Which widely available ore cars (MDC. Walthers, etc) best match a 1910-1940 prototype?
Which widely available ore cars (MDC. Walthers, etc) best match a 1910-1940 prototype?
While I’m not familiar with all the models, the short (22’) MDC model, which is a hopper car with bottom doors is more suitable for the period you are talking about, than the Bachmann model which is a gondola type requiring a rotary dumper to unload it. I believe the Bachmann model is based on the Eagle Mountain operation in California and dates to the early 1960s. The Bachmann car is larger, and to carry heavy ore in that size of vehicle would require roller bearing trucks to take the load. For the period you are interested in, go for a small, short wagon with bottom doors, which matches the technology available in the pre-1940 era. The MDC would suit that era.
Peter
The MDC car is a “Lake Michigan” type car, used in the UP of Michigan. The Walthers car is a " Lake Superior" car, used mostly around Minnesota. Both would be appropriate for 1920ish-current. The Walthers car is by far the more common prototype.
Which widely available ore cars (MDC. Walthers, etc) best match a 1910-1940 prototype?
Which widely available ore cars (MDC. Walthers, etc) best match a 1910-1940 prototype?
While I’m not familiar with all the models, the short (22’) MDC model, which is a hopper car with bottom doors is more suitable for the period you are talking about, than the Bachmann model which is a gondola type requiring a rotary dumper to unload it. I believe the Bachmann model is based on the Eagle Mountain operation in California and dates to the early 1960s. The Bachmann car is larger, and to carry heavy ore in that size of vehicle would require roller bearing trucks to take the load. For the period you are interested in, go for a small, short wagon with bottom doors, which matches the technology available in the pre-1940 era. The MDC would suit that era.
Peter
The MDC car is a “Lake Michigan” type car, used in the UP of Michigan. The Walthers car is a " Lake Superior" car, used mostly around Minnesota. Both would be appropriate for 1920ish-current. The Walthers car is by far the more common prototype.