After several years of badgering, I finally convinced Alan Curtis to take on the production of PRR F30d flats, as used in the initial TOFC service in 1954. About a year ago, Alan took on the project and he did not let me down. He also suggested, and I agreed, that we produce the F30a as well. It was built 20 years earlier, but was nearly identically dimensionally... and the differences are negligible in N scale... so we did! The cars are cast pewter with etched brass fittings and laser cut wood decks. The cars are about to ship from the UK and Merchandise Service is getting the first 50+ kits. These models will be available through all Alan Curtis Models dealers... it is not a private release. Here's a photo of the F30a: Here's a photo of the F30d: Here are the F30d assembly instructions, with lots of photos: http://www.alancurtismodels.com/prrf30build.html As for decals, I'm working with Microscale on a new decal set which will be part of their regular library and available to all. PRR lettering diagrams were provided along with builder photos. The set will be available in N... AS WELL AS HO scale! One sheet will have 10 valid road numbers for both F30a and F30d cars, so as to minimize splicing. Back to N scale, the correct truck for the F30d is a National C-1, which the Pennsy classed 2E-F25b. I expected this to be the one shortcoming of the model, but as luck would have it, Atlas has announced Hart Ballast cars, due in the early spring, which will feature this truck... and Atlas has confirmed that they will offer it as a separate part. So build the cars now, decals will be ready in a few weeks, and put on some temp trucks knowing the correct ones are a few months away. Enjoy... I know I will!!!
The F30a was general purpose. The F30d was used for Pennsy's initial TOFC service in 1954. The first 75' cars (F39's) would come in 1955. Most of the TOFC F30d's went to TTX when Pennsy and several other railroads formed it.
Yep! Those are absolutley amazing looking cars! In fact, those just have to be the best looking N scale cars so far! Now, If I can just figure a way to make 'em fit on my modern-era layout! Russ
Well, I think an order of flat cars should be made soon Will use the holidays to find out my "needs" (e.g. what I want..) Christoph
First of all, VERY NICE! Like Russ said...if I could make 'em fit I'd be standing in line with my money. Another fine model from Alan. (see Jerry's kudos below) Second...those "slotted rails", are they etched metal, and would they possibly be available separately? They look amazingly close to the rails CP Rail uses on some of their TOFC cars which BNSF has a bunch of running on their intermodal trains. I believe they are 63-foot cars but M-T did a CP Rail version of their 57-foot TOFC cars and it would be a nice stand-in with those rails. I might have to patch three together (there's two per side on the model in case anybody is doing the math) to get enough length but I would be interested in a few if it was feasible. Jerry, I applaud you for your efforts. You've put together (at least) two fine projects for your prototype interests (the tower and now the flat car, that I'm aware of) and I'm sure the Pennsy guys are enjoying model railroading a lot more because of it.
Hmmm, Alan, sounds like there might be an aftermarket for perforated rails of varying lengths!!! Thanks for the kudos. Took me a while to put together "the package", but Alan did all the real work. I hounded him for years as I knew nobody else would do it as well and... it appears... it has even exceeded my expectations!
The slotted rails are cast pewter - and fairly fragile until glued to the car. In fact they are in two parts because of this. They are not easy to cast in the longer length, hence the two parts. They could be supplied seperately if I was persuaded
Well, I went back and looked at the CP Rail cars and it's not as close as I thought. Here's the car I'm talking about. (And yes, these are 54-footers so much closer to the M-T model I suppose; CP Rail does have 63-footers though) CP Rail 505563 Disregarding the tie-down loops, and from the side, it looks like a slotted rail...the pewter rails would probably work and give the general effect. But since I'd have to splice and hack 'em anyway I may just try to build 'em from scratch or find another solution. Me and "fragile" are not the best combination anyway. Thanks for entertaining the thought, I appreciate it.
Doug, that is an interesting car. They went to a lot of trouble welding individual tie-down loops to the ribs! The slotted rails would not really be right for that car.
