Evemodel 35-ft Semi-trailers

[cfritschle]

I am not sure when Evemodel began offering 2-packs of 35-ft semi-trailers, but Mark5 asked me about them a month ago.  Since I didn’t have any 35-ft trailers in my “collection” I ordered a 2-pack of each body style.  After the trailers arrived, I came to the conclusion that the trailers were from the same tooling that Bachmann had used for their trailer on a flatcar that was released about 10 years ago.

This photo is of the Evemodel fluted side trailer being pulled by a Trainworx Peterbilt 350.


And this photo is of the Evemodel exterior post trailer being pulled by an Athearn Ford C


Here is a link to the fluted side trailers: https://www.eve-modeler.com/products/c15065-2-pieces-n-scale-1-160-model-trailer-for-railway-tractor?_pos=2&_psq=n+scale+trailer&_ss=e&_v=1.0

And here is a link to the exterior post trailers: https://www.eve-modeler.com/products/c15066-2-pieces-n-scale-1-160-model-trailer-for-railway-tractor?_pos=1&_psq=n+scale+trailer&_ss=e&_v=1.0

[Mark5]

Carter, thanks for "taking one for the team"! 

They kind of need mud flaps, but they look better than I thought they would!

They also appear to have been tooled at the same time as the Walthers HO 35' trailers: https://www.walthers.com/35-fluted-side-trailer-2-pack-assembled-pennsylvania-railroad-silver-tuscan

Mark

[garethashenden]

What era are these appropriate for and are there better models of the same prototype?

[amato1969]

They kind of need mud flaps, but they look better than I thought they would!

Agreed!  These look like a good base for detailing!

  Frank

[nickelplate759]

I note two roughly appropriate (not 100% accurate for this prototype) NKP schemes.  The blue body scheme has N&W numbers, but the silver-body scheme appears to be numbered T-1501, which was a 35' insulated trailer in this scheme.   Of course, it appears that both trailers in the set have the same number  (small ).
One could add refrigerator details under the floor and model the 1601- series too.

The blue body scheme is close what was used on the 905-to-949 series 35' insulated trailers.

I'm a little torn.  On the one hand, I love that they did NKP and want to buy some just 'cause.  On the other, I can paint and letter them better myself, so I might just buy the undec's.     

Either way I'm going to get some.

[DirtyD79]

What era are these appropriate for and are there better models of the same prototype?

I'd say those ones were used from the late 1940s until the mid 1960s when new 40 foot trailers were becoming the norm.

[thomasjmdavis]

I note that on the page for one of these, they are described as 1:160,  but the "specifications" (under "Description" on the lower right of the page) they are shown as 1:150.  Curious as to how they scale out.  If someone who has them could measure (in scale, or mm, or inches and hundredths) it would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

The fluted side model is a reasonable approximation of one that ATSF had, although I am not sure of the length of the prototype and haven't counted the number of flutes.  I used to have a list of early ATSF trailers... but no idea what publication it was in, or if it is still on my bookcase. 

[nickelplate759]

A quick look at @spookshow 's encyclopedia here http://www.spookshow.net/freight/bachtofc.html  suggests that these are not the same tooling as the Bachmann trailers.   Note that the Bachmann out-side post trailer has a much squarer nose.

[nickelplate759]

I just noticed that Evemodel has dimensions on their web site!

Translated to N-scale I get:

Height 23.8mm = 12 6"  (from the ground).
Length 66.6mm = 35'
Width 15.4mm = 97" = 8'1"

So, looks pretty good!  Perhaps a little tall for the early 1950s'.   Maybe let a little air out of the tires to get it down to 12'?

[cfritschle]

Here are a couple of comparison photos of the Evemodel trailers with a Classic Metal Works trailer in the middle.  The landing gear on the Evemodel trailers is raised, so that is why each trailer has an Athearn Ford C pulling it.  Note: The trailers and Ford C tractors are on an uneven surface which results in the "tipping" appearance of the Evemodel trailers, especially in the top photo.





I will attempt to disassemble one of the Evemodel trailers and take some pictures of the parts to give everyone a better idea of the "quality" of the injection molded plastic parts.

[cfritschle]

A quick look at @spookshow 's encyclopedia here http://www.spookshow.net/freight/bachtofc.html  suggests that these are not the same tooling as the Bachmann trailers.   Note that the Bachmann out-side post trailer has a much squarer nose.

I agree that the Bachmann and Evemodel trailers are not identical, but they are so similar that it is hard to imagine a company would invest in all new tooling for North American style trailers, and not have access to the North American dealer network.   

Perhaps Evemodel acquired used or rejected tooling, and refurbished it?  I remember seeing that one of the trailer styles showed 1800 in stock when I placed my order.  Now one shows 1799 in stock and the other shows 1789 in stock.  It is going to take a long time to recover their tooling expense if the trailers were made with all new tooling. 

[cfritschle]

I found some photos from multiple angles of a Bachmann exterior post trailer.  The Bachmann and Evemodel exterior post trailers are not as similar as I originally thought.   

So, the source of the tooling for these models remains a mystery!  Maybe they are not even based on North American prototypes.   

[nickelplate759]

... Maybe they are not even based on North American prototypes.   

I wondered about that too.  But I'm still happy to have more options for 35' trailers.   Still hoping for the 35' outside-post Freuhauf trailer that Rapido did in HO (and ESMC has teased in N scale).

[cfritschle]

Carter, thanks for "taking one for the team"! 

They kind of need mud flaps, but they look better than I thought they would!

They also appear to have been tooled at the same time as the Walthers HO 35' trailers: https://www.walthers.com/35-fluted-side-trailer-2-pack-assembled-pennsylvania-railroad-silver-tuscan

Mark

Mark, you are very welcome!  The Walthers HO fluted side trailer does appear to be identical (except for size of course) to the Evemodel fluted side trailer.  The Walthers trailer is also missing the mudflaps, which seems odd for a model trailer that lists for $31.98!

As for N scale mudflaps, they can be made from styrene strips like I did years ago for my Con-Cor trailers:  https://nscalevehicles.org/tips_n_tricks/concor_28ft_pup.php

Another alternative would be the Showcase Miniature etched stainless steel mudflaps:  https://www.showcaseminiatures.net/n_scale/n_scale_vehicle_details/57.html

[cfritschle]

I disassembled one of the Evemodel exterior post trailers and the parts are shown below.  I discovered that the suspension bogie and landing gear are glued to the frame.  I was surprised to see the hole for the front axle on the trailer allows for up or down movement of the axle! That is a nice feature if you park the trailer on uneven ground. Also, the kingpin has a much smaller diameter than the kingpins on most N scale trailers. And, the trailer roof has a very unusual crosshatch pattern.



I also temporarily borrowed the wheels from one of my Trainworx trailers and put them on the Evemodel trailer for the photo shown below.  I glued the landing gear further back from its original position so the tandem rear axle Trainworx Peterbilt 350 could pull the trailer, and still make a turn.