Before I move these LBF 65' Gondolas into the “To Go” pile, can anyone confirm that they are fantasy as depicted by LBF. From looking on various Rolling Stock websites it appears that they are. Eg:- CRLE 3139 has a running number applicable to a 50’ Gon? BNSF don’t have anything in the number series listed NS don’t have anything in the number series listed. Thanks Paul Thanks Paul
The BNSF has some gons that match the LBF model pretty well, but I'm not aware of any in that black paint scheme. The number series 518000-518399 is pretty close: http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=15669 but it is painted mineral red, not black. The series 518400-518599 is painted black, but in the wedge scheme, and the proto is a bit different. I'm not aware of anything closer, but there might be. It looks like NS has something close in the series 195000-199099: http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=11008 I couldn't find anything useful on the CRLE, but I suspect they have cars like this in a different number series.
Cheers, Gary. I think on my trawl of the web I found an end shot of an NS 65' and it was different to the LBF version but can't find it now so it'll be a keeper, with a bit of renumbering, until I'm certain. I'm now pretty sure that CRLE don't have any 65' (the LBF chosen number is smack in the middle of 50' gons series) and as the BNSF means a total re-hash, they're soon to be gone. Paul
I see that I'm a little late to the party, but figured I'd share a couple shots from my own collection. Here's a reference shot of one of the black 518400 cars with the swoosh logo: I found several NW cars with similar numbers to the LBF car, including this shot of NW 97099: It looks like the LBF cars are either missing a digit, or should be marked as NW cars.
Better late than never! Thanks. The lettering on that NS Gon will be my solution. The BNSF is probably a bit late for my purposes with the Swoosh logo and conspicuity stripes so that sorts that one out.
Not pointing fingers, but I wonder if by putting different road numbers and markings if the manufacturer gets around licensing agreements in producing cars/locos? Either way, I am with you that you should be able to purchase a car and it be lettered/numbered correctly w/o having to modify it. Especially when most high quality cars are approaching 20.00 each and beyond. Guess I'll be more careful in the future as well.
