I know not everyone is a facebooker (is that even a word??), but Fox Valley Models and Trainworx are teaming up to bring us FMC 5283 cuft waffle side Wood Packers! I can only find this announcement on their Facebook page, so it's all I got. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...215654069796.132307.92694309796&type=1&ref=nf
Just got an email form Pat announcing them, I am very excited! The email also eluded to more Rio Grande stuff being announced later this week. It's about time us Grande Guys got some love! I've been waiting for Atlas to come out with more GP40/GP40-2's since the Grande had over a hundred. Or the GP35's too. I'm kind of tired of all the GP30's they've been doing. Sort of weird how Rio Grande had 28 GP30's and Atlas has done 8 of them, 22 GP35's and none from Atlas (recently at least, the old Kato run doesn't count as the Aspen Leaf Gold was all wrong and Kato did them) 42 Original GP40's, 3 From Atlas, 37 GP40-2's, None from Atlas, and 23 ex Conrail GP40's, 2 from Atlas. Their recent announcements seem to me to be hunting for new paint schemes, why no Rio Grande except for gp30's?
I ended up custom painting several GP40 variants, since no quality units were available at the time. I just bought a scwack of undecs, added sunrise MARS lites and plows, and hit the spray booth. I don't think I got that email, not sure I'm on Pat's list.
I saw this announcement, too. I have a question for you DRGW guys, and that is why is it called a woodpacker?
Assigned to lumber product service on SP, Eugene, OR (stencil on car side)? I assume it would be regularly be off home rails.
That I don't know without consulting my library. I preordered a pair at any rate. Stick by stick? Doubt it. With double 8 or 10' doors, I would assume forklift loading, and it might be plywood, too.
Jim Eager's Color Guide to Freight & Passenger Equipment states that the D&RGW 40000-40099 "Wood Packer" cars were indeed assigned for lumber service (no elaboration given), with the Eugene, OR assignment. The last 6 cars were assigned to aluminum coil service. (pg 44)
I see what you are saying. With doors that big you probably would be able to get some sort of lift in and out. Eugene, Oregon... does it say which mill(s)?
No, sorry! Wish I could provide more info. I suppose a question posed to the D&RGW group would result in an answer from Mr. Eager himself. I can do that if you want...
No worries on that. I am curious because it's a wood products bit of railroading that I hadn't heard of before.
SP and BN are two that immediately come to mind that hauled tons of forest products. These usually are heavy, low-priority freights, and in D&RGW's case, didn't always get a ton of power to get them over the hill.
