Okay, so I’m looking to model Amtrak’s AutoTrain in HO. I’m actually looking to model the new racks they’re using, not the older ones that they used.
Google search turned up nothing. Any ideas on how to get my hands on them?
I haven’t see anyone offer that style, but really it wouldn’t be too hard to clone them. They’re a choice kitbash. The sides wouldn’t be too hard to fabricate.
There is no model of this car offered in any scale yet.
The real ones are built by Johnstown America (now Freightcar America).
They`re similar to the recnt run that CN got a few years ago.
Yes, CN and CP both have some Johnstown racks.
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cna712950&o=cn
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cp546047&o=cprail
Hey, this is great- and as helpful as it can be I guess. I am also looking to do something like this kitbash, but I doubt I can realistically dedicate the time.
Here is my thread:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/209307/2294996.aspx#2294996
The most helpful thing here is the photo of the CH autoracks. They are at least identical to the new Amtrak units. I am really more interested in the first group of tri-levels that Amtrak used. Walthers makes the bi-levels and with some detailing, they are good enough.
What I would really like to make is this guy>
Those are interesting, & would enjoy a couple too.
Has anyone asked Plano in TX about making car sides?
I have their sets on one Walthers BiLevel & another to Mill/Cut Up to convert.
With enough requests they may be able to be convinced to make a Conversion/Scratchbuilders set?
Trying to think outside the box, or catalog… ha hah
The photo looks a lot like the articulated cars. Could the Genesis version be a starting point?
I think we would wind up with a mess cutting up that articulated autorack. I agree it is close, but it still isn’t the same. A custom side panel piece would be required. The perforation makes it just about impossible without real serious prototyping equipment to make the plastic from a CAD file.
We could hound Walthers or Horizon/Athearn about it. It isn’t just Amtrak that uses these racks, so because they are also used in freight schemes, we could make an argument for making a model.
Unfortunately for me, I really want the older racks. They are even more strange.