MT Southern Pacific "MUG" Train Question

[JMaurer1]

It looks like the new MT SP MUG flats are coming with friction bearing trucks and not roller bearing trucks but I just wanted to ask and make sure before placing an order. Does anyone know for sure that they are friction bearing? I'm really pushing my layout time frame here and I haven't found anything about what time frame these cars are representing (other than the unit train ran from the '50s into the '80s+). Any help is appreciated...

[jmlaboda - RIP]

Is there a link for this model?  Would like to see what you are talking about.

[Sokramiketes]

It looks like the new MT SP MUG flats are coming with friction bearing trucks and not roller bearing trucks but I just wanted to ask and make sure before placing an order. Does anyone know for sure that they are friction bearing? I'm really pushing my layout time frame here and I haven't found anything about what time frame these cars are representing (other than the unit train ran from the '50s into the '80s+). Any help is appreciated...

Personally, I'd be more worried about the flatcars themselves.  I'm guessing the Wheels of Time cars are more correct, being a strict SP prototype, so you may want to wait briefly for them to hit the shelves.

[wazzou]

Personally, I'd be more worried about the flatcars themselves.  I'm guessing the Wheels of Time cars are more correct, being a strict SP prototype, so you may want to wait briefly for them to hit the shelves.

Agreed.

[jagged ben]

Is there a link for this model?  Would like to see what you are talking about.

http://micro-trainsline.com/99300808

Yes, it's clear that they have friction bearing trucks.

Keep in mind that some friction bearing trucks were converted to roller bearing while not changing externally in appearance, so not entirely inappropriate for later eras.  Then again, you'd not likely have a unit train all in that state.

I seriously considered buying this set.  Cars with lumber loads for $15 each (street price) from a quality manufacturer, how often does that happen?   But I didn't for the same reasons mentioned above:  the Wheels-of-Time cars are true to the prototype, the MT are not.

Maybe MT will sell the loads separately at some point.

As for the WoT cars, I just got my bulkheads two days ago from Chuck.  I don't know when the standard non-bulkhead versions will be out.
Apparently I totally missed the resin lumber loads from them!   

[SP-Wolf]

Same here, about the MT flats. I don't know, what prototype they are. (If any) They certainly are not SP. I am slowly but surely replacing all the MT flats on my layout with other more prototypical models. (As I can find them) -- But, that's just me.

Regards,
Wolf

[mcjaco]

I thought the flat was a prototype, and SP went with bulkheads after that....

I just grabbed three of the WoT cars, as I trust those to be more accurate.  And will likely be run in many numbers too.

[ryan_wilkerson]

If someone wanted to model a decent size MUG, it would be more cost effective to get some of both. I think the WoT + load is nearly twice the cost per car equivalent from MTL. Put the WoT for the first few cars, then mix in some MTL and end with WoT.

[JMaurer1]

I know that the MT flats are nothing even close to an SP prototype (stake pockets wrong, brake wheel wrong, length wrong, etc.) but the WOT cars are too new of a prototype for me. Roller bearings and Hydro Cushion underframe make them too new...as does the paint. I model the NWP though and can use lots of flats with lumber loads, and this seems to be an easy(ier) was to do this (until something appropriate comes out). Used MT cars are cheaper to buy ($15 a car with load compared to $17-18 a car without load) and also easier to sell then WOT (IMHO). 

Thanks for the responses.

[mcjaco]

How early do you model the NWP???  These flats should fit right in.

Per WoT:

The Southern Pacific Equipment Co. in 1953 and 1954 build over 1000 70-ton all-welded fish-belly flatcars for SP based on their previous successful riveted 70-ton flat car design.**  They were classified as F-70-10.  We will bring you both the original as-built car numbers as well when SP renumbered their fleet sometime in the late '50's.  A decade later, Gunderson Brothers Engineering Corp. (GBEC) build over 1100 cars of similar design as SP class F-70-12. In 1964, SP purchased another 400 cars from Gunderson with "stepped" bulkheads as class F-70-26. These bulkhead flats were the first in the series to have bulkheads originally installed by the builder and not retrofitted later.  They were built to carry plaster board needed in housing construction, but were also used widely in carrying lumber.

[JMaurer1]

Way cool! I stand humbly corrected