Here are the rules. I’ll post pictures, and answer your questions with “I don’t know” in hopes of getting something that sounds like make and model.
Or something like that. Any ideas on this one in HO?
Its a Frateschi brand!
Does it say made in brazil on the bottom?
Yes sir, it does. And that’s all it says. My first thought was Rivarossi, but those say Rivarossi on them. And it’s not Trainlne.
EDIT: Yep, it is a Frathouse, or whatever you said.(or one that was picked up if they stopped making it) I found it on Google pretty quickly with a name. Which just begs the question, what it is. looks like a Budd car, now to find who ran them.
I believe its a Budd export design, similar to the Silverliner design.
model power
Made by Fratesci for Model Power. HO streamlined Blunt-End observation car. This is a “72ft shorty”. If I’m not mistaken, Model Power had these produced during the late 80s-early 90s. My wife’s cousin has a set of the Amtrak units, including this observation car. I remember seeing them in hobby shops. They were popular since they came with interiors and had “decent” underbody detailing and, imho, a great alternative to the Athearn streamlined “shorties” which were much more generic in appearance. The ones in the SP Daylight scheme looked sharp.
Ironically, this observation car is a “teaser” interest to a number of us that model railroads with passenger trains that ran with blunt-end Budd observation cars (ACL, FEC, Pennsy, C&O, SP). Walthers and Rivorossi never produced a streamlined Budd “Blunt-ender”. So modelers look for this car to chop off the rear end and splice it on to an 85ft. lounge or taverm car, which does entail quite a bit of work.
Prototypes:
Pennsy: http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/prr7128.jpg
Atlantic Coast Line: http://www.jefflubchanskycpa.com/ACL254MIAMI-JA19-4-044-34.jpg
Read the second entry, game over!
Actually, your both right. Since I’ve never been out of the country, I likely picked it up at a train shpow from a model power collection, not a Fratchesi collection, though they made and imported it.
Your right, it’s adecent car. Not sure what I’ll do with it, but I’ll do somethign with it.
Flashwave,
This car has potential.
Suggestion:
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Take it apart, remove the one-piece interior and paint it. Amtrak used a medium blue color for coach seats in the early years then switched to a reddish brown in 1980-81.
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Weather the underbody and trucks. As recommended by a friend of mine, I airbrush an “extra thin” mixture of engine black and reefer white. Gives a nice realistic effect.
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(Now you knew you were going to get this from me [;)]) Consider metalizing her with Alclad! You’ll have a serious attention getter. [C):-)][tup]
I was considering the interior anywy, But I haven’t a lot of MAtrak trains running around the moment. I am partially through a model of the Cardinal, but hat’s with a Viewliner at the end, not the Observaon in my hand. Could keep it in Museum service as Amtrak, bur I don’t see many Amtrak Private Varnish.
2&3 would work if I had an airbrush and more than a casual intrest in such a thing. My experiences with the devices have not been plesent. It might also help if I had trucks for the thing… [:-^]
And, shortly before you posted the first time, after determing the maker, I found the pic of the car at CGRM, and figured you might pop in. We know you too well!
“And, shortly before you posted the first time, after determing the maker, I found the pic of the car at CGRM, and figured you might pop in. We know you too well!”
Drat it! Caught me again! [banghead]
OK, how about this alternative for the modern day. RJ Corman uses one of these cars on their dinner trains and their yearly Kentucky Derby special. On this YouTube clip it’s the 5th car on the train. You’ll spot that blunt end instantly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN-00uOMd4Y On your road, you can feasibly say that you’re leasing the car for your inspection/business train or to sponsor an “Operation LIfesaver” special. [;)]
Re: Alclad. It is available in spray cans! With a steady hand you’ll still get excellent results
Trucks: Try the Train Station Products trucks. They have 3 mounting holes, as Arjay, pointed out on another thread.
I know it seems strange that I’m making a big deal about this car. But remember, there aren’t too many of these floating around. I’ve checked ebay quite a bit over the past 2 years looking for one and I recall seeing only three show up. You’ve got something special…so why not spruce her up? [4:-)][tup]