R/C Centerbeams Back

[ljudice]

I managed to pick up a bunch of the Red Caboose TTX Open Panel centerbeams, which seem to be the most prevalent out on the rails these days.   The yellow seems a tad bright,  I am thinking of a thin overspray of a light whitish yellow to tone them down.

These cars need to be lowered though - I am guessing BLMA trucks and then ACC the MTL coupler boxes to the floor?

BTW, is there a re-run of BNSF open panels coming?  I cannot quite tell from the Intermountain website, where this stuff tends to get posted.

[GaryHinshaw]

I agree that this is a much needed car.  I picked up several from the previous IM rerun about a year ago.  (I *think* the BNSF were rerun then too, but I can't remember.)  They could definitely use a good fade coat, and a fair bit of rust along the bulkhead pillars, e.g.:

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=43523

These open panel cars are not quite as prevalent as the single panel cars, such as this:

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=43531

but they are basically correct, save for a few details.  The biggest issue in my book is that the wheelbase on the open panel and single panel models is incorrect.  Here is how I changed that on one model a while back; I converted it to BLMA trucks at the same time, which helped the ride height a lot:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21980.msg214937#msg214937

I'd be wary of ACC'ing the MT couplers, but it may work ok.

-gfh

[ljudice]

Perfect, Gary, thanks!

[Scottl]

Just to clarify, are the centerbeams actually in production again and widely available, or did you just come across some to buy?  I'm interested in long freight cars now that I have set my goal at 16" radius and higher!

Thanks Gary for reminding us of that easy improvement. 

[ljudice]

They're back in manufacture - check out MBK (modeltrainstuff) or KBJ Models (Ebay)....

[Scottl]

Great, thanks!

[bbussey]

I don't have any RC centerbeams.  But if they are designed similarly to the auto racks, you should be able to drill and tap for #00-90 screws and secure MTL #1015 or #2001 couplers that way, as opposed to ACC.

[ljudice]

Bryan,   I need to pick up some BLMA trucks and play with the height, but that looks like that would work.

[ljudice]

BTW, the BNSF cars seemed to be run some time ago.  It's kind of hard to tell what is coming or not coming from IMRC/RC these days. 

There was also a run of TTZX cars that looked like re-stencils of some brown/red car.  Not sure of the story on those.

Also why did IMRC when they re-ran these not fix the lack of COTS panels on these car.   Trivial to fix, but really??

I hope they fix the color of the BNSF beer cars when they re-run them, but not hopeful. IMRC on it's own stuff seems to have nailed the fresh maroonish color of BNSF freight cars.

[bbussey]

BTW, the N scale manufacturing process is now funneled through the InterMountain system and sales are distributed through InterMountain - but Red Caboose still exists as an entity and still handles the creative aspect of the models I believe, which includes the schemes on the models.  You can always direct any queries to Bill at RC via email and he will respond.  The contact links are on the RC site.

[ljudice]

Bryan:  thanks for the input - I will collect my thoughts and drop him a note

Gary:  Do these cars get 36" wheels?

[GaryHinshaw]

Gary:  Do these cars get 36" wheels?

Yes - and thus 100T trucks.

Bryan:  thanks for the input - I will collect my thoughts and drop him a note

Ask him to consider releasing single panel models in TTZX. 

-gfh

[ljudice]

Yeah, I noticed that type was not available in TTZX.....

- Lou