Walthers SOO Baggage Car

[Puddington]

Walther's has done a nice job on their smoothside baggage cars; I particularily like the SOO car; it's simple, classy look is really sharp. But; having hung out with the local gentry at Railwire; I was forced by some bizzare need to see if it was close to prototypical......rats !



Thanks to Jerry; I had the chance to refer to official SOO passenger diagrams from 1960; 1962 and 1964 and could find but one, two car series of 71' smoothside baggage cars - road numbers 1635 and 1636, a 1950 build by American Car & Foundry. ( I can't see there being any smoothsides on earlier rosters and disposed of when they kept so many older HW's in service till the end...) As you can see; luck isn't with me as the doors are damn near opposite in size and location.

I can deal with adding grabs and ladders but I am balking at trying to fix the doors; filling one and expanding another, new doors and windows.... I guess the little SOO passenger train I want to build will have to have a foobie baggage express.... oh well; ad the grabs and a road number I guess..... :-\

Such is the life of a passenger fan................

[Sokramiketes]

Thanks Pud, you just saved me some searching.  

With a cursory glance, that diagram looks strangely like the CN baggage car that we'll hopefully see from Rapido!  

EDIT: Very similar to the GTW cars, but apparently these arn't the Rapido version... http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=159871

[Puddington]

Thanks Pud, you just saved me some searching.  

With a cursory glance, that diagram looks strangely like the CN baggage car that we'll hopefully see from Rapido!  

EDIT: Very similar to the GTW cars, but apparently these arn't the Rapido version... http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=159871

You're right - that's really close....

[mcjaco]

Pud,

I've been looking at Soo stuff too.  I came across this photo.  It's looks like a close match to the Microtrains PRO.



I think I'll wait for the Rapido one now.  Or go with the Micro Trains RPO and see if I can blank out some windows.

[Puddington]

Pud,

I've been looking at Soo stuff too.  I came across this photo.  It's looks like a close match to the Microtrains PRO.



I think I'll wait for the Rapido one now.  Or go with the Micro Trains RPO and see if I can blank out some windows.

To my eyes, and having checked the SOO official passenger equipment guides from 60, 62 and 64 (all I have access to) there doesn't seem to be a 60' RPO in their roster - the photo you have looks very much like one of two cars - both 73' over buffers; Cars number 541 and 542 a combination mail and express car - or a 12 car series, cars number 543 - 548.

[mcjaco]

Well, that kills that project! 

That angle in the photo was holding me back from making the jump, as I couldn't tell exactly the length of the car, but I couldn't find anything to say that they did or didn't have 60' RPOs. 

[Puddington]

Well, that kills that project! 

That angle in the photo was holding me back from making the jump, as I couldn't tell exactly the length of the car, but I couldn't find anything to say that they did or didn't have 60' RPOs. 

Don't let my ramblings be your guide...... ;D I'm never sure of anything cause just when I know I'm right someone proves me wrong.......that's consistance in my modeling....LOL

[FrankCampagna]

The car is probably 60'. Just has the more common 30' RPO section. You just need to blank out some windows, and maybe replace one door on each side. Also replace the mail hook on one side. Not modeling SOO but that's what I plan to do.

Frank

[NYC1956]

Walther's has done a nice job on their smoothside baggage cars.... As you can see; luck isn't with me as the doors are damn near opposite in size and location.

Same bad luck for me and the NYC version. Not only that but they mixed eras vs. their other cars. The other models are in two-tone gray striping. The baggage car model was done with the later all-gray with no striping. Besides, the $40 MSRP seemed too high considering Centralia has cars with lights and interiors for the same price.

[mcjaco]

Don't let my ramblings be your guide...... ;D I'm never sure of anything cause just when I know I'm right someone proves me wrong.......that's consistance in my modeling....LOL

I should just pick up the passenger car guide next time I'm at a show and the Soo Line Historical Society is there!   :  

And right on the website.... (Duh)