(Additional Pictures Below)

Many modelers were aware, the Government of Saskatchewan would be developing new variations on their famous green paint scheme. We knew the Government of Saskatchewan would be rolling out the new look some time this year.  At that time, we had only a rendering of what the new scheme would look like with no cars having been painted yet.

While we received the official renderings of the Canadian Pacific (SKPX) assigned cars several months ago, we were still waiting for Canadian National (SKNX) assigned cars to be painted. 

The Canadian Pacific (SKPX) assigned cars were painted by GATX in Moose Jaw, as production space was available earlier there this year. The Canadian National assigned (SKNX) cars were painted at the General Electric Shops in Regina and has just now been completed.

North American Railcar Corporation was informed last week that finished cars were available to photograph. Unfortunately the town the new cars were in, was about 1,000 miles away. So we asked a couple of good PORTERS customers in Saskatoon if they would mind taking some photographs for us in Birsey, Saskatchewan. (You try finding Birsey on a map). They took some great pictures for us.

You may be wondering why we waited to get the pictures of the Canadian National (SKNX) cars before we finalized artwork. The answer is we had been informed by the Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation there was a chance the schemes would not be exactly the same since two separate contractors were painting the cars. And in fact, when we looked at the photographs taken for us, we did notice the SKNX cars painted by GE are slightly different from the new  SKPX cars recently painted at GATX.

In both schemes, please 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. Minor variations are in the location of warning labels on the side sill and the exit gates of the two versions on the car.

Now that we have the final photographs for both the SKPX and the SKNX cars, commence the artwork for the final release of the cars.

Once this is done, production will run smoothly, as we have produced the earlier version previously and have all paint color information on file and the tooling in hand. Release of these cars is projected for early 2013, with road numbers to be announced shortly.

Remember, there are two versions of the 2011 scheme, the Canadian National & Canadian Pacific variations. These are slightly different than the 2008 version which included the exclamation point after Saskatchewan. This release will include 12 road numbers for both versions, as listed below and at the bottom of the page. We also have a limited number of the 2008 version of this car in stock, available for order now:

• 12 road numbers for the 2008 Canadian National version
• 12 road numbers for the 2011 Canadian National version
  
• 12 road numbers for the 2008 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”) 
  
• Micro-Trains trucks & couplers
• 2 Bolster/Jack Pad Styles (flat and sloped faces) 

Notice to all Customers:

These cars have proven to be very popular with modelers. With the new versions coming out, this will certainly be so again. Especially since mixing the various schemes will provide enough road numbers to build a complete unit grain train. So, modelers who are interested in these cars are encouraged to order before they sell out.

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 2008 scheme of this car.

Reservations Due By: TBA

Expected Release: Early 2013

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JMP/DSH