Atlas PS-1 boxcars in hand! (INNER HEIGHT CLARIFICATION)

[bbussey]

Got a care package today from the folks in Hillside with three of the new PS-1 boxcars.  Man, these are sweet.  It's going to be difficult to hold on to those vintage MTL 20000-series cars after acquiring a handful of these.  I received a B&M, LV and Rutland from the first batch.  The coupler boxes are the standard locomotive boxes and fastened to the floor with flathead screws.  For those who prefer MTL couplers, it appears a #1015 can be swapped in for the AccuMates, but I'm going to keep these as is for now.  I'm eagarly awaiting the New Haven cars in the second release.

[Frank Amato]

Jealous!  I just got the call from my LHS that three are waiting for me.  Going to pick them up tomorrow   

  Frank

[MichaelWinicki]

Looking forward to these.

I'm sure my 40' MT boxcars are running & hiding out in the layout room out of fear of being replaced.

[victor miranda]

no pictures means it didn't happen.

[central.vermont]

no pictures means it didn't happen.

+1 

[bbussey]

There have been plenty of pics over the past year on the Atlas site and a plethora of other sites.  The production run cars look the same as the pilot models that have been displayed and photographed at various shows over the past nine months. 

The MTL cars get a slight reprieve:  The Atlas cars appear to be based on the IH 10'0" versions of the prototype, while the MTL cars are based roughly on one of the IH 10'6" prototypes.  The Atlas car is accurately based on the IH 10'6" versions of the prototype.  Any other models which are taller in the body IH are not prototypical.

[wcfn100]

The MTL cars get a slight reprieve

Nope.   

I haven't research the 10' car much, but what I did notice is the the narrow rib above the normal Pullman stiffeners on the end is missing on the 10' cars but is present on the 10'-6" cars.

Maybe someone has more or better info.

Jason

[James Costello]

I saw these on the Atlas stand at the NH  50th reunion last weekend and they appeared to show as 10'6" on the reporting marks. Hope Atlas brings out both versions quickly

Jim

[bbussey]

I received clarification today from Atlas ... the new PS-1 boxcars do have an inner height of 10'6" and they are the correct height.  I will leave the implications regarding other models to individual interpretation.

[DKS]

I have a few of these as well. I must say most photos do not do them justice. I was braced for an Intermountain-ish model with chunky details, but received a real stunner. Very well done, Atlas!

[milw12]

A slightly unrelated question, but I didn't want to start a new thread.

Does anyone know the build date for the Milwaukee Road model? Using the photo on Atlas's site, I can make out that the first number looks like a 7, but that's all I can be sure of. A quick google search brought up nothing helpful.

Basically, I'd like to know if the car is appropriate for a cut off date in late 1953 

Thanks,
Lucas

[bbussey]

Yes, 1947 and later.

[milw12]

My apologies, I should have clarified: I'm looking for the specific build date printed on the side of the Milwaukee cars. 7-53 and before will fly in my case, but 7-54 and after will not.

My thought process is that purchasing rolling stock based on these minute and hard-to-see details is unashamedly anal, but prevents the build up of era-inappropriate cars and wasted money. Plus I'm a terrible modeler, but at least my consists will be true to reality 

I may bite regardless, these cars do look astounding.

[Chris333]

I gotz mines as well. And yeah they are great. I remember this old company used to make them, I think they were called Micro Trains?   

[bbussey]

My apologies, I should have clarified: I'm looking for the specific build date printed on the side of the Milwaukee cars. 7-53 and before will fly in my case, but 7-54 and after will not.

Again, you're good.  All of the cars in the first release except for the Rutland are in their 1947 as-built schemes, so the service (or new) dates match the 1947 build dates.

CORRECTION:  I spoke too soon.  The MILW 8700 series was built in the 1950s.  MILW 8726 and 8755 were built in 7/55.  You can backdate the car by renumbering to 8700-8725 and a 1953 build date, but you would have to change the door as well to a 5-panel Superior -  which is doable, but you would have to acquire an undecorated model to get the door and paint to match.