HO PC-90 Piggy-Packer Update

A few of you have asked about the schedule of our HO scale PC-90 Piggy-Packer so here's the latest.

Pre-productions samples should be arriving next week. Once approved (if no mistakes in pre-production models), then production will begin. I anticipate 1.25 months for actual running of production + 1 month for shipping. Estimated shipping to all looks like mid-Sept.

Just FYI - the time when I initiate production with the factory to pre-production time is typically taken up by a) queue for factory production time, b) lead time for acquisition of parts, c) development of paint mask + pad print tooling, d) any mold work prep. So figuring out the schedule is more of an art here than a precise science.

However, we are almost here!

Highball. A photo intermission.

In early June, southbound Union Pacific 5293 brings the "Dirty Dirt" into Santa Clara - where the former SP Newhall Yard used to be. The train is "turned" so it can head up through the Alviso line. The destination: Columbia Jct., Utah.

FRED is removed and will be brought to the other end of the train.

Three unit set of GE runs around train after Amtrak's Capitol Corridor clears the tracks.

The time-honored practice begins: coupling, joining the air lines and opening up the air valve.

Waiting for the clear signal.

Highballing tonnage across the salt flats in the South Bay.
Enjoy.

A little bit of history from . . .

Here's a little bit of history from Wheels of Time way-back-machine. Commission de transport de Montréal (for the non-Francophone folks: Montreal Transportation Commission) roll signs on these 1956 buses just posted the route number - in this case "15". By 1963, the sign included the route name and destination for the convenience of the riding public. The Metropolitan Transit Authority (Boston) took over the unprofitable operations of the Boston Elevated Railway in 1947 with the "MTA" logo showing up on their vehicles. By 1964, MTA was re-organized with expanded operations, and renamed as MBTA in the familar T logo that carries on today. The San Francisco Munipal Railway or Muni adopted the green-and-cream wings paint scheme for it's buses, trolleys and PCC streetcars in the late 1940s. During the 1960s, Muni experimented with a new simplified scheme - sans wings - since it was reasoned that the billboard advertisement placed on the sides of the vehicle usually covered up the "wings". Hope you enjoyed a little bit of history - which you can appreciate from all of our trains and vehicles from Wheels of Time.

Monon & IC Baggage Cars

We have updated the artwork for Monon and Illinois Central Baggage Cars after reviewing our photos.  Noticed the IC cars do not have striping across the doors. The Monon car will have the appropriate "Railway Express Agency" on the side.

Famous Faces!

Enjoy!