New chart at the bottom of the page.

Development takes time, and doing things right can take even longer. Since we announced our 4000cf Coal Gondola at the NMRA convention last summer, we have been refining our design and reviewing test samples. As many of our customers are aware, we have completed the testing phase on the N Scale model with only minor changes to some paint schemes remaining. We are now approaching that level on the HO Scale versions of this car.

We have made substantial improvements to the models and have added more details to fully reflect the individual nature of the various prototype cars. While this has taken more time than we would have liked, the results have been worthwhile. We have just received new samples of the HO Scale cars and are very pleased with them. We have not had time to properly photograph them yet, but wanted to share some quick pictures of them.

In the coming weeks, we will receive painted samples of the HO Scale cars to review. These, along with the minor revisions to the paint schemes on the N Scale cars represent the last few steps before manufacturing can begin. We are confident that we will have these cars out this summer.

For those of you at SUPERTRAIN 2012 this weekend, we have a special treat for you. Come by and see us, and more importantly the latest test sample in both HO & N Scale of our new 4000 cubic foot rotary coal gondolas. We will also have our latest Hawker-Siddeley 4 bay cylindrical hoppers on display. We will be happy to show you our latest products and answer any questions you have about them.

As with the prototype cars, we are producing several versions of this car in both HO & N Scale. While similar in appearance and basic design, each variation is important as it tells the story of the car. Where and who the car was built by, who originally ordered them and who uses them now can all be told by the version the particular car is. That is why we have spent the time to develop these versions and why we are providing the information modelers need to operate these cars in prototypical fashion.

We have added re-reinforcing plates on the top of the car, side of the car, and flipped the bracing underneath the car. Now the car accurately has an I Beam cross-member. The first version was incorrect, it had been built with a T Beam. We also removed the fish plates on the end of the car, which should not be on this version.

We have also added a chart at the bottom of the page to explain which cars would be used together historically.

We will continue to update information on these cars as more details and pictures become available. For now, enjoy a taste of things to come!

"Accuracy & Detail, In Scale"

All cars will feature:

• Fully assembled and ready to run
• Highly detailed bodies per prototype
  
• Photo etched metal parts
• Wire brake rigging where appropriate
• Body mounted Micro-Trains Couplers
• Accurate painting & lettering per prototype, including accurate road numbers as per actual cars
  
• Limited production run; road numbers in this release will not be released again

Version F004 - Built by Marine Industries Ltd. in Quebec

Spotting Features:

Built between 1972 & 1975, there were 11 deliveries of this car from Marine Industries and also Hawker-Siddeley under contract. These cars have 17 side posts, 3 end ribs with short gusset plates, sharp radius end corners, single elongated hole on the bolster/roping plate. The reservoir mounted parallel to the car side - located between the 5th and 6th major side posts (type 2 underframe), high mounted brake rigging

Used by: Procor Ltd.

(UNPX reporting Marks)

This fourth version of the 4000 Cubic Foot Coal Gondola is complicated by different owners operating the cars at different times. All cars were used between 1972 to present on BC Rail, CN and CP for coal and sulphur service.  

• North American Railcar will produce 24 road number for Procor in the first release. 12 road numbers with the Procor Placard, and 12 road numbers with the Procor "Word Mark" logogram will be produced.
  • To accurately model BC Rail sulphur service from 1972 to 1985, a train consisting of up to 24 cars can be built by combining the 12 Procor Placard (with UNPX reporting marks) road numbers with 12 Procor Wordmark (with UNPX reporting marks) road numbers.
  • In 1986 Sultran began to receive cars lettered for them. As these cars came into service, the Procor cars began to be used primarily for coal on BC Rail.
    
• BC Rail prototype operations in 1985 (the year BC Rail received the Transcona built Cars (B.C. Rail/CN Version) used a number of the versions of this car together. Modelers can mix the 12 (BC Rail with CN Noodle) road numbers, the 12 (BC Rail BCNE) road numbers, 2 (Double Rotary Cars) road numbers, the 12 Procor Placard (with UNPX reporting marks) road numbers and the 12 Procor Word Mark (with UNPX reporting marks) road numbers for a BC Rail coal unit train of up to 50 cars!
• Starting around 1995, BC Rail began to phase out the Procor cars (UNPX Procor reporting marks). The cars were subsequently sold to Canadian National. The only change to the cars was the reporting marks were changed to CN from UNPX. Notice car above with only the reporting mark changed.
  
• Modelers who are interested in CN operations from 1995 to present day, can combine 12 CN (Marine Industries B.C. Rail/CN Version) road numbers, 12 CN (Canadian National Version) road numbers, 12 Procor with placard (with CN reporting Marks) road numbers and the 12 Procor with Word mark (with CN reporting Marks) road numbers for a CN coal unit train of up to 48 cars!
• Modelers interested in modeling 2005 to present day CN coal operations can combine all 26 of the BC Rail road numbers (CN now owns BC Rail), the 24 Procor road numbers (with CN reporting marks), the 24 CN Cars for an awesome 74 car unit coal train. 
  

CAD Renderings & Quick Pictures:

Reservations Are Open

Expected Release: July 2012 

JMP