Well, the second half of the AM 2011 S Fest Burlington piggy-back car has finally arrived. The flat cars were available at the Fest last year, but the trailers were delayed because of the Sanda Kan fiasco.
So, here they are, together at last:
Another nice looking car from the Fall S Fest Consortium. The car was only available as HiRail, so I scalifed it with a set of code 110 wheels and AM snap-lok couplers. Granted, the trailer is a bit too modern for this particular decoration, but it's an adjustment I'm willing to accept.
Unlike CASG's EJ&E boxcars, AFSGASLA's car is marked semi-discreetly for the S Fest.
Which brings up questions that were part of discussion I had with a few friends about commemorative cars:
Should the event car be just a rolling billboard for the event with no basis in a prototype roadname?
Should the car be lettered for a fantasy roadname or industry?
Should the car be a lettered for a specific prototype railroad or industry?
If lettered for a prototype roadname or industry, should there be any printing visible on the car commemorating the event or will a label on the box suffice?
My own personal preference is for a prototype railroad or industry, with a label on the box commemorating the event.
Obviously, I accept a minimal amount of event lettering on the car if the car generally appeals to me.
Lastly, I will accept a fantasy or freelanced roadname or industry if well done, my collection of NMRA Historic Herald cars will attest to that. But I did pass on a couple that I didn't think were convincing.
I'd be interested in hearing other thoughts on the subject.
Rusty
