New chart at 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.

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 also included a chart below detailing how these cars have historically been operated together.

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 F003 - Built by Hawker Siddeley in Trenton

Sultran w/2 Lines of DIMI Data

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Sultran w/3 Lines of DIMI Data

Spotting Features:

Built 1988, these cars have 17 side posts, 2 end ribs with short gusset plates, sharp radius end corners, double holes on the bolster/roping plate, reservoir  mounted perpendicular to the car side (with a protective bar between the floor joists) and located between the 4th and 5th major side posts (type 1 underframe). Note how far below the underframe the brake rods hang - the rod connects to the truck below the axles.

Used by: Sultran

(SULX reporting marks)

There are two variations of graphics on Sultran cars. Some cars have two lines of Capacity information and some have three lines. North American Railcar is producing 12 road numbers of each variation so modelers can build a 24 car unit train of Sultran.

Many modelers are aware that Intermountain has produced the Bathtub Coal car in Sultran. Typically in prototype operations, both the bathtub cars and our upcoming CN Coal Gondolas cars are mixed in roughly equal numbers in trains moving Sulpher to the West Coast. These Sulpher Unit Trains move over both the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific networks.

Modelers who have purchased Sultran Bathtub Gondolas previously produced by Intermountian directly, or produced as special runs for Pacific Western Rail Systems, can combine them with these new CN Coal Gondolas for an accurate representation of the prototype Sultran Sulpher unit trains.

Recently we were in Jasper on the way to the Edmonton Train Show. Here is an image we took of the Sultran Train:

 

CAD Renderings:

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Reservations Are Open

Expected Release: July 2012

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JMP