Getting back into the hobby. First time in serious 2 rail. Looking for a "standard" 50 ft Railbox box car. What's the best, most accurate model? I'd like separate grab irons and ladders.
Thanks - JG
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
well, here's a nice model I recently finished, for sale:
As far as I know (which may not be much!) the only 2-rail 50ft boxcars in Railbox yellow (I take it that's the livery you mean/want) are by Atlas Trainman & Weaver; both with molded-on grab irons.
MTH did a 50ft HiCube in the modern TTX version of the livery, BUT....
- it was only done in 3-rail (albeit easily converted)
- it is the wrong car type for the livery (should be double doors)
- it's out of production & prices have gone silly!!
SundayShunter posted:As far as I know (which may not be much!) the only 2-rail 50ft boxcars in Railbox yellow (I take it that's the livery you mean/want) are by Atlas Trainman & Weaver; both with molded-on grab irons.
MTH did a 50ft HiCube in the modern TTX version of the livery, BUT....
- it was only done in 3-rail (albeit easily converted)
- it is the wrong car type for the livery (should be double doors)
- it's out of production & prices have gone silly!!
The MTH car is very nicely done, slightly undersize [width and height] the Rail Box version should be a external horizontal and verticle ribbed car the 60' version had double doors and external rib construction FBOX and TBOX excellent versions have been produced in HO, you can thank BTO, a nice model, several of the painted versions are actually accurate [ not the RailBox but its the only one available in O.
Attachments
Images (2)
Yeah, you can get nice models of most any modern cars in HO... 2-Rail Scale O is woefully deficient in that aspect though - and others!!
I have 3 of the MTH HiCubes (none TTX!) fitted with Atlas 2-rail roller-bearing (rotating caps) trucks. Good enough for me, & a pleasure to watch them sway about on my (deliberately) less-than-perfect track 
The ATLAS O RailBox ACF 50'-6" box cars are the best ones in 2-Rail.
Andrew
Depends if you want the Plate B railbox style car (weaver) or the Plate C style (Atlas)
Not sure what the MTH and Lionel railbox versions are.
SundayShunter posted:Yeah, you can get nice models of most any modern cars in HO... 2-Rail Scale O is woefully deficient in that aspect though - and others!!
I have 3 of the MTH HiCubes (none TTX!) fitted with Atlas 2-rail roller-bearing (rotating caps) trucks. Good enough for me, & a pleasure to watch them sway about on my (deliberately) less-than-perfect track
I downloaded the photos of "Portway Center" and the tricks you did with Atlas flex were impressive. 
Did you remove the "crossbar" from the Atlas trucks to get them to equalize over the uneven spots?
Here is an Atlas TM Railbox, patched, weathered with the new smokebox graphics FRA-224 strips.
Attachments
Images (3)
Weaver custom ABOX only way to get separate grabs and ladders , I made a cast piece to take the place of the molded on ladders on the ends .The side door is the "ABOX" model type.
They are made now by Exact Rail in HO
Attachments
Images (4)
Great work, Bernie.
AGHRMatt posted:SundayShunter posted:Yeah, you can get nice models of most any modern cars in HO... 2-Rail Scale O is woefully deficient in that aspect though - and others!!
I have 3 of the MTH HiCubes (none TTX!) fitted with Atlas 2-rail roller-bearing (rotating caps) trucks. Good enough for me, & a pleasure to watch them sway about on my (deliberately) less-than-perfect track
I downloaded the photos of "Portway Center" and the tricks you did with Atlas flex were impressive.
It was Peco track - British style 'bullhead' rail and totally wrong for the USA, but it was what I had to hand at the time, & I seem to have got away with it!!
I tried removing the crossbar from Atlas trucks, but the springs are so strong they were pushing the sides out of alignment, besides which the long axles (with rotating bearing caps) didn't like the displacement and were prone to binding. There was no real equalising so I replaced the crossbars!
To negotiate the track I just loosened both trucks on each car quite a bit. The track is so 'bad' it has to be both trucks loose, not the usual "3-point" trick of one loose & one a bit tight. The downside is that some cars are prone to wobble, which is a pet hate of mine, but "needs must" I'm afraid.
Weaver plastic trucks, with their simple system of equalising are the best for that layout, but then you don't have rotating bearing caps! It's a cruel 'catch 22' dilemma!
sorry for the slight thread hi-jack.
Bernie, Awesome work as always!
Great ideas! Really nice models too! After seeing the the ABOX car with the open doors and exposed load, I'll have to build one myself. BTW, what decals did you use?
Finding 3 rail cars on EBay. What trucks do you guys use in your conversions?
Thanks everyone for the likes and for all the comments , as for decals , I make all my own . I do not sell them . Weaver trucks are the best for Weaver boxcars ICJohnny , the correct bolster.
