Rock Island Gondola

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I’m looking for a photo of a WWII War Emergency 50-foot composite gondola, Rock Island series 900-1299. Can anyone help? Thanks, KJN

2

Check out Railway Prototype Cyclopedia No. 28 RP CYC Publishing Co., P.O, Box 451, Chesterfield, MO 63006-0451. Rock Island Photos and a R.I. diagram appear on pages 41-42. WWII composite cars are thoroughly covered in a multi-part series in issues No. 28-30.

Tom

3

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, Vol 28, the one I would need, is out-of-print. Any other ideas/sources? KJN

4

Try here

https://arizonahobbies.com/railroad-books/by-publisher/rp-cyc-publishing/railway-prototype-cyclopedia-volume-28.html

5

Thanks. $32 investment for a single picture is tough for me. I’m trying to letter an HO model and need a picture to do it. Without violating copyright laws, can someone copy/scan a picture to send to me? Thanks, KJN

6

Not exactly WW II - but you can check out Fallen Flags.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ri/

7

Is this the car?

http://ebay.to/1rDl01Q

8

It’s a car like this, a 50-ft composite gon, but I can’t be certain that the lettering shown on this N-gauge model is accurate. I’m after a photo of a prototype so I can see for certain. Thanks, KJN

9

This is as close as I could find…

http://www.towers.txrrhistory.com/001/001.htm

10

Thank you! Yes, it’s close, but it’s the 40-foot version of the composite gondola. I’m looking for a shot of the 52ft-6in version of that design, Rock Island #900-1299. Nice try! KJN

11

The N scle car is substantially correct. Just move the Reporting marks (R.I. and number) left to the position over the data as shown in rdamon’s posted photo with a line above the letters and a line below the number. “ROCK ISLAND” and data is as printed on the N scale car.