Any recommendations for iron ore cars? I am using an M4 yellowstone for motive power. Again, thanks for the suggestions!
Walthers and Model Die Casting (Roundhouse) have made ore cars. I do not know if they are prototypical for these particular cars.
The MDC ones are very, very similiar to DM&IR’s.
Thanks for the help!! I will check on those now!
Hi if you need large nubers of them the walthers sets come in large runs ie 12 road numbers. You may want to check out sylvain hobbies as well they make resin kits of ore cars,they are the barrel type though so may not be the prototype you need.Cheers TB www.sylvain.com
The MDC cars are not the correct length (they are 2 foot short) Walthers cars are almost exactly right. Make sure you buy the standard cars, NOT the taconite version as their was no taconite hauled behind yellowstones. also walthers has a beautiful “gold line” set of standard cars that are not appropriate as the numbers have been painted over to resemble the modern look. You might find ore cars sets # 1 on ebay #2 was released a year or so ago and their was a four pack. I have a bunch (6or 7 12 packs) of the # 2 standard cars I might consider swapping if your desperate.
It’s nice to hear from another DMIR fan, good luck.
Rich
I am hunting for the Set #1 on ebay for the DM&IR Taconite Ore cars (They are different than the standard ore cars) and never did find one yet. I already have set #2. I have several train shows coming next 40 days and will be hunting it there.
I know the DM&IR never had ore cars on the east coast but on MY railroad they exist =)
Have fun!
When I get home I’ll try to find my set #1’s I possibly have a duplicate. I’ve got 400 some ore cars I gobbled up when the original runs were starting to disapear.
The missabe did run some all rail trains of natural ore in the early 90’s in their ore cars. If memory serves correct they evetually went to the B&LE for use in steel mill there. They had to ship the ore in their cars as it was too wet to get out of the ore dock pockets and loaded into boats. I’m not sure what part of the east your modelling but I’m sure your customers could have bid on these shipments.[:)]
Rich
I model using the B&O as a back drop I am pretty sure some ore was handled as Baltimore used to have ore docks. A bit of modeler’s license here and there fits the bill.
Rich,
The MDC cars are the correct length, as are the Walthers cars. The MDC cars have a coupler pocket that makes the coupled distance way TOO long. All of these Minnesota/Michigan cars should be coupled 24’ center to center to fit over the ore pockets on the docks.
The correct DM&IR car is a ‘Minnesota’ ore car, and the Walthers cars are the correct ones. The MDC cars(both types) are ‘Michigan’ cars. At least most of the DM&IR folks I listen to say that the Walthers car is the best one for the DM&IR.
BTW, the MDC cars can be ‘fixed’ by cutting off the coupler pocket ‘extension’, drilling/tapping a new hole further back and use the Kadee #23 short shank coupler.
If done right, you will come out very close to that 24’ center to center distance!
Jim Bernier
About half the DM&IR ore cars I’ve seen pictures of are equipped with drawbars instead of couplers, but I don’t know if they’ve always been this way or it is a more modern thing.
Trolleyboy,
I don’t think you got the domain quite right. I think you mean Sylvan Scale Models of Canada:
http://www.isp.on.ca/sylvan/ho-scaleproducts.htm
I hope this helps those interested in the barrel type ore cars.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543
Oren; The Walters ore cars are the correct cars for the DM&IR. Train World has them on sale for $49.95. The difference between the Minnesota and Michigan cars is the width. The DM&IR cars are wider.
Paul
So, the walters cars are correct? I thought i ran across 2 different part numbers for 12 car sets. Can i assume the walters cars currently on ebay are not correct? I was going to list an engine for sale to help pay for some cars, so i am open to trades!
The DM&IR ore cars all had couplers when built. With the startup of ‘taconite’ business, basic unit trains of finished pellets rolled to the docks. The DM&IR started converting cars by draw-baring them into ‘mini-quads’ - and using straight air brake hoses between the cars to reduce air line loss in the cold weather. The cars also got ‘pellet extensions’ so that they could be loaded higher(the pellets are not as dense). Your M4 Yellowstone would be pulling the original style cars with no pellet extensions or drawbars. The 'miniquad’s are a 60’s/70’s thing(diesel era).
Jim Bernier
Can anyone post a pcture of the cars, or know where i can locate a picture on the web?
I have gone to the historical society for references in the past. They have the correct decals and you can get additional car numberrs. site is www.missabe.com
Click on the materials Dept. This takes you to the decals and stuff, but if you click on the decals for the ore cars there are pics of them too.
Good luck.
oren,
You didn’t give me your e-mail address so I’ll try to guide you to a picture here. I would go to walthers website, go to the advanced search tab, pick HO freight cars, manufactuer walthers, keyword ore car. that should take you to a pagewith a dozen or so listings kit number 4404 is a four pack that are the correct style. the two other listings (the gold line) are not the correct style (taconite) or the correct look ( painted over herald/numbers was done in the 70’s-80’s) I did not see the numbers for the original 2 12-packs walthers released. Sorry, I didn’t have time last night to dig through my collection, I had band practice at church. I’ll try to look tonight.
Good luck, Rich
Thanks Train_geek!! Are those the cars you may have for trade?
Did you Missabe fans realize that there is a DM&IR Historical Society and they have a web page?