What was your favorite Weaver freight car.
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It was this Pennsylvania PS-2 covered hopper'
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been looking for that brown P&LE boxcar ive seen on Norm C's layout for years
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I only purchased one, they were a hot item. TOFC
@WITZ 41 posted:Union Pacific 40' DD Express Service Box car.
I have this one too. Always thought it was semi scale but then read it is scale, just not as tall as other freight cars.
My favorites are the Curve Beer and Altoona Lager reefers. I have 14 of them, all different numbers, done as special runs for a great train shop in Homer City, PA. Thanks Jim!
I even had to build a version of Altoona Brewing Company so all those reefers would have a place to go. This is an old photo, before the reefers were weathered.
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@CAPPilot posted:I have this one too. Always thought it was semi scale but then read it is scale, just not as tall as other freight cars.
Yes. As you've probably seen on my other thread these prototypes were shorter than standard cars and had other special features. Outside of brass these Weaver cars are the only ones close.
Their three bay hoppers in B&A. Boy I sure do miss Weaver.
I do like the 3 bay coal hoppers, they are my favorite
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Their TOFCs. Have a ton of them.
Pat
The 40 ft. Wooden Gondola. I repainted 3 into the Rutland which still ran them into the 50’s. Some were used in hauling marble. I did modify the stock Weaver car by adding grab irons and different steps. Removing one rib for wheel clearance on the chassis allows for a lower ride height making the Kadee look right in the cutout for the coupler.
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The one that sticks in my mind was their 50' tankcar. That's the model Ed Reutling and myself used to build of Whalebelly hoppers. Can't really tell that the whalebelly came from the Weaver car but Weaver none the less:
Other than that, they made some good PS1 boxcars and a good variety of open hoppers, many of which were prototypical for use on the Seaboard Air Line.
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20centuryhudson,
Do you mean this car? We did 150 in brown and 150 in jade green.
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So far today, I have seen some beautiful Weaver freight cars posted on this sight. Everyone of them are great. Thank you and please keep them coming.
P.S. Thank you Robert for your kind words.
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Please bear with me and I hope this will make sense.
I don't have a favorite Weaver freight car. That is one of the things that made Weaver a great company. A real rail line would see large numbers of freight cars rolling over it. Most would not be that memorable by themselves. Whether boxcars, reefers or hoppers they would collectively make quite an impression. That is how I feel about Weaver freight cars. For most of their existence Weaver's cars were not intended to be individual show pieces. They were intended to collectively make up a realistic looking train of scale sized freight cars. They were low enough priced so that assembling a trains worth of cars could be done on a relatively modest budget. Plus they and their partners produced cars for a wide variety of roads.
If I had bought one of those B&O boxcars from their last days maybe I would feel differently. If pressed, of the Weaver freight cars I own I would go with the 50' composite gondola.
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Hi Jim --yes thats the one!
@jim sutter posted:So far today, I have seen some beautiful Weaver freight cars posted on this sight. Everyone of them are great. Thank you and please keep them coming.
P.S. Thank you Robert for your kind words.
You know something that I miss? Buying weaver cars, or MTH cars from Jim's train shop
I have/had several Weaver freight cars. Did Weaver seal lead weight(s) inside the 1 piece plastic bodies? I have a Weaver PS2 Covered Hopper in which something is rattling around, but no way to access interior.
@rail posted:
While not my favorite car (see above), I really like Weaver's H30 covered hoppers. The detail is great and they track well, like all Weaver cars. Here are a couple of mine:
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I too miss the Weaver line. The Western Maryland Railroad Historical Society did a few custom runs of rolling stock. I missed out on getting all the road numbers for the WM TOFC and woodchip hoppers. I see several PS1 boxcars on the bay for $90 bucks.
Terrance
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Norm,
Yes, we did 150 in brown and 150 in Jade green. Sure is great to hear from you Norm. I hope you are ok and doing well. I can't remember when I saw you last. Please take care and have a wonderful and safe day.
Superwarp1,
Thank you for your kind words. I miss doing business with you and everyone else. Some of the best days of my life was when I was in the store.
Mark V. Spadaro,
Yes Mark, there are some lead weights inside that. You can remove the top of the car from its underframe. However, you must be very careful or you will crack the underframe. It is very fragile.
Weights were designed for the two bay hoppers.
There was also a relatively heavy coal load that was available at the time.
Here are two of my favorites...
The C&I pretty much ran through my backyard, and having grown up in Cambria County, I sorely miss the sounds of the early morning coal drags from the mines.
Usually I'm not much for glossy paint schemes, but this one is just so sharp looking.
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@Bob posted:My favorites are the Curve Beer and Altoona Lager reefers. I have 14 of them, all different numbers, done as special runs for a great train shop in Homer City, PA. Thanks Jim!
I even had to build a version of Altoona Brewing Company so all those reefers would have a place to go. This is an old photo, before the reefers were weathered.
Same here! With the exception of not having all 14 cars.
BTW, the Bunny Bread car is also an eye catcher too!
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Thx, Jim.
CNJ#1601, Yes that was one of our custom runs. Orange was always my favorite color. Therefore, I decided to do the New Haven PS-2 covered hopper. Weavers, PS-2 covered hopper was always my favorite car. We also did this New Haven PS-2 covered hopper.
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I thought so Jim...thanks for confirming!
When RadioRon made me second guess myself with his post above, I thought, "Why not? I could see Jimmy doing that car just because he liked the New Haven's colors"...so I almost nailed it...LOL!
I have always liked the Weaver cars. In fact, they were what helped me decide to branch out into 2 rail O scale. I recently won an auction and got a lot of cars hat included 13 Weaver, 2 rail cars. Several are cars I want to keep, and the rest I will sort out and sell off to cover costs. Even though they are not highly detailed, the Weaver cars look very nice in a train.
Jeff
rplst8,
Do you have these two Cambria and Indiana 2 bay hopper cars? If you don't and since you like the Cambria and Indiana Railroad this will give you something to hunt. Both of these hoppers have the built by Bethlehem Steel Johnstown PA. logos on them.
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Here are a few of the Weaver cars I got through the auction. I have two of the cabooses, and it looks like they are both custom weathered. The D&H covered hopper is some type of special run, or custom paint, the tank car is a custom paint,(has a lot of damaged handrails), and I got 4 of the Railbox cars, all with different numbers. All are weighted, and set up for 2-rail.
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Mowingman,
I love your 50' Rail Box box car.
@jim sutter posted:Mowingman,
I love your 50' Rail Box box car.
Thanks. There are 4 of these. This one is assembled, but the other three are still in kit form like they arrived from Weaver. The yellow is a little bit "translucent", in my opinion, but they do look nice. I will probably weather the ones I decide to keep.
Jeff
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Weaver was a major loss to the hobby...wild variety and trucks ..
Detroit,
I love your Penn Central box cars.
WITZ41,
Your Chicago Northwestern box car reminds me of one of my favorite box cars from Gilbert (American Flyer).
Mowingman's D&H covered hopper looks like one I worked on and later sold to Steve Neill. His collection has recently been auctioned.
I added an air brake pipe along the side sill, uncoupling rods and painted the ends, running board, corner platforms and roof black, leaving the hatch covers gray, following a prototype photo.
Here it is:
S.Islander
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@S. Islander posted:Mowingman's D&H covered hopper looks like one I worked on and later sold to Steve Neill. His collection has recently been auctioned.
I added an air brake pipe along the side sill, uncoupling rods and painted the ends, running board, corner platforms and roof black, leaving the hatch covers gray, following a prototype photo.
Here it is:
S.Islander
S.Islander, Yes, this has to be the one. It is customized exactly as you mentioned. I got it in a lot I won at that auction. It is in perfect condition. I have $11.35/car invested in this car, and that includes shipping from the auction. You did a nice job.
Jeff
I have many Weaver cars. Many of them were undecorated and I finished them. Occasionally, I come across cars factory painted and I purchase them too. They are always well done.
Here are two factory cars I like, and one custom painted car I did a few months ago...
Tom
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@Krieglok posted:
Love that WAG car. I have several of those that were done as special runs, but I believe they are all Atlas models.
Jeff
Tom and Jeff, FYI Crown Model Products did a run of them in the 1990's. Later on Buffalo Creek Graphics did a run of them also..................Paul 2
Thanks for reminding me of that. Now that you mention it, I believe I do have one of each of those , along with the Atlas cars. I will have to look in the storage closet and see.
Jeff
@jim sutter posted:rplst8,
Do you have these two Cambria and Indiana 2 bay hopper cars? If you don't and since you like the Cambria and Indiana Railroad this will give you something to hunt. Both of these hoppers have the built by Bethlehem Steel Johnstown PA. logos on them.
I don't Jim, but I do have this:
I doubt it's prototypical, but it was a gift from my father, and I would take 20 more if I could find them. Probably one of my favorite cars, though it's not made by Weaver.
I have 12 of the C&I 3-bay hoppers, but I definitely would like to get a few of those 2-bay ones to throw in my coal drags. Thanks for sharing!
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rplst8,
That's a great looking ore car. You will remember your father gave you that as a gift for the rest of your life.
Jim, great topic! I really miss Weaver also. Back in the late 80's and into the 90's, there were few if any companies that would do custom runs besides Weaver. Up here in Canada there was precious little available from the big names, but we were able to get some pretty cool looking stuff from Weaver.
You might recognize a couple of these for instance:
The PS2 covered hoppers were and still are a nice running car. On the lower track we have a couple of the venerable ACF grain cars, and off to the right a PS2CD in CP markings.
Talking about ACF grain hoppers:
And then there is these guys; 70 tonners I believe. There were two 12 packs available, all different road numbers, 24 in total.
And of course bulkhead flats:
In short, Weavers filled a huge gap at the time, and they are still great. Only thing is many of their offerings are too light, and you need to properly weight them to get them to run reliably. No big deal.
Rod
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Rod Stewart,
You have some great looking cars. Super collection of Weaver freight cars. I recognize the red and white Ralston Purina and the green British Columbia PS-2 covered hoppers. I have only seen the British Columbia hopper a couple of times. It was either the second or third car that I done.
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@jim sutter posted:Rod Stewart,
You have some great looking cars. Super collection of Weaver freight cars. I recognize the red and white Ralston Purina and the green British Columbia PS-2 covered hoppers. I have only seen the British Columbia hopper a couple of times. It was either the second or third car that I done.
Jim; I thought that you had the Ralston car done, and others too, from our earlier conversations. Didn't know about the British Columbia one. Its a really nice car too.
coach joe; many of the cars I own were Andy Petersen custom runs. He did a lot of them. Very responsive to the Canadian market, and a very nice guy. Haven't seen him in quite a few years now. He was also our main source of many early MTH products in the 1996 to 2000 era.
Rod
@Freight Train Jim posted:
Jim. Who done the Bunny Bread? Was it a special run? I really like it
Let's not forget the OGR Tour and York cars. I have a few more. I've 2-railed all of them and occasionally bring them out to run at the club.
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Lee Drennen,
It was one of our custom runs. I grew up on Bunny Bread. It was made by the Harris Boyer Bakery in Johnstown. PA. Johnstown was only 24 miles from Homer City. A lot of our customers were from Johnstown. Beside the red roof and red end version, Weaver made as a Blue roof and Blue end version.
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AGHRMATT,
Those are some fine looking Weaver cars. I notice you have some autographs of some of the leaders of "O" Gauge magazine on one of the cars. That's very special. Matt That's something to be proud of.
Coach joe,
You have some fine looking Weaver cars that you have pictured. I to like Alaska Railroad freight cars. My favorite is your Alaska box car with the Eskimo.
@jim sutter posted:AGHRMATT,
Those are some fine looking Weaver cars. I notice you have some autographs of some of the leaders of "O" Gauge magazine on one of the cars. That's very special. Matt That's something to be proud of.
Thanks Jim. The OGR Autograph car was an interesting find and I was lucky to win the auction. I'm going to try to get one without the autographs and put this one in a display case.
Thank you Jim. There are others on the roster but those were the picture I had available. Too bad Weaver went away but as is said "All good things must come to an end."
I don't own any, but the cars look great and such a variety. I looked at some I wanted to buy on Ebay and wrote to a vendor asking about the trucks. He told me that all Weaver trucks are plastic.
Is that correct?
John
@Rod Stewart posted:Jim, great topic! I really miss Weaver also. Back in the late 80's and into the 90's, there were few if any companies that would do custom runs besides Weaver. Up here in Canada there was precious little available from the big names, but we were able to get some pretty cool looking stuff from Weaver.
You might recognize a couple of these for instance:
The PS2 covered hoppers were and still are a nice running car. On the lower track we have a couple of the venerable ACF grain cars, and off to the right a PS2CD in CP markings.
Talking about ACF grain hoppers:
And then there is these guys; 70 tonners I believe. There were two 12 packs available, all different road numbers, 24 in total.
And of course bulkhead flats:
In short, Weavers filled a huge gap at the time, and they are still great. Only thing is many of their offerings are too light, and you need to properly weight them to get them to run reliably. No big deal.
Rod
Regarding the weight of Weaver cars, I think you are referring to those produced in the early days of Weaver. All of the ones I have in my collection are from their Ultra Line. Those cars are weighted properly. I am running a couple of long consists comprised solely of Ultra Line cars on my layout and have had no issues.
Pat
Matt,
That's a great idea. Those cars with autographs are very special.
John,
For the most part all early Weaver cars have plastic trucks. I'm sorry I can't give you date as to when Weaver started using die-cast trucks. Beth Marshall who is a dealer that advertises on this forum probably could. She was a Weaver dealer for a long time and she still has a large inventory of Weaver freight cars. The name of her business is Public Delivery Track. Listed below is her contact information.
The best way to get in touch with us is through email at pdt212@gmail.com. Or you can call 805-226-0320.
We are in the Pacific Time zone, so please don't call at 9 a.m. Eastern Time!
Pat,
That's great information. Thank you.
@jim sutter posted:Matt,
That's a great idea. Those cars with autographs are very special.
John,
For the most part all early Weaver cars have plastic trucks. I'm sorry I can't give you date as to when Weaver started using die-cast trucks. Beth Marshall who is a dealer that advertises on this forum probably could. She was a Weaver dealer for a long time and she still has a large inventory of Weaver freight cars. The name of her business is Public Delivery Track
Thanks Jim,
I'll check that out.
John
Not all Weaver Trucks are Plastic. If the 3Rail Part Number Ends with the letters " LD " they are Metal.
Their may be other ways to tell also but I am not aware.
russ
@DETROIT posted:
Nice. I really like their tank cars. However, the plastic handrails are very fragile. Once assembled, they are almost impossible to ship without sustaining some kind of handrail damage.
Jeff
Jeff - You are 100% correct about the old 'just in a box' weaver tank cars - they get decimated in shipping. For that matter that's a problem with all Weavers that don't have the plastic shell casing. I think I may have purchased several members of my weaver tank car fleet from you in fact. The newer tank cars that come in the plastic shells travel pretty well and I think in the later days the plastic used for the tank car detail was stronger/less brittle??? I love my Weaver cars for all the reasons addressed in this thread.
I only have a few Weaver train cars, all related to special runs for hobby magazines!
In this photo, a Weaver-made "Model Railroader" anniversary boxcar rolls along between the MTH-made OGR Hurricane Katrina relief fund boxcar and a Weaver tank car.
In this photo you'll see a close-up of the Weaver-made Railroad Model Craftsman "tank car of ink".
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Ran down through the 3 pages of this thread pretty quick so forgive me if someone else showed these cars already. These are my favorites. I believe this was Jim's custom run, I believe He had (6) 12 packs for a total of 72. I have been collecting these for years. I am up to 48. If any of you out there have any you want to part with and I dont already have the road #, I would have interest in buying.
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I received a used Weaver Rock Island Express Boxcar today. The couplers are completely broken off the trucks and there is some damage to one of the ladders. It needs love. A
@A. Wells posted:I received a used Weaver Rock Island Express Boxcar today. The couplers are completely broken off the trucks
If my memory serves, the couplers are NOT attached to the trucks on Weaver freight cars. The couplers are on a long shank, with the rear of the shank acting as a "spacer" between the truck and under frame bolster, in order to clear the large 3-Rail wheel flanges. Weaver cars were essentially a 2-Rail SCALE product, adapted to the 3-Rail market by simply having the coupler large coupler shank act as a spacer for the 3-Rail truck (whether plastic or die-cast).
and there is some damage to one of the ladders. It needs love. A
@Hot Water posted:
You are right! Both of them are in so many pieces it's hard to tell how they originally assembled.
Jini5,
Yes, we did the Pennsylvania hoppers "Coal Goes To War." However, I'm sorry but I do not remember how many numbers we did for each car.
Hot Water, you are correct about the couplers on Weavers trucks. They are separate and are on a long arm with the coupler. On the couplers arm there are two half moon shape that fit around the middle of the truck.
Couldn't find a pictures from the 1960s/70s. I suspect the logo has been updated a bit but pretty close.
North Shore and South Shore PS-1 boxcars. Yeah, they have roof walks, but so hard to find anything for those railroads.
Sometime in the early 1990's we did two southern PS-2 covered hoppers. A white one with green printing and a green with gold printing. Do any of you have either one? Sorry, for the poor quality of the picture of the green one.
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Here are two of my absolute favorites from Weaver:
Both are custom runs for museums. Weaver was great for custom runs, including the ones from Homer City.
I also treasure my 12 PMcK&Y Weaver coal hoppers (took me a long time to track them down), and my collection of the PRR H30 Hoppers.
I certainly miss Weaver, and am enjoying this thread.
Andy
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Andy, you and a lot of people miss Weaver. Those are two great looking Weaver custom run cars. I believe the Ligonier Valley Railroad might of done a couple more but I'm not sure Weaver painted them. Andy, I'm glad you are enjoying this thread. Take care and have a great day.
@jim sutter posted:Andy, you and a lot of people miss Weaver. Those are two great looking Weaver custom run cars. I believe the Ligonier Valley Railroad might of done a couple more but I'm not sure Weaver painted them. Andy, I'm glad you are enjoying this thread. Take care and have a great day.
The Ligonier Valley Railroad Museum did a total of 6 of these hoppers, 3 each in black and tuscan (I'm still on the hunt for two of them), and they did at least one boxcar and one tank car (both Weaver), and maybe a caboose. They also did a a steam locomotive and a Doodlebug, but those were MTH. The museum is a great little place to visit for anyone visiting the Ligonier / Latrobe area and is right next door to the historic Idlewild Park which was itself once a destination stop for the railroad.
Andy
Andy, do you know if Bob Stuzman from Ligonier is still living. Mr. Stuzman and two other fellows use to come to store every Wednesday. One of the fellows name was David Summerville, he was from Latrobe. They were all members of the Ligonier Valley Railroad. They loved helping me in the store. They would unpack boxes and put price stickers on the items that came in. They all enjoyed eating their lunch in a restaurant here in Homer City. The Good old days.
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Hi Jim,
The answer your question on the Ligonier Valey Railroad guys is, both Bob and Dave are alive and well and still running trains.
I hope you are well also. I miss the many trips to your store.
Lionlman,
I love your two cars. Especially the Squirrel Salted Peanut Bar one.
Tom Morris,
Glad to know you have the White Southern PS-2 hopper car. I have only seen two, yours and the one I had. I see you had some other great looking Weaver cars. From lookin at your cars, I would have to say you love southern railways. Good for you.
LGVScott,
Great to hear from you. Happy to know Bob ad Dave are doing fine. I feel last June and cracked my hip. I have been in and out of the nursing home and the Indiana Hospital three different times. Presently I am at home and going for Physical Therapy twice a week. Scotty, please take care tell everyone I said hello.
@jim sutter posted:Lee Drennen,
It was one of our custom runs. I grew up on Bunny Bread. It was made by the Harris Boyer Bakery in Johnstown. PA. Johnstown was only 24 miles from Homer City. A lot of our customers were from Johnstown. Beside the red roof and red end version, Weaver made as a Blue roof and Blue end version.
Jim. Thanks for the info. That is a beautiful car thanks for posting I still eat Bunny Bread.
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@Craftech posted:I don't own any, but the cars look great and such a variety. I looked at some I wanted to buy on Ebay and wrote to a vendor asking about the trucks. He told me that all Weaver trucks are plastic.
Is that correct?
John
@jim sutter posted:Matt,
That's a great idea. Those cars with autographs are very special.
John,
For the most part all early Weaver cars have plastic trucks. I'm sorry I can't give you date as to when Weaver started using die-cast trucks. Beth Marshall who is a dealer that advertises on this forum probably could. She was a Weaver dealer for a long time and she still has a large inventory of Weaver freight cars. The name of her business is Public Delivery Track. Listed below is her contact information.
The best way to get in touch with us is through email at pdt212@gmail.com. Or you can call 805-226-0320.
We are in the Pacific Time zone, so please don't call at 9 a.m. Eastern Time!
Pat,
That's great information. Thank you.
I believe 2008 was when Weaver models decided to go die cast on their trucks and couplers for their Ultra Line freight cars. I do see exceptions as one of their last new designs, the 4 bay High sided hopper also was made with the plastic trucks and couplers along with the roadrailers.
The Merchandise Service boxcars return to Westmoreland Glass has a special meaning for me as two of my Aunts worked there as decorators. They hand decorated the milk glass items that were produced there. And Latrobe is special too. Besides being the home of the late Arnold Palmer, Rolling Rock beer, St. Vincent College, the summer training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s where I met and dated my wife. As for the gondola, well it’s just darn good looking. Too bad Weaver is gone. As they are sorely missed.
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NCDave,
Your Penna. Merchandise Service was always one of my favorites. We did 150 of those with Westmoreland Glass Company Grapeville, Pa. The other 150 said Jeannette Glass Company Jeannette, Pa. Just like your green REA car there's a Tuscan version.
Jim Brenner,
I can see why you liked your Milwaukee road ribbed box car. Its really sharp looking.
What I miss is Buffalo Creek Graphics, they had a good line of special painted Weaver cars. I have a number of them but no photos, a number for the NKP and SAL.
Jim,
I’ll have to keep a eye pealed for the Jeannette Glass car as well as the Tuscan version of the REA car. Thanks for the heads up!
Dave
Bob Delbridge,
I can understand you missing Buffalo Creek Graphics They had Weaver make some great looking cars. I especially liked the one with Coudersport on it.
NCDave,
There is also a Penna Merchandise box car with when empty return to the Westinghouse plant Derry PA.
A few more of my favorites but actually all the weaver cars I have are my favorites. Pics..............Paul 2
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Paul 2,
Those are all great looking cars. I would have a hard time picking a favorite.
Here are more of my favorite cars. The WAG boxcar, is a special run by Buffalo Creek Graphics. The others are stock Weaver.
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There were three fellows that lived in Clarion, PA. They just loved coming to the store. The first time they came there were only two. While they were there, I received a call and I had to leave the store and go into town. I ask them to watch the store and I would be right back. Yes, I didn't know them but I knew I could trust them. After that, we became great friends. They always wanted me to do a Lake Erie, Franklin and Clarion hopper. So we did.
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Mowingman,
Those are four great looking Weaver cars. I really love the A.C.Y. box car and your Sunoco Tank car.
I would like to take this moment and said thank you to everyone that responded to this post. I saw several nice Weaver cars and even a few I never knew were made. Thanks again and enjoy your day.
Sorry I'm a little late to the party. Here are some of my favorites.
The whole family loves going to Knoebles Amusement Park, so these cars are pretty much a no-brainer.
Genesee and Wyoming is not a railroad that is often produced, although offerings have been more plentiful in the last 10 years or so. I'm partial to this one.
Chris
LVHR
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lehighline,
Thank you for posting pictures of your Weaver cars. I really like your Genesee and Wyoming box car. Please take care and have a wonderful evening.
elmadalejake,
Remembering your father through a car we made makes me fill good. I remember the Westinghouse plant in Derry when I was a boy. Hope you have a wonderful and safe evening.
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Pat, I believe your Ross Custom Switches box car was made by Weaver. Its a nice looking car. Thank you for sharing your car with us. Take car and have a wonderful and safe evening.
elmadalejack,
I like your Westinghouse Derry car as a remembrance to your Dads work at Derry. I’m a former Westinghouse employee my self. And I’m always on the look out for Westinghouse freight cars. So I’ll have to keep an eye out for one like yours.
elmadalejack,
There were only 150 of those cars made. Weaver required orders of 300 cars. The other 150 I believe said when empty return to the Sani Dairy Co. Johnstown, PA. I hope you find one.
Thanks Mr. Sutter. I will be on the lookout for the Sani Dairy car. I also have another car exactly like the 28054 that is numbered 28059 that has the same return instructions as the 28054.
I bought alot of your cars Jim especially the PRR box cars,also PRR work train yellow cars. Return to Derry and the return I believe to agent in Latrobe. Have them stored. I'll have to look. The only car I didn't was the silver PRR flat car with red lettering.
elmadalejake,
Do you have this box car? I believe when we did this express box car we did four different ones. They were all the same except for the towns names and the train names. One might of had Irwin, Greensburg and Latrobe. Another might of had Derry, Torrance and Bolivar, The third one might of had Johnstown, Gallitzin and Altoona and fourth one had Harrisburg, Lancaster and Philadelphia. The train names were the Broadway Limited, The Duquesne, The Red Arrow and GG-1 service. Elmadalejake, I'm sorry, but my memory won't let me grab the town names for sure.
Unfortunately, Weaver never save a picture of this car. I copied this one from Beth Marshalls website. Should you have any questions please call me a 724-549-2672. I would be more than glad to help you. In the mean time take care and have a safe day.
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Yes I believe I do. I would need to open boxes to be certain. I bought all your PRR offerings.
SDBOB1,
Thank you for purchasing our Weaver cars.
Just ckd what I could get too,all silver Enola, blk roof Altoona at least 3 numbers each.Green/ gold strip,Latrobe,blank 6 cars. Merchandise Service Westmoreland Glass Grapeville. Plus other nos blank. AndPRR Tuscan with gold stripes on top and bottom of almost black strip no.2545. I'll need to look in my other storage area later.
SDBOB1,
Sorry, I never did a car with Enola, PA on it. That might of been done by Weaver.
elmadalejake,
That is correct. There are three other ones. You have the first one running west to east. I guessed wrong when I said Irwin-Greensburg and Latrobe. The second one should be Torrance-Bolivar and Johnstown. The third one would be Cresson-Gallitzin and Altoona.
Wish you still had your shop and Weaver was still in business.
Clem K,
Your New York Central PS-2 covered hopper was one of our custom run cars.
SDBOB1
Thank you for your kind words and wishful thinking. Unfortunately, the good doctors haven't come up with a pill to keep you young. Memories and pictures are the next best thing.
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ctr,
Thank you for posting three of your Weaver freight cars. All three are great looking cars. Should you have any more please post them. I really enjoy seeing them.
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@ctr posted:
Wow... that boxcar shows Nauset Lighthouse! I proposed to Sylvia in the surf just below Nauset Lighthouse on Sep 8, 2004; we got married on Nov 12, 2005. I'd love to have one of those Nauset Railway boxcars.
postmastermc,
Thank you, for posting your Ann Arbor PS-2 hopper. Another great looking Weaver car.
graz,
Thank you, for posting a picture of our Fike's Dairy car. I got that idea from a picture on a sign in front of a grocery store in Crabtree, PA. advertising Fike's Dairy. It was always one of my favorite cars. Here is a picture of your Pennsylvania Hopper "Coal Goes To war"
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ctr,
Thank you, for sharing your Boston and Maine cars. I had never seen the coffee one.
Cumberland Valley,
Those are four great looking cars. I don't think I ever saw them. Those lumber cars would look great in any freight train or parked beside a lumber yard.
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Jeremey,
Thank you for posting pictures of two of your Weaver cars. At one time I kept a Wise Potato Chips hopper for myself.
Clem K.
Thank you, for posting three more of your Weaver cars. Please keep them coming.
Seeing all these different Weaver cars has definitely put a smile on my face.
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One of the interesting, Weaver covered hopper cars, was Rainbow Pigment. On the tech end of the hobby, it showed what could be done with a commercial ink stamp paint system. Eye catcher, on any layout/shelf. IMO, Mike CT.
I really liked that they made loads available for their cars also. There was a business called St. Charles Model Works who made various loads for different manufactures cars, they are no more; been trying to find coal loads for Atlas hoppers.
No wonder Weaver went out of business after Jim closed up shop. It seems Jim was keeping them going with all his custom runs. Good job giving the people what they wanted Jim.
@Arthur posted:I really liked that they made loads available for their cars also. There was a business called St. Charles Model Works who made various loads for different manufactures cars, they are no more; been trying to find coal loads for Atlas hoppers.
I’ve been trying to find some too for various hoppers I have. However, I purchased a used hopper a while back where the original owner made his own, and it was a pretty ingenious design. He used foam that you see in couch cushions, cut to fit snuggly. Then, after coating with glue, he just rolled the top of it in scenic coal material, and then looks as if he hit it with a few sprays of black from a rattle can.
I plan on doing the same when I get some time. I’m not sure what glue he used, but from previous experience working with foam products, I know 3M makes a spray adhesive for foam based products. I found it at Lowe’s for about $5.
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ncdave,
I can understand why those two cars are two of your favorites. Both of them are great cars. Your round roof baggage car would look great in any of the Pennsy passenger trains. Your Pennsy flat with trailer would look great in a string of them behind a set of pennsy diesels.
rpstl8,
Leave your name and phone number with Beth Marshall. Tell her to call you if she comes across any. The name of her business is Public Delivery Track. She is a sponsor of this forum. She may have that baggage car. Look at her website under passenger cars.
rail,
You are correct. Weaver did a fine job on making those wood-sided gondolas.
coach joe,
Me dropping Weaver from our store back sometime around 2000, was the dumbest thing I ever done. I was just one small dealer who had them make custom runs. They had several other stores and companies using them to make custom runs. The reason for that was because they did beautiful work.
ctr,
Your five Weaver cars are all Home Runs. The only one that I ever saw was the Monarch Foods.
ctr,
Thanks for posting those cars. Very nice selection! You reminded me of another rather famous Weaver reefer...
Here it is in one of its more infamous incidents: The Traveling "BoxCar".
Chris
LVHR
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lehighline,
Your Lehigh Valley reefer is a wonderful addition to this post. Thanks for sharing it.
Here are three Weaver cars that no one has mentioned. I always thought they were three of are best.
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Norton,
Thank you for adding four of your favorite Weaver cars to this thread. All four are great. The Iroquois beer is really sharp. Thanks again posting. Should you have more , please post them.
I should have added the Iroquois Beer car was done for dealer Aurora Rails in Western New York.
Pete
I have the IH , Wayne Feeds and Carborundum cars, found them last night
You know folks it was a very sad day when Weaver closed. A lot of fine people lost their jobs. I was lucky enough to meet them once. My work with them was done on the phone and the computer. I don't know were all their tooling and dies went. I think Lionel got some and maybe Atlas got some. However, how many custom run cars have either of these companies made for individuals like myself. Weaver, was a special company. I doubt if we will ever see someone like them.
Yes. I got there on OGR trip. Nice people. Bought the special hopper car its stored.
Jim I can't tell you how much I am enjoying this topic. The range of cars and special runs that Weaver did is outstanding in every way. And it's obvious that quite a few others feel the same way.
Thinking out loud here a little, and just throwing this out there to gauge level of interest. Do you think we have enough information and interest here to start a kind of reference collection of all the Weaver stuff, complete with pictures, numbers made, year of release, etc? If it gained traction and there is enough interest, perhaps the forum moderators would allow a sticky topic that others can make contributions to from their collections. I am thinking perhaps along the lines of the repository of 3d print projects that Dennis LaRock started here back a few months ago. It seems to be working quite well, and it's a great reference source.
It would take someone with a deep knowledge and background of Weaver products, someone like yourself perhaps, to get it kick started and up and running. Some Weaver history would also be benificial, like years of operation, owners(s), numbers of employees, location(s), etc. Maybe we could get a former key Weaver employee or two to jump in and share their knowledge and experiences. I for one would be more than happy to contribute pictures of each specific car and paint scheme from my collection, but there's a lot more about Weaver and it's history that I have no clue about.
What do you think?
Rod
@rplst8 posted:I’ve been trying to find some too for various hoppers I have. However, I purchased a used hopper a while back where the original owner made his own, and it was a pretty ingenious design. He used foam that you see in couch cushions, cut to fit snuggly. Then, after coating with glue, he just rolled the top of it in scenic coal material, and then looks as if he hit it with a few sprays of black from a rattle can.
I plan on doing the same when I get some time. I’m not sure what glue he used, but from previous experience working with foam products, I know 3M makes a spray adhesive for foam based products. I found it at Lowe’s for about $5.
Most guys using foam, use the rigid foam. It is more durable then the soft foam. The company that made loads for Weaver was Blue Mountain, he was from Lehighton, or somewhere near there. He died either late 2010 or early 2011, not sure. A forum group I was a member of did an annual club car using Weaver rolling stock, and in 2011 we did a 2 bay composite hopper. Weaver was in the process of locating another supplier for coal loads, and I think Joe found St Charles Model Works. I made loads for our hoppers, but didn't like the foam, so I used 1/4" luan plywood, and Black beauty fine sand blast grit. It scales to Chestnut sized coal, and is around $10.00 for a 50 lb bag. Most guys use white glue as the binder. I use water base urethane floor finish and a spray bottle. I have a short video on Youtube under Don Kane Jr, Making A Coal Load if you are intested.
Rod Stewart,
Joe Hayter, would be the best person to talk to about getting that type of information. He probably has a notebook with all that information. What cars were made, who they were made for, the numbers on the cars and color of paint they used. I don't even know the numbers on our cars let alone everyone else. Two other good people to talk to about this information would be Beth Marshall and Andy Petersen. Both of them know far more than I do and both of them are still in business.
Here's a picture of the only 50' box car that we did.
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When I was a boy my parents purchased American Flyer Trains for me. Two of my favorite cars were a orange New Haven box car and blue Boston and Maine box car. Since I liked them, we did a set of New Haven and Boston and Maine PS-2 covered hoppers.
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@rplst8 posted:I’ve been trying to find some too for various hoppers I have. However, I purchased a used hopper a while back where the original owner made his own, and it was a pretty ingenious design. He used foam that you see in couch cushions, cut to fit snuggly. Then, after coating with glue, he just rolled the top of it in scenic coal material, and then looks as if he hit it with a few sprays of black from a rattle can.
I plan on doing the same when I get some time. I’m not sure what glue he used, but from previous experience working with foam products, I know 3M makes a spray adhesive for foam based products. I found it at Lowe’s for about $5.
That is a very interesting story, curious, does the car look anything like this?
or maybe this?
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Greg M,
Both of your Pennsylvania hoppers look great. I would be more than proud to have either one of them running on our old layout. Why they would look fantastic sitting at the mine or under one of my Flyer coal loaders.
@jim sutter posted:lehighline,
Your Lehigh Valley reefer is a wonderful addition to this post. Thanks for sharing it.
A custom paint job by our own Jeff Sohn
This is a great thread! I never knew Weaver did so many different cars. I was just telling my wife yesterday how going to Homer City to visit Jim’s Train shop was one of my favorite things to do in the early 2000s. I bought my first PS2 MTH engine, aReading SW1500, there, but money was tight back then and most of my purchases were sale items. I always thought Jim was the best hobby shop owner/manager of all time . His personality, phone manner was outstanding. He could have taught a class on interpersonal relations with customers!!
Back to Weavers! I visited them shortly before they closed and bought the Pennsy TOFC car, I love it. Wish I had a lot more of their cars now! Only having a 6x11,carpet central doesnt give you much room for rolling stock.
Again, great informative topic and I miss my trips to Homer City! Thank you Jim!!! And thanks to Weaver for great products.
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The reason I asked was I sold those cars a while ago but don’t remember who bought them. I made the coal loads using a very similar technique as you described above. I posted a “how-to” thread here on the forum several years back documenting the process but it has been lost to time. I do have the original post information and pictures on my computer for reference if I ever have a reason to make more.
Thank you for the compliment.
Weaver TOFCs are a favorite. I have a friend that has collected most all of them but I try to stick to just those lettered for New York Central.
This was Weaver's standard catalog car done in at least 5 maybe 6 road numbers.
This done for the TCA for the 2015 National in New York City.
These were done by METCA for the same event since it was held in their backyard.
Great choices Stu!
Pete
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I bought all your PRR Weaver offerings Jim. I have that 50 ft box car. I usually bought all the different nos.
These are two of a six car custom run from 2011 from another forum. Reading 2 bay composite hopper with some tongue in cheek humor. Weaver was very easy to work with, and I enjoyed my many trips there as a club car committee member representative who was fortunate to live about an hour away. A lot of great memories.
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I loved buying the Weaver railroad cars, mostly because many were built in the USA. They did so many obscure railroad lines. Customer service was superb. Sometimes I would call them up with some problem and they would send me a new part free of charge. They are also super easy to convert to 2 rail.
Not sure where crown model productions comes into the picture, but the reefer shown in the last picture looks essentially the same as the weaver reefers.
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Lehigh Valley Railroad,
Jeff Sohn is a great custom painter. Should you have other custom painted cars by him, please post them. I'm sure everyone would enjoy seeing his work.
pennsydave,
Glad to know you're enjoying this thread on Weaver custom run cars. Weavers work was the best. Thank you for your kind words. As much as you enjoyed coming to the store, I enjoy seeing you and having you as a customer. I miss those good old days. If we could only stop time.
Norton,
Your New York Central flats with trailers are beautiful. I appreciate you sharing them with us.
SDBOB1,
Thank you, for purchasing all those Weaver cars from me. I sure hope you still have them and enjoying them. Thanks again for all your business.
rail,
Thank you for posting pictures of your Weaver Reading hoppers. I can only image the fun and enjoyment you had going to Weavers. The people that worked there were wonderful. They all had a way of making you fill welcome and at home. Luckily, I was able to go once. I would of loved to gone more but it just wasn't possible.
swrr,
You have several great looking Weaver freight cars. Thank you for sharing them. I also see you have some of the older style boxes they used over the years. I love all of your cars especially your Boraxo PS-2 covered hopper and your Milwaukee Road reefer.
I have not seen this one in this thread. There is a caboose too from the Rolling Rock Brewery before MTH started to make the cars.
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elmadalejake,
That's one sharp looking car. I don't believe I ever saw it. Thanks for posting it. I'll bet there will be some people looking for it. Thanks again and have a wonderful and safe day.
Here are a few more. It would be nice to have a history of what Weaver made over the years but I doubt there would still be information floating around. Maybe a employee would have some information. I doubt very much after all this time whether Joe would of kept any records. I think the late eighties and nineties were the best time to get custom runs of car because there were a lot of hobby shops doing them. The majority of my Weaver came from those shops. Pics..................Paul 2
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Paul2,
Thank you for posting all those different Weaver freight cars. I would bet those wood chip cars are hard to fine. Hopefully you will fine so more cars to post.
Paul2 posted some photos of the wood chip hoppers. They started as kits in their first offering. A standard 2 bay rib side car came with the add on side extensions that the buyer would assemble. Weaver did the work in house for the last run. Before the plant closed, I was down for one last visit, and Joe gave me the sides to convert a hopper at some point. I just have to get a rib side.
I was lucky enough to find a brother in arms that was ready to part with (all three?) road numbers. Square hatches fantastic detail. Snuck in Jim's PRR 50' special run. I never knew any background to this car, purchased it with no box. Someone on the thread mentioned it and share a great picture.
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Being from Latrobe and growing up a block from the brewery I've never seen that Rolling Rock car. I grew up with one the owners sons.
@DETROIT posted:
The DT&I covered hoppers are from a custom run club car program from the TCA_MG Yahoo Groups forum. This was the first car produced when the group started the program in 2006. The car was available in 2007. As soon as I saw the car, I knew what is was. I was a member of the group, and became a selection committee member, and made several trips to Weaver Models over the next several years working on details for club cars up until shortly before the closing. We were working on a NKP double door box car which never came to fruition. The group logo is in the upper right corner.
Another favorite of mine were the Wayne Feeds cars -- PS2 and ACF Centerflow covered hoppers. I don't know the story behind these, but I amassed quite a collection of them. Then Atlas did some and I added those to the collection. As I recall, there were six of each in the PS2 and four in the ACF.
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Detroit,
I just love your three orange D. T. and I hoppers. I'm glad you were able to get all three numbers.
Matt,
There were four Wayne feeds. The two you pictured and these two. Sorry, I do not know what year we did them.
rail
Your flat cars with loads and your gondolas with loads would look great on any ones layout.
This one has a yellow body with a black underframe.