couplers.

I'm guessing we'll see them in stores this month.

Mark

[cjm413]

True, if you have the reefer, it would be cheaper that way.

Also, the IMRC model does not have a separate floor to reuse for a model of a GN boxcar.

[Cajonpassfan]

Otto, resist buying!

The 2016 NMRA Announcement lists these as "new and existing tooling":

http://resources.bachmanntrains.com/nmra2016_brochure

They are not out yet at the moment ("Shipping November 2016") - but the likely scenario is that they just added body mount couplers.

I'm guessing we'll see them in stores this month.

Mark

Thanks Mark, I'm in no hurry, good advice. Since I saw them listed with online retailers, I thought they were out already. That does explain why no one has seen any. I do hope they make an acceptable PFE R-40-21 rebuilt car, we need them to mix in with other PFE reefers for a more prototypical variety. Time will tell.
Otto K.

[Cajonpassfan]

Over $30 for MSRP or an actual price from an online vendor?

Even if this is a brand new car vs a revised version of their old reefer, I paid less than $20 for one of Bachmann's brand new ACF tank cars.

Well, welcome to the new world of Bachman. $37 MSRP, street price around $24 to $26 I guess, plus shipping?
If the car is crappy, the price will be moot.
Otto

[cjm413]

Thanks Mark, I'm in no hurry, good advice. Since I saw them listed with online retailers, I thought they were out already. That does explain why no one has seen any. I do hope they make an acceptable PFE R-40-21 rebuilt car, we need them to mix in with other PFE reefers for a more prototypical variety. Time will tell.
Otto K.

If it's any consolation, it appears the new Bachmann HO model has at least one mistake...

If my recollection is correct, the R-40-21 had "blank" roof panels next to the ice hatches...just like the Precision Masters/Red Caboose model:

http://www.spookshow.net/freight/rc40woodreefer.html

However, I can't make out the ends on the photo of the PM/RC model to see if they are correct for the R-40-21.  The Bachmann HO model does appear to have the appropriate 4/4 ends.

Two more issues with the Bachmann HO (as a R-40-21):

R-40-21 had steel roofwalks.  It appears Bachmann used wood roofwalks, which would be appropriate for earlier classes such as the -18.

R-40-21 had Preco fans that are missing on the Bachmann model.   However, these would not be appropriate for the -18 or -19.

Dick Harley's PFE modeling clinic could be found here:

https://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFEModels/PFE-Modeling-Clinics/2016-What-more-/

[Cajonpassfan]

Yes, like this:

[Cajonpassfan]

....and the Bachmann HO car seems to have the Preco "fans" represented by paint blobs, in the wrong place. Oh well I'm sue they fixed it for the N scale car
Thanks for the Dick Harley link...he's incredibly knowledgeable.
Otto K.

[central.vermont]

Otto,
Those cars Randy shows listed on EBay are wood sided. I have all three of them and can give you any info you need on these cars by PM.




Hope this helps.
Jon

[sd45elect2000]

Thanks Jon,

I have these cars but I take really crappy pictures, well done.

Rand

[Cajonpassfan]

Thank you Jon, those pics are great. I wish whoever owns them now would reissue them, and the plug door cars, with corrections and more up to date wheels, trucks, couplers and running boards....
Otto K.

[nkalanaga]

CJM413:  No, IM doesn't have a separate floor, but that didn't bother me.  I glued the roof on, then cut the sides off, saving the top rivet strip.  IM does have separate ends, and "sub-end" cast to the floor, so all I had to do was match the side length to the floor/sub-end length, and glue the outer ends on.

I imagine the two methods are about the same amount of work, and would largely depend on what kind of work the builder wants to do, and the resources available.