[Date Prev][Date Next] [Chronological] [Thread] [Top]

Re: (erielack) DL&W Drop End Gondolas



In a message dated 7/17/01 9:20:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
joshuakblay_@_hotmail.com writes:

> I'm looking to model some DL&W drop end gons that I saw a pictures of.  I 
>  don't remember the number series.  I was wondering if the Life Like Proto 
>  2000's model for drop end gons would be a good match.

None of the currently available gondolas are dead ringers for any of the DL&W 
cars.  Which era and paint scheme are you going to model?

There were so many small variations in gondolas, and to most engine spotters 
gons all look alike.

Part of the problem on the DL&W gons is that after the 1950s each side panel 
contained a letter or two of the ten-letter name Lackawanna.  Most models 
have one or two more or less panels than the DL&W prototypes, so the 
lettering can't be applied like the prototype.  If you use the 1930s-1940s 
lettering, similar to the coal hoppers, the breaks in the name Lackawanna 
have to be altered, but it won't look unusual.

The closest gons to Lackawanna are the 52-foot PRR steel cars available from 
Sunshine.  The PRR cars were older and riveted, while the DL&W cars were 
newer, 1952, and were all welded.  The PRR had an identical class of 
all-welded gon built at Berwick alonside the DL&W cars, but no one yet offers 
those.  Pittsburgh Model Works had begun making patterns for the all-welded 
car with plans to offer the PRR and DL&W model, but they put it on hold when 
Sunshine's car was released.  When those have sold all they're going to sell, 
then PMW will finish that kit.

            All the best,               ....Mike

------------------------------