Guys, I built four outside frame boxcars in 1:20.3 scale from GR plans and a friend who is the editor/publisher of Narrow Gauge Downunder mag wants me to do a construction article on them for him. And he wants to know "Why outside frames?" But I don't know why the 1:1 railways built outside frame instead of the usual inside frame rolling stock. Any accurate or reasonably intelligible answers would help. Was it to prevent the inside framing from damaging goods stowed? He is a reasonable guy and has given me a whole 48 hours to produce the article. To paraphrase princess Leia "Help me, trainboard gurus! You're my only hope!" Best regards, Phil Creer The Toenail Ridge Shortline Adelaide, Sth Australia http://www.trainweb.org/toenailridge
You have half of the answer. The other is save money and time on construction. On inside braced there was extra paneling usually half way up to protect the goods. You wrote: Was it to prevent the inside framing from damaging goods stowed?
