Aurora 7550 60' Plate F Greenbrier Boxcars

[basementcalling]

Starting to wonder if some of the usual shops aren't listing these online because they are already sold out. The one store I found with them in stock blew through theirs in about 24 hours.

[crrcoal]

Otter Valley still has few. Very few.

[peteski]

And also very much undergauge wheelsets too... All my examples seem to have that issue.

Speaking of wheelsets, while the truck sideframes have nice details, why the wheel faces have very inaccurate (toyish) profile. In today's N scale we have several examples of more accurate wheel faces from companies such as Fox Valley (Scale Trains now), and of course the excellent ESM wheels. The wheel face should have a curved cupped profile, not anything like these Aurora wheels, or other similar metal or plastic wheels from many other manufacturers.  Even MTL plastic wheels attempt to depict that cupped profile.

Is it more difficult to machine the wheel face accurately, or the people desigingin and manufacturing these wheels simply just "wing it" not really trying to accurately model those wheels?

[Philip H]

My two cents … er two models:

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[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

These need some light weathering but otherwise …

[Scottl]

How is the TBOX yellow in person.  I missed out on these but was put off by some of the posted photos of the color

[Philip H]

How is the TBOX yellow in person.  I missed out on these but was put off by some of the posted photos of the color

It’s close to what the were delivered as new. The o es I’m seeing these days are fading but not uniformly. I expect with a bit of grime and some more dulcoat they should be fine.

[Scottl]

Thanks, good to hear.  They sure look like great cars, I might make a bigger effort to get some.

[turbowhiz]

Speaking of wheelsets, while the truck sideframes have nice details, why the wheel faces have very inaccurate (toyish) profile. In today's N scale we have several examples of more accurate wheel faces from companies such as Fox Valley (Scale Trains now), and of course the excellent ESM wheels. The wheel face should have a curved cupped profile, not anything like these Aurora wheels, or other similar metal or plastic wheels from many other manufacturers.  Even MTL plastic wheels attempt to depict that cupped profile.

Is it more difficult to machine the wheel face accurately, or the people desigingin and manufacturing these wheels simply just "wing it" not really trying to accurately model those wheels?

The wheelsets aren't the best, I'll give you that. The flange is way more objectionable then the face profile to me. But to me they aren't much worse then the MTL machined sets. There are FAR worse metal wheels then these out there on recently released models. But yes, there are far better too.



The MTL metal cast on plastic axle wheelsets certainly look better wheel profile wise... Also a color comparison between the MTL and Aurora car, with all of the photography/lighting caveats there.... In short, I don't find the color of the Aurora TTX cars to be objectionable.

[lock4244]

I'm glad these are popular, should be encouraging to Aurora. Bring on the SD50F!

[crrcoal]

Are the N-possible couplers ever going to be released? Last I heard was they were supposed to be available this past October.

I'd say these new Aurora couplers are most like Accumates in terms of design. Automatic coupling takes a VERY high amount of force, even to themselves, but once coupled, they seem to stay reliably coupled in some very casual testing I've done. The top of coupler detail is on the thumb/retainer/lip shank, which is different.

But if these couplers are not to your liking, the coupler box is a separate part! So if you want to switch couplers, easily done. Sweet! MTL 1016's fit, although they do interfere a tad with the factory air hose/cut bar detail. My couplers fit too of course, in either the original box (I initially didn't think it was a complete separate part) using the universal retrofit version, but far better to use my "scalebox"... Easier and better results.




N-Possible coupler installed in Scalebox, with the factory airhose painted (they just come body color... )




I love the detail on these trucks.... Yes, those are pairing buttons! (the resolution shown doesn't do it justice really...)



These are nice cars, very comparable to the MTL NSC Plate F car.

Beware of tight bolsters, I had a few cars that have trouble with that. And just loosening the screw didn't solve it, I have to ever so slightly file out the truck. It seems maybe the screw was overtightened causing the bolster to slightly distort as best as I can tell.

And also very much undergauge wheelsets too... All my examples seem to have that issue.

[Scottl]

I'm glad these are popular, should be encouraging to Aurora. Bring on the SD50F!

Oh yeah!

[lock4244]

Thanks, good to hear.  They sure look like great cars, I might make a bigger effort to get some.

@Scottl

Get some!

https://lombardhobby.com/aurora-miniatures-n/

[lock4244]

Starting to wonder if some of the usual shops aren't listing these online because they are already sold out. The one store I found with them in stock blew through theirs in about 24 hours.

@basementcalling

In stock.

https://lombardhobby.com/aurora-miniatures-n/

[basementcalling]

@basementcalling

In stock.

https://lombardhobby.com/aurora-miniatures-n/

Saw that. May get a few more.  Shipment from Fusion Hobbies arrived today. Cars are gorgeous, and with quite delicate details. The cut lever and air hoses look like breaks waiting to happen.

Not a fan of the cardboard box packaging. May have to try to find a few empty MT jewel boxes to put the plastic inserts in for easier access. I guess paper is cheaper than clear plastic right now.

Biggest challenge now is finding proto photos of various schemes to help with weathering and adding graffiti, especially to the TBOXes. RRpicturearchive is still down. Photos not showing up even in a google search. Maybe folks on here can post em if they got em.

[Scottl]

https://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/ has many great shots