Micro Trains 60' Heavyweight RPO

[bigdawgks]

Hi, since I don't have one for reference, would somebody mind posting some photos of the underside of the MTL 60' RPO, preferably sans trucks. I would like to know if it's built the same way as other MTL heavyweights with with truck bolsters molded into the body but separate underbody that slips over them. Dimensions would be super appreciated too, but I can wait until I get my hands on one for exact measurements.

[thomasjmdavis]

Here is a quick phone shot. I turned on the flash to over-expose it to give an idea of the details.  The underframe does come off the body, as with the pullmans and coaches, etc.  I get an overall body length of 4.622" not including the diaphragms or couplers. Which scales to 61'7" if I typed everything correctly into the calculator app.  It has the same offset 6 wheel trucks as the Pullmans and coaches (so the bolster holes are moved outward from where the bolster is on the prototy.  I believe they've also produced some with 4 wheel trucks.  The couplers are not 1015 or 16.  I think these are 1025s or some variant of those (at least on the one I have in front of me).

I realized my caliper was a bit out of adjustment- On trying again, I got 4.644" with a scale length of approx. 61' 10.4".

[bigdawgks]

Thanks. This confirms it is just like the longer heavyweights. I'll be able to derive most dimensions from that fact, but I'm sure the bolster positions are proportionally slightly different, as are the little capsule shaped nubs that hold it on to the body.

I'll be looking out for one of these at the next show I attend.

[thomasjmdavis]

Just out of curiosity, what is your project? (I'm assuming that you intend to take it apart and modify it, given the questions)

[bigdawgks]

I am working on a designing a new body shell for a different RPO prototype (New Haven rebuilt Laconia cars) and figured it would save me some effort if it reused the MTL underbody part (which also includes the steps/stirrups). I only considered it partway through and realized I don't actually have one to measure.

[JoeD]

I am working on a designing a new body shell for a different RPO prototype (New Haven rebuilt Laconia cars) and figured it would save me some effort if it reused the MTL underbody part (which also includes the steps/stirrups). I only considered it partway through and realized I don't actually have one to measure.

Contact me @  Joe@micro-trains.com and I'll get you some parts to work with


Joe

[bbussey]

The Micro-Trains model already is based on the NH Laconia as-built prototype.  For the mid-century version, you simply need to fill the windows - which can be done the traditional way with styrene and putty, or by replacing the windowband with an etched equivalent, or replacing the sides with a 3D-printed parts.

[bigdawgks]

Bryan, if true then it's not very accurate. I greatly respect your knowledge on the NH but perhaps you should check your references again? As far as I can tell, the body has more in common with the unrebuilt Osgood Bradley cars (same window configuration at least).

In any case, the rebuilt cars all had a 4 window configuration, all on one end. Modifying the MTL body would require inserting an extra window. Having spent several days designing a CAD model from drawings and reference photos I can see a lot of other details are different.

In any case I've enjoyed the process and I am quite pleased with how mine design has turned out. It's nearing completion but I haven't tested any prints yet so there's probably refinement needed somewhere.

Joe, thanks for the offer. I will take a look if I can find what the part numbers are and reach out. Seeing how much new cars are selling for online it's a bit much just to reuse a few of the parts.

[bbussey]

The model matches an early-century as-delivered photo in one of the Train Shed Cyclopedia volumes. But you're correct in that it does not match the rebuilt configuration.

[OldEastRR]

I thought it was based on a CB&Q car.

[chessie system fan]

I thought it was based on a CB&Q car.

That's the RPO/baggage car.

[thomasjmdavis]

Many roads had cars similar to the MTL car (with 3-3/4-2 window arrangement), among them NH, B&M, Wabash, GN and (I am 99% certain) CB&Q.  I am sure there are others. The cars were built between 1912 and 1920.  Sometimes referred to as "USRA RPOs" but I don't think any were actually built as USRA, and indeed many were built before USRA was established. 

According to the MR review from 2009,  the MTL car is based on GN drawings-

Micro-Trains had specifically modeled RPOs built for the Great Northern in 1918. The car matches prototype drawings and photos published by the
GN Ry. Historical Society, except for the loop-shaped brake hangers on its trucks. The window pattern and clerestory detailing are correct for GN cars 23-36 in the 1940s.
https://www.trains.com/mrr/news-reviews/reviews/staff-reviews/micro-trains-n-scale-heavyweight-rpo/

[Sokramiketes]

Many roads had cars similar to the MTL car (with 3-3/4-2 window arrangement), among them NH, B&M, Wabash, GN and (I am 99% certain) CB&Q.  I am sure there are others. The cars were built between 1912 and 1920.  Sometimes referred to as "USRA RPOs" but I don't think any were actually built as USRA, and indeed many were built before USRA was established. 

According to the MR review from 2009,  the MTL car is based on GN drawings-

The RPO sticks out from the rest of the heavyweight series.  Yes, it's a very early car.  No, it doesn't provide much value when packaged with 1950-60s train sets, with AC converted heavyweights.  It's the same time scale difference as putting a 40ft PS-1 boxcar in with a set of modern boxcars. 

The tooling was better and more intricate than subsequent releases.  And it would really have legs with updated car sides that were hinted upon release. 

[thomasjmdavis]

The RPO sticks out from the rest of the heavyweight series.  Yes, it's a very early car.  No, it doesn't provide much value when packaged with 1950-60s train sets, with AC converted heavyweights.  It's the same time scale difference as putting a 40ft PS-1 boxcar in with a set of modern boxcars. 

The tooling was better and more intricate than subsequent releases.  And it would really have legs with updated car sides that were hinted upon release.

I agree completely, Mike. I've been quite surprised that they haven't done a 60' mail-baggage combination (many railroads converted their RPOs of this pattern to 30' mail- 30' baggage cars), or full baggage cars (another use for the prototypes by many roads).  Those would use existing tooling, other than the sides. Years ago, Jerry Laboda did a webpage on how to kitbash cars for several roads from the MTL RPO.

And, of course, the 'standard' RPOs that came later- 5 window and 6 window (or the 4 window used by NH and no doubt others).  Although Atlas has done a 6 window based on CNW prototype, which is a pretty good model, other than it's rooftop weight that makes it kinda wobbly, and crummy plastic wheels.

I've been overall pretty lucky- years ago used a couple of the MTL RPOs as cores for M&R sides to do AT&SF RPOs, and found an old JnJ (IIRC) set of sides for a 5 window car (they also did a 4 window set, in ancient days).  I painted up one of the MTL cars in GTW paint- theirs were modified into 3-2/3-2 window pattern, as I assume was also used in Canada (?).  I left mine as it was, but may do one to correct window pattern if I live long enough to complete the hundred projects already backlogged.