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(erielack) Autoracks (was Mahwah consists)

Chris Thurner wrote:

> Vic: You're in luck these days as there are a number of 
> manufacturers that are producing the items of rolling stock 
> you are looking for.  Accurail does both a bi and tri-level 
> (open) autorack as was very common in the 60's and 70's and 
> does one of both in EL along with several other roadnames 
> that were appropriate on the Mahwah plant trains.  I have not 
> yet had a chance to assemble these, but Accurail had a good 
> reputation for prototype fidelity and my guess is they make a 
> fine model for a pike in this time period.

I have about 50 (!) of these autoracks. Here's my commentary on them:

* They are a rather time-consuming kit. Not overly difficult, but there are a lot of parts (notably, each of the vertical posts is a separate pieces, as well as the triangular plate at the bottom of each post). I usually made a habit of assembling the kit as soon as I got it (don't want to fall behind on the kit building!)
* They ride on Accurail's 89' autorack flat, which is technically incorrect for most prototypes (the tri-levels usually rode on flats that had lower floors, but alas, no one makes this type of flat currently). For me, they're "good enough" - still better than the old Bachmann 89' autorack.
* The cars are weighted fairly well, too. With metal wheelsets, the cars come close to NMRA weight
* The cars are relatively simple, so you may want to do additional detailing (railings on the top deck of the tri-levels, for example)

Overall, I'm rather happy with them - they're reasonably priced, and they look good in a train. The varied placard positions also add interest.


> Maybe some of the 
> list members can give you feedback with their experiences 
> with this model as it has been out for a year or two.  I'm 
> also not sure if they manufacture multiple #'s for each road 
> or if you're stuck with the same road # if you buy multiple 
> units of the same model / road (e.g. EL bi-levels all come 
> with the same road #)

The cars (well, the flats the racks ride on) come in one number, but Accurail has a service where you can mail in and order decals for multiple car numbers. Their decals are handy in that they have a body-colored background, so there's no need to repaint - just decal right over the existing number.


> Also, Athearn and Walthers both have 
> made an 86' box car seen in auto parts service with a variety 
> of names relevant to the time ! period you're modelling.  
> Also, a model RR concern in New Jersey by the name of Model 
> RR Post Office released (albeit several years ago, probably 
> at least 7-8 years) a custom decorated 86' box cars in two 
> styles, one with one door in the middle of the car per side 
> and another with 2 doors per side, each door located towards 
> the end of the car).  I have a few of both and they are good 
> models.

Model Railway Post Office has a website you can check: http://www.modelrailwaypo.com   They're all out of the 4-door cars, but still have some of the 8-door cars. (note: the EL only had 11 of the 8-door cars!)   MRPO's artwork on these is first-rate, and I highly recommend them. Athearn now makes an EL 4-door car, but their lettering leaves a LOT to be desired. :(



> Atlas manufactured a 60' ACF box car that saw auto 
> parts service.  They released these probably 2 - 3 years ago, 
> so they might be hard to come by, but you may find some with 
> persistent effort.

The Atlas 60' car is excellent, and highly recommended if you can find them (I see them at shops and shows from time to time). The run they did had incorrect white "CUSHIONED CAR" lettering, but to Atlas' credit, they actually went and reran the body shells with correct yellow lettering, and if you send them photocopies of the box ends, they'll send you the replacement car shells in the mail. Bravo to Atlas for their adherence to prototype accuracy!

	- Paul

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