I built several of the NKP cars. Unfortunately, I'm not a good model
builder (especially lacking in patience) and live too far away to get to the
Q meets to get Tom's help. I struggled through and got the cars together,
but they aren't what they should be. I've had a lot of trouble with the
trucks. Spent many brutal hours getting the cars to stay on the track. In
my ineptness, I had some difficulty with his diagrams and instructions. All
in all, my experience with NKP cars was a great frustration.. I'm still
struggling to get a 5-car train over my 30" curves and 2+% grades. Need
helpers with either Challenger S-4 or OL O-5 (each with weights added).
E-5s handle the train ok, but I certainly like to run the weavyweight
equipment with steam. I'm willing to spend some more time on this. As a
boy, I road the Exposition Flyer from Hastings NE to California. Consider
it one of the great experiences of my life. I really want to have a small
version of the Flyer on my RR.
I would appreciate any advice available. I need to know more about what
trucks to use. I have tried to use the the furnished kits, but I've mostly
given up on those and tried others, which haven't helped much. Dale
Reeves---- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Manley" <robev1630@sbcglobal.net>
To: <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 1:37 PM
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Branchline Heavyweight Single Window Coach
> Dear nyCBQ fan,
> I too looked at the Branchline alternative but after seeing the car kits
> from NKP Car Sides I decided I can't live with a stand in. I am primarily
> a Q modeler and love heavy weight equipment so there isn't an option for a
> low cost alternative and besides my Sunset S4 Hudson deserves it. Tom
> Schneld is the owner of NKP and makes it to most of the Q annual meets, Q
> spring meets and the RPM show in Naperville. Last year he was at the Joint
> ATSF / CB&Q / CRIP / NYC meet in Streator. I know he is local to the
> Chicagoland area so I don't know where else he attends.
>
> The 6161 - 6170 Mainline coach PB-21 &
> the Heavyweight Suburban coach PA-14 are each $60.00 and are composed of
> Brass etched sides, plastic core kits (?) and some resin parts depending
> on how the car was engineered. If you are a little daunted by the
> materials , don't be. His instructions are quite thourough and at the
> shows will spend the time to talk you through the assembly. Tom has quite
> a few of the assembled kits on display to prove they can be done. Actually
> they are about the same diffulculty level as the BLs, you just need to use
> some different adhesives.
> I believe Dave Lotz has some of the Q kits available through "Q
> Connection" as well as the paint and decals. Occasionally Model Railroader
> and RMJ have articles on building these type of kits and what techniques
> and adhesives you'll need. MR's latest was in N-Scale but basically the
> same as what you'd do in HO.
> Please see the NKP website @ nkpcarco.com for more info and e mail him
> with any questions. NKP also has a number of Q friendly RR kits like NYC
> sleepers.
>
> See if you can get the ball bearing wheelsets from Intermountain to fit
> into your Gallery car trucks and give those Life-Like Es a break.
> If you decide to keep the Branchlines try the Intermountain wheels in
> thier trucks as well They are more concentric and free rolling than the
> OEMs I've run into.
>
> Oh yeah the usual disclaimer about no known affilliation to Tom and NKP or
> Dave Lotz , we have never met prior to the show...
>
> Sincerely,
> Rob Manley
> "Model Railroading isn't fun, It's hard work."
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: nycbqfan
> To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 12:54 PM
> Subject: [CBQ] Branchline Heavyweight Single Window Coach
>
>
> Just received a pair of Branchline's new ready-to-run coaches in CB&Q
> (6100 series numbering). OK, I know they aren't perfect matches to the
> Q coaches (window count being one of the most obvious differences), but
> since the brass ones may never materialize and the cost difference is
> major, these Branchline cars fall firmly in the category of "close
> enough." Beautifully detailed, with interiors. And ready to run. Note -
> I have no affiliation with Branchline - just offering my own opinion.
>
> It would be great if Branchline would do these in the commuter colors.
> Probably not likely, but I can dream. And boy, would they be a lighter
> pull than my brass gallery cars - woo, hoo, do those put my Life-Like
> E's through a work out.
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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