Still locating Espee boxcars from the early 50s and have noted that a few Walthers Protos may still be available. The numbers are 920-101607/8 (2 50’ single door jobs) and 920-102007/8 (2 double door 50 footers). Do these have cast ladders and grab irons or separately applied ones? Cost seems to indicate that the latter might be possible. While we’re at it, how’s the detail on Walthers’ 932-41656? As a final item, how about the built dates on the paint jobs for any of the above? Haven’t found good enough pictures for any of this. Thanks!
John in finally sunny Oregon
I had a couple of the doubledoor cars but got rid of them. The ladders on this one appear to be separate…
, and I replaced the plastic grab irons, roofwalk grabs, and stirrup steps with metal parts.
I rebuilt an Athearn car to match an Espee 1936-built prototype - it suits my late '30s-era layout perfectly, but would have still been in service in the '50s:
Wayne
The Proto KITS are all seperate details - very fragile palstic ones. I’m sure the RTR ones are also NOT molded on. The RTR tank cars I have are identical to the kit ones I’ve put together.
–Randy
The Proto 2000 RTR cars do have all the delicate applied details. You can usually find them on eBay, new, for less than $20 shipped. Just be patient and keep watching.