I was going through some boxes this afternoon and found this neat Soo Line brochure from 1938, inviting visitors to "enjoy and long remember your holidays in the north". It's printed on heavy gloss paper and unfolds to show many dozens of fishing locales, game to be found, cottages to rent, hotel rates (often $1 to $2/Day), boat rentals and golf courses. There are nice maps too. Such a simple and slower time, long before clogged highways to everywhere and instant global air travel.
SOO 39826, fresh from the builder, 03/1923. The wooden ends are interesting, as I think many roads were trending to steel ends by then.
Dan, your posted pictures of old cars when they were new are spectacular! And, who says our models are mounted too far above the trucks? Doug
Thank you and whoa! You're right on the car height here. Now we know what Bachmann has been using as a yardstick for production.
Would the distance from the bottom of the carbody to the top of the truck frames change, though? Doug
Yes. The springs in the side frames are compressed and the car rides a few inches lower. The ride height can be compensated for in the spring package. I have participated in changing out one for another. Also, you can shim at the bolster itself. Jack the car clear of the kingpin. Pull the kingpin, drop it the chosen shim thickness. Replace the kingpin with a slightly longer version, if required. Lower the car and done. A few minutes work. I have done this, too. The "shim" was simply plate steel cut on gang torches.
Another wonderful Soo car, their #197 Bobber Caboose with a very tall cupola, built 1905. Interesting adornments above the cupola windows. I researched to find that these were 21' 10" Long. The Soo ordered this type in two series, all from AC&F. Nos. 177-182 were delivered in 1903 and 183-197 in 1905. These were soon rebuilt in 1912 to a length of 31' 5" Long with a normal pair of 2-Axle trucks. The 197 was rebuilt in July of 1912 and later received a steel center sill in April 1925.
