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When in Thompson... Journals/Blogs HBRY
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Super User 1,101 posts mesimpson Super User 1,101 posts
mesimpson

...do some prototype research.

A work trip has taken me to Thompson Manitoba, which just so happens to be part of the Hudson Bay Railway route.  While I won't be modelling Thompson directly, it does offer me the chance to do some research on my prototype area. 

The yard offers some good equipment shots of freight cars that were used in the early 1980's finishing out their days in captive service on the HBRY.  Not very often that you can see boxcars and auto transporters from the 1950's still earning their keep, along with flatcars from the early 1970s.  

358email.jpg DSC_8373.JPG 357email.jpg 371email.jpg 381email.jpg DSC_8392.JPG 

And this building just screams to be modelled.  I'll have to find a spot for it.  

Marc Simpson

Marc Simpson

https://hudbayrailway.blogspot.com/

https://ageologistchasingtrains.blogspot.com/

Read my Blog
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jimfitch Prolific poster 5,268 posts
jimfitch

When in Thompson... Do as

Quote:

When in Thompson...

Do as the Thompsons do?  Sort of a take off on the "when in Rome" phrase?  

The box car is very interesting; no door on the side, but only on the ends?   

.

Jim Fitch
northern VA
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Chris VanderHeide cv_acr Super User 2,346 posts
Chris VanderHeide cv_acr

No-Door Boxcar

Quote:

The box car is very interesting; no door on the side, but only on the ends?

It was an auto carrier. Basically an early version of a bilevel autorack.

Chris van der Heide

My Algoma Central Modelling Blog

Canadian Freight Car Gallery

CPR Sudbury Division (Waterloo Region Model Railway Club)
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mesimpson Super User 1,101 posts
mesimpson

auto carrier

As Chris said, it was an early autorack.  They went obsolete fairly quickly as the larger autoracks could carry significantly more vehicles.  these cascaded into other uses including transporting boats, roof trusses and other stuff that was bulky and needed to be protected from the elements.  

A fair number of these cars still are used on the HBRY to transport vehicles.  Probably the last surviving examples of these cars.  

CN also had a 75 foot version of these cars that survived into the 1990's in auto transport service including Autotrain service after some were sold by CN to Autotrain.  Walthers produced an HO model of these cars.  Sylvan Models made a resin version of the 57' car and I have several for use on the layout. 

0%281%29.jpg Only one has been completed thus far, but I now have many more detail photos of the brake rigging to work from.  These cars rode on standard bearing trucks until the early 1990's when the regulations required roller bearing trucks.

Marc Simpson

 

Marc Simpson

https://hudbayrailway.blogspot.com/

https://ageologistchasingtrains.blogspot.com/

Read my Blog
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davidh New member 11 posts
davidh

Marc, what a cool assortment

Marc, what a cool assortment of equipment!  Definitely will be a modelling challenge if you try and incorporate some of it on your pike.  Really enjoyed seeing your layout and talking to you on the tour for RMM in May!

Dave Hunter

 
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