Even More New Tooling from Bluford Shops!

[Bluford Craig]

Given last month's new tooling announcement, I suppose you can call this one a prequel... the "Rogue One" of N scale freight cars.  See for yourself: http://www.bluford-shops.com/bluford_93_039.htm

Craig and Steve
www.bluford-shops.com

[Missaberoad]

Nice! I'm going to have a concerning surplus of hoppers lol 

[jmlaboda - RIP]

Sorry MT... I know where my composite hopper dollars are going to... and, oddly enough, both the original and rebuilts are perfect for my era!!!  (Kind of by default... this way the rebuilt cars will look very much the same as the wood cars as far as design goes.)

[Cumbo2000]

No B&O RR in the first run. 

The conversion to steel sides didn't start until ~ 1955 so the original cars ran about a decade as built.

Bob Witt

[Cajonpassfan]

Sweet. Love the CB&Q cars. On preorder  8
Otto K.

[nkalanaga]

I can remember the CB&Q cars working for the BN in Washington.  They weren't popular, as they were worn out, and the sugar beets wouldn't stay in them.  Most had patches on the sides, usually plywood, or old grain doors, but a few had the holes stuffed with clumps of hay/straw.  The end came when they started dumping their loads on their own.  One lost an entire bay, at track speed, between Kennewick and Yakima, causing a rather messy derailment.

Some of them on the BN had the new block gothic lettering, but were still painted mineral red, with the all-white early herald, so there's another option for the 1970s modeler.

[wcfn100]

Up until the mid 60's didn't the CB&Q cars use National B-1 trucks?



I know it's been on my list for the MTL car.


Jason

[VGN50]

Craig and Steve
You guys are amazing. Just thanks.
Mark

[Mark5]

Hmmm, more VGN for my 1955 scenario ... more green for Bluford ... 

When at home will look to see how long the VGN ones lasted.

Mark

[Bluford Craig]

I can remember the CB&Q cars working for the BN in Washington.  They weren't popular, as they were worn out, and the sugar beets wouldn't stay in them.  Most had patches on the sides, usually plywood, or old grain doors, but a few had the holes stuffed with clumps of hay/straw.  The end came when they started dumping their loads on their own.  One lost an entire bay, at track speed, between Kennewick and Yakima, causing a rather messy derailment.

Some of them on the BN had the new block gothic lettering, but were still painted mineral red, with the all-white early herald, so there's another option for the 1970s modeler.

Yes we have photos of that version too so that's something to look forward to. Regarding the trucks, we have pictures of cars with National and cars with more common coil spring trucks so it was likely a case of what was on hand at Havelock during the time of rebuilding a given car.

We skipped B&O in the first round because we're doing B&O in the first round of Rebuilt War Emergency cars. That pattern follows for all of the road names. We'll get to them all eventually.

Regarding the Virginian, we understand that some Virginian cars were rebuilt with steel sides prior to the merger but we have not found any photos of the rebuilt cars. If someone comes across one, by all means, send us a link.

Craig
www.bluford-shops.com

[CBQ Fan]

I am in on the CB&Q cars as well.  I need to dig into my C&S cars and figure out why they don't roll freely.  I have all the others and they are sweet!  Can't wait for these to hit the layout.

[nickelplate759]

How about this panel-sided rebuilt version?
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According to the equipment diagram, the slope sheets were made from "corrugated ends"

Although a rebuild, it was from a pre-war car, not a war-emergency car.

George

[thomasjmdavis]

Nice! I'm going to have a concerning surplus of hoppers lol 

My problem as well.  I need a bigger mining operation and a steel mill and true to scale power plant.

[Rasputen]

I am in on the CB&Q cars as well.  I need to dig into my C&S cars and figure out why they don't roll freely.  I have all the others and they are sweet!  Can't wait for these to hit the layout.

I noticed on some of mine that there is not enough clearance between the outboard axle and the coupler screw:



Note the witness marks on the axle.  You can hear a squeaking noise as the axle rubs on the screw.

I couldn't tighten the screw enough to give some clearance in this area so I substituted some plastic wheels from my parts box that use a smaller diameter axle.  The hopper seems heavy enough without the metal wheels.  You may be able to use a fastener with a smaller head that won't stick out so far as well.

[towl1996]

This PRR H31b version is fairly close. The PRR had 500 of this class of car. I'll be getting some.