I picked up a couple of these cars on e-bay. The description, says "Pulpwood Car". Other descriptions have said " Divided Container Car" It is not a very detailed car, but I thought I might do something with it. As most of us know, RR cars, often start as one type car and evolve in something else over the years. Frisco used a similar car for tie loading. We called them "Chain Cars" due to the fact that on the sides were full length, chain curtains, to hold ties from falling out of the car, from the side motion of the car. "Yaw and Pitch" Everyone's ideas are welcome here. Any photos? Any thoughts, as to the type Car.
I have no idea. Are you going to kitbash a couple of Frisco tie cars with the chain curtains. That would look so cool and unique.
Jim, still trying to figure out the best thing to do. The floor panel is one that clips on the ends. Thinking I might cut those off. The trucks have the coupler mounted. Soooooo! Was hoping someone would have experience with these. I have wanted to do some of these, because, we used to get cars like this in the mid 70's. The foreman would stand on the end of the car and say "throw 5" or "throw 10" between poles on the pole line. We alway's hated to see these, about 10 cars, you was completely shot. I would like any advice, really I am not a very good car builder. Here is a better shot.
Bill I have seen pictures of the cars similar to the ones you have here in pulpwood service but I cannot remember where I saw them, I am sure I will see them again. Just not so sure I will remember you were looking for the pictures, when I see them. There is a car w chains on the sides on page 119 of Mr. Molo's Frisco/Katy book. but its not what you have. Kind of a hybrid of your AHM/Roco and Walthers car. Where did I see that picture??
Ok, thanks Tom, thats why this is a great site. I looked in the Frisco/Katy book, probably not a good kit bash for me anyway. I will take your word on the pulpwood car, its the most reasonable. The container idea don't sound right to me. I was not able to get Kadee's in the truck mounted pockets. One worked, now I will try maybe to modify the floor, to work with a Kadee. More ideas on the floor? I looked again at the Molo Book, I see 1980 from GSC kits, What is a wood rack? Ok, I read a little more, a wood rack is a Pulpwood car. I knew I had heard that term, been long time. So the quest continues. Question now becomes; Did Frisco have the sectional pulp or wood racks?
Somewhere in a recent Model Railroader magazine was a article about reworking these type cars. It looked fairly simple to do with little scrap the finished product was first rate. I will try and look for the article and tell you where I seen it!!!
Ok, thanks you know these cars have the push pin center pin and the coupler goes on the trucks. These are not real high quality cars, but there still pretty neat. William Jackson
Looks like a neat start to a kit-bash. I am just throwing some stuff here, but I would fill in the truck pin hole and mount some decent trucks on them for a start. Then I would mount the draft gear and coupler onto the body/frame. I think I have seen something approaching this type of car being used to transport poles, bridge ties, concrete/clay pipe, whatever. What length do you have between the bulkheads? I see good possibilities!
The car is about 6 3/4 long. While we are on the subject, what do you use to fill the holes? Wood Putty or something else. I have new trucks to use and will use Kadee for the couplers. Before I do too much more, I would like to see if Frisco, converted any of these type cars or whether they used just the wood racks. I am fighting myself, to remember if the cars I worked in were divided or not. William Jackson
Bill Evergreen sell packages of assorted round stock and tubes. I would get a package of each and see what fits the hole, if the tube works then you already have a hole start for the screw 2-56 is the norm. Those KD trucks should have a small hole in it just right for what your doing. KD sells shims for getting the coupler height right. If you dont have a KD coupler height gauge you need one of them too.
Thanks Tom, thats a great thought. I would have not thought of that. I will try it. Again this part of the hobby is new to me. William Jackson
Tom's suggestion is excellent and the best by far - I'm a cheap skate- I would take the frame to the store and purchase a dowel to fit the hole - superglue a plug in the hole - sand it flush - drill a pilot hole for the truck screw. William, I was asking the measurement in HO scale between each of the partitions. Just trying to think how long poles, timbers, or what would fit for a load if loaded lengthwise.
Dowel is a good idea also. I checked, my Evergreen round stock and I will need to get another size. The putty, I was talking about is the stuff you get in a can, can't remember the name, but its like a composite stuff, that is able to sand and drill. The compartments are a little over 15 Ft. the total car 50 Ft. I had to find my scale ruler and coupler hight gage,you know I put it where I wouldn't lose it. I have some good trucks, so with these suggestions I should be ok. If you have a load thought, come on with it. William Jackson
Jerome, the N&W loaded car is exactly what I was I was thinking about for a load... Thanks for finding this. William .. If you don't want to use the dowel, the green squadron putty would be what I would use to fill the hole.
Alright, the quest has reach a conclusion. Jerome, thanks for finding that. It is a big help. Good to hear from you again. I really do not miss Gillette or Newcastle. I will model the car as intended, a Pulpwood car. Still going to be kinda neat, although, Frisco did not have any. I am going to try the Evergreen round stock first. Thanks to all that replied. William Jackson
