Dear N Scale Customers;
This month, Bluford Shops is happy to announce their second group of N scale Factory Dented 52’6” Mill Gondolas.
Burlington Northern inherited this fleet of mill gons from predecessor Chicago Burlington & Quincy. Bluford Shops present them here in the original Cascade Green paint scheme with the large BN “wrenches” logos, ACI tags and 2-box format consolidated stencils. The cars were equipped with fixed Dreadnaught ends, Ajax brake housings and IP80 brakewheels.
When Norfolk & Western acquired the Nickel Plate Road through merger in 1964, a considerable fleet of mill gondolas came with them. N&W had already adopted the “Hamburger” N&W logo and began applying them to the NKP gon fleet as they came due for repainting and renumbering. During this period, only gondolas received this wonky version of the NORFOLK AND WESTERN billboard lettering (note the strange R’s, K and S.) This group of gons had fixed Carbuilders ends with Ajax brake housings and IP80 brakewheels.
Western Pacific greatly increased their steel business during the Second World War when large steel mills opened on the east end of the railroad in Utah. This particular batch of mill gons was built by Greenville in 1949 equipped with Dreadnaught drop ends and Ajax 3059 side mounted brakewheels. About 50 of these cars were still in revenue service at the time of the merger with Union Pacific.
Missouri-Kansas-Texas took delivery of this group of mill gons from Greenville in 1967 as part of President John W. Barriger’s effort to update Katy’s freight car fleet. The gons, including their roller bearing trucks, were painted Barriger Red (formerly known as Deramus Red) and equipped with fixed Dreadnaught ends and the familiar combination of Ajax brake housing and IP80 brakewheels.
Detroit Toledo & Ironton took delivery of this group of gondolas in 1957 from Pullman Standard. DT&I opted for the narrower style ribs such as those used by Greenville and other builders rather than Pullman’s new wider ribs. However, Pullman fixed ends were used. These cars also used Ajax brakes with IP80 brakewheels.
As with the first group (currently in production) these models feature diecast floors for superior tracking and plastic sides, ends, draft gear, body bolsters and additional brake gear. The cars come standard with Bluford Shops metal wheels and magnetically operating knuckle couplers.
The Lightly Dented versions have multiple deflections in the side sheets above the floor line. The Medium Dented versions have the side sheets visibly puffed outward between the rivet lines as countless small dings to the inside faces accumulated and stretched the sheets into rough domes. The Heavily Dented versions also have the puffed out panels but to a greater extent – plus many of the ribs have also been deflected outward. The concave dent detail on the inside faces matches the convex outside faces.
Car ends and brake equipment vary based on prototype. Interiors have a rust effect finish. Each road name will be available in 6 road numbers – 2 each of lightly dented, medium dented and heavily dented versions. Minimum Radius: 9.75”.
Order Due Date: November 25, 2024
Anticipated Delivery Date: April 2025
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