I have tried through the years to find the correct prototypes for the old AHM “heavyweight” passenger cars without success, I was told one time that they were a Santa Fe prototype but never had any firm information on this.
Also the Bachmann “heavyweight” passenger cars, I ask the “B” man on the Bachmann website one time and felt as though I was talking to a politician as his comment was “Oh, they fit many different prototypes” which was about as useless as if I’d never ask. I’m “guessing” they are Pennsy prototypes but have never had any confirmation on this from anyone.
Anyone have any information on these? Your input would be greatly appreciated.
OK, first I am not familiar with what you are asking, but maybe you could go to a site ( www.rr-fallenflags.org) and compare pictures of the real thing. Hope this helps a little.
The first part of the problem, with either set of cars, is that the whole “train” is not from one railroad.
Other than possibly the Pullmans, none of these cars are Santa Fe rpototypes. The Santa Fe had their own unique side construction that did NOT include the traditional belt rail below the windows.
A few of these I know right off, the rest will require some research.
The Bachmann Spectrum coach and combine as offered lettered PRR with 4 wheel trucks and porthole baggage doors, are PRR correct - the car class escapes me right now but they are correct.
The Bachmann coach and combine versions for other roads with the six wheel trucks are very close to many other heavyweight cars but not exact for anything.
The Bachmann Pullman is correct for a car that Pullman built (actually a rebuild IIRC) that was used on the C&O George Washington in the 30’s - I have more info somewhere.
If memory serves correctly, the Bachmann diner and observation are also C&O George Washington cars from the 30’s.
A quick check of serval sources did not match up any of the AHM/Rivarossi/IHC cars, but they all do have prototypes from what I recall, just not all the same railroad.
But many, like the AHM RPO/Baggage car, are standard designs built for many railroads.
I know the AHM/Rivarossi sleeper was based on a standard Pullman built and operated “12-and-1” sleeper. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cafe/Observation car and Diner also were based on Pullman built cars. Other cars as noted may be based on other specific prototype cars, but the models were meant to be generic enough to be usefull for a variety of roadnames.
The later Rivarossi/Walthers 60’ cars are all based on actual 60’ cars used by Chicago & NorthWestern.
BTW the old AHM/Rivarossi cars are not the same as the later IHC cars.
Whoever told you this may have been thinking of the Athearn heavyweight cars, which were based on ATSF cars (which makes sense, given Irv Athearn was in southern California).
[quote user=“Forty Niner”]
Also the Bachmann “heavyweight” passenger cars, I ask the “B” man on the Bachmann website one time and felt as though I was talking to a politician as his comment was “Oh, they fit many different prototypes” which was about as useless as if I’d never ask. I’m “guessing” they are Pennsy prototypes but have never had any confirmation on this from anyon
The Athearn heavyweight cars are not based on Santa Fe cars. The Athearn cars are completely freelanced based on typical Pullman Company construction.
As I pointed out earlier, Santa Fe cars did NOT have the traditional belt rail below the window, but rather had smooth riveted sides.
The Athearn cars have the standard Pullman belt rail - so what about them would be based on Santa Fe cars?
The Athearn streamliners ARE freelanced with roof, fluting and end details that match early streamlined cars built for the Santa Fe, but not the heavyweights. And some of those ATSF streamlined cars were actually shorter than 85’ like the Athearn cars.
Jim that is the first time I ever saw that very interesting and complete website (hosted right here in Milwaukee WI where the fellow went to MSOE which has a large student layout). Thanks for posting the link.
In the original mid 1960s Model Railroader review of the AHM standard passenger cars they noted that some but not all were of Santa Fe prototype, citing the distinctive Santa Fe style side sill. For more info and how to model:
Walthers many years back came out with a diagram book of passenger cars, showing the exterior and interior of the cars. The cars in the Santa Fe section bear a striking resemblence to the Athearn cars, except that the longer cars (diner, sleeper and observation) are shortened in the model from 80’ to 72’.
Yes, I have that book, but window arrangements aside, the belt rail detail of the Athearn cars is all wrong for the Santa Fe cars, and that detail is both explained and shown in the Walthers Passenger Car book.