Passenger car

[Tom Pinnick]

I have already pre-ordered them for Stores.  There is no way I would let this pass.

South End Tom will spring for a couple. Let us all know when they are available.

[Tim T Swan]

Tom, sign me up for a couple of them.  They sure are beautiful.  Though MONON never had any true "lightwight" cars such as these, they surely would have but for having to wait several years to get delivery.  THerefore I consider these excellent examples of "what-if" MONON cars (like my own HO scale MONON RS1 and RDC3).

For those considering installing 6-wheel trucks, you likely wouldn't be able to just do a simple swap.  You'd probably have to relocate the bolsters several scale feet inboard to accommodate 6-wheel trucks.

[Ron Marquardt]

Good question Robert.  I have had several friends ask me if I'd heard what kind of six-wheel trucks would fit.  So far, no definite answers from anyone.  / Ron

[Tim T Swan]

I'm going to get a pair.  I'm not even going to try to put 6-wheel trucks under them--they would be inappropriate under light-weight cars anyway, which the Rapido cars represent.  Our MONON of course, faced with low places on car manufacturers' postwar waiting lists, chose instead to convert USA Hospital cars in their own shops.  These were equipped with 6-wheel trucks because they were heavy-weights. not light-weights.  I will categorize the Rapido cars as examples of "what if?" the MONON had been able to purchase the true lightweight cars that JWB and Co. would have preferred, had MONON not have had to wait several years for delivery.

[Tom Kepshire]

Just a quick note. Those Rapido HO RTR passenger coaches have arrived. It will take me a day or two to get the information on the on-line store, so please be patient. I will also put something on the Monon Board for those who order the od fashioned snail mail way.

[Chuck Stewart]

I will receive my order for the cars June 3 or 4.  I also want to replace the trucks but I've had no luck.  The resin passenger car kit sold by MRHTS came with what appears to be the correct six wheel General Castings truck from Train Station Products...but they did not respond to my email.  I checked out Walthers...also with no luck.  Many website don't have photos of the trucks so I'm dead in the water.  I want to stay with the trucks that came with the original hospital cars as that is what the Monon originally used.
Yeah, the cars aren't correct...but like the man said, they sure are pretty!
Can any of you smart people help?

[Mike Aufderheide]

Chuck,

If you need more info besides what you have now, you might try the Passenger Car List on Yahoo.  Those guys know everything!  See:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PassengerCarList/info

Regards,

Mike Aufderheide

[Chuck Stewart]

Hey, guys.  Thought you might enjoy(?) two photos I took of a pretend diorama I have showcasing my passenger F-3's and one of my new Rapido passenger cars with six wheel trucks.  I converted the photos to B&W for giggles.
It is truly amazing what you can create when you have no talent.....

[Tom Kepshire]

Some mighty fine work Bob.

[Geof Burns]

Nice modeling work. I am impressed!
Geof

[Chuck Stewart]

Thanks!  Joining the MRHTS was a real motivator!

[Mike Aufderheide]

Thanks for posting your work Chuck, looks great!  What did you end up using for the trucks?

Mike Aufderheide

[Tom Kepshire]

I think another coach would look great on your layout.

[Robert Gibson]

The six wheel trucks are a nice addition.

[Chuck Stewart]

I wish I had a layout.  What you see is a diorama with additional structures set around to make things more interesting.  The track is three feet long.  I also added additional sections of flex track to the right and left and then took several videos of one and two F-3’s hauling three of the new Rapido cars.  I even tried some “night” videos with the car lights on.  I’m new to DCC so the sound of the bell and horn, imitation working Mars light, and realistic 567 engine sounds were amazing.  I added marker lights (non-working) to the rear of the passenger car in the photo and it was the tail end car.  (Not sure if Monon used those or not.)  I researched the six wheel trucks the best I could and I appreciate all the help you guys offered.  I ended up using Precision Scale’s plastic (#33258) Pullman 2426 Commonwealth cast steel w/36” wheels kit.  You can also purchase this in brass (33257).  I thought it was a very close match to the original truck as it left Shops…with the exception of the equalizer () thingy which I did not install.  However, I cannot recommend this kit.  It appears to be made out of styrene plastic, is a difficult build, and when completed, is not free rolling.  There are other metal trucks out there that I would suggest you consider.  Thanks again for all the feedback!  And, it is killing me that I won’t be able to attend the annual meeting in September.  I was looking forward to another rail trip with Bob…and driving the poor guy crazy…again!