So what is your 52'6" gondola?

[wcfn100]

With the general interest and need for a 52'6" gondola in N scale, I thought I would issue a poll to see if there really is some sort of 'generic' that could be produced to fill some of the void.

It doesn't take more than a few seconds to see that there are many variations that could be done.  This is the first of a couple different polls to try and pair down the options.

I know this list is rather long, but it's either that or multiple polls week after week. I've set it to two votes to try and increase the voting numbers but hopefully not water down results.  I don't know that there were welded cars with wood floors, but that should bare itself out.

We'll get into builders, rib patterns and inside heights later.  We can also look at cars that have other options like loaders and covers.

If there is a clear winner, and we can find the drawings, maybe we could take the results so someone.


Jason

[Mark5]

Crap. Gotta hit the books!

[wm3798]

Gotta find my book!  My damn color guide went missing... it's got to be around somewhere...

[wcfn100]

I should point out that I had only assumed 'fish-belly' type gondolas from the 50's to 70's era that's popular here.  From what I've seen, they should be much more numerous than the straight sils of the same length.  I would guess the modern era is a bit different.

If I'm wrong, please let me know.


Jason

[asarge]

Lo side or High side? So many choices and only 2 to pick from!

[wcfn100]

Lo side or High side? So many choices and only 2 to pick from!

That's step two, assuming there is one (it's not starting good  ).


Jason

[Bob Bufkin]

Hard to pick from that long list.  I want one of each.

[lock4244]

Picture is worth a thousand words...

http://freight.railfan.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cn135064&o=cn

http://freight.railfan.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cn137142&o=cn

http://freight.railfan.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cp345556&o=cprail

[bbussey]

Going to be tough to generate enough interest to tool one, since there are a number of (albeit two feet too short) N gons already available.  Plus there are a ton of prototypes to pick from.  If it was a sure thing, I think the Pennsy G31 or G44 would have been done by now.

[Mark5]

How about just whatever MTL , Atlas , etc hasn't done already , whatever that is . Eliminate the ones from the list that have been made . That ought to knock that list down quite a bit .

I don't think anyone has actually done a 52' fishbelly yet.

[wcfn100]

How about just whatever MTL , Atlas , etc hasn't done already , whatever that is . Eliminate the ones from the list that have been made . That ought to knock that list down quite a bit .

Done. LOL



Jason

[Mark5]

How about just whatever MTL , Atlas , etc hasn't done already , whatever that is . Eliminate the ones from the list that have been made . That ought to knock that list down quite a bit .

I don't think anyone has actually done a 52' fishbelly yet.

MTL's are 51 and a blond one more or less , will there be a noticeable difference with a 52.6er ?

Is that the inside length? I think that's how these are measured IIRC.

[wcfn100]

How about just whatever MTL , Atlas , etc hasn't done already , whatever that is . Eliminate the ones from the list that have been made . That ought to knock that list down quite a bit .

I don't think anyone has actually done a 52' fishbelly yet.

MTL's are 51 and a blond one more or less , will there be a noticeable difference with a 52.6er ?

Well that depends.  An MT 40' standard boxcar sits about 6" too high.

MT's couple is only a couple inches bigger than scale.

Code 80 track is only a couple inches too tall for most track.

We can see those differences right?  I know 18" can be lost on a longer car, but that's out the window when you start comparing it to other cars that are the correct length i.e. a 52'6" gondola should be longer than a 50' box car.  That difference you will see.


Jason

[bbussey]

Inside length.  Which works out to 0.15" longer than the current 50' gons in N scale.  Somewhat noticeable lengthwise, but not as noticeable as the vertical issues.

Unless there is a specific popular transition-era prototype that can be decorated in a number or roads that hasn't already been done (albeit two feet shorter), I don't see it happening.  Everyone is probably better off lowering and weathering the models that already exist, or kitbashing your own.

[Mark5]

Code 80 track is only a couple inches too tall for most track.
Jason

More like 4 to 6 inches too tall.