[?]I’m Planning To Model The 1959-60 Era In HO.Anyway,Three Questions I Gotta Ask Of My Fellow Forum Readers:#1:When Did The Auto Rack Car Come Into Operation?I’ve Seen Accurail’s Web Site And They Show Auto Racks in CGW and Wabash Paint Schemes.The Wabash Became Part Of N&W In 1964 and CGW Became Part Of C&NW In 1968,So I Know They’d Be Suitable For 1964 and 68 Respectfully,But What About The '59-60 Era?#2:When Did Covered Gondolas Come Into Operation?#3:Would InterMountain’s 60’Flat Car Serve As A Suitable TOFC Flat Car For That Era With A Minor Paint Job??I Think I Read That They Werre Introduced In 1964.As Always,Your Replies Are Greatly Appreciated.
I think your safe with the covered gondola. The TOFC flat cars were probably shorter than that, maybe 50’. Autoracks came about a little later, but there may have been some that early, just not very widespread. There have been several articles concerning autoracks and I’m pretty sure they stated when they came into widespread acceptance.
Rick
This might help out on your autorack questions:
Auto racks came about in early sixties,tofc’s started as 40’ cars with 36’ trailers,then 52’ cars as trailers went to 40’, the sixty foot flat have been around since late 40’s/early fifties,but I don’t know what prototype the intermountain car is based. there was an article in RMC a year or so back covering tofc cars for the dlw,it might help. Covered gons appeared in fifties.
Many Thanks Guys.Helped Me Out Quite A Bit.Since My Layout(When and If I Ever Get It Built)Will Probably Be A Table Layout,So I Seriously Doubt If I’ll Run Any 89’Ft Auto Racks From Any Era On There!!I’m Sure That 50&60’Ft.Cars Will Work Pretty Good On It.
The earliest auto racks were open - that is, no sheet metal on the sides. Trackside kids with rocks put an end to that in a hurry. First the sides were paneled in, then the rock barriers were extended across the car tops to give the behemoths we know and love today.
Trailer-train on the NH in the early '50’s was all dedicated 50-foot flatcars. Loading facilities were simple ramps, plus the bridges hinged to the ends of the cars. That, plus a straight spur, a few streetlight fixtures and a high-visibility tractor would make a simple, convincing model.
Chuck
According to “Pacific Fruit Express, 2nd Edition”, PFE leased 85’ TOFC flatcars from UP that were built as early as 1959.