Can someone tell me about the year these Menards cars are suppose to represent? I reckon they are 40' steel cars. Son keeps telling me they are TOO NEW LOOKING! LOL
Thanks!
Jim
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I am guessing you are asking what railroad era and not what O-gauge train manufacturing era.
Look closely for the "blt date" and/or "rpkt date" stenciled on the car sides.
AAR STD 1930's - 1940's?
The boxcar is 30's-40's.
The Southern's "Green Light to Innovations" slogan began in 1969.
Rusty
Hot Water posted:Look closely for the "blt date" and/or "rpkt date" stenciled on the car sides.
Only date on it is "BLT by Menards 2017". : ) I'm trying to model the 1950s. I think they are fine. 11 inches long counting the couplers so its a 40' boxcar.
Rusty Traque posted:The boxcar is 30's-40's.
The Southern's "Green Light to Innovations" slogan began in 1969.
Rusty
Thank you! So the boxcar is correct. But the art work isn't. EHHH think I'll keep them!
Jim
Rusty Traque posted:The Southern's "Green Light to Innovations" slogan began in 1969.
Wasn't the inside of the 'O' in Southern painted green?
"AAR STD 1930's - 1940's?"
Yes - same prototype as the famous and approaching-scale Lionel 6464's. Of course, these boxcars lasted into the late 20th century on the real railroads, mostly as non-interchange, MOW and company materials cars at the end. "Modeling the 1950's" would - indeed, must - include scads of these cars, as they were still being built by the thousands. Many were re-painted with newer schemes during their lifetimes.
Now, about that "brake gear" - ugh. It represents what was a "K" brake, I believe, a generation of the Westinghouse RR air brake system that was already obsolete by the time these "modern" ARA (later AAR) cars were designed, I do believe.
Wms/Wbb has perpetrated this error in a big way over the years. I take them off, when I get a car of this nature, which is seldom. It is sort of like looking at a new 1950 Plymouth or whatever photo and seeing skinny 1920's wire wheels. Creepy.
D500 posted:"AAR STD 1930's - 1940's?"
Now, about that "brake gear" - ugh. It represents what was a "K" brake, I believe, a generation of the Westinghouse RR air brake system that was already obsolete by the time these "modern" ARA (later AAR) cars were designed, I do believe.
The "K" brake final outlaw date for interchange was 1953.
"AB" brake equipment had to be applied on newly built equipment beginning in 1933.
Rusty
CAPPilot posted:Rusty Traque posted:The Southern's "Green Light to Innovations" slogan began in 1969.
Wasn't the inside of the 'O' in Southern painted green?
Yes.
Just my opinion, but modeling the 1950's, I'd have to find a way of removing the quote, "Gives A Green Light To Innovations" or it would be a no-go.
That said, I am modeling the year 1954, and I may have cars whose production era or lettering don't coincide with 1954. But until I know: ignorance is bliss. But once I discover an era paradox, it must be eradicated.
These box cars would have been in regular service up to about 1980-1985.
Andrew
These use the post WWII steel body 1945 to 1975 with the K style brake that uses the reservoir, triple valve, and actuation cylinder all in one piece from the late 19th to early 20th century.
Bust these brake systems off and you have a car that emulates the look of Lionel 6464 series box cars.
Bogie
I still believe these bargain-priced cars were meant to be enjoyed as reasonable toy models and not scale-detailed models. They are EXCELLENT models at their price point! :-)
Tinplate Art posted:I still believe these bargain-priced cars were meant to be enjoyed as reasonable toy models and not scale-detailed models. They are EXCELLENT models at their price point! :-)
Absolutely correct...
But the OP asked a question if the car was appropriate with the era he was modeling. That would seem he was interested in more than a great freight car value. If a Menards car fell within the OP's "wants", then so much the better. We must understand that there is not a dichotomy of either toy or scale prototype; it is sliding scale.
TRUE! :-)
OldBogie posted:These use the post WWII steel body 1945 to 1975 with the K style brake that uses the reservoir, triple valve, and actuation cylinder all in one piece from the late 19th to early 20th century.
Bust these brake systems off and you have a car that emulates the look of Lionel 6464 series box cars.
Bogie
Actually I need to add to my own comment.
The fish belly frame also needs to go. This would be typical of wood, double, sheathed cars late in the 19th and perhaps 20th through WWII when wood was used to replace steel that had better war time uses other than the sides of freight cars.
Bogie
Very interesting guys and thanks for the insight. Being 50% accurate at the price of those cars I got 8 of them. They are individually numbered. And I doubt anybody that sees them would know the difference. But I may remove part of the logo.
Jim
