Need help with IM Modified AAR box car under frames.

[wcfn100]

Does anybody have any older Intermountain Modified AAR box cars or kits?  I don't know how old it's need to be, but probably at least 5 make it 10 years.

I may have identified a big problem with these cars and want to double check before I go hard at IM with it.


Jason

[wazzou]

I do.  What do you need?

[wcfn100]

Well I ended up finding some older cars and it looks like the situation is this.

The Modified AAR cars weren't deigned correctly to accommodate the same under frame as the regular 1937 cars even though that's what they use.  Namely the center two cross members don't sit flush to the floor because the floor isn't notched out like the regular cars.

Basically, I believe every Modified car has a bowed center sil.  This is something I'd like to prove or disprove.  One easy way to tell is that the center two cross members stick out below the door tab.  Also, the next cross members towards the ends aren't touching the floor so they can be pushed down/up.



Look below the door.  You shouldn't be able to see the ends of the cross members if everything was flush.

I had a under frame I though might have been an earlier version but it look like it's just from the 12 panel box car.  The 12 panel doesn't have the notches, but the under frame is designed to take care of that.

I'm going to see if I can get IM to fix this for the future along with maybe getting the 5/5 end from the 50' car to fit (many of the modified cars have the wrong ends even though IM makes them).

On the plus side, I didn't realize that IM went to etched metal running boards.  They look real good.

Jason

[bbussey]

The created the etched running boards for the Pacemaker cars so it makes sense that they are not used for decos of the other AAR styles where the prototypes had metal roofwalks.

[wcfn100]

The created the etched running boards for the Pacemaker cars so it makes sense that they are not used for decos of the other AAR styles where the prototypes had metal roofwalks.

But they have.  My latest Modified AAR cars have the etched running board.

Jason

[bbussey]

Sorry, typo on my part. 

"They created the etched running boards for the Pacemaker cars so it makes sense that they are not used for decos of the other AAR styles where the prototypes had metal roofwalks."

[wcfn100]

So I got hte official "We'll look into it" response.  I sure hope they fix this.

If you haven't looked at the new cars, you should.  Not only do they have etched metal walk, the wood one are too.  And the biggest thing is that they've tooled or modified a 5/5 for these cars!  I know that's not too exciting for most, just know you're getting a more correct product as a result.  I don't know if my trip there last year helped this happen, but if it did, thanks Gene (former Railyard Models proprietor) for listening.  The under bodies are now painted too.  That's hit or miss as it obscures a lot of the finer detail.

As for the older cars, the under body can be popped off, and if you're carefull you won't break the brake rigging.  You may have to clean out some holes or just forgo the gluing studs but it will work.  You can chose to notch the floor like the 1937 cars but it's much easier to shave some relief into the center two stringers.

If anyone want pictures of this, I'll take them.  For now I'm assuming I'm the only person who even gives a ***** so I'm not going to bother. 

I'm looking to buy some under frames with all the brake gear if anyone has some.

Thanks,


Jason

[wazzou]

I'm looking to buy some under frames with all the brake gear if anyone has some.

Thanks,


Jason

Does Intermountain not sell these parts anymore? 
I've purchased quite a stash over the years, but I've used a fair amount too.

[wcfn100]

Does Intermountain not sell these parts anymore? 
I've purchased quite a stash over the years, but I've used a fair amount too.

The story on IM is that they don't do any production anymore (except maybe some laser cut stuff) so new parts can't be made in house.  There's only a hand full of kits left over for some older cars.  As for parts, they do have boxes on the shelf with part in them.  I don't know if it's old stock or stuff they are picking up as new runs get produced (I hope it's that).  I was able to get some box car ends when I was there.  I wouldn't expect to be able to get any etched stuff, but maybe something's changed with that.

 The feel I have right now is that they have some parts, and if you need one of something they'll just ship it to you at no cost.  I don't think they want a full service parts' situation.  But that's just speculation.  I've got a little wish list I'm going to send in and see what happens. 

Jason