Atlas N Scale Plug Door Boxcar - Rollability

[nkalanaga]

Dwight:  Most "cushion underframes" have all or part of the center sill, with the draft gear, able to slide.  It's attached to the rest of the underframe with either springs or hydraulic "shock absorbers", in principle not unlike the suspension on an auto.  When the car is coupled to, or moved abruptly, instead of the draft gear transmitting the shock directly to the car, and load, the center sill moves, and the cushioning system absorbs the shock.  It is then transmitted to the rest of the car gradually, reducing the chance of load damage.

Since the couplers have to be able to move relative to the car, they stick out further than usual, to allow them to move in without the two cars hitting each other.

[Dwight in Toronto]

nkalanaga - thanks for the explanation … much appreciated!

Sounds like that is precisely what those optional/replacement parts are for then. 

Atlas goes to the trouble of including extra parts - I suppose the addition of a small slip of paper with an explanatory note is just that one extra step too far.  You really gotta wonder sometimes.

[peteski]

Sounds like that is precisely what those optional/replacement parts are for then. 

Atlas goes to the trouble of including extra parts - I suppose the addition of a small slip of paper with an explanatory note is just that one extra step too far.  You really gotta wonder sometimes.

Yes, ineptitude and lack of logical  thinking or forethought in general is rampant nowadays.  The older I get, the more of this I see.  Then there is cutting cost. Printed note costs money. 

[nkalanaga]

They probably assumed that people modeling that period would know what they were for!  That's what one gets for assuming.  Yes, a note would have been a good idea.

I like to add the extended draft gear when possible, so recognized the likely purpose.  Modelers not familiar with the prototype might not, because they wouldn't realize the car should have them.

[Dwight in Toronto]

Modelers not familiar with the prototype might not, because they wouldn't realize the car should have them.

Yeah, exactly … modelers like me! 

I bought those 3 box Atlas cars only because I’ve been on an Ontario Northland kick since the start of 2023, and ‘things ONR’ with nice detailing can be hard to find. 

It was Craigolio’s Polar Bear Express build, here on TRW, that got me enamoured with ONR, and I’ve been corresponding with him from time to time.  In fact, I am presently in the throes of constructing the canoe car, which is giving me an even deeper appreciation for the magnificent job that Craig pulled off when he ended up modeling the entire train!  His work inspires me.

[Dwight in Toronto]

Fwiw - at the outset of this discussion, I mentioned that I had sent an email message to Atlas asking about the small parts bag.  I received a reply at the 1 week mark:
*********
Hello.
                 Coupler boxes. they are optional parts that allow the customer to choose between the standard coupler box length and the longer cushion style.
 
Steve
 
Steve Millenbach
Customer Service Manager
Atlas Model Railroad Co
908-687-0880 Ext 7147
**********

Interestingly, the reply included two preceding emails that indicated how my query bounced around before finding Mr. Millenbach, who confirmed what nkalanaga had explained back on November 3rd.