Attention HO Scale Modelers:

We realize, many modelers have been patiently waiting for the arrival of the new runs of HO Scale Green Saskatchewan and Blue Alberta grain cars. So why were the cars delayed so long? Well, just like every other modern industry, various parts of our cars are made by different suppliers. They are them assembled from these parts into finished cars for us.

In August we received production samples of the cars for evaluation. Upon inspection of these samples, it was immediately clear that the wheels while functioning properly were cosmetically wrong. It was necessary to have new parts made and sent. As suppliers are working on various orders at the same time, this could not be done immediately and the correct parts were not available until late November.

At that point, we had the choice of accepting the cars with the functional, but incorrect wheels, or delaying their release to ensure they were correct and met our specifications. As the commitment of North American Railcar Corporation is to provide the highest quality and most accurate models possible, we choose the second choice.

Many modelers are aware this type of issue is not unique to North American Railcar Corporation. There have been frequent delays in products coming out from many manufacturers over the past few years.

Now that the cars are correct, to get these cars in and speed the processing of orders, we are having them shipped in two shipments. The first shipment will be the Blue Alberta cars and the Green CP and CN Saskatchewan cars with exclamation mark. These are in final packaging and preparation of shipment from China next week and we expect them to be here in early February. See the pictures below sent to us yesterday of the cars being prepared for insertion into their boxes:

The Green Saskatchewan cars without the exclamation marks for CN and CP will follow in two weeks later.

As the cars arrive, we will process orders as quickly as possible. There are a large quantity of orders in addition to the normal orders being processed, so this may take 3-4 weeks.

Currently, there are limited supplies of all cars available for order. These will decrease quickly as the cars arrive and orders increase, as has occurred with all previous North American Railcar Corporation product releases. Remember, these road numbers/paint schemes will never be reproduced. Modelers who have not previously ordered these cars, or who would like to order additional cars are advised to do so now. Please note that requests for specific road names for the Alberta cars will be honored where possible, however we reserve the right to substitute road names at our discretion.

We at Pacific Western Rail Systems and North American Railcar Corporation appreciate your understanding and promise that these cars have been worth the wait.

The 2007 Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation scheme Hawker Siddeley 4 Bay Cylindrical Hoppers were our first North American Railcar Corporation product release and have continued to be requested, even as we add other products.

Our next run of these cars is scheduled for later this year. This release will feature not only the 2007 version of the scheme, but also both of the 2011 versions.

While owned by the Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation, these cars are assigned to either Canadian National or Canadian Pacific for operations and maintenance purposes. Maintenance includes painting of the cars, which turned out to be very important in this case. The Canadian Pacific (SKPX) assigned cars were painted by GATX in Moose Jaw, while the Canadian National assigned (SKNX) cars were painted at the General Electric Shops in Regina.

In both schemes, notice the government removed the exclamation mark ("!") from the side of the car. Notice the orange warning label on the side sill of the SKPX does not appear on the SKNX cars. There are also minor variations in the location of warning labels on the side sill and the exit gates of the two versions.

This release will include 12 road numbers for all four versions, as listed below and at the bottom of the page:

• 12 road numbers for the 2007 Canadian National version
• 12 road numbers for the 2011 Canadian National version
  
• 12 road numbers for the 2007 Canadian Pacific version
• 12 road numbers for the 2011 Canadian Pacific version

• Body 1, Type 2 End (Low Brace End with Vertical Brake Wheel House, with rectangle cross brace)Vertical Face on Bolster
• Low Mounted Air Tank
• Trough Hatch
• Toggle Lock (Outlet Gate)
• 11 Running Board Supports Riveted Outlet Gate

Features of the model as appropriate per prototype: 

• Meticulously researched and designed
  
• 2 different running boards (11 or 17 supports) – etched brass
  
• Etched Brass Crossover Platforms (with individually applied supports) 
• 5 different Ends (bracing variations)
  
• 2 Different Outlet Gates (Toggle Lock and Spiral Cog)
  
• Investment castings for capstans (end of gates)
  
• 2 Different Hand Brakes (conventional and “High Power” Ellcon-National
  
• 2 Different Reservoir Positions (low for truck mounted cylinders and high for body mounted cylinders)
  
• External brake Rod on cares with body mounted brakes cylinders (including levers)
  
• 3 Different styles of trough hatches (smooth, slash, “V”) 
  
• NARCorp High Performance Low Frictions trucks & wheelsets
• Factory installed Kadee couplers
  
• 2 Bolster/Jack Pad Styles (flat and sloped faces)

Note To PORTERS Members:

Purchase of any of these cars entitles you to additional PORTERS Points & North American Railcar Corporation Manufacturers Credits that can be used towards any of the North American Railcar Corporation PORTERS Club Lounge cars, including two limited edition versions of the 2007 scheme of this car.

Don't Miss The Train - Order Now!

Expected Release: March 2015

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JMP