Eastern Seaboard Models N scale gondolas

The Pennsylvania RR class G26 series of mill gondolas has returned to the Eastern Seaboard Models product lineup. The G26 car, last released in 2009, is now joined by class G26A and G26C gondolas, as well as Norfolk & Western class G3 cars. All of the ready-to-run gondolas have screw-mounted draft-gear box covers, Dalman or National B-1 trucks as appropriate, and 33" metal wheelsets.

The Eastern Seaboard Models N scale mill gondolas are based on the PRR class G26 series of cars built at the railroad’s Altoona, Pa., shops. Between 1930 and 1931, shop forces built 1,700 of the 65'-6" cars, numbered 439009 through 440709. Lehigh Valley acquired 50 cars from this class for its fleet. The class G26 rivetedside gondolas featured two exterior posts that ran from the bottom of the top chord to the sill in the fish-belly section. The cars were narrow compared to other rolling stock, making them well suited to navigating the tight curves and limited clearances of steel mills.

The Altoona shop forces built another 700 gondolas between 1940 and 1942, part of the railroad’s class G26A. These cars, numbered 440710 through 441409, had an upgraded underframe and three full-height exterior posts in the fish-belly area. Norfolk & Western’s class G3 cars were built to this design.

In 1966 and 1967, 300 G26 and G26A cars were rebuilt in Altoona. The G26C gondolas featured seven full-height posts in the fish-belly section. Gondolas from the G26 series lasted into the Conrail era.

The N scale mill gondola features a diecast metal floor/underframe, injectionmolded plastic sides and ends, and positionable drop ends. The plastic sides are attached with glue. Handle the gondolas with care if you pick them up by the sides.

Molded details include rivets, grab irons, ladders, and stirrup steps. The brake gear (ratchet hand brake or Ajax brake wheel) is freestanding.

The die-cast metal floor has rivet detail that follows the center sills, body bolsters, and crossmembers. Single dimples between the rows of rivets simulate drain holes.

Details on the die-cast metal underbody include center sills, crossmembers, and body bolsters. There are several ejector pin marks on the underbody, but they’d be nearly impossible to see when the car is on the rails. The air reservoir, brake cylinder, and control valve, all fairly basic in appearance, are separate, factory-applied parts.

The solid-bearing trucks are pinmounted. All but two of the cars in this run feature Micro-Trains Dalman solidbearing trucks. The PC G26A gon and the PRR G26C car with a plain keystone herald use Micro-Trains National B-1 trucks. The trucks are fitted with ESMC 33" metal wheelsets.

We received samples decorated for LV (G26), PRR (G26A), and PC (G26C). All three models were neatly painted in their respective paint schemes.

I compared the LV and PRR models to elevation drawings of class G26 and G26A cars, respectively, that I found on the prr.railfan.net website. The dimensions matched or were within scale inches of the published data.

To see how the cars performed in an operating environment, I tested the gondolas on our State Line Route layout. I pushed and pulled the cars on the main line and through turnouts. The models comfortably navigated the 18" minimum radius curves and No. 6 turnouts.

It’s neat to see Eastern Seaboard

Models not only bring back an existing model, but offer it in new variations, as well. Though the mill gondolas are decorated for Eastern roads, these cars could be found throughout the United States. The long cars would certainly add interest an N scale freight car fleet. — Cody Grivno, senior editor

Continued from page 11 containers and chassis. Single containers feature sound. Single, $39.99; three-pack, $42.99. Operator line. ScaleTrains, 844987-2467, scaletrains.com

• Flatcar loads. Industrial mix tanks, pressure vessel, and steel ladle. Fully painted. Steel ladle, $49.99; pressure vessel, $54.99; industrial mix tanks, $59.99. ClassOneModelWorks.com, 816-2430044, classonemodelworks.com

• Safetrans System Corp. relay shed.

Represents modern 6 x 8-foot welded aluminum relay shed. Injection-molded

HO scale 89-foot flatcar with bi-level shielded auto rack.

plastic kit with photo-etched lift rings. Jackson-Standard Models. 217-971-9817, jacksonstandard.com

N scale locomotives

• Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 diesel locomotive. Conrail; Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Chicago & North Western; Electro-Motive Division Leasing; Milwaukee Road; and Norfolk & Western. Multiple road numbers per scheme. Road-number-specific details. Light-emitting diode lighting. Detailed cab interior. Direct-current model, $149.99; with DCC and sound, $254.99. Rivet Counter line. ScaleTrains, 844-9872467, scaletrains.com

N scale rolling stock

• Pullman-Standard PS-2 2893 threebay covered hopper. Southern Ry., Jack Frost, Milwaukee Road, New York Central, Southern Pacific, Weyerhauser, and Wabash. Multiple road numbers per scheme. Separately applied details including round roof hatches, brake wheel, and walkway. $32.99. Add $5 for Primed for Grime. Athearn Trains, 800338-4639, athearn.com

This auto carrier is decorated for Norfolk & Western (with N&W flatcar); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (with ATSF flatcar); Chesapeake & Ohio; Conrail; Illinois Central Gulf; Milwaukee Road; and Southern Pacific (with SP flatcar) in four road numbers per scheme. The HO scale car features a detailed flatcar body with Paragon II-style rack with side shields. Drawbars are included to negotiate 24" curves. Modeler-applied bridge plates are included. The car is priced at $44.98. WalthersMainline. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com

Z scale locomotives

• Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 diesel locomotive. Union Pacific. Three road numbers. Prototype-specific details including brakewheel, dynamic brake, sunshades, trucks, radiators, and more. Directional light-emitting diode lighting. Price TBA. American Z Line, 614-7641703, americanzline.com