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I acquired a Weaver Models Lehigh Valley "Black Diamond" pacific, with the streamlining and pinstriping, on the bay, and I wanted to find some prototypically-accurate coaches, etc., to match it. So, I ordered a set of Weaver's 2-rail Pullman Bradley "A.F." coaches, only to discover that they are really the Boston & Maine 22-window arrangement with 84-seats, instead of the LV's 24 windows per side with either 82 or 92 seats. Also, the prototype LV coaches had square ends instead of the sloping ends found on all other A.F.-style coaches. Also no skirts or pinstriping. Conclusion: the manufacturer had a run of B&M coaches, but sold some as LV. The maroon paint is the same, so if I ever get into B&M, all I need to do is erase the LV lettering and replace it with B&M. Aside from the fact that I got stuck with the wrong coaches, I have to say that they are really amazing. I normally don't like plastic trains, but Weaver Models did a really nice job on these.

I removed a vestibule and compared the cross section with one of my Kasiner smooth-sided P-S blanks and discovered that the A.F. roof profile is much more rounded. I checked Union Station Products, but he has nothing in an A.F.-style. I also compared the MTH & GGD heavyweights against the LV roster (nice paint, but wrong windows, wrong length, etc.) Maybe I'll try to find an O-scale A.F. aluminum extrusion.

Does anyone know if A.F.-style coaches have been made in O-scale aluminum, or brass?

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Yes, Alexander made castings of the "AF" Osgood Bradleys, presumably based on the NYNH&H's plan. They can be finished into a respectable model with some work, though note the casting thickness does give the windows some excessive depth. I think they were produced in both bronze and white metal though I'm not 100% sure about that. The LV prototypes are very interesting  and I was thinking about bashing some Weaver shells to get there, but its way down on my project list. On a related note, Walthers created an ersatz kit version of the AF Osgood Bradley (catalog #4841S) which of course lack the curvature at the top and bottom of the sides. The split window sash provided is made from press cut cardboard. I have contemplated using these kits to create a simulate Lehigh Valley version , as the roof is not pre-tapered and has to be shaped accordingly for the NH, B&M, KCS, SAL or SLSW versions.

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A fellow in the DC area around 1972  sand cast in brass/bronze NH Osgood-Bradley coach bodies using the original Alexander masters.  He was offering them under the Baldwin Model Locomotive Works brand.  They were extremely heavy and we jokingly referred to them as door stops.  As I recall he also had the masters for the B-lectric.   

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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