I was thinking about my new layout I want to start this fall and it will have 18R curves. I know frisco had 89' auto racks, but what about something smaller like 60' or something like that. Even if it's a different roadname.
Frisco did build at least 1 small autorack. They may have had others. The one I have a photo of has 4 Chrysler corp cars on it and is two levels. Tyco and some others have made similar cars and they may be a good starting point.
L 42 6 means the length of the car is 42 feet 6 inches. Blt is the date that the car was built. This information is on all cars. Bob Wintle
Ok, you remember the Tyco frisco Auto racks, I just discovered I had one. Only problem the top rack is long gone. I found it at my grandma house last summer, no trucks. So I brought it home and forgot about it, till this morning. This winter I my get some styrene I beams and remake the rack.
Actually, I am a little embarrassed. Are those 56 or 57 models ?? Here's a toss-up ... What do these mean? SN-2-59 SPRG 3 1/2 In Travel 1W STL WHLS RS JOURNAL STO_____?
i'l give it a try SN-2-59 = SERIAL NUMBER -FEB-1959 SPRG 3 1/2 IN TRAVEL = 3 1/2 INCHES OF SRPING TRAVEL 1W STL WHLS = 1W? ST LOUIS WHOLESALE ? RS JOURNAL STO = RIGHT SIDE JOURNAL STO ? IM JUST GUESSING AT THIS LET ME KNOW IF IM CLOSE
The SN is the 2 letter code for the shop where the car was last inspected/overhauled. The 2-59 is the date (i.e. February, 1959). I would be very surprised if SN wasn't a code for Springfield,MO. You will also see cars that say "NEW MM-YY". Paul
SN = Springfield 1W STL WHLS=One wear steel wheels RS JOURNAL STO = Journal stops are placed between the axle and the side of the journal box to relieve the journal brass from undue wear/stress to due acceleration/deceleration
Nice going - KARL. You almost got all of them, and they are understandable to me. Do you know what the "SPRG 3 1/2 in travel" refers too?? How come no one told me the year of those Plymouth cars? They were either 56 or 57 ? I got to thinking that the autos could not be older than the inspection in the railcar so: They are 1959 Plymouths. http://www.misterw.com/Plymouth/59Plymouth16.html
craigh answered: "SPRG 3 1/2 IN TRAVEL = 3 1/2 INCHES OF SRPING (sic) TRAVEL" correctly so I didn't add anything. It is the amount of travel in the truck springs, and it is often limited by snubbers, wedges, etc to control "bounce". If I remember correctly the ASTM had standards for 1W, 2W, and mutli-wear wheels. I have to do some digging for those standards. As to the automobiles....gotta love those tail fins.
My thanks to all who contributed, including the photo. I was not quite sure that Craigh was referring to the truck spring. Those autos' back then looked like a car should. They had lots of metal in them (didn't fold up in a collision), and had lotsa room inside, and were comfortable to ride in ... not like the "jelly beans" of today which all look the same, and your knees are under your chin.
