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Prototype Specific PROJECTS & PARTS PAGE

was last updated January  9, 2012

Tahoe trucks and Cannonball Car Shops body projects in injection molded styrene and their LTD Series in mixed media, styrene and laser cut wood are featured on this page. Ready built projects from this page are frequently offered on the GRAND RIVER page of our website. Grand River produces step-by-step pictorial guides to their construction that are shown and listed on our GRAND RIVER page. Projects on this page are HO and undecorated unless otherwise noted. Updated availability and price information is current.  Complete Cannonball Car Shops KITS are found on the CANNONBALL page (click in menu at left).

Tahoe trucks logo                                                 
TAHOE TRUCKS are “state of the art” injection molded acetyl plastic with your choice of “traditional RP25” (catalog numbers in 100 series) or “semi scale .088in” (catalog numbers in 200 series) HO non-magnetic metal wheels. Separate brake shoe detail is installed. They include prototypes not available in the Bethlehem Car Kitbits and Tichy lines found on those pages of our website. All the quality trucks we carry are made in USA. Tahoe HO trucks are $7.25 a pair.  
TAHOE  MODEL  WORKS 
HO  SCALE  FREIGHT  CAR  AND  CABOOSE  TRUCKS 
   

TMW-101    TMW-201

50 TON DALMAN 2 LEVEL TRUCKS

Many freight cars built in the 1920s were equipped with Dalman trucks.  The Dalman 2 Level truck design used additional springs to give a smoother ride.  Railroads using this version included C&O, CGW, ITC, L&N, MILW, M-K-T, NC&StL, PM and many Texaco 10,000 gallon tank cars.

 

TMW-102      TMW-202

50 TON DALMAN 2 LEVEL TRUCKS

WITH LATERAL MOTION DETAIL

Dalman 2 Level trucks could also be equipped with the Barber Lateral Motion Device.  This feature used steel rollers and a roller seat between the springs and bolster to provide a little side-to-side movement of the car body to the track, reducing wear to wheel flanges, journals and couplers. Railroads using these trucks included ATSF, CN, CP, CNJ, CB&Q, CNW, IC, MP (and subsidiaries I-GN and StLB&M), NP, RI,  and SP.

   

TMW-103       TMW-203

AC&F ARCH BAR TRUCKS

The prototype for this arch bar truck was built by American Car and Foundry and is in the collection at the Illinois Railway Museum.  This truck has a 5’-6” wheelbase and is suitable for 40 and 50 ton capacity freight cars.

   

TMW-104       TMW-204

BETTENDORF SWING MOTION CABOOSE TRUCKS

This swing motion truck was manufactured by the Bettendorf Co. from 1924 until the early 1930s.  Railroads that had some cabooses with this truck included ATSF, BN, CB&Q, C&O, Erie, EL, MILW, MKT, MP, NKP, PM, and RI.  These trucks could be seen under wood double sheathed, single sheathed, all steel, transfer, drovers and even extended vision cabooses.

   

TMW-105       TMW-205

BARBER-BETTENDORF SWING MOTION CABOOSE TRUCKS

Conventional trucks, such as this one, complied with American Railway Association standards, and prototype features included a spring plank spanning across both side frames and, in each side frame, four coil springs grouped close together. 

   

TMW-106       TMW-206

BUCKEYE A.R.A. 50-TON TRUCKS

This truck was manufactured by the Buckeye Steel Castings Company from the late 1920s until the late 1940s.  Conventional trucks, such as this one, complied with American Railway Association standards, and prototype features included a spring plank spanning across both side frames and, in each side frame, four coil springs grouped close together. 

   

TMW-107       TMW-207

DOUBLE TRUSS AAR 50-TON TRUCKS

“Self-Aligning Spring-Plankless Double Truss Truck” is the full name for this truck design.  Introduced in early 1936, it quickly became popular for new freight cars built up into the mid 1940s.  The Double Truss feature strengthened the spring seat area, allowing room for more springs.

   

TMW-108       TMW-208

COIL-ELLIPTIC 50-TON TRUCKS        

“Coil-Elliptic” trucks added leaf springs to provide a smoother ride.  Double Truss trucks with this spring package were manufactured from the early 1930s to the late 1940s.  Railroads that used these trucks on some cars included BAR, C&O, CGW, D&M, DT&I, Erie, LNE, LS&I, MRS, N&W, NP, TA&G, VGN and WM, and some AC&F tanks cars built in 1937.  A similar 70-ton version was used by B&M, CNJ, CRP, D&H, DT&I, Erie, LNE, MEC and PRR.

   

TMW-109       TMW-209

BARBER LATERAL MOTION

 50-TON TRUCKS         

The Barber Lateral Motion device used steel rollers and a roller seat between the bolster and springs to provide a little side-to-side movement of the car body to the track, resulting in a smoother ride.  U-section trucks with this feature were manufactured from the early 1920s to the late 1930s.  Railroads that used this style of truck included ATSF, B&O, CB&Q, CN, CP, CV, CofG, C&NW, C&EI, ERIE, DL&W, GTW, IC, MP, NP, RI, SL-SF, SP, T&NO, T&P, UP, and WP.  Also PFE and SFRD.

   


TMW-110       TMW-210

70-TON  A-3  TRUCKS

American Steel Foundries’ A-3 Ride Control truck was arguably the most successful design ever.  Plain bearing versions were manufactured from the mid 1940s to the mid 1960s.  The 70-ton trucks featured a 5’-8” wheel base and 6” X 11” journals.

 Examples of 70-ton capacity cars built during this era were 3-bay hoppers, 2 and 3-bay covered hoppers, mill gons and some flat cars.

 Railroads that bought this truck included:  AA, ACL, ATSF, B&M, B&O, C&EI, C&O, CofG, CB&Q, CGW, CNJ, CNW, CRR, D&H, D&RGW, DL&W, DT&I, EJ&E, Erie, GM&O, GN, IC, KCS, L&N, LV, Monon, M&StL, MEC, MILW, MKT, MP, N&W, NC&StL, NH, NKP, NP, NYC, P&LE, PFE, PM, PRR, RI, SAL, SL-SF, SOO, SP, SP&S, SSW, T&NO, T&P, UP, Wabash, WM and WP.

   



TMW-111       TMW-211

5’ Wheelbase Arch Bar Trucks

Back in the late 1800’s, this kind of truck was known as a Rigid Diamond Freight-car Truck. This one was built for the Union Tank Line and drawings of it were published in the 1895 Car Builder’s Dictionary.  Prototype features included a five-foot wheelbase, 20-ton capacity journals and brake shoes that were hung from the truck.

 

All our trucks feature one-piece black acetal plastic moldings with separate brake shoe detail, and non-magnetic, insulated metal RP-25 contour wheelsets. Trucks are also available with "semi-scale" (.088” wide) wheels.

   
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     Signature LTD logo  

LTD PROJECTS are designed to build Prototype Specific Carbodies. Unless otherwise noted the carbody parts are double etched brass (or laser cut wood). Trucks and couplers not included.   Custom decals are made for many of our projects if not available elsewhere. Most wood roofs require end shaping. Additional brass [passenger] carsides are available from MRRW for the Bethlehem Car Works brass sided passenger cars.  LTD body projects do not include underbody, brake, grab or ladder detail. Interurban/Traction kits do not include poles or pans and headlight, bell or horn details. Most HO passenger cars are designed for use with Bethlehem Car Works detail parts and trucks [“Kitbits”] stocked by MRRW. MRRW stocks detail parts, kits and trucks  by TICHY (click at left)  in HO,N,O & S; BETHLEHEM CAR  (Click at keft) HO parts and trucks  CENTRAL VALLEY (click at left) HO & N parts and kits; TAHOE  HO trucks on this page and we stock and special order  EAST GARY CAR  O and large scale  interurban and narrow gauge parts and trucks (click on  INTERURBAN )  For N and O,S and LARGE scale parts click on those pages at left.

 Most LTD projects are first released in HO but designed for economical retooling in other scales if firm reservations justify. In several instances S scalers have formed ad hoc groups to promote and pool orders for such products you will find in the LTD lineup. We invite such efforts. When enough interest is expressed in another scale for an  HO LTD product (Do that by mailing a SSAE to MRRW, Box 411, Roanoke, IN, 46783) it will appear on this page  noted RNYA2. At this time firm reservations with payment and shipping arrangements will be accepted. Enough advance orders are received we proceed with tooling and production. (Credit cards are later charged when products are ready to ship).

 LTD Products are proudly designed, tooled & made in the USA. Assembled products are assembled in Canada by Grand River Car Shops using LTD US made parts.

 

CANNONBALL CAR SHOPS PROJECTS are designed,tooled and made in USA* to build Prototype Specific carbodies. Cannonball projects are composed of injection molded styrene body parts unless noted. They do not include brake and underbody details, wire handrails & grabs etc, trucks and couplers. Steeple cab does not include pole, pan, trucks, handrails, headlights. Click on appropriate page sites [at left] as listed above for a wide variety of quality details for these projects. Because of the very limited supply, Items with alpha part numbers ending in 11 are NOT found in our shopping cart and must be ordered by mail, phone or email with Paypal remittance.    

Assembled items are assembled in Canada by Grand River Car Shops using US made Cannonball parts.

CODES FOUND ON THIS PAGE

LISTED Products on this page are IN STOCK or IN TRANSIT unless these codes (or a special note) appear. We update this page often.

RNYA=  Reserve Not Yet Available products are being prepared for release.  (RNYA2  is coded for items that will not be further tooled unless sufficient additional reservations are received). Our work priorities are determined by your firm phone or mail reservations. Credit cards are not charged until product is being packed for shipment. PLEASE NOTE: Inquiries about availability are not firm reservations and do not speed up the schedule .Reservations are firm orders with shipping & payment arranged.

RSO= Reserve special order. This product is tooled but not always stocked. Allow 6-10 weeks (normally) for delivery.

RFR= Reserve for rerelease. This product will be rerun when sufficient reservations are received to justify a production rerun.

DWSO= Discontinued when sold out. Rerun of this product is not anticipated.   

TBA = To Be Announced.  We will often ALSO show the previous run price and if so stated that price will be guaranteed for reservations made prior to rerun price announcement.

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WOOD STYLE PASSENGER COACH

Cannonball Car Shop  was originally created to provide parts and kits injection molded in styrene using the Red Ball molds . Merle Rice and Paul Miller engineered the method of using those crisp metal molds (made for die casting metal) when plastic molders told us “it can’t be done.” The wood style coach sides were popular at that time for “kitbashing” MDC/Roundhouse 50ft Overland Series cars that they closely matched since MDC offered no daycoach. CCS also offered a “Jim Crow Car” during the 1970s. Brief, limited,  reissues as Red Ball 70th Anniversary car kits were offered in 2010. DWSO- we offer these styrene parts groups for use kitbashing or with Bethlehem Car parts.

#197-JC11  Jim Crow Car ends, sides  and baggage door      $15.00

#197-COCH11  Coach Sides and ends                                    $12.50

#197-CS11  Coach Sides                                                          $10.00

#197-RS11  Right half coach sides (2 pc) for shorty or splicing. This half has a small arched restroom window at end, removed on side shown in photo         $ 5.00

DANA AUTO RACK (2 Level)

This was all new tooling in the 1970s (and the only plastic auto rack for a decade). The Dana firm sold the conversion for TTX flats—and so did we. The three level car (shown) is sold out . Our injection molded styrene part set was created to fit Athearn HO blue box TTX flats (not included). DWSO

#197- ARK11    Dana two level Autorack                    $ 8.00

 

BORDEN MILK CAR

Red Ball offered a milk tank car with cast ends, side and end sills and underframe. It had a wood tank with paper wrap in the 1940-60s. We created new tooling for a plastic tank with the resulting kit shown. We can offer plastic TANKS (ends,tank walls and optional fins) painted and lettered in the white paint scheme. “Flat Car” base is not included. DWSO.

#197-BMLK11  Borden Milk Tank Body                      $15.00

#197-BMLK-111 Unlettered finless tank body  DWSO   $10.00

 

WW II TROOP CARS

                     

PHOTOS: HO  US Army Hospital Kitchen Car, Troop Sleeper, and MONON Storage Mail car  built using Cannonball project parts listed below.  PROTOTYPE PHOTOS: Ph1 Sleeper converted to Allied Chemical Weed Spray Car #2301.  E.Chambers photo,  Ph 1 sleeper as D&RGW Extra Gang Sleeper #AX2071 CK Marsh photo both John C. LaRue Collection. Mr. LaRue offers an extensive selection of troop car conversion photos.

 

Long years of research and tool design were involved with our introduction of the Cannonball Car Shops injection molded styrene troop car kits. We designed both the sleepers and kitchen cars to  allow EITHER the phase 1 or phase 2 styles. Phase 1 sleepers had a stairwell at “off center” with an involved side frame structure that bowed in toward the center sill for structural integrity. As a result they were not favored later for conversion to express cars and other demanding service, frequently serving out their years as bunk cars and specialty MofW conversions. Underbody inserts with guides for mounting the bowed stairwell frame, roof templates for specialty car modifications and inside “stepped floor” pieces for creating the ramped sleeper end floors are included in our body core part set.

 

Phase 2 sleepers had simple stirrup – style step access to the off center doors and many later were converted for express  car and boxcar service. Every such US railroad conversion has been repeated in our LTD line with double etched brass sides capturing the unique style of the particular railroad doing the conversion. Those with brass ends are found as kits on the CANNONBALL page. Sides for the rest are on this page listed as LTD Projects. In HO they can be installed when kitbashing Walthers troopers as cores or simply built up using our Cannonball styrene core listed here. In N the sides are made to fit MicroScale (R) troop cars. Kitchen cars were converted to cabooses with minimal change by Monon, C&O, US Government and shortlines.

 

Kitchen Car Express, mail, reefer and milk car conversions were made by blanking the windows by the Burlington (a huge fleet), C&EI, N&W Alasaka and Monon. We offer blanked window styrene sides for these conversions. Phase 2 cars are distinguished by a “wide W” gusset above the end doors. This gusset is included in our body core part set.  O and S troop cars in brass are listed in the LTD projects on this page. In troop car service and most MofW uses these cars ran on Allied Full Cushion trucks (See Bethlehem Car page for HO trucks). These trucks became illegal in interchange running shortly after the war. Express cars (and similar revenue conversions) soon ran on trucks generally of “Bettendorf” style. As built there were TWO sets of AB brake parts under the floor. 

 

Modified, simplified, brake arrangements were common on conversions. NOTE: all the modifications listed here did not use roof walks or ladders. Cannonball kits include them when appropriate.  These express cars did run in interchange (off line) service. (One of the three B&M RPO cars was wrecked on the ACL!—the other 2 were then reconverted to baggage/express this time). If your road did not convert troopers, try an interesting off line car in your passenger trains. Over 100 US and Canadian roads used troop cars in MofW service. PGE, Ontario Northland and Algoma Central did have baggage or heater conversions too

   

DIAGRAM SHOWING CANNONBALL PARTS ASSEMBLY.

#197-9700  HO Styrene Troop Sleeper or Kitchen Car Core (roof,ends,floor)    $9.00

#197-9701 HO Troop Sleeper Sides  Styrene pair                                                       $8.00

#197-9702 HO Troop Sleeper Sides  Styrene blanked windows    DWSO          $10.00

#197-9703 HO Troop Kitchen / Hospital Kitchen Sides Styrene pair                    $9.00

#197-9704 HO Troop Kitchen blanked window styrene sides pair                      $10.00

#197-97002 HO Decals for 2 troop sleeper and one kitchen                          $ 6.95 Includes number jungles designed for all cars in both phases

#197-97004 HO Decals for US Army Hospital car either “converted” HW Pullmans or the specially built ACF smoothside below with Red Cross 2 color side and roof badges                                   $6.95

#197-97010  HO Decals for US Army Hospital Kitchen Car and other special services cars includes Red Cross badges in 2 colors                 $9.95

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CONVERTED TROOP CARS

These etched brass carsides are designed to fit the MicroScale ® N scale troop car bodies or in HO they may be applied to Walthers troop cars (after side removal) or simply built up, like a kit, using our molded styrene core kit (listed above). Appropriate trucks for MofW cars varies by road but is typically Allied Full Cushion that appear under the Walthers and Micro cars. Bethlehem Car Works Allied HO trucks are listed on our BETHLEHEM CAR page. Express cars and other interchange cars could not legally use Allied trucks after mid 1950s. Most roads used “Bettendorf” style or similar trucks. These cars frequently ran in interchange so a unique “foreign road” express car can add color to your passenger or express trains.  Photos are of actual HO product except BAR and D&M cabooses. HO Sides are $31.95 a set (with inside doors) unless noted; HO Inside Doors are $6.00 a pair and N Sides are $21.95 a set with inside doors. Outside door cars do not include doors (use Tichy # ).

 

We are proud to offer every conversion by a US railroad for revenue service. C&EI, Burlington ( and C&S; FtW&D), Monon and N&W express, mail and milk car conversions were made to kitchen cars (found above) These brass sides were designed for the troop sleeper conversions unique to each railroad. They can be applied (in HO) to Walthers cars (after side removal) or built up using our troop car core kits listed above. N scale sides may be applied to MicroScale ® troop cars. Grand River Car Shop will frequently offer selected conversions in builtup, painted limited editions. A step-by-step pictoral of conversion car construction will be posted on our Grand River page and available in DVD form. 

Our considerable research on troop car conversions is archived on our ARCHIVE page (menu at left). On that page click on TROOP and go to the bottom of archived old Cannonball page. There click  TROOP & BAGGAGE and then you will be given several choices to click for reference etc.

Converted Kitchen cars were numbered: C&EI milk #6 &7  Xprs #8-24;  CB&Q #8600-8899; C&S #240-243; FtW&D #109,110; Monon Storage Mail #203-206,plus many more Express and Caboose see Archives.The US government converted many kitchen cars to military guard cars and cabooses. These are often seen in trains carrying military or nuclear cargo. Typically painted gray and with window openings. Styrene Kitchen Car sides are listed above. The following are double etched brass troop sleeper conversion sides with correct stirrup steps attached.

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NEW YORK CENTRAL  & REA EXPRESS BOXCARS

NYC colors were two tone gray or light gray. Many NYC outside door cars were converted to inside-some with a door track still there. NYC rd#9400-9599  (both inside & outside door). REA rd#8200-8299. HO#772-4003     N #772-160-4003

 
 

NEW HAVEN    EXPRESS BOXCAR

Xprs rd #3700-3762; Storage Mail rd#3600-3686 & 3700-3762 kit has two panel riveted doors. NH used door styles also 

HO #772-4004       N #772-160-4004

HO DOORS #772-4004D

 

C&O (& later B&O) EXPRESS BOXCAR

With 6ft inside doors. C&O rd#364-376; B&O red #1800-1813  HO #772-4005       N #772-160-4005      HO DOORS #772-4005D

 

B&O C17 / FRISCO EXPRESS BOXCAR

With 7ft inside double doors. Frisco #450,451;     B&O #1700-1799    HO #772-4006       N#772-160-4006   HO DOORS #772-4006D

 

M&StL EXPRESS/BAGGAGE CAR

Unusual rebuilding- no trace of windows! Rd #400-402     HO #772-4099              N#772-160-4099      HO DOORS #772-4099D

 
 

ROCK ISLAND/ NYC / DL&W-EL EXPRESS BAGGAGE     (Outside door)

Rock Island rd#4200-4240 and more?; DL&W rd#2111-2121; EL rd#89-99

HO #772-41XX       N#772-160-41XX   “Shown with Tichy Doors #3018, not included”

 
 

BOSTON & MAINE 4 door BAGGAGE

See Archived references

HO #772-4098 $35.95     N #772-160-4098            HO DOORS  pair #772-4098D

 
 

BOSTON & MAINE   RPO CAR

There were 3, rd #3180-3182 till an ACL wreck in 1949. Remaining two later converted again to baggage cars. Shown on Walthers troop body in the photo.

HO #772-4105  $35.95 RFR

 

BOSTON & MAINE 2 door BAGGAGE

HO #772-4104       N #772-160-4104

HO DOORS #772-4104D

   
 
 

PERE MARQUETTE – C&O TOOL CAR

Some say these ran in express service. PM experts disagree. We know #361 (X1603-NCCX1701) runs with the PM Berk as a mobile toolbox.

Rd#352,356,367,359.361, possibly more

HO #772-4103

   
 

D&RGW DYNAMOMETER

Few roads built Dynamometer cars. They ran behind engines inb service to do engineering tests. This car ran behind the Krauss Maffei hydraulics while testing on the Rio Grande. Includes Sides, decals and colored instructions.

HO #772-4108    $39.95

   
 
   

DETROIT & MACKINAC RR CABOOSE

Prototype photo John LaRue III Collection

Requires some kitbashing and added steps.

HO #772-94 $TBA   RNYA2

   
 

BANGOR & AROOSTOOK CABOOSE

Prototype photos John LaRue III Collection

Requires some kit bashing and added Bethlehem Troop Car steps. We will honor side choice as nuch as possible. Example: #772-95-13 would order sides 1 and 3.

HO#772-95 $TBA  RNYA2

   
 
 

O&S TROOP SLEEPER & CONVERSIONS

Double etched brass roof, sides, vents and ends. For soldering. To glue add interior corner braces.O Decals are not included.

   
 
   

SLEEPER

O #772-48-9701          $185.00

S #772-64 -9701          $165.00

O DECALS (2 sleeper & 1 kitchen)

#997-97003        $19.95

#772-9701D discontinued

   
 
   

C&O EXPRESS

S #997-64-4005           $165.00

   
 
   

WWII HOSPITAL CARS

The best known (specially built) hospital car is reproduced using our etched brass wrap for a streamlined PS core. These cars were later converted to passenger trains by the Monon and baggage cars by ACL and others. Conversions, listed in our POTENTIAL PASSENGER CARS  may be requested as noted there.

HO #197-9708S Hospital car sides, roof (one piece wrap) and end fascia to apply to a PS core (Walthers, Eastern Car, Train Station)                                    $85.00  flat  or $95.00 custom formed.

HO Decals #197-97004              $6.95

HO #197-9713 Mortuary Car  $TBA RNYA2

 

PS1 BOXCAR

The very first all plastic railcar kit, in the early 1950s, was the Kurtz Kraft PS1 40ft Boxcar. It was highly detailed compared with other offerings of the era and suffered one major problem: Irv Athearn introduced his “shake the box” boxcar just months later. At the time “a boxcar was a boxcar” and the high detail and prototype accuracy of the Kurtz Kraft Kit went unappreciated.  Howell Day ordered an exclusive second run of the car (and its sister refrigerator available by then) and sold it as Red Ball. The kit then languished until Alexander struggled to release it while plastic and mold technology was still developing. Cannonball purchased the molds in the late 1970s and made technical mold improvements allowing rerelease of the kits. Paint technology still lagged and we struggled to offer pre painted kits. The molds for this historic kit are retired and donated for future display in the NMRA “Howell Day Museum” of model railroads.   Our warehouse supply of kits has dwindled until the only sides remaining are those rejected with damaged stirrup steps. “Kit” includes assembly diagram, roof loading hatches foe flour, grain etc, a factory option) and dummy couplers, no written instructions, or trucks)   DWSO

#197-PS11   Complete PS styrene car kit “reject” with assembly diagram               $5.00

#197-PSFLR11         PS1 40 foot car Floors (2)                                                           $5.00

#197-PSEND11      PS1 Boxcar Ends  (2 pr)                                                                 $4.00

#197-PSDOR11       PS1 40ft Boxcar 7 ft Doors (2pr)                                              $4.00

#197-PSRF11         PS1  40ft Boxcar Roofs (2)                                                            $3.00

LAST  OF THE FIRST

 Fifty years ago the first plastic kit for a model railroad car was released by Kurtz Kraft. The HO  PS1 boxcar kit sold for 89c (undecorated) and gasoline sold for 29.9c at the time. The Athearn plastic "steel 40 ft boxcar" came on the scene a few months later and prototype specific kits waited years for market recognition when E&B Valley and Gould brought more such kits to the market. Cannonball Car Shop had by then acquired the Kurtz Kraft molds and returned the PS1  after extensive technical mold revisions. Magazine editors acclaimed it as still tops.

The historic "first" molds have now been retired from service. 

After the show at Cincinnati

 

Allen Pollock, Chair of the NMRA Museum Committee stopped by our northern Indiana injection molder's shop to inspect the molds of the first  plastic model railcar kit the Cannonball/Kurtz Kraft PS1 will be 50 years old in 2006!

Here is a picture of Allen and Boss Merle with the molds.

The other picture is one of the injection molding machines that make Cannonball and Red Ball styrene kits in Indiana USA.
 

HOPPER TOPPER

During the 1970s both CSX and Conrail tried “topping” “regular” hopper cars for carrying some commodities (and improving car utilization).  This molded plastic top and etched metal roof walk are designed to attach to Bowser 4 bay hopper (not included).    #772-4499    Hopper Topper (not made in USA)    DWSO       $10.95
 

BATTERED LOW SIDE STEEL 40ft GONDOLA

One new mold we cut in the 1980s was for an “old car.” Gondola cars used in scrap and stone service take a terrific beating. If you’ve ever tried boiling a plastic car to batter it up, you know how easily models are destroyed—so we beat the mold for our 40ft low side gon—above the floor line only, of course. We include PS1 boxcar floor (fits) or Central Valley’s fine stock car floor.

#197-BGON11 Battered styrene sides with  ends    SOLD OUT    DWSO           $10.00

#197-BGONS11 Battered gondola styrene sides and floor only  DWSO           $7.50

 

GUSSETTS

#197-GUSIT11  Over 9 dozen styrene gussets of several shapes  with rivet heads for building “steel” frames, bridges etc or bracing wood structures.  DWSO  $7.50

PRR H30a COVERED HOPPER/ PC/ CR/ N&W HC1

HO  1/87 scale

#772-4406P   Injection Molded Plastic Sides and Roof                                    $12.95

#772-4406S  Etched Brass hatches, ends, braces, walks , doors, slope sheets, etc. for

both “quick & easier” assembly or  “super detailed” assembly.      $39.95

 
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The  Cannonball  LTD Series  etched brass kit (with wood roof)  is designed to utilize the Bowser HO PCC mechanism but others may be utilized.  It may be assembled using modern glues or by soldering.    Add headlight, bell, horn and other details of your choice to match your prototype—from over 60 railroads.  Brill and Service Motor radiators are supplied with the kit.

Brill was a leading manufacturer of electric interurbans and streetcars in Philadelphia, PA.   Following WWI, small firms across the USA began making gasoline-powered trucks and cars.  One of these was Service Motor Truck Co. of Wabash, Ind.  Service, like many others, subcontracted their carbody construction to Brill.  Service’s design became so popular that Brill purchased the firm, becoming the leader in rail motorcars.  Larger cars came later, but Model 55 dominated the field until the famous RDC car.  Model 55s  found second and third homes over the years, including Sperry Rail Service.

Railroads that purchased Model 55 new were:

United Rwy. (Cuba), Frankfort & Cincinnati, Middleton & Union, WP, Consolidated (Cuba), LEF&C, Erie, Asherton & Gulf, NdeM,  Missouri Southern, Punxsutawney Coal, B&M, W Jersey & Seashore, Missouri Pacific, NC&StL, Wichita Falls & Southern, Port Lisbon & Western, Skagit Rwy., SA Uvaldo & Gulf, Chicago, Springfield & St. Louis, Long Island, Atlantic & Western, Gulf Texas & W, Sewell Valley, South Africa Rwy., Unandilla Valley, Jefferson & SW, GM&N, Intrnl & Great Northern, South Australia, Lehigh Valley, Cambria & Indiana, Abilene & S, Tenn Alabama & Georgia, Greenwich & Johnsonville, Western Union, Ft. Smith Subraco & Rock Island, Erie, Pennsylvania, Canadian National, CGW, Seaboard, Frisco, Great Northern, Maine Central, Fonda Johnstown, & Gloverville, Knox & Carolina, Oneida & Western , C&O, Missouri & Arkansas, St L & SW, Hartford Eastern, Louisiana & Arkansas, Big Four, Argentina Southern, Uruguayan, New Orleans & Great Northern, Clinton & Oklahoma Western.  Like a phone book, many unfamiliar names mixed with the most familiar.    

#772-358 HO  Carbody Kit                                              $89.95                      Wood roof. Designed to accept Bowser power truck

#772-358.10 HO Pilots (“Cowcatchers” )                   2/$18.95       This part is included in the carbody kit

#772-358.20 HO Passenger stairwell (2)included in kit  $12.95 NYA

#772-358.30 HO Front end without slots for hood (for traction conversions) $TBA RNYA2

#772-358.2 HO  B&M Grill and window guards       $TBA NYA2

#772-48-358`  O Carbody Kit                                         $TBA RNYA                      

#772-48-358.10   O Pilots                                               2/$35.00 RNYA

#772-48-358.20  O Stairwells (2)                                 $TBA RNYA

#772-20-358   F (G 1/20.3 scale)  Carbody                $TBA RNYA2          

#772-64-358   S  Carbody                                                           $TBA RNYA2          

#197-2932   HO Radiator Front (no name)   $2.95    

brill 55 aussie
S Australia Railway Brill 55 built from our Brill 55 kit Photo courtesy of End Of The Line Hobbies in Victor Harbor who stock the kits and the decals. Powered by Black Beetle who may be contacted at michaelpoole (a)optusnet.com.au .

INTERURBAN & STREET RAILWAY PROJECTS

More extensive discussions of these projects and lists of possible future releases will be found on our INTERURBANS page.  This updated listing shows the status of projects that may either be reserved or ordered at this time.

GE STEEPLE CAB

Injection molded in styrene, this HO kit has a reputation—the parts fit. Both rectangular and arched window cab sides are included. The kit was designed to utilize the Bachmann 44T (or 70T) GE diesel motor mounted trucks. They have since redesigned but many of these are found at local hobby shops and train flea markets.  American Model Builders has designed super detail kits and side frames for the Bachmann trucks. The photo (above) provided by them shows our kit with these installed. Other photos sent to us are found on the INTERURBANS page. This body kit does not include poles/pans, handrails, headlights, bells, trucks or road specific details.

HO #197-9810  STEEPLE CAB BODY                             $29.95

HO #197-9711  Cast metal Headlight (2)                    $ 3.00

HO #999-POLE   Bowser working trolley pole           $16.00

  h
 

LTD SERIES BRASS B or LASER CUT WOOD  INTERURBAN or PASSENGER Body kits are first designed in HO (1/87) scale. This is deliberately done in a manner that permits reasonable economy in retooling to other scales.   Carbody kits may be requested (by mail only with SSAE to MRRW, Box 411, Roanoke, IN 46783) in scales not listed here. When it appears likely another scale may be produced, RNYA2 status will be posted here. Sufficient firm reservation (with payment and shipping arrangements) must then be received to proceed in tooling.

 

BALDWIN FREIGHT MOTORS

An extensive discussion of the various prototype Baldwin models is found on the INTERURBANS page of our website (click in menu at left). Our LTD Series Baldwin kits are double etched in brass and designed for assembly using either solder or modern adhesives and hand tools. The Baldwin B and D models are scheduled to be available in builtup form this year as well. Further information and video views of the assembly process may be found on the GRAND RIVER SHOP page of our website (click in menu at left) when they are available.  DVD of the assembly steps is offered on the GRAND RIVER page at that time. A mounting plate is included in the HO kit for the motor mounted trucks of early Bachmann 44 and 70 ton diesels, Plain bolsters are provided in all the scale kits for mounting trucks of your choice. These undecorated body kits do not include headlights, bells, horns, poles, pans, handrails or other prototype specific details.  is LIKELY to be produced it will be posted here.  Sufficient firm reservations to justify the tooling must then be received to proceed.

Baldwin Class E (CSS&SB and Illinois Central) #772-            104                             RNYA2

Baldwin  Class A                                                      #772- 106                                         RNYA2

Baldwin Class B1                                                     #772-101                                          RNYA2

Bowser operating HO Trolley Pole    #999-POLE      $13.95

Model Shown above is Class B. Class D is generally similar in appearance.

Baldwin Class B     HO #772-100             $95.95

                                    S     #772-64-100      RFR         $179.95

                                    O    #772-48-100                      $199.95               

Baldwin Class D     HO #772-102                      $95.95

                                    S     #772-64-102      RFR         $179.95

                                    O    #772-48-102               $199.95

ILLINOIS TERMINAL FREIGHT MOTORS

Class B Brass body kit with wood roof designed to permit powering HO version with Bachmann GE 44/70T diesel mechanisms or traction trucks of your choice.

                                    HO   #772-72          RNYA             $99.95  for pre release reservations  

                                                S        #772-64- 72      and   O  #772-48-72    are both  RNYA2    

Ex C&LE Steel Freight motor—see INTERURBAN page

Class C (4 truck not modernized)  HO #772-98   RNYA2  $TBA

INDIANA SERVICE CORP #817

This refugee from the Indiana RR era was rebuilt from an early wood passenger interurban. It ran in the streets of Ft. Wayne through the early 1950s pulling coal to a state institution and the ISC power plant, hops to Centliver Brewery and chemicals to the water treatment plant. During the 40s it had run on the line north out of Ft Wayne. Despite the classic open platforms, the crew was inside.

HO #772-  73                      RNYA             Laser Cut wood body, wood roof, etched brass metal dasher, roof mats end sill, kick plates, pilot parts. Includes truss rods, queenposts and wood floor.

O   #772-48-73                   RNYA           as described for HO except has molded plastic roof.

Etched metal parts only:

Pilots (2):  HO   #772-358.1$18.95         O  #772-48-358.10     $35.00    RNYA

Dasher,Mats,etc:  HO  #772-73P   $18.95      O  #772-48-73P        $35.00

Radial Coupler Mount Brkt (not in kit)   #772-73.10 and #772-48-73.10    $TBA RNYA

PASSENGER INTERURBANS, STREETCARS, SERVICE CARS

See our INTERURBAN page for possible future kits listing.

  j

Cannonball Car Shops Freight Car LTD Projects

Our LTD projects are etched brass (many are DOUBLE etched) or Laser Cut wood. They are designed in HO in a manner to permit retooling in other scales if there is enough firm interest to justify the re-tooling expense.

MANN’S CREEK LOG CAR

The O and HO kits shown on CANNONBALL page include etched brass “steel parts” and injection molded styrene “wood parts.” We know a lot of narrow gaugers prefer wood so the brass parts are offered here for you. These parts are also made in other scales and we include an HO styrene part with them to guide you on your wood construction. Link & Pin couplers are included. TWO cars of parts per unit.

HO #772-4461M         $16.95                 O  #772-4861M                             $22.95

N  #772-160-4461M  $12.95                 F (1/20.3 scale on G track-matches Bachmann Shays etc.)         #772-20-4461M   $79.95

LINK & PIN COUPLERS                                  

As used in our Mann’s Creek car kits. 2 pairs

HO #772-4460.1 $3.95     O #772-4860,1  $5.95

MANN’S CREEK SIDE DUMP HOPPER

Brass parts: HO #772-4460M  $12.95             O #772-4860M      $27.95

N  #772-160-4460M  $15.95

MISC FREIGHT CAR PARTS & DECALS

B&O Wagontop M53 Boxcar

#772-4463P  styrene shell (current version)                         $14.00

#772-4463WS styrene shell (1980s wider version)                         $10.00

#772-4463M  Brass ends,doors,RW Support,details          $18.50

#772-4463DD B&O 4 era Decals 2cars (also I5 Caboose)                       $10.95    CSX Licensed

#772-4363  Duryea underframe details Etched brass        $12.95

#772-1763 Stirrup Steps brass for 1 car                                   $3.95

CABOOSE END RAILINGS etched brass

#772- 1701 AT&SF for Athearn wide vision cab $9.95

#772-1702 SP for Athearn Bay Window caboose$9.95

OTHER FREIGHT CARS

#772-4360R   “Athearn” steel roof for PRR 50ft Turtle or Round Roof Boxcar    $6.00

#772-1703  Steel Car Coil Hood Lift brackets                                                         $TBA

#772-4470D   CNJ DECALS with correct statue logo for 4 cars                 RFR $12.95

CENTRAL OF NEW JERSEY frt decals

Correct Statue logo, does four cars from this list.  Photos- Doug Hunt

Red Ball has also released two new freight car decal sets in HO.  The CSX licensed B&O deca l set for the Red Ball  M53 Wagontop boxcar now has added data so that it can now decorate two boxcars and two I-5 caboose cars.  Billboard "B&O" and capitol dome logos are included for four distinct lettering scheme eras. .Set #772-4463D

The all-new Central New Jersey/ CRP decal set #772-4470D features the correct statue of liberty logo for use on freight cars.  Numbers and data are included to allow decorating four different cars from a wide variety of prototypes. Data is included for flat cars of the 300 series and ACF solid side covered hoppers (501-750 series). 

Others include: Athearn/Atlas 34' twin hopper (10001-10500);
 Con Cor 54ft mill gondola (1001-2000 blt 1944);
  1-1/2 door ACF boxcar XAa  (19000-19199 blt 1926);
 Westerfield/Tichy USRA boxcar XMf  (20000-20498 blt 1919);
  AAR 40' boxcar  (20500-20599 welded  4/3/1 end,  blt 1953 ACF)  (22501-23253 and  22001-22480 riveted, 10 panel, 4/3 end ACF blt 1947)  ;

  Red Caboose "X29"  (Bethlehem Steel  X Mg blt 1927 )  Boxcar  (21000-21399 );  and (21400-21799); covered hopper rebuild by Reading (59000-59099);
 Tichy/Accurail USRA hopper Hmi (65090-65499 blt 1919);
  Stewart 55T fishbelly hopper Hmm (67000-67999 blt 1947);
and Tichy  War emergency gondola (86000-86999 Bethlehem blt 1942-3).

  k

PASSENGER CARS & TRAINS

LTD Series HO passenger train car sides are double etched brass. Most are designed for use with Bethlehem Car Works roofs, floors, ends and details. Full width cars include etched brass ends. Cars with a one piece body wrap (sides & ends the same piece) are available flat (most $89.95 with ends or $99.95 FORMED). Most brass sides are $33.95 (including baggage doors) and nickel silver are $37.95. Our etched baggage etc. sides have correct attached stirrup steps (either set back or set out as appropriate). A large selection of possible future products is shown in tables below. Send SSAE to “vote” for these. When enough interest is shown they will be elevated to this portion of page and tooling will continue upon sufficient firm reservations. Firm reservations are made by giving us payment and shipping arrangements. Credit cards are not charged until product is ready to ship. Likewise, products in other scales and unlisted cars (if you can assist with photos, plans) may be requested with SSAE.

 

THESE HO CAR KITS (with floor roof, details, less trucks & couplers) may be ordered or reserved:

#772-77          Cincinnatian Z2 observation “Fountain Square”                           $99.95 RNYA

#772-78           Milwaukee open platform, rib sided branch line combine            $99.95 RNYA

#772-78-1        Milwaukee open platform rib side combine/RPO                       $99.95 RNYA

 

Milwaukee Combine Prototype Photo by Merle Rice                                                     Production 4424 shown with A18UF
       

THESE HO CAR SIDES may be ordered or reserved

B&O C15 EXPRESS CAR Commonly found in B&O passenger consists, the C15 class Express Car  is noted for its style and distinctive trucks. [ There were other 1920s era HW cars of the similar  type, with the same trucks, however- including N&W M3 mail cars]. The B&O C15 ran in interchange on other lines as well. Shown here (on its red box) is the body of an imported  brass  C15  (MTS made in Korea) with earlier style doors. Unlike the typical “single pass etchings”, our LTD sides are double etched AND have raised belt rail and recessed stirrups attached.  Our etched brass C15  side set,  #772-71 shown,  also includes a roof template for shaping wood roof (BCW #10-102). Bethlehem Car Works  ends (#10-22D) and trucks (#10-231) are the other key parts. Also shown is an “in progress” conversion of the MDC /Roundhouse Harriman  car (with shortened roof) using our C15 sides with the more recently common door style.  B&O’s solid blue paint scheme (black roof)  was used.           B&O C15 Sides  #772-71  $33.95

 

THESE HO CAR SIDES may be ordered or reserved

Cars with stirrup steps include attached stirrups—with double etched  setback as appropriate. 

#772-0071 B&O C15 EXPRESS CAR – use with BCW Ends & wood roof  or convert MDC Harriman. Use correct BCW B&O trucks    $33.95

#772-A18UF  B&O HW Coach underframe      etched brass                           $19.95

#772-4424  B&O A18cg Modernized “picture window” coach-ex Cinc.                        $33.95

#772-A18 END   Full Width brass ends & bulkheads for modernized A18cg/Cincinnatian cars with blunt ended roof. Designed for use with Bethlehem roof #10-102                               $12.50pr 

#772-93     B&O H10 HW RPO                                                                      $33.95RNYA

#772-94     B&O B27 Baggage (ex horsecar use horsecar end at blunt end on clerestory roof             $33.95RNYA

#772-75-2  Wabash & MoPac Dome Car sides use IHC smooth side dome core                     $33.95 RNYA

#772-70    C&NW 60ft HW Pullman blt  Baggage #8647-8650                                         $33.95 RNYA

#772-80   C&NW 60ft HW ACF blt Baggage #1300-1333, CStP&P #250-262                   $33.95 RNYA

#772-77    Cincinnatian Observation Z2 NickleSilv “Fountain Square”            w/end        $69.95 RNYA

#999-77dia Full width diaphragms (correct for Cincin) American Limited #9504 Requires 32” rad.  4/$20.00

#772-77SP  Cincinnatian 4 car set nickel silver College Hill, Walnut Hills, Norwood, Eden Park Cinc cars have raised letters on letterboard, name etc. must use Cal Scale B&O    “dome” due to high licensing fee. Set is rerun to fill your order expert 4-10 week delivery. Includes brass ends. Charged when ordered.         RSO $169.95

Columbian and Cincinnatian sides shown in tables RNYA 2

Note: Cincinnatian  52 seat coaches, Peebles Corner and unlettererd cars sold as singles. Other, unskirted, Cincinnatian cars as a set of 4 sides with ends.

NS Locomotive shroud and tender shell to convert Mantua Pacific RNYA 2 $TBA

   

Cinnci car 22

#772-77       "Fountain Square" observation car  pre production side shown. Available soon.

 

Cinnci coaches 22

#772-77SP   Cincinnatian set of four cars in nickle silver is available now on special order.

 

POSSIBLE FUTURE RELEASES

See tables below. Current prices (per above) would apply.

Ex-Hospital cars (Monon, ACL) specify sides only or wrap. Vote for these with SSAE

 

UPDATED  Feb 2010

 

SKU 772-

STEAM ROAD PASSENGER EQUIPMENT

These items have not entered the ENGINEERING  stage. Advanced reservations will determine  their fate as potential LTD offerings.

 

ACF

121

Baggage/MofW Storage-WWII Hospital Conversion

 

AT&SF

401

Steel Coach 3300 Series

402

Steel Coach/Baggage Combine (modified from Buffet Library)

403

Steel Buffet Library #1348

 

Burlington

79

Mixed Train shorty Combine /RPO #30001-30003

 

Baltimore & Ohio National Ltd 1940 skirted

76

D14aa  #1302 Baggage Dorm Buffet (ENGINEERING started)

76-4

Z5 River Series  (ENGINEERING started-overlay for IHC smoothside obs)

76-2

14 Section Pullman

76-3

A18cd Coach 54 seat #3550-3557

76-8      

8-4 Pullman Emerald Bay,Water

76-5

F4cc Diner #1037-1040

76-6

12-1 Pullman

 

Note – Natl Ltd later used A18cg coaches #772-4424

 

CANADIAN NATIONAL

273

Steel 60’ Baggage Express class BE61H   #8750etc

 

MONON

 

See converted WW II hospital car listing in box

 

NEW YORK CENTRAL

257

Steel Electrified 70’ Coach

258

Ex-Michigan Electric combine used as doodlebug trailer

 

NORFOLK AND WESTERN

82

50’ Turtle Roof Baggage class Ms3 (ex RPO)

83

50’ Turtle Roof RPO Class M3

 

NORTHERN PACIFIC /RIO GRANDE SKI TRAIN

88

Steel Arch Window Parlor Car

88-1

Steel Arch Window Parlor Car- arch blanked

 

SOUTHERN PACIFIC

 

 

 

TRACTION LISTING-we’ve offered many more cars.

Those listed below have nearly enough reservations to start Engineering Step.

98

Illinois Terminal Class C Freight Motor (ENGINEERING started) Body

99

L&PS 61 ft Steel Passenger

99-1

L&PS 70 ft Steel Passenger

352

CD&M Parlor #500-501

353

FtD&DM Combine #62 arch windows

357

WCF&N Observation Combine #101

73

ISC #817 Freight Motor  (ENGINEERING has started)

00

ISC Fort Wayne City Car

000

C&LE Steel Freight Motor

brill 55 aussie

South Australia Railway Brill 55 built from our Brill 55 kit photo courtesy of End Of The Line Hobbies, Victor Harbor, South Australia . Car is equipped with Black Beetle power and trail trucks, SAR decals and cast roof available from End Of The Line Hobbies. Roof is AU$10 plus shipping from EoLH. Black Beetle email: sem@waterfront.net.au and End of Line Hobbies email: shop@endofthelinehobbies.com.au