Piggy Packer - N SCAl.E: Trainlife.com Model Railroading Magazine Archive
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
N SCAl.E: Piggy Packer
NEW Spectrum Colors! GE 44 Ton Switcher
What's New . . . i n N Scale
Micro Engineering's newest injection-molded plastic structure kit is this "Doyle Distribution Center. " The 6x10-inch two
structure complex is $10.95 (an HO version is also a vailable at $12. 95).
r------,
The Micro Engineering structure kits
are designed so they can be built to
match the photo on the box, but the parts
can be easily cut (along the exterior
lines) with a razor saw, and there are
several windows and doors pre-punched
on the interior that are easy to open.
Shown here is a possible kit-conversion
of the larger N scale Murphy Manu
facturing building to reduce its area from
3x5% to about 2x4 inches. In truth, this is
the HO scale version of the kit, but only
that smaller-size rail would give it a way
- Micro Engineering's N scale kits have
details just as fine as the HO scale kits.
Con-Cor is offering its 50-foot flat cars with trailers (shown
in HO scale versions in the July issue) as N scale models.
There are minor detail differences between the HO and N
scale models, b u t the paint schemes are nearly iden
tical. There's a choice of WP (shown), Pennsylvania, Wabash,
Union Pacific, Great Northern, Illinois Central, Santa Fe and
New York Central markings - all based on trailers from the
Sixties.
.'
Con-Cor is now shipping these modern-era cupola ca
booses in N scale in a choice of road names that includes
Burlington Northern and Union Pacific. See your dealer.
Eastern Seaboard Models, P.D. Box 316, Little Ferry, NJ 07643-0318, is offering the N scale tank cars made by Rivarossi in
five lettering schemes including UTLX (circa 1967) $7. 50; Emery Chemicals, $8.25; Dow Chemicals, $ 7. 70; GATX (circa 1971,
shown here) $7.50; and Pan Pacific Commodities, $8.25 (shown). The models are lettered on both the sides and ends. The
September 1989 issue of the Journal will have color photographs of some similar prototype cars.
RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989 3
Calendar _
July 31 - August 6. National Model Rail Railroad H istorical NMRA Regional Conventions
road Association (NMRA) National Con Society Conventions
August 23-27. Pacific Northwest Region,
vention , Houston, Texas . Contact: Rick We intend to feature an annual spring cal Portland, Oregon. Contact: Ed Lindsay,
White, registrar, 1 5 1 1 Mirror Lake Dr. , endar of all the known (to us) prototype rail 24204 S . E . Oak St . , Troutdale, OR 97060.
Seabrook, TX 77586. road historical society meets. If, however,
your society has a meeting sometime in Sep
August 2-5. I I th Annual LGB Model September 7-10. North Central and N iagra
tember or l ater, please let us know and we'll
Railroad Club Convention, Indianapolis, In Frontier Regions, Sault Sainte M arie, On
include it either in the "Society Papers"
diana. Contact: Dave Lynn, 8332 Mock tario, Canada. Contact: John H . Selkirk, Sr.,
column or in this "Calend ar" section.
ingbird Ln . , Indianapolis, IN 46256. 1 77 Glen Ave . , Sault Ste. Marie, Ont . , Can
ada P6A 5E3 .
August 17-20. 5th Annual Garden Rail The Missouri Pacific Historical Society
way Convention, Concord (Bay Area), Cal will have its Ninth Annual Meeting in Little
ifornia. Contact: 3500 Clayton Rd . , Suite Rock, Arkansas from noon on Friday, Oc September 22-24. M id e astern Region,
B - I 05-A, Concord, CA 945 1 9 . tober 6th through Sunday, October 8th . The Cherry H i l l , New Jers e y . Contact: J i m
meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn - Cope, 4 3 6 University B l vd., Wenonah, N J
September 20-23. 9th National Narrow
Otter Creek, 1 1 70 1 1-30, Little Rock, A R 08090.
Gauge Conve ntion , Durango, Colorado.
72209 ( 5 0 I ) 4 5 5 - 1 1 7 1 . Contact: Camil l e
Contact: P . O . Box 2 1 9 1 , Durango, CO
Chappu i s , P . O . Box 1 04, Jackson, M O
8 1 302; (303 ) 259-0627 . September 27-0ctober 1. Pacific South
63755.
west Region, Torrance, California. Contact:
November 3-5 (1989). N Scale Con Gale Irwin, 1 0 Sorrel Ln., Rolling Hills Es
Other Events
vention, M i nneapo l i s , Twi- N-Trak '89, tates, CA 90274.
sponsored by the Saint Paul & Buffal o group October 28. (Railroad Prototype Modelers)
at the McClay VFW Post. Admission $2.00 . Meet, Troy , New York . 1 0:00 a . m . to 5:00
p . m . $ 1 0 . 00 admission at the Darwin Com October 6-8. Midwest Region (Illinois Val
Contact (including banquet): Twi-N-Trak,
m u n ications Center, Rennselaier Po l y ley Div . ) , Moline, Illinois. Contact: Regis
R. H uberty, 8 1 4 W. County Road " B ,"
technic Institute, 1 5th S treet (by the ped trar, "Rocket to the Quad Cities," 2 1 49 9th
Roseville, M N 55 1 1 3; (6 1 2) 489-4488 .
estrian bridge) . Bring a model! St., Rock Island, IL 6 1 20 1 .
November 11th. Santa Fe Modelers ,
On The Cover: The N Scale of Nevada all
Kansas City Area Meeting. Fairway, Kan
Tell 'em you saw it
metal Piggypacker kit is featured on pages
sas. Contact: Dave Acheson, 1 0208 Dear
1 8 and 1 9 of this issue with a similar proto
born, Overland Park, KS 66207 .
in type on pages 20-22. The U36B is a highly
"The Journal"
modified Bachmann model with new truck
Weekly. Rensselaer Model Railroad Socie sideframes, new frame, new handrails, pi
ty Open House, Saturdays from I to 4 p . m . lots and details that will be produced l ater
Davison Dorm Basement, Burdett A venue this year by N Scale of Nevada.
opposite Troy High, Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute, Troy , New York. For more informa
tion, call (5 1 8) 276-2764.
Corrections
T h e fine analysis of the B u ffal o , New
York yard, circa 1 937 was credited incor
rectly in the July 1 989 issue. The article is
the work of historian Richard Burg. Also,
the article on the history of 50-foot box cars
on page 44 of that same issue is the work of
Richard Burg . Please accept our apologies,
Richard; at least two members of the staff
have other friends with that name, and we all
missed it . B y the way, we'll have part II of
the box car history in the October issue.
Boston & Maine RR Historical Society
Dept . MJ
P . O . Box 2362 Harwood Station
Littleton, MA 0 1460
The Society dues are $25 .00 per year. The
Society publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, a
q u a rterly.•Modelers Notes" , a n d the In the area of corrections, Richard Burg also sent this information: "I nearly died
"B&M Bul letin " , which is published ap when I turned to page 58 of the July issue. There I found the Charles Winters ' photo of
proximately 3 times per year. a NR&PCCo hopper, with a caption claiming this was a USRA car! These are PRR
designed GLa class cars, built by Cambria Steel Car Company in Johnstown, Pa. , in
1 9 1 0 and 1 9 1 2 (800 cars and 200 cars). Car no. 1 1 3 7 is one of the 1 9 1 0 cars. See my
The Norfolk & Western Historical Society article in the March 1 98 7 C&O Historical Society Magazine for my article on them.
has moved its headquarters to 638 Jefferson Enclosed is a photo of a bunch of fellows trying to construct a GLa from a Tichy kit.
St., Ashland, OH 44805 . They have stopped work after realizing it is the wrong kit.
4 RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1989
Railmodel Journal Staff
Publisher: Larry Bell
Editor: F. Hoi Wagner, Jr.
Regular Contributors:
Louis A. Marre, Diesels
Jim Eager, Today's Modeling
Todd Sullivan, (c. 1960-1969) Modeling
John Nehrich, (c. 1945-1959) Modeling
Richard Hendrickson, (c. 1940-1949)
Modeling
Tom Hood, Canadian Modeling
Robert Higgins, Model Locomotives
Doug Gurin (Layout Design SIG), Layout
Design
Rick Brendel, Electronics
Art Director: Rick Hennigar
Circulation Manager: Sherri Patterson
Marketing Manager: Lori Austin-Rase August 1989 Volume 1, Number 3
Contributions: Mail to 2403 Champa St., Den
Table of Contents: "The Journal"
ver, CO 80205. All material must be accompanied
by return postage. We assume no liability or re
All Scales All Scales
Scenic Modeling Methods Scenic Modeling Methods
sponsibility for loss or damage to material. Any
material accepted is subject to such revision as is
Trees, from Sage Brush & Timberline Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
necessary in our sole discretion to meet the re
Your Top Tips: Readers ' "better ideas" for modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
quirements of the publication. Payment will be COLOR-Match: "Box Car Red" (the 'real thing') . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
made within 30 days of publication, unless pre Readers' Roster: Additions t o your freight car modeling knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
vious arrangements have been made in writing, at Industry Intended for Modelers Industry Intended for Modelers
our current rates which cover the author's and/or Intemlodal Freight Yards, Boston, circa 1 968 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
contributor's right, title and interest in and to the Sand Plants, Ottawa Silica Sand Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
material mailed, including but not limited to Operations to make your miniatures more realistic Operations
photographs, drawings, charts and designs, which Sand Yards & Plants (box cars and covered hoppers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
shall be considered as text. The act of mailing the Locomotive Sand Operations (on the Rio Grande) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
manuscript and/or material shall constitute an ex
press warranty that the material is original and in HO Scale HO Scale
no way an infringement upon the rights of others. Diesels , Detail-by-Detail , EMD GP9 on the Pennsylvania RR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Readers: Note that the procedures and materials Layout Photos (of YOUR layout), Bob Rivard's SOO . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
contained in the various articles in this magazine
Baltimore & Ohio 50 foot Box cars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
are presented in good faith but that no warranty is
PLANS, S argent Sand House on the D&RG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
given and no results guaranteed from any use of
Kit-Conversions, Con Cor (ex-Robins Rails) 60/ Box Cars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
this material. Nor is any freedom from other
Freight Cars : 60 Foot Plate C Auto Parts Box Cars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
patent or copyright implied. Since there is no way
Freight Cars: Union Refrigerator Transit, part II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
for us to control the application of material pre
sented in this magazine, Golden Bell Press and the
What's New .
In HO Scale . .
. . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
N Scale N Scale
respective editors, authors, photographers and il
lustrators disclaim any liability for untoward re
sults and/or for any physical injury that may be in Diesels, Detail-by-Detail , E M D GP9 on the Pennsylvania RR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
curred by using any of the material published in Locomotives-in-Action; Test/I mprove/Retest:
this magazine. Life Like EMD F9A and F9B Diesels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
N Scale of Nevada Piggypacker kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Plans, Sargent Sand House on the D&RG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Your Layout, on Tour: Kent Charles' NTRAK "At Home" . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Advertising Director: Robert Bickley, Depot
NTRAK Modular Layouts, an Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Hobby Advertising,
8039 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, CA 92041. Focus on Freight Cars , No . 2: 50/ Airslide Covered Hopper . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Telephone (619) 464-3777 Freight Cars: Union Refrigerator Transit, part I I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
What ' s New . . .
In N Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
o Scale o Scale
Advertising Policy: Railmodel Journal will
accept advertising only from manufacturers,
authorized direct importers, publishers and Diesels, Detail-by-Detail : EMD GP9 on the Pennsylvania RR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
distributors for their products. No dealer or Locomotives-in-Action: Test/Improve/Retest:
discount mail order advertising - no discount Hal lmarkiSamhongsa On3 East B road Top 2-8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
ads of any type - will be accepted. Publisher Freight Cars, Union Refrigerator Transit, part 1\ . . . 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
reserves the right to reject copy, text and/or What's New .
In 0 Scale . . . . . . . .
. . 71. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
illustrations or complete ads.
S Scale S Scale
RAILMODEL JOURNAL is published 12
Diesels, Detail-by-Detail , EMD GP9 on the Pennsylvania RR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
times a year by Golden Bell Press, 2403 Champa
Freight Cars: Union Refrigerator Transi t , part 1\ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
St., Denver, CO 80205, phone (303) 296-1600,
What's New .
In S Scale . .
. . . . .. . .
. . . . . . . . . 72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FAX (303) 295-2159. Price per single copy is
G Scale G Scale
$2.75, or $28.00 per year in the U.S.A. Individual
copy prices higher in Canada and other countries.
Foreign subscriptions $35.00 for 12 issues, pay
Layout Photos (of Your layout): Bob Tre at ' s Outdoor RR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
able in U.S. funds. RAlLMODEL JOURNAL,
ISSN 043-5441, copyright 1989 by Golden Bell Departments
Press. All rights reserved. Second Class Postage Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
paid at Denver, CO. POSTMASTER: Send ad Railroad Prototype Modelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
dress changes to Railmodel Journal, 2403 The Society Papers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Champa St., Denver, CO 80205. Books in Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
RAlLMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989 5
Diesels, Detail-by-Detail
Electro-Motive Division GP7, Phase II,
as Pen nsylvania Rail road no. 8557
The specific parts, decals and paint you'll need to duplicate this particular locomotive in miniature.
1 95 4 . Its successor, the GP9, produced 1 750 and late (Phase III) GP7s as between GP?
Photos from the
horsepower and was produced from January and GP9 locomotives .
collection of louis A. Marre This particular locomotive is an example
of 1 954 until December of 1 959. The two
EMD's Locomotive: The first diesel road are nearly identical in profile, overall size of the Phase II version of the GP7 . With the
switcher locomotives produced by General and shape - only small details like roof fans exception of the height of the doors on the
Motors' EMD subsidiary were called "Gen and louvers on the sides vary from model to sides of the long hood, however, the Phase II
eral Purpose" or GP locomotives. The GP7 model . In fact , there are as many detail is visually identical to the Phase I . The Phase
was the initial 1 500-horsepower version, differences between early (called Phase I, by I had doors 86 inches high (like the Atlas N
produced from October of 1 949 to May of railfans , if not by EMD), middle (Phase I I ) scale and Front Range HO scale models),
82" HIGH DOORS
6 RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989
Diesels, Detail-by-Detail
while this Phase II u ni t had slightly lower
doors that were 82 inches high (like the P&D Scale Model GP7 Diesels: Paint: Weathered black
Manufacturing 0 scale kit). When built, the
HO Scal e : Front Range Products ( Ath H O Scale Deca l s : M i croscale 8 7 : 3 9 ,
skirts had slots like the Atlas, Front Range
earn ' s is the later GP9), and Cary divi Champ E H 1 89 o r Walthers 934-77760.
and P&D models . most rai lroads removed at
sion of Bowser makes a body to fit the
least ponions of the skirts for easier access to N Scale Decals: Microscale 1 60-39.
Athearn chassi s .
the fuel tanks (as did the Pennsy on no.
N Scale: Atlas/Kato.
o Scale Decals: Champ E I 89 or Walthers
8557).
936-77760.
The Pennsylvania Railroad classi fied its o Scale: P&D Manufacturing (shown in
GP7 diesels as ES- 1 5m , and number 8557 S Scale Decals: None known, use com
the July 1 989 issue of the "Journal" on
was part of number series 8554-8582 within binations of HO and S scale decal sets .
page 60) .
the ES- 1 5 m class. This series was built in
1 952 and 1 953. In the 1 950s, the Pennsyl S Sca l e : None avai lable, but American
vania fitted many of its diesels with roof Model s does have a new G P9 which
mounted fu l l - length radi o antennas l ike could be modified into a GP7.
those visible here .
Detail-by-Detail (HO Scale):
Cal Scale (division of Bowser Mfg. Co.,
Inc.), 21 Howard St., Montou rsville, PA
17754-0322:
1-408 Antenna support sets $8.95/set
2-419 Windshield wipers 3.50/2 pr.
Details Associates, Box 5537, San Luis Obispo,
CA 93403:
3-1003 Headlights $1.00/2
4-1017 Classification lights 1.25/6
5-1101 Lift rings 1.25/36
6-1401 Drop step 1.25/2
7-1501 MU stand 1.00/2
8-1508 MU hoses 2.00/16
9-1601 Air horns 1.25/2
10-2201 Grab irons with bolts 1.75/18
11-2209 Footboards 3.25/2 pr.
12-2211 Lift bar with bracket 2.00/2
13-2302 Arm rest .8518
14-2503 .010" brass wire 2.00/1 0
15-2801 Brake cylinder 1.75/8
16-2807 Speed recorder 1.50/4
17-3002 Sand filler 1.00/4
25-2304 Wind deflectors 2.50/3 pr.
Details West, Box 5132, Hacienda Heights, CA
91745:
9-186 Air horns 2.00 ea.
17-201 Sand hatch 1.25/4
18-132 Handbrake stand 1.00 ea.
19-166 Fuel filler 2.00/4
20-172 Cab (inspection) lights 1.25/8
2-3968 Wipers 1.25/4
9-39085 Horn 1.25 ea.
19-39080 Fuel filler 1.00/4
20-39072 Running lights 1.25/6
21-3215 Poling pockets 1.25/4
22-4839 Piping set 2.75/set
23-39065 HandraiI stanchions 7.00/28
24-48237 Chain 2.25/10"
Proto Power West, 3432 Lucero Ave., La
Verne, CA 91750:
2-PW-1 Windshield wipers 1.6514 pr.
Ordering Information: All of these parts are
available to any hobby dealer, so your dealer
can order for you. If you must order direct,
order full package quantities and include $1.00
per order for UPS or postage and handling.
RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989 7
Locomotives in Action : Testllmprove/Retest_
Life-Like N Scale EMD F9-A Units
One of the lea st expensive mod e l s i n N scale, but i t has a d r i ve system derived from Life-Li ke's fi ne-ru n n i n g
GP38-2, a n d it's pac ked w i th weight (co m pa re them to the H a l l m a rk/S a m h on gsa F3-A&B m ode l s i n t h e J u l y
1 989 i ssue and the Atlas U25B i n J u ne)
Robert Higgins
The Electro-Motive Division of General
Single Two
Motors introduced the F9 series of diesel
electric freight locomotives in January 1 954
Data Summary A Unit A Units
to succeed the more than 5 , 500 F2, F3 and • Slowest no-stall speed over no. 6 switch: 2.04 smph 1.84 smph
F7 units (As and Bs) produced after World • Maximum pulling power (tractive force): 82.0 cars 161.6 cars
War I I . The final F-unit model developed by • Throttle response (at mid-load): 5.0 volts 4.7 volts
EMD, the F9 prouced 1 , 750 horsepower
from a 1 6-cylinder model 567C diesel en
gine. Production lasted until early 1 95 7 , and
only 1 75 F9 ' s were built - 77 A-units and
98 B ' s . Spotting features include a 48-inch
dynamic brake fan ahead of the four 36-inch
...
rooftop cooling fans and an extra set of car
body filter louvers ahead of the forward �
Z
porthole on the sides of the A units. Life
Like labels the model an F7, however. �
------- Locomotives-in-Action . . . TesUlmprovelRetest . . . L ife-L ike N Scale F9-A
Test Results
The headlight lamp was removed before
Railmodel Journal locomotive Evaluation No. 7
speed and tractive force measurements were
made on the inclined track test fixture. The Life-Like N Scale EMD F9 Diesels
F9 model demonstrated an excellent tractive
Observed Performance:
force and fine ratings for drive efficiency
and operating noise. Action Analysis: As Purchased
A Unit Only Two A Units
Two F9 A units were then doubleheaded
Minimum Speed (scale miles per hour)
for a test series. The tractive force was excel
with fUll-wave power: 9. 3 2. 3
lent, and efficiency and noise ratings were
with pulse power: 1.68 1.14
fine. An improvement in slow speed oper
over no. 6 switch, pulse power: 2.04 1.84
ation resulted in a fine scale speed rating.
Maximums
No load top speed, full wave, smph: 177.2 166.4
Uphill g rade maximum, percent: 25.8 25.8
Tractive force, level, ounces: 1.41 2.78
Number of cars pUlled, level: 82. 161.6
Number of cars pUlled , 4% grade: 23.6 66.8
Modifications
Replaced lubricant with LaBelle No . :
Added additional weight, ounces: 5.00
Adj ustments :
Subjective Judgements
Noise at fast speed: Fine Fine
Basic shape and proportions: Good Good
Painting and marking quality: Good Good
Downhill run smoothness: Fine Fine
Electronic Responses
Motor current at full load, amperes: .2 .52
Throttle response at no load, volts: 3.9 3. 2
Throttle response at mid load, volts: 5.0 4.7
Throttle response at full load, volts: 6. 6 5.8
Motor stall current at 12 volts, amp. : .4 .8
Minimum Curve Radius, inches: N/A N/A
Performance Ratings (1 to 5)
Tractive force: 5.0 5.0
Efficiency: 4.0 4.0
Noise: 4.0 4.0
S peeds: 1.0 3.0
Assembly workmanship: 5.0 5.0
Overal l Rating: 3. 8 4.2
RAlLMODEL JOURNAL - August 1989 9
Techniques
Sagebrush/Timber Products Trees
Someth i ng old, someth i ng new . . . i n s impl e-to-create trees
Robert Schleicher
Timber Products, 2029 E. Howe A ve.,
Tempe, AZ 8528 1 , offers a selection of
24 colors of this landscape batting they
call "Wild Weeds. " The colors range
from charcoal to rust to bronze to jade
and beyond. I opted for the no. 1 09-22
Hickory color at $2.98 a bag (plus 50¢
postage and handling. The material is
designed for groundcover-style weeds,
but it can be used for the intermediate
twigs of a tree or bush.
First pull the material apart in 3- to
5-inch bunches as shown.
C u t e a c h o f th e b u n c h e s i n t o
Y4-inch-long clumps (I tried 'h-inch, but
Y4-inch would be better).
Blend and mix and twist the pile of
!4-inch strands into a loose-stacked ar
ray with the fibers laying in every di
rection.
10 RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989I used a piece of wild sagebrush, cut, cleaned and lightly brushed to remove the loose bark. Walthers has a very simi lar piece of material in its no. 987, 988 and 989 "Gnarled Oaks " kits that can be substituted if you cannot locate real sagebrush. Cut the bottom flat and drive a 1 -inch finishing nail into the base of the trunk to provide a mounting bracket/ stem. Spray the tree with Floqui/,s Stick Em-Up or Scotch (3M) Sprayment spray adhesive. Push small bunches of the y.,-inch fiber onto the sagebrush trunk. Have a real tree or a photograph of one in sight so you can see how the clumps are concentrated near the ends of the branches on a real tree. Spray the tree with Floquil's Stick-Em Up or Scotch Sprayment, and immedi ately sprinkle some fine-grind green foam over the entire "twig" areas of the tree. I used the Timber Products Foliage/ Ground Cover no. 10 1 - 1 1, Moss Green, for the majority of the tree. When that foam was in place, I sprayed the tops of the trees with spray cement and sprink led on the lighter green Timber Products no. 1 0 1 - 1 3, Clover Green, to provide sunlight effects. The ground foam is $2. 49 a package plus 50rt postage. Woodland Scenics and AMSI make simi lar ground foam if you need to substitute. T h e finished tree can be shaped slightly, but it's best to avoid touching any of the clumps or they may flatten. Plant the tree in the earth as described in the June 1 989 issue. RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989
Earn $20.00
YOUR Top Tips
We'll pay you $20.00 each for any idea we publish. Just send us your
tip, preferably with a sketch (photos are optional) and enough of an ex
planation that we can photograph a recreation of the idea or redraw it.
Keep the tips simple; a minimum of one step and a maximum of three steps
Readers' "Better Ideas"
must complete the technique. (More than that and you should consider a
full-blown article. If it's that complex, write and ask if we're interested be
fore proceeding.
The ideas, sketches or photographs will not, ever. be returned, and their
use, as illustrations or as part of ideas, is our option. You may, of course,
incorporate them into future articles for us or any other magazine. We pay
approximately 30 days after publication. Be sure your name and address
are on each idea, photograph or sketch you submit. Mark the envelope
"Top Tips" when you submit your ideas. We reserve the right to reprint
the material. in any form, without further payment. Please let us know if
you do not want your city and state mentioned (we never provide ad
dresses). Come on, share 'em!
These first few are ones I've picked up from forgotten professional
modelers at the studios that build the prototypes for future model kits and
for motion picture and television miniatures. We want yours, so send 'em
In... Hoi Wagner
Joe D-Elia sent in this one: Hobby dealers sell special
track-cleaning erasers under the "Bright Boy" label (from Wal
thers). The eraser is just abrasive enough to clean oxides and
scum from the rails but not so tough that it actually scratches
the rail surface like a file or sandpaper. Any scratches will pro
duce an even greater surface area, which merely promotes
more oxidation and helps hold oil and grit. Hold the Bright Boy
like this to clean both rails.
Hold the Bright Boy at an angle so just a corner touches the
rails to remove difficult spots or paint and to clean around the
points and frogs of switches and crossings.
Razor saws are sold by a variety of
companies including Zona, X-acto, Atlas
and Mascot. For most plastiC and wood
cutting, you can use the saw in a con
ventional manner (as shown in the article
on adding double doors to the 60-foot
auto parts box car on pages 33-37 of this
issue). For tight corners, like removing
the end of the hood from an A thearn
diesel for a kit-conversion, use just the tip
of the razor saw, held as shown - it
makes the saw work like a single-edged
razor blade and improves control.
12 RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989Rai lfan's Photos (of you r layout)
We would like to see at least a sample of your model railroad and, as editors of the
Journal, we're willing to pay you for your trouble (and provide your railroad's
traffic department with some free publicity). We'll pay a minimum of $30 each for
any photos we publish on these pages. We prefer 35mm color transparancies
(slides), but some truly incredible black and white photographs would be considered
in 5x7 or larger formal. We cannot assume responsibility for lost or damaged
photos, but we will try to return them within 15 months (we need the
option of deciding when, and, yes, it can take that long to work them
into a balanced magazine like this one). Be sure your name and
address are on each slide or on the back of any
black and white photos. Payment will be
made within 45 days of publication.
Please include as much information
about the photo as possible (in
cluding what equipment and lighting
were used), and let us know who
should receive credit in the magazine
for the photo and the models. Thank
Benjamin Street, in suburban Minneapolis, is one of Bob Rivard's fa vorite train-watching spots. He has recreated the place,
including the proper signs, street markings and debris, in HO scale. He has also recreated the specific locomotives that operated
on that stretch of the 500 Line in 1982, and he even matches the actual cars and their weathering for the consists of his runs.
Those trains are, of course, also matched to the general consists and make-up of the real thing (but not always the full train
length). With the research techniques a vailable today, anyone can recreate this kind of atmosphere, and that's part of what
Rai/model Journal intends to help you accomplish, thanks in no small part to pioneers like Bob Rivard. You'll see more of his
layout later. - Photo by Bob Rivard
Bob Treat has achieved some incredible effects in 1122.5 scale. Granted, he started with real rocks and real dirt (to say no
thing of real sun), but a host of others have done far, far less with these same realism-boosters. The equipment is all slightly mod
ified LGB with new paint and weathering. Bob is not playing with toy trains, nor is he practicing the art of garden railroading - he
simply built and operated a model railroad outdoors, and it is one of the most realistic LGB lines we 've seen. Unfortunately, it was
removed when he moved from the Los Angeles County hills, so all that remains (as is true with many real narrow gauge lines) are
these photos and the equipment. Bob's railroad, however, will one day live again."Box Car Red"
Authentic Railroad Color Chips
Matched to Model Paints
Colors and paint chips from ACF Industries,
courtesy Ed Hawkins, Pat Wider and Ray Long
The box cars were painted with colors from the thin paint
chips to the right of the longer color chips (left to right): Code
A 02, Accu-paint no. 54, Rich Oxide Brown, straight from the
Hawkins, Wider and Long discovered actual paint chips in
bottle; Code F1 1 , mix of 80% Floquil no. 1 1 0 1 86 Oxide Red
the files of ACF Industries, the firm that builds real railroad
and 20% Floquil no. 1 1 0 1 75 Southern Freight Car Brown; and
cars, and they matched model paints to those chips. To mix
your own, use an eye dropper, and simply count d!"ops. For
Code S0 1 , Scalecoat no. 2 Oxide Red, straight from the bot
tle. It is impossible to perfectly reproduce colors in photos, so
their modelers ' code F1 1 , mix 80 drops of Floqwl 1 1 0 1 86
we would suggest you compare the straight-from-the-boffle
Oxide Red and 20 drops Floquil 1 1 0 1 75 Southern Freight Car
colors to these photos to see if your colors are a bit more red or
Brown. Be sure to thoroughly mix the original paints with a
more brown or lighter to give you a "control" base as a match
wood ice cream stick, then shake the bottle. Repeat the pro
for your mixed colors.
cess with the mixed colors.Freight �ar �olors
Baltimore & Ohio Box Cars, circa 1947-1951
When b u i lt, these were the col ors appl i ed to these cars by the b u i l de r .
All photos and data from ACF I nd ustries,
courtesy Ed Hawkins, Pat Wider and Ray long
One of the benefits of being part of a long chips shown in these photographs in ACF Foundry on cars built during the Forties and
established hobby like model railroading is Industries files and carefully matched the early Fifties. Some o f those colors are shown
that the products and information become chips to available paints (as shown on the here, and we ' l l present more later for other
more sophisticated as the hobby develops. previous page). railroads.
We benefit from technical advances such as Unfortunately, we do not always know Please , do not feel that you need to mix
improved motors for locomotives and better how long these colors were applied to freight precise formulas for every freight car or that
electronic controls. We also benefit from the cars; determ ining that is a chore being under your existing fleet of models does not match
increased availability of historical knowl taken by many of the real railroad historical prototype colors or that some of the model
edge as research data for new kits that are societies . Severa l of the societies have kits may be the " wrong" colors. For one
c loser to their prototypes . already produced color chips, and more are thing, these colors faded fairly quickly and
That historical knowledge also applies to under way . It is not just a specific color that were soon altered by true "earth" colors as
paint and lettering schemes, and on which these historians seek, but the correct colors the dirt and grime surrounding the railroads
cars, in which time period, those markings for particular time periods . Many railroads was blown onto the cars and washed into the
and colors appeared . Now , thanks to the made major changes in freight car colors surface by rain and wind . This " weather
efforts of some dedicated enthusiasts, we during the Sixties (and, often, during earlier ing" is " real world" stuff, and that's what
have actual paint color chips that were used time periods) , from colors near Floquil's no . most of us are modeling - not the outgoing
on many of the freight cars produced by 1 1 0074 Box Car Red to darker shades closer end of a freight car paint shop. The general
American Car & Foundry in the Forties and to Floquil ' s Tuscan Red. shades, however, are visible in color photo
early Fifties, and in some cases, earlier. Ed What we do know for certain is what graphs from the Fifties and later.
Hawkins, Pat Wider and Ray Long found the c o l ors were u s e d by A m e r i c a n Car & We see, for instance, that Union Pacific,
C&BT Car Shops has contacted each modeler or the addition of other clear car red colors used by ACF were F 14, a mix
of the historical societies that represent coa tings for the difference, as th e of one part Floquil 1 1 0074 Box Car Red and
the prototype railroads for C&BT's new 1 1 0XXX series should not vary in color three parts 1 1 0 1 75 Southern Fre ight Car
HO scale box car models to try to obtain from one batch - or one year - to the Brown, and code F 1 5 , a mix of equal parts
correct markings and colors for the kits. next). of 1 1 0074 Box Car Red and 1 1 0 1 75 South
Their success and close-calls are typical C&BT Car Shops is actually mixing the ern Freight Car Brown. This color is being
of the difficulty both modelers and man color pigment into the plastic so there is used so far by C&BT on New York Central
ufacturers have in duplicating real rail not a thick layer of paint to obscure the and Wabash cars as well as B&O. Anyone
road colors. Before you judge them too detail. In our perception, however, there have proof that B &O actual l y used this
harshly, remember that these real colors is still a slight translucence to the materi brownish shade rather than a redder color
soon faded in use and were discolored al, but the cars truly look painted if you close to the Western Maryland shade (as
by the blown and rain-washed soils to spray them with Testors Dullcote a fter all shown by A C F's color c h ips of B &O
much different shades. the parts are in place. As always, the specified paints in the 1 947-5 1 era)?
The long color chips below each car Dullcote blends the different reflectivity Santa Fe (cars available to any hobby de
are paint mixes matched to actual colors of the lettering with the overall color to aler) Floquil F04 paint.
used by American Car & Foundry (now produce a more realistic model. Some of Note: C&BT colored its Santa Fe car in a
ACF Industries) during the 1 94 7- 1 95 1 these C&BT cars are only a vailable from reddish-brown shade closer to a mix of Flo
period when they built cars for the B&o. dealers who ordered custom-printed bat
quil Tuscan or Box Car Red than Floquil 's
Later or earlier colors may have been dif ches of cars. Those dealers ' names are
no. 1 1 0 1 79 AT&SF M ineral Brown, which
ferent from these. Each chip has sec in parentheses beside the car (and their itself is a close match for the colors found by
tions sprayed with Testors Glosscote addresses are in the dealer directory in the Santa Fe Modelers group. But C&BT
(the third nearest the car), with Testors the back of this issue). Here are the Car Shops did match a l ate Forties color chip
Modelmaster Semi-Gloss clear (the C&BT carsleolors and the nearest match in obtaining its color.
middle third of the chip) and straight from to actual American Car & Foundry paint
the bottle with no clear cloating (the third chips: South ern (The Hobby Shop, Birmingham,
furthest from the camera). These clear AL) Floquil F02 paint.
coatings can effect your perception of Note: C&BT's car is a close match for this
W e stern Maryland ( M . B . K l e i n , B a l Floqu il no. 1 1 0 1 75 Southern Freight Car
the color by several shades. Note, for
example, that we also sprayed the left timore, M D ) SMP-Accu-paint A02, Floquil Brown (but the actual color is identical to the
half of the Santa Fe box car (the half with FII and Scalecoat S02 paint. B&O car - the Southern herald makes it
appear more brown).
the herald) with Testors Dullcote. Also, Baltimore & Ohio (A. B . Charles & Son,
earlier color mixtures of Floquil and other Pittsburgh, PA) Floquil F03 , FI4 and FI5 P ennsylvania ( A . B.Charles & Son , Pitts
brands of paint differed considerably in Paint. burg, PA) Floquil F07 paint.
color. We used the current 1 1 0XXX ser Note: C&BT matched its B&O color to a Note: C&BT's car is also a close match
ies Floquil for all of these color chips, but shade very close to Floqui l ' s no. 1 1 0074 for Floquil's no. 1 1 0 1 84 Tuscan Red #2 and
we have heard that some of these later Box Car Red. The Hawkins/Wider/Long re the paint chip (shown here) supplied a few
shades can vary (although we suspect search in color-matching assigned code F03 years ago to members of the Pennsylvania
inadequate mixing and shaking by the to this out-of-the-bottle color. Similar box Railroad Technical & Historical Society.
RAILMODEL JOURNAL - A ugust 1 989 15Freight Cars Models, circa 1947-1951 . . . Ba ltimore & Ohio Box Car Colors ________
Western Maryland, Nickel Plate and (maybe
- the paint chips say so) Baltimore & Ohio ACF Industries Data
cars were more orange than the brownish-red (by builder's lot number)
cars of the New York Central , Santa Fe,
Southern Pacific, M issouri Pacific , etc . The Car Date
Lot No. Car Photo No. No. Series Length Type Built
best this magazine, as an outlet for research
material, can offer is specific examples of 3197 B&O 297094 297000-297499 50' Box 10/47
specific real rai lroad colors - it's up to you
to blend them into a " fleet" with subtle Riveted construction, i ntermediate improved Dreadnaught ends,
weathering. 15-foot door, class M -58A.
Pittsburgh Synthetic Red (A02): Sides, ends, roof
Black: Underframe, trucks, AB brake
White: Lettering
Steel running board
3499 B&O 297803 297800-297849 50' Box 3/51
T h e double-door car below was
painted light grey with black markings Riveted construction, improved Dreadnaught ends, 8-foot door, class
only for its builder's photo. The ACF In M-60.
dustries files show it as part of lot 3 1 97, Thresher Varnish Co. Freight Car Red (F11): Sides, ends, roof
painted a shade close to SMP Accu Black: Underframe, trucks
Paint's no. 54 Rich Oxide Brown model White: Lettering
paint with white lettering. Steel running board
Models -
3499A B&O 282118 282000-282149 50' Box 3/51
HO Scale: Kit-convert the Front Range
no. 5000 (it has the correct number of Riveted construction, improved Dreadnaught ends, 8-foot door, class
panels, but no rivets) with one 8-foot M-61.
and one 7-foot door and the ends
Thresher Varnish Co. Freight Car Red (F11): Sides, ends, roof
from the C&BT Car Shops 40-foot
Black: Underframe, trucks
cars (or settle for the Front Range Wh,le: Lettering
5120 car kit's slightly wider panels, Steel running board
two 8-foot doors and more modern
improve Dreadnaught ends). 3545 B&O 282358 282150-283149 50' Box 7/51
N Scale: Con-Cor's model is similar. Riveted construction, improved Dreadnaught ends, 8-foot door, class
o Scale: Kit-con vert two of the Atlas M-61.
40-foot s l id i n g door box cars with Du Pont Freight Car Red (first 500 cars) (A02): Sides, ends, roof
doors from Locomotive Workshop. Pittsburgh Freight Car Red (last 500 cars) (F09): Sides, ends, roof
S Scal e : Kit-co n vert the Paci fic Ra i l Black: Underframe, trucks, AB brake
Shops 50-foot single door kit the Paci White: Lettering
fic Rail Shops 50-foot single door kit Steel running board
as described for HO scale.
16 RAlLMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989------ Freight Cars Models, circa 1 947- 1 95 1 . . . Baltimore & Ohio Box Car Colors
Car 297803, from lot 3499, is also
identical to the other 50-foot sing le-door
cars but is from B&O class M-60 and car
ries words:
" TEST BEARINGS
RETURN DEFECTIVE BEARINGS AND AXLES
TO ENGINEER OF TESTS B&O RR CO.
MT. CLAIRE SHOPS BALTIMORE MD."
beneath the herald.
Models -
HO Scale: Front Range 5000 with rivets added, the earlier interim improved Dreadnaught ends from C&BT Car Shops' 40-foot
cars (with the top rib changed to a rectangular shape).
N Scale: Con-Cor's model is simi lar.
o Scale: None available, but it would be possible to kit-convert the car from two Atlas 40-foot single door models.
S Scale: Pacific Rail Shops, 2260 Sherman Ave., No. Bend , OR 97459, has a new kit for a similar car, but the side sills must be
notched and the ends are the similar later-style improved Dreadnaught. $18.95 from your dealer.
Car 282 1 18 was part of American Car
& Foundry's builder lot no. 3499A. The
general shape and details of all of these
single-door cars are virtually identical,
with 8-foot-wide door openings, 1 6-panel
sides with riveted ends, diagonal panel
roofs and 3/4 interim improved Oread
naught ends with a rectangular top rib
(nearly identical to the ends on the Atlas
o scale 40-foot box cars). The 8&0
classified this and car 282358 as M-61
cars.
Decals for Baltimore & Ohio Box Cars, circa 1 947-1951 -
HO Scale Decals: Walthers 934-26100 or CDS HO-35 dry transfers
N Scale Decals: Northeast B&0-09 or CDS N-356 dry transfers
o Scale Decals: Walthers 936-26100 or
S Scale Decals:
CDS 0-356 dry transfers
CDS S-356 dry transfers �____p'V
There is no apparent difference between car 282358 from lot 3545 and the cars in lot 3499A except a slight change in the
color (this one is close to Scalecoat's no. 2 Oxide Red ) .
RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989 17Modeling
Intermodal Freight Yards
Reno, N evada, on the Southern Pac ific
- in N scale or HO scale -
Now there's a k i t to d u p l i cate the most common of the p i ggybac k l oaders, the M i -J a c k Prod u cts P i ggy Packer,
from N Sca l e of Nevada
Prototype photos and models courtesy John Coots
In the early days of trailers-on-f1at-cars , One of the earliest and most successful of Mi-Jack Products.
the trailers were pulled on and off the flats these sideloaders was produced by RayGo In the mid-Seventies, the Piggy Packer
by truck tractors from the ends of the cars . It Corp . in 1 962 in the form of a converted design was revised slightly, with a more ele
was a system that had been used for loading Wagner log loader. The prototype led to the vated cab and a new (optional) lifting head
and unloading circus wagons for nearly half model P-70 Piggy Packer shown here and on that allowed the units to maneuver the con
a century , and consequently the method was the foll o w i n g pages . I n teresting l y , the tainers without moving on the ground - the
appropriately termed ' 'circus loading . " By Southern Pacific and New York Central (as trailer or container could be moved right or
the late S ixties , however, nearly every well as the M ilwaukee Road) were the first left , backwards or forwards , up or down,
major piggyback terminal had converted to customers of RayGo, so the Piggy Packers and even rotated and tilted without moving
some type of side-Ioader/unloader so the in these photos may be among the pioneers the machine. This was obviously quicker
trailers could be placed on the flat cars and of this type of loading device. RayGo first than backing and moving the entire vehicle.
removed from them without the use of sold the Piggy Packer rights to FWD Corp . , The P-80 was the new designation for the
trucks . and the machines are now being p �ovided by improved machine, and i t could also lift a bit
The lifting head on the P- 70 Piggy
Packer swings out and over the trailer as
shown in this photo sequence in the
Southern Pacific's Sparks, Nevada, in
termodal yard.------ Industry . . . Intended for Modelers . . . In term ada I Yards
higher than the earlier P-70 Piggy Packers.
The P-70, however, is a nice choice for a
I
model because its use dates back to 1 962,
(Continued on page 72)
The N Scale of Nevada 111 60 scale
version of the Piggy Packer has virtually
all the details of the P-70 model of the
prototype. The trailers and flat cars in the
photo are Con-Cor models with Micro
scale decals. The U36B is a Bachmann
model completely rebuilt with details,
frame and truck sideframes from N Scale
of Nevada.
At rest, the P- 70 Piggy Packer places
the lifting head on the ground. This P-70
Piggy Packer was the prototype for the N
Scale of Nevada N scale and HO scale
kits. Use this photo, and those on the fol
lowing pages, to add the hydraulic lines,
weathering and bare metal areas of wear
and visible hydraulic rams.Modeling Boston, Massachusetts, on the New York Central, part I The N YC s u bs i d i ary Boston & A l bany's ea rly pi ggyback term i n al i n A l l ston ( Boston), Massa c h u setts, c i rca 1 968 . Photos from the collection of Robert A. Buck, Tuckers Hobbies, Warren, Massachusetts The New York Central ' s Beacon Park apron. A gentle curve sweeps through the erat i n g an intermodal yard j u st as pure Yard in A llsto n , M assachusetts (outside yard to fill in the available space outside the "scenery , " pulling loaded flat cars in and Boston) , was relatively new when these A llston freight and passenger car rip tracks loaded flat cars out, and ignoring the trailers photos were taken, likely about 1 968. Un at the upper right in the main photo . or contai ners . Some modelers, however, like many of the early "pig yards , " this one Later, we ' ll show you track plans of this make car cards for the individual trailers and was paved (in asphalt or blacktop) . area, including the subsequent rebuilding of containers so they can actually be loaded or The "Central" (actually it was the Boston the rip tracks into what could be called a unloaded (by hand - not with a working and Albany here) opted for an intermodal " team track" area for dry and fluid com scale model Piggy Packer). The advantage design that placed a single track on either modities. here is that you can set up a system so an oc side of this roughly I OO-foot-wide paved As a modeler, you have the option of op- casional empty flat car can be moved in (or
------- Industry . . . Intended for Modelers . . . Intermoda l Yards
out) o f the intermodal yard . I n the real For now , you have the key p ieces of tainers and trailers . There ' s a much wider
world, it is rare for incoming trailer or con equipment for an intermodal yard in either N choice of flat cars and container cars in HO
tainer quantities to be exactly matched by scale or HO scale: N Scale of Nevada has the scale, from Athearn , Proto Power West (A
outgoing shipments. Empty flat cars are loader/unloader in HO or N scale Piggy L i ne ) , S ierra Car & Foundry ( P . O . Box
usually stored in a yard near the i ntermodal Packer kits. Con-Cor and lnterail make flat 1 099, Felton, CA 950 1 8) and Con-Cor, plus
facil ity until they are needed. and container cars in N scale, as wel l as con- dozens of brass imports. A dozen firms o ffer
containers and trailers in HO scale .
One of the simplest intermodal yard designs, the Boston & Albany's facility near Boston has just two tracks sweeping in
broad curves around a t OO-foot-wide paved blacktop apron. In the late Sixties, when these photos were taken, a single P- 70 Piggy
Packer worked the yard. We 're not certain why the photos were taken; they do not appear to be publicity shots for the New York
Central because the trailer is a Chicago Great Western Railroad van. Perhaps the Piggy Packer's manufacturer, FWD Corp., ar
ranged for the shots, because the Piggy Packer does look extraordinarily clean.
Later, we 'll show you a track diagram of the area, including the freight and passenger rip track area after it had been con
verted into a "team track" area.Industry . . . Intended for Modelers . . . Intermodal Yards -------
Yl�
(
i
-r -
_ . ..
, "'"
... ..;..
C GWZ
5.0 4 0 9 3
There are a host of details you can add to one of the N Scale of Nevada HO or N scale Piggy Packer models, including grab
irons up the side of the lifting head (near the Great Western herald on the trailer), hydraulic lines and cables and, of course, an op
erator.
The only thing we have to date these photos is the built date on the Trailer Train flat Car - April 1967. This intermodal yard
still exists today, and it may date back to the late Fifties.
�...
'-I J;'
" .....
II � � . � �"'"
22 RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989Sand, part I
Ottawa S i l i ca Sand Co ., Ottawa, I l l i no i s
An i nd u stry that loads covered h oppers and box cars by the dozens - the foc us of the "Operations 1 / a rti
c les in the J u ly, August and Septe m ber i ssues
Photos and track diagram courtesy D.S. Harber, Range Research
" -
Photo 1 - U.S. Silica's loading tipple viewed from access road. View looking north from south end of plant.
Photo 2 - Processing plant, called
ground sand plant. View looks northwest
from southeast side of tipple. This plant
is for drying and grading the sand.
Photo 3 - Closeup view of U.S. Sil
ica 's loader. BN cars are on track 3,
which is used as a storage track. CSXT
cars are on track 5, spotted for loading
under tipple.
RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989 23Industry, Intended for Modelers . . . Sand ---------_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __
Photo 4 - View looking southwest
showing north side of ground sand plant
in May 1 989.
Shop
Building
®
Tracks F, G, H and I jointly owned by BN and CRI&P.
Tracks D , E, J, K and L owned by Ottawa Silica Sand Co.
J
K
CD�
NOTE: Arrows indicate photo locations.
Photo Key I I I II II I I I I I
0' 1 00 ' 200' 30C
Number Issue Page
Photo 1 1 July 31 APPROXIMATE SCALE
Photo 1 2 July 30
Photo 1 3 July 31
Remaining photos appear
in this issue.
Photo 5 - Overall view of U.S. Silica tipples from viewing platform located on east side of east pit. Photo looks west.
24 RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989______ Industry, Intended for Modelers . . . Sand
Photo 6 - u.s. Silica 's loading tipple
viewed from north end of plant, looking
south. Boxcars on far right are spotted
for loading at plant 9.
OTTAWA SI LICA SAND CO M PANY
Ottawa, I l l i nois
t Circa 1 975
CD
RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989 25Ope rations
Load ing Cars at Sand Pl ants, part I I
(Part I, on Car Orders, appeared in the July issue)
Switc h i ng a nd weigh i ng cars at Ottawa S i l ica Sand - there's more to it than you'd ever guess
D.S. Harber
Range Research
Switching and Weighing ished switching at their respective yards , Tracks 8 and 9 were used for loading box
In the late 1 970s, when this operation was they would both proceed to the sand plant. cars. The newest empties are always placed
studied , the RI and BN switch crews would Many times the R I and B N switch crew behind the older empties for loading . The
come on duty to work the U . S . Silica plant would be at the sand plant at the same time. reason for switching the oldest empties first
between 7:30 a . m . and 9 a . m . each day , and When this happened, each crew would try to out is to prevent the cars from being on de
the basic procedures remain the same, help the other out so as to reduce the amount murrage to long. Demurrage is the charge
though the Rock Island is no longer part of of switching necessary . Once at the sand that the railroads assess while cars are spot
the scene. They would pick up their switch plant, they would run to the south end of the ted at an industry . Once all the empties were
lists, proceed to the yard and begin to switch plant and place the empty covered hoppers spotted, the switch crews would proceed to
out the empties required by the sand plant on loading tracks 4 and 5 . Excess empties the north end of the plant and begin to switch
for that day. Once the switch crews were fin- would be stored on track 3 . (See map) . out the loaded covered hoppers. Cars were
positioned underneath the tipple by means of
a l arge car puller. Once they were loaded ,
the car puller again was used to pull the car
out from underneath the loading tipple.
Sometimes cars that were on the north side
of the tipple were empty , having been re
jected for loading because of being: dirty,
having cement inside, old sand inside, leaks
in the bottoms, bad discharge gates and hop
per bottoms and other defects. Sometimes
the cars that had been loaded were over
loaded and had to be set over to be reduced.
Thus, not all cars on the north side of the
tipple would al ways be p u l led as being
loaded .
Next, the switch crews would move over
to switching out box cars from the loading
docks. B ox cars l oaded w i t h b u l k sand
would be placed next to the covered hoppers
to be loaded . Box cars with bagged sand
would be placed next to the engine. The
Photo 7 - Car puller on north side of tipple. Once the cars are loaded, the car reason for this is that when they got ready to
puller is used to move the cars clear of the tipple and to move empty cars into place start weighing cars, the box cars that did not
for loading. need to be weighed were next to the engine.
The box cars were used as a handle to allow
the switch crew to weigh cars without having
to worry about the engine getting on the live
rails of the scale track. Engines are never
allowed on the weighing ( l ive) rails of a
s c a l e tra c k . Each covered h o p per was
shoved onto the scale and weighed . Once the
covered hopper was weighed, the switch
crew would kick (push) the cut of cars , and
the car that had been weighed would be un
coupled and allowed to roll off of the scale.
Each car was weighed, one at a time. The
scale would be adjusted to balance the beam,
and once balanced, the scale ticket would be
punched. The whole operatiolJ for each car
took from 30 to 45 seconds .
Al most all railroad scales are situated at
the top of a slight rise. This allows the cars
Photo 8 - The scale house at U.S. Sil
ica is of standard CB&Q (Burlington) de
sign.
26 RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989______ Opera tions . . . To Make Your Minia ture More L ike the Real Railroads
being shoved by the engine to have slack be
tween the couplers so the switch crew can
p u l l the p i n I ifter on the car after it is
weighed, and i t can be k icked off of the
scale. The downgrade on the opposite side of
the scale allows the cars to roll down the
sl ight downhill of the scale. The opposing
end of a scale track i s usually dow n h i l l
towards the scale , creating a valley . The
reason for this is so a car kicked off of the
scale may rol l a distance of 20 car lengths or
so, but once it reaches the far end of the
scale track, it will stop rol l ing as it starts to
go uph i l l . This avoids the chance of a car
rol ling away while weighing is taking place .
Each time a car is weighed , the engine give�
it a gentle shove, the car rol l s off the scale,
and the next car is spotted for we ighing. So
it goes as each car is weighed. The switch
crews closely watch each car to check for the
possibi lity of it being overloaded . If a car is
overloaded, it is sw itched out , the s i l ica
plant notified, and a crew comes out, opens
the gates and allows the excess sand to be
discharged onto the ground . Every time a car
is weighed, the engine must first shove for
ward and then pull back to spot each car on
the scale. These moves are quite time con
suming; it usually takes nearly an hour to
weigh 20 cars.
Modeling Operations at Scales
Mode lers of car w e i g h i n g operat i ons
should take note: On a model railroad, it is
impossible for cars to rol l off the scale track,
thus, each move would involve spotting a
car, uncoupl i ng each car and recoupling
each time you want to weigh a car. Some
newer scales are w e i g h - i n-motion ty pes
which allow a car to be weighed as it moves
across the scale. Those model ing 1 97 5 or
earlier would not have this luxury , except in
some hump yards. While weigh-in-motion
scales date back to the middle ' 50s , they Photo 9 - View showing scale house and scale track at U.S. Silica. Scale is
were used only in hump yards until the mid located on track 6, which is a run-through track to get from one end of the complex to
'70s. the other.
Photo 1 0 - BN switch crew weighing cars. Cars on right have been weighed. Middle car is rolling off scale a fter being
weighed. Switchman is positioning coupler knuckle so that when the car rolls off the scale, it will couple to the next car.
RAILMODEL JOURNAL - August 1 989 27Operations Locomotive Sand The R i o G rande's sand house at Sargent, Co l o rado, was a sou rce of car operations that carried t h e trad itions of 1 00 % h a n d labor from the 1 9th Centu ry wel l i nto the m id d l e of th i s centu ry . I nformation from Bob Richardson, Colorado Rai lroad Museum Photo by John Krause, circa 1 955, of westbound train off Marshall Pass, from the collection of M i ke Horner Some things, even in this high-tech age, of diesel s . Simi lar plumbing pushed sand dome of the steamers or the sandboxes of the remain simple, Common sand is stil l used to into the sand domes of the last steam loco diesels a bucketful at a time. That same provide traction on the streets and highways motives in the 1 950s. In the period from labor-intensive tradition lasted for the dur of America. Common sand is stil l used to about 1 900 through 1 960, sand was often ation of the Colorado narrow gauge lines provide more traction for the latest General blown or carried by conveyor into enclosed with few exceptions. Electric Dash-8 and EMD SD60 diesels, just bins 20 to 40 feet above the tracks, where When you consider carrying a commodity as it was for wood-burning steam loco gravity fed it through pipes to the sandboxes a bucketful at a time, you don ' t generally motives before the Civil War. or domes. think of that as an " industry" and yet . Today , sand is blown through pipes by On many branch lines, however, sand was A g a i n w i t h few exceptions , the narrow compressed air to fill sandboxes in the hoods simply stored in a bin and carried to the sand gauge railroads unloaded coal into the bins
You can also read
