Atlas Trainman 52' Southern Gondola???

I'm going to guess the "K-73" is a date and it needs to be removed.   Then if the rest of the paint scheme fits your era or earlier you should be good to go.  

I think even after removing that "K 1-73" and the "2 Composition Shoes", the very large SOUTHERN lettering is way too modern for 1953. Plus I'll bet the car has roller bearing trucks.

Believe it or not, the trucks have friction bearing journals

I looked in my Atlantic Coast Line book to see if maybe I could re-decal it for ACL, but their gondolas also have the ribs that extend all the way down the sides.

According to the Atlas website, this is an ACF gondola.

Here's 1 photo on the net of a gon that looks like the model, but the lettering is way off:

http://www.krunk.org/~joeshaw/pics/sou/gons/sou328010-2.jpg

Hey guys, 

The Atlas Trainman 52' 6" mill gondola is based on the PRR's G31 class gons built by ACF.  Luckily (for me), a number of other roads owned near copies.  These included the Lackawanna (WOOT!), Southern Pacific, Delaware & Hudson, Wabash, Western Pacific and -- ATTN: Bob Delbridge -- the ACL.

If you want more info, splurge for this:

http://www.rpcycpub.com/v19.html

The SRR did NOT own any of these cars.  Not sure if they owned something similar.

Brian

Thanks Brian!!!

I might repaint it for ACL or WABASH (I need something besides all southern RRs).  I'll see what decals are available.

If I repaint, I'll probably shave off the molded-on stuff and apply wire garbs etc. while I've got it down to the plastic.

I agree with Hot Water, I believe the "Billboard" style markings were brought back about 1954 and there after.  Before this, it was used in the '20s and '30s, but sometime in the late '30s, through the '40s and into the early '50s, the "Billboard" style was discontinued. 

Lackawanna1223, 

I thought Atlas, of most, of the manufacturers, modeled pretty close to the prototype railroads.

I'm surprised that the SRR gondola is a 'FANTASY' model, like other model train manufactures produce.

RJL

like this

Drew,

Your layout is beautifully life like.

You have extra, intricate detailing, which brings all of your goods, on your layout, to life.

Like a photo. of a live scene.

Great work,

RJL

While I find Atlas does a reasonably good job, the Trainman line has a bit more "wiggle room" when it comes to accuracy.  

Brian

Brian,

I understand what you mean, I looked at some Trainman goods and compared them with prototype photos and they were pretty close.

Of course, Master Line Series is very close, to prototype, sometimes slightly off and most times dead on.

I have a beautifully crafted 1:48 scale die-cast metal, open top hopper, which I compared to a photo of its prototype hopper, everything is dead on, EXCEPT, for whatever reason, there are no reporting marks initials and no road numbers, on both of the 'A' and 'B' ends. This, beauty of a hopper, is NOT made by Atlas!!!!!

As, for other manufacturers, some of their products are close, while some of their other products leave much to be desired???!!!!!

I know of the manufacturing locations and shipping, but the prices are dear enough for a good model to be produced.

This, is what I find and what I say.

RJL

RJL Thanks!!!!

Drew,

You're welcome.

The likeness of your model is very close to the 'Real-Deal in the photo.'

Ralph-RJL