I was excited to see a story that the summer Atlas catalog will include some cars from the James E Strates trains. I wasn’t sure if there are any details yet and when the catalog is expected. I’ve admired the HO versions of these cars for years and I’m hopeful that there will be enough preorders and interest to have them made in O scale.
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I remember seeing them come through on CSX near where I lived in Ft. Lauderdale. Quite an impressive sight.
These are interesting cars. I remember a string of them at rest at the Syracuse Fairgrounds years ago.
Norm
I loved the private car on the end of the train. Saw it when i came to Buffalo (Hamburg) NY.
I would be really interested to see these as well, especially if they had any ride equipment mounted on the flats. I used to work just up the road from Strates' yard in Orlando, and would rive down every now and then to watch them roll on and roll off equipment.
Last I heard, Strates was decommissioning all rail equipment and will go 100% OTR trucking since they were unable to reach a carriage agreement with CSX or any other Class 1 operators. Not sure if that's final or if they're still trying to get a last ditch agreement in place.
I’m pleased with what Atlas has posted on their website for the flatcars. I will be placing a preorder for all 3 and I’m hopeful that others will as well so that they will be produced.
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