Introduction:
This profile covers Bowser 55950, which is described on the end of the box as "50' F-30a Flat Car Undecorated". [No dashes in PRR class designations, please ;) ] The major parts of this kit are injection molded styrene. The manufacturer's description is available here: http://www.bowser-trains.com/hocars/f30a/f30a.htm).
Overview:
This photo shows the major components of the kit (click to enlarge):
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Working from top to bottom, and left to right, we see:
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The deck measures 49' 3" in length (over the end sills) and 9' 3" in width (not including the stake pockets). You can see that the deck includes a representation of the metal bolster and center sill tops at each end of the car.
This image should download into a full-size scan of the side, although parts of it are out of focus a bit because the stake pockets keep the side surface from contacting the scanner bed. You can get a feeling for the quality of the cast-on stirrup steps.
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This profile covers Bowser 55950, which is described on the end of the box as "50' F-30a Flat Car Undecorated". [No dashes in PRR class designations, please ;) ] The major parts of this kit are injection molded styrene. The manufacturer's description is available here: http://www.bowser-trains.com/hocars/f30a/f30a.htm).
Overview:
This photo shows the major components of the kit (click to enlarge):
Working from top to bottom, and left to right, we see:
- the side and end sills, deck, and stake pockets are a single casting
- three metal weights
- the casting representing the major underframe components
- the detail sprue with the components of the AB brake system the manufacturer chose to represent
- some parts for the coupler boxes (those using Accurail ProtoHO will have a minor conversion project - the coupler pockets molded on the underside of the deck are not designed for a drop-in installation)
- trucks are rigid plastic and provided wheels are plastic on metal axles
- two larger magnetic knuckle couplers with integral centering springs
- screws for mounting the trucks and couplers and a wire for the brakeshaft.
Although not visible in this photo, the deck casting includes 4 corner stirrup steps of moderate fineness.
Major Dimensions:
This image should download into a full-size scan of the deck:
The deck measures 49' 3" in length (over the end sills) and 9' 3" in width (not including the stake pockets). You can see that the deck includes a representation of the metal bolster and center sill tops at each end of the car.
This image should download into a full-size scan of the side, although parts of it are out of focus a bit because the stake pockets keep the side surface from contacting the scanner bed. You can get a feeling for the quality of the cast-on stirrup steps.
The side sill measure 1" 6" at the greatest depth, tapering to 6" at the end of the car. There are 13 evenly-spaced stake pockets along each side and four along each end.
Trucks and Other Appliances:
You can find the trucks supplied with the kit in Richard Hendrickson's Freight Car Truck Handout on page 6 (https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bz_ctrHrDz4wMkpBYUw1RjhmRkE/edit). My attempts at truck photography are getting slightly better, but I still can't reproduce the even lighting and detail coverage in that handout:
Per the handout, the trucks represent ARA Type Y PRR 2D-F8.
The detail sprue is shown in this photo:
The brak wheel nearest to the camera is 15" in diameter and in my view was a surprisingly nice casting. The other components of the AB brake system are rather pedestrian, with some serious work required IF a detailed brake system is desired. You can judge from several of the prototype photos referenced in the section below whether you feel the side sills sufficiently hide the underframe detail for your purposes.
References and Prototype:
There is a variety of on-line reference material for the PRR F30a prototype. A compilation of information for this and related classes is at http://prr.railfan.net/freight/classpage.html?class=F30. Although the Sunshine model is out of production, this flyer contains some useful prototype information and a view of the underside of a completed model: http://www.sunshinekits.com/sunimages/sun30b.pdf. Richard Hendrickson wrote an article about the Bowser model and the prototype that is available here: http://www.trainlife.com/magazines/pages/289/21504/april-1999-page-26. I also enjoyed Stan Rydarowicz's article on converting the Bowser kit to related TOFC classes (http://www.trainlife.com/magazines/pages/121/8770/september-2004-page-44). This article was also reprinted in The Keystone Modeler and in this index (at the top of page 3) you can find the TKM's articles in this series: http://www.prrths.com/Keystone%20Modeler/Keystone_Modeler_PDFs/TKM%20Issues%20Index.pdf.
This class was also discussed in the Postwar Freight Car Fleet and several photos are included in the RP CYC Volume 20 Flat Car Loads article.
This class was also discussed in the Postwar Freight Car Fleet and several photos are included in the RP CYC Volume 20 Flat Car Loads article.
In the January 1958 ORER the PRR listed 1496 F30a cars in 5 items:
Note LLL was referenced to item 67, which lists the cars equipped with low side rails for hauling hot steel coils. Note TTT was referenced to item 71, which lists the cars equipped with double flooring for hauling hot steel coils. Note UUU was referenced to item 72, which lists the cars equipped with special fittings for hauling tin plate. Finally, note DDDD5 lists car 475014 as equipped with nailable steel flooring.
Charles Hostetler
Goshen, IN
| Page | Item | Marking | AAR MD | Total | #Start | #End | IL | Capy (lbs) |
| 90 | 66 | PRR | FM | 1440 | 473765 | 475266 | 49.25 | 140,000 |
| 90 | 67 | PRR | FMS | 41 | 473765 | 475266 | 49.25 | 140,000 |
| 90 | 71 | PRR | FMS | 11 | 473765 | 475266 | 49.25 | 140,000 |
| 90 | 72 | PRR | FMS | 3 | 473765 | 475266 | 49.25 | 140,000 |
| 90 | 74 | PRR | FM | 1 | 473765 | 475266 | 49.25 | 140,000 |
Note LLL was referenced to item 67, which lists the cars equipped with low side rails for hauling hot steel coils. Note TTT was referenced to item 71, which lists the cars equipped with double flooring for hauling hot steel coils. Note UUU was referenced to item 72, which lists the cars equipped with special fittings for hauling tin plate. Finally, note DDDD5 lists car 475014 as equipped with nailable steel flooring.
Charles Hostetler
Goshen, IN