Lowell Smith Baggage-Dorm-or-RPO-Dorm

[nickelplate759]

Lowell Smith has announced a new car that is a hybrid baggage-dorm / RPO-dorm.
It's an intentional foobie.
The NP and SP&S versions are RPO-dorm-ish.  The IC and GN are baggage-dorm.

Info here:
NP Loewy : https://lowellsmith.net/product/rs-np-dorm-rpo-1954/
NP Pine Tree : https://lowellsmith.net/product/rs-47-np-dorm-rpo/
IC : https://lowellsmith.net/product/railsmith-illinois-central-dorm-baggage/
GN Big Sky Blue: https://lowellsmith.net/product/railsmith-great-northern-dorm-bsb/

[thomasjmdavis]

Quote from one of the listings-

We took the plans from eight different railroads and built a car that would appear most common for all. So while none is exactly prototype, we know you will love this car that is very close for your railroad!

In this case, we can give Lowell credit for being up front about the cars being a 'freelance' design.  But this is what most of us do anyway- substituting a manufactured car that is 'close' for one that we would otherwise have to scratchbuild.  And also give him credit that he has posted photos of the prototype cars on the listings, so that we can see what the differences are and decide for ourselves.

And he's correct that RPO-Dorm cars were very rare.  Erie is the only other road I can think of that had them.  http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/erie624.jpg  (note that is an http, not https address)  So, making a car that can also stand in for a Baggage-Dorm probably makes a lot of economic sense.

More head end cars are always welcome

[Mark5]

I would have done the NCL version and placed an asterisk for the other roads. That said, I am happy to have this.

That leaves two "core" cars to go (Traveler's rest and the lounge observation).

Mark

[Philip H]

I wouldn’t toss the IC car out of bed for eating crackers.

[nickelplate759]

I wouldn’t toss the IC car out of bed for eating crackers.

Me neither.  That said, rather than using it as a stand-in for 1901, I'll probably put on 6wheel trucks and use it as a stand-in for one of the other Burnside rebuilds, which to my eye it looks closer to.

[nkalanaga]

Mark:  I'm also waiting for a Traveler's Rest car, or the GN's 1240-series Ranch cars.  Either would be fine for my 1974 Amtrak Empire Builder.

This new car seems reasonably close to at least one side of the GN's 1200-series baggage-dorms.  I haven't checked the other side.  Since the EB usually had an NP baggage car (leased from the BN), and GN baggage-dorm would be good companion.  Both GN and NP cars were bought by Amtrak, and ran in the EB.

One option for those who want the NP car, but don't like the compromises, would be to number it as NP 431.  They bought six cars for the NCL, 425-430.  430 was wrecked, and they bought a mail-dorm car from the C&NW to replace it.  So, they already had two styles of cars.  With loss of mail sorting contracts, the mail-dorms became baggage-dorms in the late 60s.  Buying a seventh car wouldn't be impossible, as the NP bought quite a few second-hand passenger cars.  They never had a 431, so the number is available.

 

[High Hood]

I’ll be in for a Big Sky Blue one. Hopefully the two windows on the baggage door won’t bother me too bad. They originally had three smalll windows, and they were eventually replaced by one big window. I get this a compromise, but I feel one or the other would be a better choice.

[thomasjmdavis]

I’ll be in for a Big Sky Blue one. Hopefully the two windows on the baggage door won’t bother me too bad. They originally had three smalll windows, and they were eventually replaced by one big window. I get this a compromise, but I feel one or the other would be a better choice.

On a couple occasions, I've written to manufacturers about the possibility of producing baggage cars with interchangeable doors, along the lines of what Wheels of Time did.  I don't care if they slide open, but the ability to easily change them from one window pattern to another, or easily change them out for scratchbuilt doors would be a plus in my opinion.  The WoT example seems to indicate that it can be done, and with a comparable price point to other manufacturers cars. 

[delamaize]

I got my 1954 NCL ordered!
After this car, All I'll need to have a full Lowell NCL consist will be the diner, travelers rest, Observation, and head end equipment.
I'm going to stay with my current power. Can't go wrong with Custom painted Kato F units.

[nickelplate759]

I got my 1954 NCL ordered!
After this car, All I'll need to have a full Lowell NCL consist will be the diner, travelers rest, Observation, and head end equipment.
I'm going to stay with my current power. Can't go wrong with Custom painted Kato F units.

I've no idea what Lowell is planning for the NCL observation, but I decorated a Kato car for mine.  I made a few minor detail changes - a straight radio antenna is the most obvious, but I also changed some roof vents, removed skirts, and filled in the two tiny upper compartment windows on the right side.
Here's a photo I've shared before:

[nickelplate759]

By the way, American Model Builders Laserkit offered N-scale sides for IC baggage-dorm #1900 (as rebuilt from Bougainvillea) that build up pretty nicely.  Here they are on an American Limited core kit - my first core kit build from some years ago.  Not bad for a first effort.



Union Station Products offers sides for the original Bougainvillea configuration (more windows) here: https://unionstationproducts.com/-7438-ic-ps-smooth-side-baggage-dormitory-coach.html

<edit> actually, Union Station Prodcts also offers sides for 4 other baggage-dorms as well : 1901, 1903, 1905 and 1906 </edit>

[delamaize]

I've no idea what Lowell is planning for the NCL observation, but I decorated a Kato car for mine.  I made a few minor detail changes - a straight radio antenna is the most obvious, but I also changed some roof vents, removed skirts, and filled in the two tiny upper compartment windows on the right side.
Here's a photo I've shared before:

I'm at work, so I don't have any pictures at this moment, but what I have currently is a custom painted ConCor obs, with a crude antenna. it does the job, but it isn't great.

[nkalanaga]

Lowell made the NCL dining car, but I don't know if he still has any.  I have one.

[nickelplate759]

Lowell made the NCL dining car, but I don't know if he still has any.  I have one.

His web site says another run is planned, but he's not sure when.

https://lowellsmith.net/product/railsmith-np-diner-453-north-coast-limited-1954/

[nkalanaga]

What struck me as odd about these baggage-dorm cars is that he apparently ISN'T making an Empire Builder version.  They were built for the Mid-Century Builder, and probably ran in EB paint longer than in Big Sky Blue and Amtrak combined.

I model 1974 (Amtrak) and none were in orange and green by then, five in BSB, and 1202 (BN 710) in full BN green and white.  But it would still be nice to have an EB car.