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Big Boy Prototypical Consist

dowish
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Posts: 64
 Joined: 2006-06-29
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Location(s)

Beaverton, OR
United States
See map: Google Maps

I recently made a slight detour from the modern era that I model.  I couldn't resist picking up an Athearn Big Boy.  I would now like to get a prototypical consist together for it.  The research I've done on the web got me some pretty general results, mainly they were used for high priority/high speed freight in Wyoming and Utah, mainly stock cars and produce.  My question is, besides looking at the build date, how do i decide what cars are appropriate?  For instance, I know that autorack and intermodal stuff is out just because its obviously to new.  Would any wood stock car be okay, mechanical refers, any USRA car?  I'm assuming 30 ton hoppers would be okay, but would 70 ton be to new of a development for that time period?

 On the flip side, how old is to old?  Obviously stuff made in say 1860 is to old and wouldn't still be in service, but how about stuff made in the 1920's?

Also, what would be an good caboose to use?

Thanks for the guidance.

[Mod note: Title modified to reflect content - BDC]


‹ Question on converting Con Cor Passenger cars to MT advice on cars...atlas flex code 55 ›

Submitted by dowish on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 16:43.

railohio
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Posts: 1057
 Joined: 2004-01-02
nScale.net Forum Moderator
I could just regurgitate

I could just regurgitate information from the highly informative Model Railroader's Guide to Freight Cars but, 1) that would keep you from obtaining one for yourself and, 2) mine is on loan now across the state.

As for a caboose, which would not be covered in the book, you'll want to look at one of the Union Pacific prototype models being released by InterMountain. For details on which one is accurate for the steam era, however, you'll need to consult a road-specific source.


--
mmmmm pie!


Fri, 07/25/2008 - 22:38

Jacko-Pat
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Posts: 270
 Joined: 2007-11-16
Consist behind a UP 4-8-8-4

  Cars made in the 1920's would be fine behind a Big Boy. No arch bar trucks would be seen as they were outlawed in the early 30's as I recall. The UP cabeese that Intermountain has look right at home, with a back dated paint job. I believe the model number CA-4 caboose would be right, consult a good UP book on this. Any freight that had to move fast was generally in the line-up behind a Big Boy. I liked the UP in the steam era and into the 80's. When the UP took over the SP in 1996, they became my mortal enemy, and we'll leave it at that.

Jacko 



Fri, 07/25/2008 - 23:54

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