An early post of mine set off a question (keep in mind I am new to this) I received an Atlas PRR caboose from a relative who knew I like trains, and even what scale and road I run. I saw that the caboose is not a true Pennsy prototype. I’m not a strict rivet counter, maybe just at times or when running certain equipment. My question is that why would a well known and quality manufacturer of N scale train equipment put out a caboose that didn’t even exist on the PRR. This is definately not a bash, just a question from someone new.
First off, I’m sorry if I discouraged you by pointing out the Atlas prototype. As I said, I am a proud rivet-counter, so I’m bothered by this policy you point out where manufacturers slap any old roadname on a product, regardless of whether it existed or not.
I started a thread about it that got a little ugly.
The upshot is that they do it to make money and to offer a broader range of equipment. Because so much equipment was specific to just one railroad, it would be very hard for the manufacturers to accommodate everyone. By offering fewer models in a broader range of roadnames, it offers folks who are not as concerned with prototype accuracy to have approximations to that equipment.
For example, I have several Micro-Trains boxcars painted for PRR. They look great; the paint job is exact. The cars, however, are not exact. Differences in the number of rivet rows (hence, rivet counting!), doors, end corrugations, etc. exist, and bother me a little. But those are more subtle. Only a true Pennsy fanatic would know the difference. But Pennsy cabin cars are so unique, it’s amazing manufacturers like Atlas and Kato try to pass off their own non-Pennsy design as PRR cabin cars.
You know what, though? There is NO PROBLEM with running the Atlas caboose on your PRR layout. It’s a very nice model and I bet it runs well! Plus, it’s a gift from a relative, so it has very real value. Enjoy it. Run it. As you learn more about the PRR you may want to supplement it with some of the Bowser cabins, but for now, do what YOU want. Nobody should give you any guff for it, least of all a guy like me! I’m just happy to meet another N scale Pennsy modeler!
Forgive my ignorance but did the PRR cabooses have bodies that were unique to the PRR or was the uniqueness in the details. If it is just the details that separate these cars from other roads, it seems to me a good compromise would be for the the manufacturers to sell generic cars with detail that could be replaced by the modeler to make it accurate for his road. On the other hand, if PRR cabooses were unique in overall style, it is unreasonable to expect a mass marketer to produce a product that will appeal only to a small segment of the modeling community. In that case, it should be left up to niche companies to produce these cars in smaller runs and the modeler should expect to pay a premium to get the prototype accuracy they desire.
jecorbett, This may help here. Go to http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ and take a few minutes to browse around it. You’ll be surprised at what you’ll find there. Ken Sorry, I don’t know how to put those url’s in so you can just click on them. Know I know how my granddad felt when we switched to tractors instead of horses on the old farm.
Unfortunately, most railroad cabooses are unique to their own road. Model makers for years have used generic cars and taken liberties with lettering to sell them, many still do. Atlas, does a fine job with thier NE6, for New Haven and some other roads that used them. Likewise, Bowser does a good job with thier Pennsy cabin cars. Walthers has a decent C&O caboose, but has it lettered for more roads. You have to know your road to find a decent or close enough model to fit your needs. Same goes with locos and rolling stock.
Dave it seems like you really are into your Pennsylvania RR history if you notice diffrences in how cars are riveted! You may no another N scale Pennsy modeler wh