Okay, I’ve checked Ebay for these things and I know walthers made some of these and I even saw a brass one or two, the the cheapest walthers one went for a little over $15… Does anyone know what the Dimensions are for the small two axle scale test car? All I know right now is the fact that it has a 7 foot wheelbase.
Lacking a photo or road name, your question is un-answerable.
As far as I know, scale test cars were home-built, and their appearance varied all over the lot. I dimly recall seeing photos of some that were plain boxes, some with sloping “rooftops” and at least one that looked like the top center section of a retired tank car.
The only constant in all of them was a total absence of air brakes. Most had a train line, and all had hand brakes.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Railroad Model Craftsman had an article in the July 2005 issue about the Baldwin-Southwark cars. There was no standard dimensions, but as stated above, they had no airbrakes, just a brake line and a hand brake to use as a parking brake. This was done to minimize the change in weight since the car itself was a weight standard.
My mistake. Here’s a link to a Picture of a C&NW 2 axle test car.
Obviously it is going to be bigger than 7’ and I would guess 10-12’. Scale cars were pretty much custom made and there is a great deal of variance dependent on weight and when purchased or shop built.
That particular design seems to be pretty common. I have the Walther’s one at home so I’ll try to measure it later for you.
The plans for the New Haven one (looks very similar) were on the back of a copy of The Shoreliner. I don’t have that particular issue, but perhaps somebody else does.
Randy
The Walthers model is about 13 feet long and 9 feet wide.
Randy
Thanks Much. I’ll repost here when i’m a little further into the project for an update.
Here’s some great links from another forum on here …
http://crcyc.railfan.net/mow/scale/cr80093a.jpg newer style
http://crcyc.railfan.net/mow/scale/cr80011.jpg old style
http://crcyc.railfan.net/mow/scale/mwscale.html made from train cars by railroads
Many versions !
Most railroads built their own scale test cars, and they were classified as Maintenance of Way stock. Here’s a web site with information about the various types:
The Southern Pacific car has air brakes, which is contrary to a previous post stating that scale test cars have no air brakes, which is also the impression I was under. Well, I guess I learn something new every day.
Any suggestions on a decal set (HO)? I’ve got one of these Walthers kits in B&O, but I would like to repaint/decal for UP (even if not 100% prototypical, I care more about representative). I’m thinking it would be a MOW-gray.
Thanks,
I built four scale test cars using a Model Die Casting passenger car truck as a starting point. The body is sheet styrene, with wire grabirons. They weigh about 1 1/4 ounces each and track well, although, like the prototype, they always move at the end of the train, behind the caboose.
Wayne
Nice work, Wayne.
For decals, try here:
http://www.switchyarddecals.net/
He doesn’t have a specific set, but does custom work at a reasonable price.
Most of the pictures I’ve seen of the test cars have been gray or black, but I’m sure there are plenty of variations.
Oh, and on the prototype they often were placed before the caboose because they have no air brakes.
Note that the pictures in that link are for a car similar to the one Wayne built, and not the kind originally referenced in the thread (like the Walther’s one).
Randy
Just what are these scale tet cars used for? I don’t recall having anything similar over here in the UK.
Thanks,
Ian
Scale test cars were used to re-calibrate railroad-owned weigh scales. When cargo is shipped, it’s important that the car that is being used is not overloaded above the capacity stated on the carside. Where material is shipped, and billed, by weight, weighing cars determines the shipper’s cost. I’m not sure, but I think there were government regulations concerning the allowable interval between recalibrating a scale.
Wayne