Evolution of a Favorite III

I can say I am very happy to find a like-for-like replacement for another article of despair for N Scale of old. Considering how new the scale was when this car was released, we were really blessed to have the variety of passenger car styles we did have. Unfortunately, some were less than faithful reproductions, and some were just mechanically under engineered. This example fits into the latter category.

The prototype is a fairly faithful example of a C&O Pullman coach that saw service in the “aftermarket” on D&RGW, C&NW, and SP:

“The car is in two sections divided in the center.  Fifty-nine coaches in the 1610-1668 series were delivered to the C&O by Pullman in 1950 for service on most C&O trains, including the George Washington.  Eight of these cars were sold to the D&RGW.  Good photographs of this car are on page 8 of Chesapeake and Ohio color guide to freight and passenger equipment.  C&O removed the corrugations in 1967.”

http://www.trainweb.org/fredatsf/protopass4.htm

Amtrak? Not too sure how authentic it is, but it was different from the smooth-side coaches offered:

Later, rather recently, it was included in the Centralia Car Shops production as well:

Comparing the two only shows the limitations of “good enough” when the Con Cor version was released:

The main problem was mechanical; the trucks were held in place by plastic clips molded into the sideframe. And they liked to break off, leaving the truck almost useless. Sure, you could fill the hole in the body, and use a screw, but it wasn’t the strongest link in the car’s chain by far.

The other disadvantage was trying to light it, like all other Con Cor cars (until the later Rivarossi re-brands), was practically impossible. The CCS car offers this ready to run, and for once, I am almost pleased with the effect. I have been pretty cruel to the result in other cars, as it looked far too dim. But in this case, it does look pretty good:

Next time?