I did find out a little bit more on the CCTX "bathtubs". They were (paraphrasing from a post by Jim Eager on the MFCL Yahoo Group) one-of-a-kind FMC bathtub gons purchased by Central Power & Light with CCTX reporting marks. Number series was 1001-1343 & 2001-2004. Also found a photo by Joe Shaw of what I am 99.9999% sure is an ex-CCTX car. http://www.krunk.org/~joeshaw/pics/pvt-hop/hlmx147315.jpg I remembered some with light blue ends and looks like these were the ones. Still don't know what year they went out of service, but I'll find out, dangit! There was some reference to another FMC car that CCTX got second-hand and was similar to the high-side thrall design. So I'm guessing that between the two car types there were four "early" CCTX trainsets of 110 (or so) cars.
Along the same lines as the topic, we examine some Grande hoppers: Compare with this one: Check out the funky angle bars along the top chord on the top hopper, and not on the bottom one:
What are those bars for, you ask? A quick look in the Rio Grande Color Guide to Freaight & Passenger equipment shows those angle bars used for strengthening the car for use in rotary dumpers or with car shakers.:lightbulb: :lightbulb:
Here are a couple of pictures in addition to what Hemi posted above. These were seen passing through Grand Junction, CO over the last couple of years. Ben
Have you seen any lately in the 1964 'Flying' Rio Grande scheme? Out of 2700 some odd cars, certainly one fell thru the cracks, and missed the paint shop! Nice shots, and even the rare one-of-one dual logo car!
Thanks Hemi. It has been a while since I have seen one in the flying scheme. I'll see what I can do to get some more pictures here in the next day or so. Ben
Hemi - I went out today and didn't have any luck. However I did catch a few of these even though the weather wasn't great for picture taking.
It is strange to see how short they are in comparison. Weather permitting I'll see if I can catch another hopper or two next weekend. Ben
You can also check the various pics I just uploaded here: http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/1087 Adding more photos as time etc...permits.
Railcar Photos has 14 photos of D&RGW quads http://www.railcarphotos.com/Search...SearchCity=&SearchState=&Order=&Search=Search
You can quickly make a PSCX hi sided Thrall Gondola from the DRGW 13xxx series cars that MDC did as part of a 12 pack with the Coaliner cars. Just mask off the end two panels, cant remember which end spray red and reletter them add the reflective stripes two different variations and voila! I have done about 12 cars like this, data panels etc are left untouched. I will try and post a photo. I also have LBF and Deluxe PSCX bathgons I will photo them and do a resume with the pros and cons.
I had over 200 of those MDC hoppers,sold 60 of them last year.I should have thought of doing a PSCX patch job on them instead of selling them........ Here's what 120 look like,4 tunnels on the head 2 in the middle & 2 more about 20 cars from the end.
Dont have anywhere near room enough for 120 car trains...wish I did. Here are the PSCX gons. PSCX734 PSCX467 PSCX772 an LBF issued Bethgon PSCX778 a Deluxe Innovations issued Bethgon The Deluxe ones have better detail, but no internal bracing, available as an extra. There really isn't much in it between the LBF and DI Bethgons.
