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Post by catt on Jul 31, 2014 5:54:29 GMT -8
When I switched from HO to N scale I sold what I thought was all of my HO rolling stock but I seem to keep finding cars that I was sure I had sold.I have five of these cars and nary a clue as to who did the prototype or even the model.Any clues would be appreciated as to the proto maker,the model maker,capacity,proper trucks and wheel sizes,and wether or not they are still in current service (actually they will be it's MY railroad).As usual any help is appreciated.  |
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Post by atsfan on Jul 31, 2014 6:57:04 GMT -8
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Post by dti406 on Jul 31, 2014 8:02:27 GMT -8
These are the old MDC/Roundhouse version of the Pullman Standard 2003 CF Covered Hopper. These cars have some major problems in relation to the prototype but are okay for the 3' rule.
Wheel size would be 33" as they are nominal 70 Ton cars (140,000)Capy. Either Solid Bearing or Roller Bearing Trucks would be okay as most of these cars were delivered in the 50's with Solid Bearing trucks and could have been retrofitted in the late 60's and 70's with Roller Bearing trucks. The trucks should have 3 visible springs to be classified as 70 Ton Capy Trucks. A lot of the standard Athearn and MDC trucks only have two springs which indicates they are 50-55 Ton Capy Trucks.
As most of these cars were delivered in the 50's and early 60's they should not be used in interchange services due to the 50 yr rule but could be used on the home railroad until they were retired.
Rick J
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Post by wp8thsub on Jul 31, 2014 8:20:35 GMT -8
That looks like the old MDC version of a PS 2003. Atlas has a nicer model of this car in its Trainman line, and Kadee makes a better one still, with fine grabs, running boards, and so on. Athearn still offers this car with the basic castings cleaned up somewhat, nicer gate detail, and an etched running board, but it's still crude compared to the newer models. This is a 70-ton car which would normally have 33-inch wheels, but trucks vary a lot. If I'm remembering correctly these dated from the mid-late 1950s, and remained common into the 1980s, by which time they were being replaced by 100-ton cars. Given their age, by now they would have run afoul of the 40-year limitation and would no longer be in revenue service. Being built prior to 1974, they wouldn't qualify for a 50-year lifespan unless subject to a Rule 88 rebuild or extended service status.  As shown here, I still have my MDC cars in service on my late 70s-early 80s layout (far left and fourth from left in this shot). To compare, the two cars at right are from Atlas. |
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Post by Brakie on Jul 31, 2014 9:14:53 GMT -8
Rick: These are the old MDC/Roundhouse version of the Pullman Standard 2003 CF Covered Hopper. These cars have some major problems in relation to the prototype but are okay for the 3' rule.
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At 3' it doesn't matter if the car or engine is correct or not,super detailed or not..IMHO 10-12" rule would be much better for picking out the details then that fantasy 3' rule everybody uses as a put down..
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Post by catt on Jul 31, 2014 11:23:39 GMT -8
Thanks for the help guys.Athearn did not do much to rate that big a price increase.Considering what I have invested in the 5 that I have ($10.00 about 5 years ago) I think I can spend a little time and money to make them more than suitable for me.By the way two of the cars have Athearn sprung trucks,I tried to replace the plastic wheels with metal ones.Lot's of aggravation and no success.  Next vtime you see this car and it's siblings they will look considerably different.  |
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Post by drolsen on Jul 31, 2014 11:43:14 GMT -8
At 3' it doesn't matter if the car or engine is correct or not,super detailed or not..IMHO 10-12" rule would be much better for picking out the details then that fantasy 3' rule everybody uses as a put down.. That's funny, because I've personally never understood the "3 foot rule." I can easily tell the difference between a Kadee and Atlas PS-2 covered hopper, or an Athearn and Tangent PS 4740, at 3 feet. It all has to do with the "texture" of a model when viewed from a distance. Thin grab irons tend to disappeared at a distance, while heavy molded grab irons and other details are still visible. This is especially noticeable on covered hoppers. I've always thought it should be more like a 5 or 6 foot rule. Dave |
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Post by wp8thsub on Jul 31, 2014 12:21:58 GMT -8
...I've personally never understood the "3 foot rule." I can easily tell the difference between a Kadee and Atlas PS-2 covered hopper, or an Athearn and Tangent PS 4740, at 3 feet. Looking at the photo I posted above, the "3 foot rule" makes perfect sense, as I cannot see any difference in detail fidelity at that distance. If I back up 3 feet from the photo location I'm in another aisle and they're completely obscured by an intervening backdrop, so no variations are discernible at all. |
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Post by Brakie on Jul 31, 2014 12:37:56 GMT -8
At 3' it doesn't matter if the car or engine is correct or not,super detailed or not..IMHO 10-12" rule would be much better for picking out the details then that fantasy 3' rule everybody uses as a put down.. That's funny, because I've personally never understood the "3 foot rule." I can easily tell the difference between a Kadee and Atlas PS-2 covered hopper, or an Athearn and Tangent PS 4740, at 3 feet. It all has to do with the "texture" of a model when viewed from a distance. Thin grab irons tend to disappeared at a distance, while heavy molded grab irons and other details are still visible. This is especially noticeable on covered hoppers. I've always thought it should be more like a 5 or 6 foot rule. Dave Dave,I put the 3' rule to the test and I could just barely see the difference.. Maybe you the eyes of a hawk where I have 20/30 vision-20/20 with glasses(Ohio says I need those to drive).. I still think the 3' rule is a fantasy measurement used for bashing. |
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Post by atsfan on Jul 31, 2014 12:57:19 GMT -8
The point is not to be a pixel peeper.
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Post by Spikre on Jul 31, 2014 14:16:59 GMT -8
 if ones eyes cant tell the difference between the MDC car and the Atlas PS-2 at 5',get new vision enhancers. if ones eyes cant tell the difference between the MDC car and the Kadee PS-2 at 10',get a seeing eye dog. the MDC car makes a good Sand Tower car,see the pic in Crew lounge. Athearn charging more than $5.00 for on of these Fooooobies is just Outragous !! Spikre 
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Post by catt on Jul 31, 2014 14:23:22 GMT -8
Well the cars are mine and I like them.So it really doesn't matter if someone else does as far as I am concerned.  |
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Post by Spikre on Jul 31, 2014 14:32:05 GMT -8
 Catt, they are usable,but look better with Square Hatches !! Ultimate 3',5',10'TEST: put a Varney F3 next to a GENESIS F3,think they will start blurring together after 30' or more. but there will be a discernible difference at lesser distances. Spikre
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Post by atsfan on Jul 31, 2014 15:24:32 GMT -8
Kato did these cars also didn't they?
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Post by Brakie on Jul 31, 2014 15:27:54 GMT -8
Kato did these cars also didn't they? Yes,There was 3 cars to the kit.. |
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Post by dti406 on Jul 31, 2014 15:32:03 GMT -8
Kato did these cars also didn't they? Yes,There was 3 cars to the kit.. No Kato made the GATC version of the ACF 1958CF Covered Hopper and not the PS 2003CF Covered Hopper. Rick J |
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Post by Brakie on Jul 31, 2014 17:13:15 GMT -8
Yes,There was 3 cars to the kit.. No Kato made the GATC version of the ACF 1958CF Covered Hopper and not the PS 2003CF Covered Hopper. Rick J Ah..Old age plays tricks on the gray matter. What makes it sad is I had those cars back in the 90s.LOL Thanks for the clarification. |
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Post by stevewagner on Aug 1, 2014 18:47:53 GMT -8
The former MDC Roundhouse and present Athearn two-bay PS-2's of 2003 cu. ft. capacity represent the earlier version, on which the outermost uprights on the sides looked like channel sections. The Atlas (in recent years Atlas Trainman) model represents Pullman-Standard's later production, on which the outermost uprights on the sides look like all the other side ribs. The from the earlier to the later style was made, if I'm remembering right, sometime in 1955 or 1956. Some railroads got just the earlier version; examples are the Boston & Maine, Delaware & Hudson and Lehigh Valley. Others, e.g. Maine Central, got only the later style. Presumably some lines may have bought both kinds.
Kadee has made much more detailed -- and considerably more expensive -- models of both types.
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Post by Spikre on Aug 2, 2014 12:27:48 GMT -8
 Steve, compare the Ribs on the MDC car to the Atlas Ribs,no contest !! compare the Roofwalk to the Atlas Roofwalk,again not even close. one can add an E&B/ECW roof with Square Hatches,they had 2 different Hatch spacings. or one can add the ECW Roof with Round Hatches,much better detail than the MDC Roof,which is just bare of any detail. then add either the E&B/ECW See Thru Roof Walk,or the even nicer Roof Walk from Kadee. but please stop trying to believe the model is a PS-2,it is just a Generic Covered Hopper. Spikre 
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Post by catt on Aug 2, 2014 13:18:42 GMT -8
Spikre,
That generic covered hopper certainly looks like a first gen PS-2 2003 cu.ft. car to me.Since you brought up the E&B parts do you know where they can be found?
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