Showing posts with label Soo Line. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soo Line. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Framingham Wool

 


This image is an ebay find that is one of those scenes that appears quite plain, yet has many of the details that we seek to replicate in our scaled-down worlds. The structure is part of Framingham Wool Company. Interestingly, while Framingham has a history in the industry, my attempts to find info about this specific company proved fruitless. 

There are many interesting details (to me, at least.) The last "inset" at the end of the platform and the one across from the end of the car closest to the photographer's position are doors. The center section has a classic gooseneck lamp over the doorway and sign that probably read, "Freight Office" or "Shipping & Receiving" or some other similar notation. That section presumably contained a freight elevator with the shaft running up to the roof. There is a single, window-mounted air conditioner unit on the third floor, presumably for an office space. The power pole at lower right has great detail, as well. Note how the vertical concrete sections between the windows are deeper by one or two factors for the lower floors. That's a highly realistic structural feature that is missing from many scale buildings.

Morris Abowitz photo

The Soo Line auto car was from groups of cars built in 1937, 1940, and 1942, by Pullman-Standard. They were assigned to series 76000-76198, 76200-76398, 175000-175498, 175500-175698, 175700-175898, and 175900-176498, even numbers only. There is one additional series, 176500-176598, although with my references I cannot confirm that it is identical. Resin Car Works offered HO scale kits for these cars that are currently out of production.

One other random detail is that there is actually a small rail yard visible at upper left, above the roof line. There isn't much to discern, but I could make out New Haven and Cotton Belt box cars.

All in all, a perfectly plain yet rich scene

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Dalman-Andrews Trucks in HO scale

 


Top of the bolster and sideframes, at left, and bottom, including brake lever detail

Note: this post was edited after posting to include additional information, including in the comments section. Thanks to all who shared info.

Custom Model Depot has released an HO scale version of the distinctive Dalman-Andrews truck used by several railroads. The trucks are solid one-piece sideframes and bolsters with brake levers and shoes, comprised of "nylon like" 3D-printed resin. The detail, while not like a Tahoe Model Works or Kato truck, is a lot better than the Cape Line trucks of years past and is certainly acceptable, especially given the distinctive nature of the prototype. (note: I am not certain if CMD has worked out the kinks of their web site yet; I was able to manually order via email and submit a paypal payment as opposed to a more typical ecommerce checkout. I did order some vehicles, too, and will profile those in a separate, future post.)

The trucks above were fitted with Reboxx 1.020" length axle. 0.088" tread with wheelsets. I filed little notches in one of the openings on each side to ensure that the axles could be inserted before I stressed the truck castings too much (after some previous experience with 3D-printed, one-piece trucks.)

Jack Burgess photo of a GN box car from the same series as the car shown below

Below is a roster I assembled with the help of others of prototype uses (known to me.) While I would be surprised if it is exhaustive, it is a foundation. If you are aware of other applications, please leave a note in the comments section below and I can update the roster. I have not highlighted it in this post, but Richard Remiarz has identified distinct details and nuances among the bolsters and attachment of the journal boxes that provide further differentiation, meaning there is not a one-size-fits-all Dalman-Andrews truck.

RoadSeriesTypeModelNotes
Great Northern31000-31499BoxSunshine
Great Northern43500-43899Automobile50'
Great Northern43900-43999Automobile50'; end doors
Great Northern65000-65499FlatBoas52'
Great Northern69500-69999Flat43'
Great Northern73200-73699Hopper
Great Northern74000-74199GondolaComposite GS
Great Northern77000-77249GondolaGS
Great Northern86210-86499Ore
Soo Line6001-6399Hopperodd nos.; Barber Lateral Motion devices
Soo Line7501-7999Gondolaodd nos.
Soo Line40200-40998BoxSunshineeven nos.; "Sawtooth"; Barber Lateral Motion devices
Soo Line41000-41398BoxSunshineeven nos.; "Sawtooth"; Barber Lateral Motion devices
Soo Line41400-41798BoxSunshineeven nos.; "Sawtooth"; Barber Lateral Motion devices
Soo Line (WC)135400-135798BoxSunshineeven nos.; "Sawtooth"; Barber Lateral Motion devices
Seaboard Air Line15000-15999BoxSunshineClass B-5; ARA design

Colton, CA, Jan. 8, 1955, Col. Chet McCoid photo, Bob's Photo

Providence, RI, Nov. 1957, Col. Chet McCoid photo, Bob's Photo

late 1950s; no other details available

Col. Chet McCoid photo, Bob's Photo

Harrisburg, PA, July 24, 1947, Bob Charles Collection, NMRA Kalmbach Memorial Library

Fayetteville, NC, Dec. 30, 1951, Col. Chet McCoid photo, Bob's Photo