Is there a prototype to FR’s centerbeams? I’ve understood they’re based on a short lived type that existed. I’m hoping to model DRGW in the late 70’s/early eighties. I have three. two opreas, one “standard”. Any proto’s out there? and when did the Walther’s type center’s come online? could I squeeze them in? Athearns anouncement of new DRGW TM’s got be back into the kick. I need lumber-type cars. THNX in advance.
I have some magazine articles on the 72’ centerbeams like Walthers at home so I’ll have to look them up for the build dates.
I too model the D&RGW and FYI I posted a list of HO freight cars that are close matches for real D&RGW cars in another thread. I actually cover 1965-the early 90’s in what I collect, so I have a California Zephyr, a Rio Grande Zephyr (using BLI cars and Genesis F units), and Amtrak CZ using Walthers Superliners, Concor MHCs, TSP bi-livel dorm/coach, and KATO F40PH’s and Walthers F40PH’s. There are alot of good HO freight cars available too that match Rio Grande equipment its hard to know where to begin!
You can still see those short center beams.
http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=275
http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=13471
Heres a site that is very useful.
There was a discussion on the Modern Freight Cars List on Yahoo regarding Center Beams. This is a quote from one of the members.
OK, I finally dug out Scott’s centerbeam article in the 1/96 Rail Model
Journal. To summarize, the 60’ 8" IL Thrall “opera window” style (think
McKean/FRP in HO, Microtrains in N) was built in 1977 for BN, MILW, UP, and
WP. BN got more in 1980 and finally Trailer Train in 1986.
Thrall later built another 100 for its TCAX lease fleet, but these differed
from the others by having one less oval in the beam. Thrall stretched
the design to 73’ in 1986 (Walthers model). Trailer Train was the biggest
buyer of the longer Thrall, with BCIT and CN getting some as well. However,
Gunderson essentially copied the Thrall 73’ design, and most of the longer
opera window beams are actually Gundersons. (CRLE, WCRC, etc.)
Thrall then switched to a truss beam design. (Also made by Walthers in HO.)
These first showed up in 1987 IIRC. (There’s a photo of a 1987 built
CBRY truss beam in Scott’s article.) UP, TT, and others got these.
Rick J
FR and McKean are very similar kits. They are loosely based on the early 60’ prototype centerbeam. I have a half dozen of the McKean built both in the opra window and open version. You will most likely have better luck locating and building the McKean vs the Front Range.
Be aware that these kits have been out of production for many years now. Even then they were not that easy of a kit to build. The overall dimensions are close, but the molds, type of styrene, thick paint and some had poor lettering. I have dealt with these problems and scraped, filed and dry fit, and modified the bolsters, coupler boxes and added wire for grabs since it is the only model to date of this particular 60’er. The McKean directions are not that bad. Fitting of the parts (scraping paint and filing) is critical for a fine completed model.
Jaeger makes wrapped loads for these cars, and they look very good.
When building the open version, you will need to scavenge 2 additional diagonal braces from the same supplied sprue from an opra window model or scratch build them as I have done. For some reason the supplied sprue only has 2 of the 4 needed to build the kit.
I still have 4 of these open cars on the workbench waiting until I feel like assembling the ends to the center built up beam. The vertical bracing and keeping the floor/ top beam straight can be a challenge. When I assemble them I use a straight block of wood and rubber bands, poke and reposition the parts then set aside. The coupler boxes on the frame are horrible, shave them off and mount Kadees. Use care when setting the screw as it can protrude up through the floor. For this I use the Kadee delrin 2/56 and cut to fit.
They are a real PITA but with work you can end up with a decent model.
Thanks all for your responses, very helpful. I was hoping the was a protype. I wasn’t looking forward to kitbashing into longer cars. Thnx again.
Can you remember that thread so I could look it up? I’d like to have that list. I gave up on the Grade several years ago for lack of models and info on/in the late 70’s/early 80’s. But now seeing evey type of loco released got the juices flowing, and Athearn anouncing a reworked TM just tipped me over. There’s alot more Rio Grande stuff out there now than 15 years ago.
No problem snagletooth,
http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/291/ShowPost.aspx
there is the link above. The topic with D&RGW in the title has been on the first 2 or 3 pages recently. I posted my extensive list of HO models which have been produced in the past 10-15 years which are close matches to real D&RGW prototype cars. I suggest you track down a copy of Jim Eagers Color Guide to Freight & Passenger Equipment, published by Morning Sun Books. It is excellent and covers most of Rio Grandes rolling stock.
The list I put to gether was gone over my Jim Eager and there are various comments where necessary about the models and how well they match real cars etc, and the dates the real cars were built and what commodity they carried. Many of the models on the list are out of production but if you go to train shows, watch Ebay, and visit train stores, you will probably be able to fill in many of them over time. I didn’t list loco’s but here are some in HO produced and offered in Rio Grande paint jobs:
F3’s and F9’s single stripe paint - Athearn Genesis
F7’s, F3’s and F9’s - Stewart Hobbies
SD7’s and SD9’s - Proto 2000
GP60’s - Athearn and Proto2000
SD50’s - Athearn RTR and Proto2000
SD40T-2’s - Athearn RTR coming this fal