Ignorant question of the day

On 17 Aug 2006 06:07:54 -0700, the OTHER Mike posted in article ...

The GN called them 50' combination-door or PD/SD boxcars, retaining the XM classification...

...and initially ordered them in the late 50s to carry forestry products. Both the PDs and SDs on the initial models were 6' wide. Also made they're own 40' versions.

On Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:30:56 GMT, OvC posted in article ...

s/they're/their (-10 pts)

A 50' boxcar. If it's important to add the info about the types of doors, just do so. :-)

What I'd like to know is why they were built. To provide a wider door opening if needed, by opening the plug door?

Has any of the major model companies ever made a model of these cars? I've never seen anything like a combo door 40' boxcar. Plenty of 50 footers, but no 40s...

dlm

There is a club in the area that operates a 1/4 scale steam engine with some passenger cars for rides on their approximate quarter mile track. Around Halloween, they operate a "Train of Terror." Maybe the exploding box car was modeled to terrorize the wee people who live on your layout...

dlm

On Thu, 17 Aug 2006 20:40:46 GMT, Dan Merkel posted in article ...

Nope, none of the majors, although Front Range did several years ago. For its time, the tooling was excellent, with correct 4/3/1 ends and diagonal panel roof. However, the plug door was 7' compared to 6' on the prototype.

A relatively accurate model can be made from a Red Caboose ACF boxcar (if you can find one) or Branchline undec 40' boxcar. None of the detail companies makes a 6' plug door. Accurail's 8' door is the correct style, but shaving off 2' loses all the side rivet detail and places the rollers too close to the door side edges.

where is this track for halloween? and additional rides? club set up?

Lionel made these in the early 1960's. They also had a missle car that you could fire at it. Hit it and it would "explode".

Cold war era fun for the kiddies!

"Paul-The CB&Q Guy" (Modeling 1960's In HO....On A Kinder/Gentler Layout.)

```````` Dan Merkel wrote:

In Findlay, Ohio, about 50 miles south of Toledo. Visit the group's web site ad:

dlm