Atlas 40' USRA Doublesheathed cars (new release)

[Cajonpassfan]

I see Atlas is rereleasing these nicely done cars, some with new numbers (CB&Q, NP, NYC and UP) and others in new schemes ( ACL, GN red!, QA&P). Pete is also listing an MP car and an early GET car. The Atlas site notes "fishbelly or standard center sill to correctly match the prototype" among other variations like ends and brake wheels.

So since Atlas seems to have gone into the trouble of introducing variety, my question is about (1) how accurate these cars are for their given prototype, and (2) what time frames would be appropriate for the chosen paint and lettering schemes. (For example, I know UP introduced the gothic lettering in 1939, and all yellow lettering in 1947; the white/yellow combination might have lasted for say up to another 10 years..., if the car did. So the UP scheme might be okay for 1939- say fifty something).

During my 1947-51 timeframe (March '51 cutoff) there were still a huge number of wooden superstructure cars on the railroads. Which ones of these might be appropriate, either as accurate or close-enuff stand-ins?
Thanks, Otto K.

[Missaberoad]

They are pretty accurate renditions of USRA boxcars I highlighted your best options in green. 

CB&Q - circa 1950's (01-1950 reweigh date)
DMIR - circa 1950's but these were in captive company service and weren't USRA cars afaik...
GN - Post 1956 repaint
NYC - Original circa 1919 paint scheme (not sure if the black/white logo is appropriate tho, thought that came later)
NP - Late 1940's + (09-1948 reweigh date)
QAP - ???
UP - (08-1939 reweigh date)

GET would be early, USRA era, not sure what the MP paintscheme is...

[arbomambo]

really, really enjoying these Atlas releases...
~Bruce

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks Ryan. MP pic below.
Are you sure about the DT&I box cars staying on home rails? They may have been in "captive service" but I thought like other auto traffic cars, that might have meant captive to a specific assignment (like a west coast assembly plant) rather than a free-running car available for other lading. Of course, if there were no USRA cars, that is moot with this model....
Otto K.

[CBQ Fan]

The Great Northern car is very sharp.  I added it on to an unplanned order to supplement the Q cars and a UP car I preordered. 

[nkalanaga]

The GN had boxcars very similar, if not identical, to the USRA cars.  However, the 45000-52999 series that Atlas has lettered this run for were actually wood-sheathed 1937 AAR cars.  So, while the car and paint schemes individually are acceptable for the GN, the model as lettered is incorrect.

That said, as far as I know no one makes the 1937 AAR wood sheathed car in N scale, so short of kitbashing an IM car, this is probably as close as one can get to what was a very common GN car.

Quite a few of the prototypes lasted into the BN era.  These, and the plywood sheathed cars, were basically the GN's version of War Emergency boxcars, although they started building them before steel rationing.  Wood was cheaper than steel in most of the GN's territory, they served a lot of lumber mills and few steel mills, and in the late Depression, labor costs were low, so carpenters and nails were cheaper than riveting and welding.

[Missaberoad]

Thanks Ryan. MP pic below.
Are you sure about the DT&I box cars staying on home rails? They may have been in "captive service" but I thought like other auto traffic cars, that might have meant captive to a specific assignment (like a west coast assembly plant) rather than a free-running car available for other lading. Of course, if there were no USRA cars, that is moot with this model....
Otto K.

Since its a Duluth Missabe and Iron Range car, and not a DTI car I'm pretty sure

They may have wandered in general freight service at one time so it is possible to justify seeing one, but every photo I've seen of a DMIR boxcar has been in OCS service...

http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/uploads/r/null/9/2/925703/5256454c-304f-4eed-bc62-45fd566bf6d7-A28753.jpg
This might be a shot of one in general service circa 1950s

[Cajonpassfan]

Since its a Duluth Missabe and Iron Range car, and not a DTI car I'm pretty sure

Duh, I didn't know this run included DMIR cars as well.... Not listed on Pete's site. Thanks.
Otto

[hegstad1]

NP cars would have had radial roofs and not peaked USRA roofs.

[thomasjmdavis]

NP cars would have had radial roofs and not peaked USRA roofs.

I wondered about that.  I recalled the conversation here about the radial roof cars a few weeks back, but did not know if that applied to all NP double sheathed cars or just a portion.  Well, that saves me $25.

[Cumbo2000]

T
NYC - Original circa 1919 paint scheme (not sure if the black/white logo is appropriate tho, thought that came later)

The Canadian Southern probably has the most accurate information on the NYC emblem. The use of the black background varied over time, and the new Atlas car with the New York Central "Lines" emblem with a black background is accurate for an as-built car in 1919.


http://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/NYC-MODELS-FREIGHT-PAINT.htm


Bob Witt

[OldEastRR]

And unlike the other Atlas truck mounted couplers, the ones on these cars do NOT put 6 feet of air between two of the same kind.

[nkalanaga]

Tom D:  As far as I know there are no N scale models with the NP's radial roof, so these might be the best you can find, if you really need an NP boxcar.  If all you want is one for interchange, that's another matter.  Maybe someone will 3D print a correct one?

Actually, as common as 3D printing is becoming, that might be a way for historical societies to make a little extra money.  Design a model of one of their roads unique cars, and sell it to the public.  Many people who may have no interest in that road would still buy one car for interchange, where they wouldn't think of joining the group to get a plastic of craftsman kit, sold to members only.  And, there wouldn't be any inventory, although they might want make sure decals were available.

[wcfn100]

And unlike the other Atlas truck mounted couplers, the ones on these cars do NOT put 6 feet of air between two of the same kind.

That depends on the truck. The NP, GN and DMIR cars stick way out.  I also believe those three sit higher because of the trucks.

Jason

[thomasjmdavis]

Tom D:  As far as I know there are no N scale models with the NP's radial roof, so these might be the best you can find, if you really need an NP boxcar.  If all you want is one for interchange, that's another matter.  Maybe someone will 3D print a correct one?

Actually, as common as 3D printing is becoming, that might be a way for historical societies to make a little extra money.  Design a model of one of their roads unique cars, and sell it to the public.  Many people who may have no interest in that road would still buy one car for interchange, where they wouldn't think of joining the group to get a plastic of craftsman kit, sold to members only.  And, there wouldn't be any inventory, although they might want make sure decals were available.

Thanks for the response to my question.  I don't "need" NP cars, but I do like to run "signature" cars for various roads, especially when those cars were fairly common in interchange, and have some unique features that make them stand out on a train. I have a couple kits from Rocket Express that I will be starting on soon for RI single sheathed cars with end doors, for instance. On the idea of historical societies and 3D printing, frankly, given that resin often results in a kit that requires less prep (especially sanding- trying to flatten surfaces on 3D prints without removing detail has proven to be a challenge for yours truly), I would recommend they do them in resin. 
But in any case, given the apparently interest in the NP cars expressed in a couple of threads here, I am surprised that an historical society or a small manufacturer has not made the radial roof cars available.