36' box cars

[nkalanaga]

And thank you! 

I imagine a lot of the steel-framed truss rod cars were an alternative to fishbelly center sills, where the center sill was strong enough to take the pulling/pushing stress in a train, but not strong enough to support the desired load.  Why the NP/SP&S cars had both truss rods and fishbelly side sills is another question, as either one should have been enough.

[Cumbo2000]

Accurail one of the HO manufacturers is introducing a new 36-ft box car in HO scale.

Several modelers have pooled information and created several PDF documents on suitable prototypes for these forthcoming models. I sure some of the information will be applicable to the old Roundhouse/Athearn N scale 36-ft box car.

http://designbuildop.hansmanns.org/accurail-prototype-data/

Bob Witt

[Cajonpassfan]

Yea, I'm aware (and a bit jealous) of the Accurail kits. Thanks for the link, Bob, appreciated.
Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of good photos of these in post WWII service, but one thing that's apparent is that virtually surviving cars had steel ends and roofs added at some point I their long life, if they didn't get them when new. The Athearn car is of course all wood....
Otto K.

[RRRover]

Don't forget this resource for decals:

http://www.greatdecals.com/

[mmagliaro]

How is the quality of those Clover House decals? Anyone got a close up photo?

Clover House dry transfers were always excellent for me.  Here's a car I did with them over 20 years ago.  Be aware that they are under new ownership.  The original owners retired a few years ago and sold the business.  But they sold the artwork and machinery to the new owner, so I would hope the product is the same.  I always thought the quality was outstanding.  It is more work than decals.  For example, on a car like this, you have to carefully scribe the dry transfers in between the boards so you get the nice effect of the boards going through the artwork.  And doing multi-color artwork (where one dry transfer has to be applied over another one), can be tricky because you have to get the registration right.  But the results are fabulous.

[JMaurer1]

FineNScale cars are still available (there was a time when the local shops carried them in stock) on the internet. Search for their name and you should easily find them. LOVED their rolling stock, just wish that they made more. The only cars I know that model cars that have been in service awhile (side panels are bent and bumpy from use).