I just bought a new broadway class j and now the next step is a passenger train.I have been looking around the internet and the only streamlined N&W cars I can find are made by IHC. Is this a good car to start with? McHenry couplers makes a coupler replacement for IHC passenger cars,but it is truck mounted is this good for operation? I know very little about IHC so i am hesitent about buying these cars. They seem to be more in the “toy” train business judging from the company website.So basicly my question is are the IHC cars a good choice to start modeling from?
Dave, I’ve just got a J as well. Nice aren’t they?? Mine runs like clockwork. I’ll keep tabs on this post, I’d like some passenger cars too.
Where did you see them advertised? what cars are you after?
Ken.
Dave;
The IHC are fine as stand ins, but they are not very close.
If you want good models, there are kits and there is brass. See:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Passenger&scale=H&manu=&item=&keywords=norfolk+%26+western&instock=Q&split=300&Submit=Search
American Model Builders: excellent car sides
Bachmann: stand ins
Branchline: fairly good representation
ConCor: stand ins
F & C: excellent model
IHC & Rivarossi: stand ins
The Bethlehem Car Works: excellent model
Walthers: excellent models, But the 52 seat coach is ex NKP meaning several years too late for the J, the others are suitable.
See also: http://merchandise.pennsyrr.com/WS4D_Cookie=7.23.03_11,11,47_50171/ms_laser.html for Laser Horizon’s sides, scroll down to N&W.
http://nkpcarco.com/nnw_cars.htm
http://www.brasscarsides.com/pdf%20tech%20sheets/PS4140HO.33.pdf
I second the brass car sides. I highly recommend using Train Station Products core kits with any car sides if one is not included. The Eastern Car Works car kits are a hassle, especially if you dont have experience with core kits. Train Station Products also offers an excellent line of passenger car details.
I also agree that using Train Station Products core kits with brass car sides or laser cut sides makes a nice passenger car that is correct for the car you want to model. The problem I have is finding diagrams or pictures of the real car that show the underbody details, such as a/c system, water tank size, air reservoirs, brake componets and such. There is plenty on the web and in books on paint, car names and #'s but nothing on the bottom side of passenger cars.
AlcoDave,
Nfmisso is right.
Now if you’re not too worried about total accuracy, the IHC cars are decent looking “stand in workables” that will still look nice on a passenger train.
Our resident passenger car “Guru”, Don Gibson, recommends body mounting couplers on these cars if you decide to use them in conjunction with Walthers cars to avoid derailments on curves. If you have curves tighter than 24" radius on your layout though, I would suggest keeping the trucks and replacing the wheels with InterMountain 33" axle sets . (36" will interfere with your brake shoes.)
The cars are too light in weight. You must add weight, just as on Rivorossi cars. Easy trick is to fil the the hollow compartments in the floor with Bird shot and then add flat weight the length of the car floor.
If the cars come with interiors, paint the seats, tables, chairs that are in coaches, diners, lounges, observations, etc., with FLAT PAINT. Makes an incredible difference! You may have to look for photos that have interior shots of N&W cars. If you can’t find the info, pastel and dark: greens, browns, reds and blues are typical. Dining car table tops should be a bright white. If the cars don’t come with interiors, you can buy IHC interiors individually for about $4.50 each.
Another sweet touch is adding window blinds. Have them in various positions ( halfway, closed, 3/4 open, etc). A common material is white cardboard with the top glued to the inside top of the window. Paint the bottom 1/32" of the cardboard a bright silver or aluminum to simulate the metal grab bar on the bottom of the shade.
I know I’ve said a mouth full, but back in the 1970s and early 80s the AHM–Rivorossi–IHC cars were what we had to work with if we wanted good looking, inexpensive 85ft. passenger cars.
Until Walthers came along with their beautiful cars, Rivorossi’s are what I was working with.
So if you feel that the IHC’s wil
Eddystone,
Below is a link for a site that I frequent for passenger car modeling. There are some great shots of underbody detail here and there on this site.
All of this info is very helpful! Thanks alot guys! I think I am going to go with the IHC cars. I am not really the best modeler so building the cars with brass sides seems pretty intimidating.I do plan on body mounting the couplers,adding weight and interiors.The idea about adding window shades seems really awesome too! Thanks Antoniofp45! I am more interested in the smooth side cars thats way im not going with the spectrum heavyweights.I also am going to add the Tomar lighted drumhead on the obs. car.Well thanks alot for all the helpful info! maybe i will post some pics of the cars someday!
the IHC company web site is the best place i saw to order them from the cars are 9.98US and free shipping if order is over fifty dollars.only downside is 2 to 3 weeks shipping time. since you live in N.Z. it might cost to ship and take longer though.I model modern Norfolk Southern so i wanted the streamlined smooth side cars i am going to freelance model an excursion train as it would be pulled behind #611.I also bought the bachmann spectrum auxillary water tender since it was used on the train.
Dave,
Glad we were helpful.
Just wanted to emphasize one more time to “change out those wheels”. I think you’ll be pleased with your cars once you fini***he overall upgrades.
Take care and keep us posted.[:D]
I saw some at discount trains on-line, would the set of 8 be ok or are they a bit cheap
http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/search.php
Ken.
Don’t forget that the N&W ran a lot of heavyweight equipment right up to the end of passenger operations. Not only were the bulk of their baggage and RPO cars heavyweights, but depending on the time period (especially pre-1950) most of their coaches and diners were heavies. Walthers, IHC, Branchline, Bachmann and F&C all make N&W heavyweight equipment (which may or may not be protptypically correct, but look nice).
And check out the N&W photo collection at Virginia Tech’s website for N&W inspiration!
http://imagebase.lib.vt.edu/
I’am working on re=doing my passenger cars,I’am not sure what they were,I think they were blue box.The first thing was to change the trucks.Next the wheels to steel.KADEE couplers mounted on the frame not the trucks.My next step is the insides.Mine our S.P. in the Olive drab.OH I shortned the cars and went to two wheel trucks.There not repainted yet but starting to look good to me.
JIM
Another source of cars would be Eastern Car Works, but they are all undecorated and you would have to paint and decal the cars. Most of their cars are very close to the streamlined cars used on the Powhatton Arrow train. The typical consist was a dormitory coach, coach, diner, coach, coach and observation.
Rick
well I guess I did it backwards …got the cars first then the J…
the best cars today are walthers but they dont yet do NW.
My cars are from Rivarossi from the original molds not the ones IHC are using now.
If you hunt around you might find some at swop meets or ebay,you cant miss their red box.
They are the better choice unless you have deep pockets and can afford brass