As this is the last day to order from semi-retiring Alan Curtis, I am wondering if I should order some of remaining intermodals: 89ft Long Runner Flatcars Two-unit, drawbarred TTAX 48ft All-Purpose Spine Car Kit TTAX 53ft All-Purpose Spine Car Kit I want to model SP/DRGW during 1990-1996, on Moffat Line or Tennesse Pass (yet to be defined) Can you tell me whether those intermodal would accurately fit my intermodal trains in my project? For your information, I have posted a parallel subject on DRGW sub forum as seen below, but I want to know from Nscale hobbyists as well, as it is now a matter of hours, before orders close today Oct 20th. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?p=326764&posted=1#post326764
The 89ft cars and 48ft spines should be okay, but I'm not sure about the 53's. I don't remember when they showed up. Kel
All the cars you mentioned are appropriate for the time period specified. The type of cars I was wondering the most about were the 53' spine cars, being that I believe they are the newest of the three car types listed. However, looking through Volume 1 of the "Intermodal Modeler's Guide", there are a few pictures of these particular cars (such as, on pages 27, 28 and 107). Why is this a reliable source? There is a letter from the editor in the front that says "...The articles contained in this volume were originally published in 1994 and 1995..." So, this should mean that all the photos were taken during or before 1994/1995. There are also pictures of 48' spines and drawbar connected "long runners" in this volume. Incidentally, most of these cars were in Trailer Train or TTX livery but were frequently pulled behind SP and DRGW equipment (I don't believe there were any 53' spines in the older TT scheme like many 48' spines were and even some long-runners...specifically "wide body" long-runners in the 161XXX number range). I am not aware of any (multi-purpose) spine cars or long-runner flats decorated for SP or DRGW. Hope this helps! Russ TIP trailer riding on "unit C" of an Alan Curtis 53' spine car
Yikes! Hope you got you orders in.... Alan's website says all the 48 and 53' spines are now sold out! Russ
53' spines would be too modern for pre-SP D&RGW modeling... The 89' flats would be handy for a Railblazer......
According to a great intermodal website (link provided by James Costello, thanks!) at http://members.surfbest.net/intermodal@surfbest.net/INDEX.HTM it looks like late summer 1993 is when the 53 AP Spines started to hit the rails in large numbers.
