Empire Belt GP30s

Empire Belt GP30s
The EBRR GP30s round a curve on the Empire City Belt Line.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

A Doodlebug Fan Trip

Greetings All,

This week the N.Y.C.T.L. Purchasing Department authorized a few acquisitions and the Empire City Railway Historical Society hosted a rail fan Doodlebug Special. Let's take a look at some of the new stuff.

First up is this new Roundhouse 40' C&O / REA boxcar. Anyone who follows this blog knows of my infatuation with mail and express trains. This was a must have. 


 Next is this Athearn 40' pulpwood load for this 40' Athearn BB pulpwood car that I bought a while back. 


The Erie Lackawanna gondola on the left was a nice used Athearn Blue Box model that was easily converted to knuckle couplers. The new car is # 15487. The car to the right, EL 15478, has been with us for many moons 


Both EL gondolas received some Doc O'Brien's weathering powders after the 15487 got a coat of dullcote


At Empire City Station a Bachmann Doodlebug idles on track 2. Chartered by as a rail fan special sponsored by the Empire City Railway Historical Society. Due to high ticket sales a trailing coach will be added. The Doodlebug has been on the roster for a very long time.


The rail fan special rounds the curve while Railway Express Train # 139 rolls towards Chicago


Here's a short video of the Rail Fan Special and REA Train 139


Thanks for reading and Watching!

2 comments:

  1. Nice new acquisition! I don't tend to see many REA or mail cars at flea markets or my LHS. Glad you're able to find them! I'm impressed by the realistic lumber load on the pulpwood car! The NYC Doodlebug is a classic. I have one in PRR colors. Haven't taken it out of the drawer for years! Hmmm...time to consider a fan run on the KPD!

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  2. Thanks Ralph! I really liked the Athearn pulp wood load as well. I have a Chooch one for my other pulp wood car and the cast resin needed to fut away to fit properly and it is very heavy. Athearn load is more detailed, weighs a bit less and drops right in. REA and mail cars fit in nicely with my NYC ops. By the time of the merger the USPS had cancelled the contracts and the REA was on it's last legs. I think it's time for Kings Port Railway Historical Society to charter that Doodlebug!!!

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