I’m trying to put together a list of parts that you would find on a freight train–the most common items at least–so that I can best represent the prototype. I would also like to find all modern detail parts that manufacturers put out. I’ll start the list, so please add to this if you have the info. Remember, modern parts!
Coupler (Sergent Engineering puts out a very nice prototypical coupler called the EC87A. You can find them at http://sergentengineering.com/ )
Air Hose (Hi-Tech Details has some good rubber hoses called HTD-6037. You can find them at http://www.hitechdetails.com/ )
Cut lever/coupler lift bar (Detail Associates part number #229-6240. I’ve never tried these before, but were recommended. Detail Associates has no website from my understanding, but can be purchased through many online retailers.)
Trucks (ExactRail ASF 100 Ton Ride Control. They have been recommended by many. Site http://www.exactrail.com )
Wheels (ExactRail 36" wheel. Not sure what the difference is between their sizes but they have 28" and 33" as well. Site http://www.exactrail.com )
Please feel free to add to and make other recommendations.
I read your post last week, but you snubbed me right from the start as I model 1954 and have little interest in “modern” railroading.
And, I also was not sure eactly what you were asking? Are you only interested in ultra high detail stuff like Sergent Couplers?
Well if so that leaves me out too, I’m building a large fun layout for OPERATION and operational reliablity is more important to me than fine detail.
So I use only regular size Kadee couplers, NMRA track standards, .100" wheel treads, I gave up adding air hoses to HO models years ago.
I use mostly Kadee sprung metal trucks with Intermountain wheel sets because that combo is very free rolling - more cars per loco - an operational concern.
But I do build lots of kits, craftsman to shake the box, and do lots of kit bashing - but, that’s right, it’s still 1954 here at my house - oh well.
I have used parts from Micro Trains Lines, Intermountain and Detail Associates to modify and/or (hopefully) upgrade rolling stock… By the way, I model N scale 1950s…
Doors- change, get correct door
Brake wheel
Brake GEARBOX where the brake attaches to end of the car. (I have sometimes seen this referred to in modeling arficles as the “Ajax” but I thinkl that is actually a prototype manufacturer’s name)
Air reservoir (for brake system)- I often have to remove this from “RTR” models and kits because they are normally applied along the long axis of the cars but the Santa Fe I model usually had them “transverse” mounted (ie crossways)
Running boards (“roofwalks”)
Inboard icing platforms
Defect placard boards.
Car ENDS- I have needed these to rebuild “RTR” mechanical reefers that had the refrigeration unit molded on the “wrong” (for my prototype) end.
WISH I could buy the external mechanism for Preco air fans on iced reefers.
Couplers - I’ve been using Kadees ever since the original, purely mechanical K model was introduced. I don’t see the Sergeant as an improvement.
Air hose - just another fragile little detail that I don’t need. The Kadee coupler operating wire is a suitable foobie.
Cut lever - no resemblance to standard JNR design.
Trucks - what trucks? Most JNR cars in 1964 were 4-wheelers. The ones that weren’t used truck designs utterly unlike anything ever seen in the United States.
Wheels - to be prototypically correct, mine need spokes. To operate, anything that stays in the rails will do.
I consider freight cars to be mere pawns in the game called prototypical operation. As such I neither want nor need museum quality models. If they pass the 100 meter test, that’s good enough.