and also his World Famous Railroad Show {1933-2K3}. Athearn has made I believe 3 special run cars over the years. I would like to view some clear, up close photos if available and to be able to read in much more detail about his railroad shows. [?] As time permits would anyone be able to provide data & photos or maybe a link to same?
Respectfully
Danny
I have the observation car, maybe I can get pics later. Its a fantasy car so all them shows didnt happen. Its a celebration car of the golden spike centennial.
I assume you know that “Col.” Hal Carstens is the long time publisher of Railroad Model Craftsman and various railfan and model railroading books and thus the cars are distinctly tongue in cheek?
Dave Nelson
There’s a 40th Anniverseray baggage and a 70th Anniversary “Office” car advertised (with pics) on Carsten’s website.
-George
For what it’s worth, and I know this is an old thread, Both Carstens cars are pictured on pg. 150 (the sixth glossy picture page in) of “The Standard Guide to Athearn Model Trains” (Tim Blaisedell & Ed Urmston, Sr., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1998). This is a great reference book to have for your library, if you can find it.
Kinda an old thread, but here’s some pics for reference. I did detail paint the trucks and rear railings silver IIRC, plus maybe some other stuff, so this is not how it looks out of the box. I also added Kadees and metal wheels. Naturally weathered through various viscitudes over the last 45 years since acquisition.
There was a third passenger car done by E&BV. It was one of the Osgood-Bradley American Flyer coaches and was painted in these same colors.
Athearn also did a 50’ DD boxcar as Carsten’s Publications that was a color matched car.
There was an AHM/Rivarossi heavyweight observation done as an RMC business car. It was painted solid Pullman Green or possibly Tuscan Red if I remember right. I only saw a B&W photo of the car. It was NOT a production car though.
Roger Huber
Deer Creek Locomotive Works
I can’t find a good color picture of the original car anywhere.
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Can someone help?
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-Kevin
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The bottom three look like Athearn cars.
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Were these offered pre-decorated like this?
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-Kevin
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They are and they were.
This color scheme would be Mr. Hal Carstens’ preference. The history of the model is on page 124 of his “150 Years of Train Models.”
“An order was placed with Athearn, Inc, for a car commemorating the wedding of the rails at Promontory Point, Utah. The car was ordered with a red body having a yellow stripe. Iry Athearn ran six cars and called Hal Carstens in New Jersey, saying the colors were lousy and he was reversing the colors. The rest is history. The car had two runs.”
Started work on STRATTON & GILLETTE business car #1000.
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The color scheme and overall look will match the Carstens Business Car.
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The will require some creative decal work.
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-Kevin
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I have decided car #1000 will be named “RAMONA MARIE”. I have also added details to the kit.
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Time for more painting.
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-Kevin
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