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Post by riogrande on Apr 13, 2021 7:13:08 GMT -8
Back when the Atlas Pines 45' trailers were released, I read that they were a bit short, and of course represent Pines trailer built in the early-mid 1990's. I was after mid-80's 45 footers so I passed on the Pines. Athearn did offer the 45' Z-vans (A-line tooling) in Trans America and Accurail the Brae 45' in Trans America as well, so that is what I have. I am not sure how accurate they are.
Yes, I am aware of the flat vs. peaked roof, which the end parts can be sanded flat at the top with a True Sander and the peaked roof flattened. Some have done those things to modify. I am aware some aren't satisfied with the Dreadnaught ends but not all dismiss them altogether and say it's "no good". So as I asserted earlier, the Eel River model may indeed be used, and can be used/modified to end up with a pretty close D&RGW box car and is one way to get there. If you can get the door, bottom side sills and roof modified to match ... Thank you.
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Post by fr8kar on Apr 13, 2021 8:43:02 GMT -8
These look great, are you going to replace the Atlas Pines trailers with A-line floors, landing gear etc. Thank you. Landing gear yes, floor no. I'll keep the sliding tandem suspension but replace the wheels/tires.
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Post by protofrtcar on Apr 13, 2021 8:49:58 GMT -8
Back when the Atlas Pines 45' trailers were released, I read that they were a bit short, and of course represent Pines trailer built in the early-mid 1990's. I was after mid-80's 45 footers so I passed on the Pines. Athearn did offer the 45' Z-vans (A-line tooling) in Trans America and Accurail the Brae 45' in Trans America as well, so that is what I have. I am not sure how accurate they are. Yes, I am aware of the flat vs. peaked roof, which the end parts can be sanded flat at the top with a True Sander and the peaked roof flattened. Some have done those things to modify. I am aware some aren't satisfied with the Dreadnaught ends but not all dismiss them altogether and say it's "no good". So as I asserted earlier, the Eel River model may indeed be used, and can be used/modified to end up with a pretty close D&RGW box car and is one way to get there. If you can get the door, bottom side sills and roof modified to match ... Thank you.
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Post by protofrtcar on Apr 13, 2021 9:30:24 GMT -8
"Trying to Make a Silk purse out of a Sows Ear " Jim, are you also aware that flattening the ER roof will make it wider and then not align with the width of ends and the ER roof has a different rib pattern, so some physical problems there, which put the Eel River car in the " No Good " category. No work required on the interchangeable Athearn roof, as with the correct Athearn ends, no work required. The D&RGW 61' PC&F car is just an extension of the 50'PC&F built cars, so that would be the sensible starting point with a model. As for the fidelity of the Athearn model, comparing it to the ER Model which has oversize rivets and wierd ends, they are worlds apart in tooling accuracy. In this day when modelers are wanting accurate models from manufactures ( and they are providing them ) why would anyone even contemplate using an inferior model when a more accurate one is available ? Just trying to help you create a better version (if you wish ) of a Unique D&RGW PC&F car. Good Luck.
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Post by riogrande on Apr 13, 2021 10:11:37 GMT -8
No luck needed. I don't have any plans, if ever, to attempt such a build in the forseeable future. Crap, I won't have time to think about stuff like that until I'm retired the way things are right now - I'm more interested in building a layout so I can run trains - rather than them sit on the shelf, whether a RTR model or a model I modded or kit bashed. There is a concept! I do have one of the "stand-in" ExactRail D&RGW RBL's but it has a peeked roof rather than flat, so I may not keep it
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Post by fr8kar on Apr 13, 2021 10:43:48 GMT -8
Back when the Atlas Pines 45' trailers were released, I read that they were a bit short, and of course represent Pines trailer built in the early-mid 1990's. I was after mid-80's 45 footers so I passed on the Pines. Athearn did offer the 45' Z-vans (A-line tooling) in Trans America and Accurail the Brae 45' in Trans America as well, so that is what I have. I am not sure how accurate they are. None of the trailers are accurate for the prototype I'm modeling since the prototype is a 1983 Great Dane 45' x 102" trailer. Short of major kitbashing or scratchbuilding there are going to be compromises. The Athearn 45' Fruehauf (blue box tool, not the lengthened A-line tool) is a non-starter for me. The only thing good on that trailer is the wheels and tires. However, I was curious about the comment that the trailer is too short (in length? in height?). I compared a few trailers in height and in length to the Atlas Pines including the Accurail Brae, Walthers Stoughton and Athearn Fruehauf. One note about the Walthers Stoughton trailer: I swapped out the wheels and tires on it so it may not reflect the actual height of the trailer you'd get from Walthers. However, the wheels and tires Walthers puts on these models are an affront to vehicle modelers everywhere and should be replaced. Atlas Pines on top, Accurail Brae on bottom: Atlas Pines on left, Accurail Brae on right: Atlas Pines on top, Walthers Stoughton on bottom: Atlas Pines on left, Walthers Stoughton on right: Atlas Pines on top, Athearn Fruehauf on bottom: Atlas Pines on left, Athearn Fruehauf on right:
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Post by riogrande on Apr 13, 2021 11:02:50 GMT -8
None of the trailers are accurate for the prototype I'm modeling since the prototype is a 1983 Great Dane 45' x 102" trailer. Short of major kitbashing or scratchbuilding there are going to be compromises. The Athearn 45' Fruehauf (blue box tool, not the lengthened A-line tool) is a non-starter for me. The only thing good on that trailer is the wheels and tires. However, I was curious about the comment that the trailer is too short (in length? in height?). I compared a few trailers in height and in length to the Atlas Pines including the Accurail Brae, Walthers Stoughton and Athearn Fruehauf. One note about the Walthers Stoughton trailer: I swapped out the wheels and tires on it so it may not reflect the actual height of the trailer you'd get from Walthers. However, the wheels and tires Walthers puts on these models are an affront to vehicle modelers everywhere and should be replaced. The Athearn blue box are also non-starters for me too. I have a few left on the shelf but don't plan on keeping them. I remember reading a review about the Atlas Pines being short in length is what I recall in a magazine article. Most of the 45' footers I have are a mix of Accurail Brae's and Athearn (A-line) Z-vans with the 5' extension. After being off the market for about 9 or 10 years they seem to now have new tooling and are coming back with a new much MUCH higher price.
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Post by protofrtcar on Apr 13, 2021 11:42:45 GMT -8
No luck needed. I don't have any plans, if ever, to attempt such a build in the forseeable future. Crap, I won't have time to think about stuff like that until I'm retired the way things are right now - I'm more interested in building a layout so I can run trains - rather than them sit on the shelf, whether a RTR model or a model I modded or kit bashed. There is a concept! I do have one of the "stand-in" ExactRail D&RGW RBL's but it has a peeked roof rather than flat, so I may not keep it Ooh! Okay Then. Good luck with the layout.
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Post by riogrande on Apr 13, 2021 12:42:07 GMT -8
Ooh! Okay Then. Good luck with the layout. Thanks. Progress photos in the project archive section.
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