Can anyone tell me where I can find rolling stock pre numbered and lettered for the L&N? Like box,flat and pulpwood cars.I,ve done some of my motive power with the help from Microscales,but the decals they offer are pretty much all the same run.I,m modeling the small town where I grew up just 25 miles south of Louisville Ky.
What time period?
Most of the L&N stuff I’ve seen falls into the 1950 and later era. Maybe even the 60’s.
I am always on the lookout for 1948 and older stuff, which is much more difficult to find.
The company slogan changed form “The Old Reliable”, to “The Dixie Line” after they merged the NC&StL. (early-mid 50’s IIRC)
Finding Old Reliable paint is tough.
Blue hoppers and boxcars are easy to find as well, but those are 60’s.
L&N had a fair ammount of USRA steam, which is available, but unfotunately period corrct cabooses are difficult.
Plenty of second gen diesels available, and generic bay window and standard cabooses.
Keep in mind that even if you are modeling the years after the merger, you would still see predominantly pre-merger paint for quite a while.
I,m modeling the 40,s to the 50,s I wasn,t born till 1960.Some of the old timers I stay in touch with at home worked on the line and they have an unlimited amount of info as far as the motive power and revenue.Yes you are right about the USRA steam and they did have some Alcos as well.I plan to visit the Kentucky Railway Museum to see their layout and ask about finding period rolling stock.
I found some L&N rolling stock a few months back but they were Athearn Blue Box. There is a place 2 hours from Louisville, KY in Covington, KY called Johnny’s Toys that carried different brands of L&N locomotives at any given time. You may want to check with them to see what they may have around or could get. Last check the train department was still there and over the years they were pretty much the only place in the area that was heavy on L&N stock.
I have several Accurail kits as well some Branchline Yard master kits all done in L&N , Mckean models made some and I have seen them at swap meets . older Roundhouse kits are around as well as Athearn blue box kits
Try the company Historic Rail. They have a web site. They currently sell a 40’ blue scheme boxcar. Yours, The Ferroequinologist
CHAMP offers L&N decals for some common cars (boxcars and hoppers) along with roadname sets which include the “Old Reliable” slogan. As mentioned, Athearn Blue box kits, ones from McKean and Front Range, the old Train Miniature (now Walthers) and Accurail offer plenty of choices for suitable rolling stock. You should also be able to find more prototype information at the Louisville & Nashville Historical Society.
Wayne