ESM — Made In America Low Side Gondola reservations

[Missaberoad]

Possible future release?
http://steamerafreightcars.com/modeling/new%20products/llp2k/p2kgonmain.html
https://i0.wp.com/jointedrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/p-2496-986c8ded52317d2ae700a90ba076a4f8.jpg?fit=1672%2C622
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/erie10325b.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/erie10325ab.jpg
https://www.walthers.com/proto-2000-52-6-quot-drop-end-mill-gondola-w-load-assembled-pittsburgh-lake-erie-40020-w-ductwork

I think that would make a good mass produced model for someone.... Give some variety to the BLMA & Prairie Shadows gondolas...

[unittrain]

I would buy quite a few of those 15 panel gondolas, that is a much needed gondola in N.

[Mark5]

@Chris333 great suggestion.

Was done in HO, so who knows?

https://www.walthers.com/proto-2000-52-6-quot-drop-end-mill-gondola-w-load-time-saver-kit-r-nickel-plate-road-66048-w-ductwork

Mark

[ai5629]

I would like to see this one also, as I could use a few.  That Proto 2000 gondola was first released in the early 90's IIRC.  The problem is that gondolas do not sell well in N scale.  At least this is what I have been told and read.  A fixed end version of that Greenville gondola would be welcome also.  Thanks.

Jeff

[Cumbo2000]

I think that would make a good mass produced model for someone.... Give some variety to the BLMA & Prairie Shadows gondolas...

The problem is that gondolas do not sell well in N scale.  At least this is what I have been told and read.  A fixed end version of that Greenville gondola would be welcome also.  Thanks.

Jeff

There are two mill gondolas missing in N scale the 15-panel Greenville design and the 14-Panel Bethlehem design. Walthers/Life-Like made the Greenville design in HO scale as noted and Tanget makes the Bethlehem design in HO scale.

When I spoke with BLMA several times at train shows and asked if they would shrink to N the Tanget Bethlehem design as they did with the PRR gondola they became quite and stated that I needed to speak with "Craig".

I to have read comments that gondolas don't sell well in N scale. I felt that was why BLMA never did the Bethlehem gondola. With BLMA sale to Atlas I assume that model will never be done. Smaller companies apparently are able to share resource information for the development models, but I suspect that is not the case for large ones such as Atlas .

Regards,

Bob Witt

[bbussey]

N scale gondolas in general don't sell well for whatever reason, which is frustrating.  The masses want boxcars for the most part.

[Philip H]

N scale gondolas in general don't sell well for whatever reason, which is frustrating.  The masses want boxcars for the most part.

Probably because they really don't pay attention to the number of gondolas running about, or the variety of loads they carry.

[Blazeman]

N scale gondolas in general don't sell well for whatever reason, which is frustrating.  The masses want boxcars for the most part.

They aren't "pretty" like box cars were in the 50's-60's period.

[wazzou]

Probably because boxcars can be spotted about anywhere without much need to show what's inside.
With gondolas, you just can't run them around empty or loaded all of the time.

[bbussey]

They don't want flat cars either other than TOFCs, which makes absolutely no sense given the anoint of diversity there. I'd rather see more non-intermodal well cars, depressed-center flats, and general purpose flats (and gondolas) than more boxcars.

[Mark5]

They don't want flat cars either other than TOFCs, which makes absolutely no sense given the anoint of diversity there. I'd rather see more non-intermodal well cars, depressed-center flats, and general purpose flats (and gondolas) than more boxcars.

Yes, I was stunned when the 2nd run of Intermountain's awesome 70 Ton Bulkhead flats was cancelled:

http://intermountain-railway.com/n/html/68751.htm

Mark

[unittrain]

Gondolas are important cars, their work horses and hence allow for extreme weathering and even the addition of hoods for coils or even bulkheads added for pipe loads. There's a lot you can do with gondolas.

[Jim Costello]

Two of the cars now missing from my New Haven roster are the 40' gondolas and the 40' flats,the latter either as flats or are TOFC modifications....aah well!

Jim
Modelling the NH down under

[coosvalley]

Yes, I was stunned when the 2nd run of Intermountain's awesome 70 Ton Bulkhead flats was cancelled:

http://intermountain-railway.com/n/html/68751.htm

Mark

You're talking about Intermountain and you're stunned they cancelled something? Isn't that , like, 75% of their business, announcing things and then cancelling them? Those were nice cars though...

I have never bought a Prairie Shadows gondola, due to the fact that I have never seen one for sale at any of my usual channels(MBK, Ebay, train shows). Perhaps they would have sold more if they were available in more places? I also have the feeling the upcoming NARC/PWRS boxcars will have the same problem. I personally would want to see a decorated sample before ordering any, which is also part of the problem. By the time I see one, they are no longer available!

Nobody has mentioned the Trainworx gons, which are well done, widely available(ish), and are sold out...

I think better, detailed loads would boost gondola and flatcar sales as well, perhaps released alongside each other..

[wazzou]

Nobody has mentioned the Trainworx gons, which are well done, widely available(ish), and are sold out...

I have a couple of the GN corrugated side gons and you're right, they are really nice.