Denver Rio Grande & Western (ex. D.&S.L.)

The Denver Rio Grande & Western merged with the Denver & Salt Lake on March 3, 1947 - and along with it came this classic arched roof baggage car. It was originally built by American Car & Foundry in 1929 as D.& S.L No. 600 before being renumbered and repainted into DRG&W. The Prospector (Denver to Salt Lake - Ogden), Royal Gorge (Grand Junction to Salt Lake), Yampa Valley Mail (Denver to Craig) had this car in it's consist - of course not at the same time! Thanks to the way-back-machine, you can see the real thing in person at the Orange Empire Railway Museum. Back by popular demand, Wheels of Time will roll out this car in fall with pre-orders due by May 19th. 

Illinois Central in chocolate and orange!

Wheels of Time will roll out this classic N-scale 70-ft baggage car in Illinois Central brown & orange paint.  Among IC's predominately arched roof baggage cars were a handful of clerestory roof baggage cars numbered 795 to 804 as class P795 (AC&F 1926).  They were used in sealed mail, express and baggage service.  They will come in 4 real car numbers - 2 as singles and one in a 2-car set.  Pre-orders are due on May 19th.

Canadien National or Canadian National!

Canadian National (or to my Francophone friends "Canadien National")  served everywhere and went everywhere from the Pacific to the Maritime Provinces in Canada. Prior to the 1954 roll out of the round familiar Maple Leaf logo, CNR rolling stock were painted with "Canadian National" on a titled rectangular box - called by the CNR Mechanical Department as monogram. Our Wheels of Time model will be painted with this monogram for CNR standard 73'-6" heavyweight baggage cars (as measured over the end sills). They were built by the National Steel Car Corp. Ltd., and the Canadian Car & Foundry. Wheels of Time is proud to present this classic car in N-scale with Utility vents all along the arched roof.  Pre-orders are due on May 19th.

Baltimore & Ohio Class B-18 in N-scale!

B&O rostered a large assortment of heavyweight baggage-express cars and yet never owned a lightweight baggage car. Their heavyweight baggage cars operated with other streamlined lightweight and rebuilt passenger equipment such as in the Capitol Limited. B&O class B-18 baggage cars were unique because the doors were spaced closer together as in the Wheels of Time N-scale model.  They were acquired during their acquisition of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railway from Van Sweringen brothers in 1932.  Built in 1923 by AC&F.  Some lasted into the 1960s.  Wheels of Time N-scale rendition of this B&O classic will have three car numbers.  Pre-orders are due on May 19th. 

Intermission: BNSF Action @ Franklin Canyon

It's time for an intermission in the midst of our product development work! Here are some action shots from my slides - all taken near Franklin Canyon in Feb. 1997. The first photo is an eastbound BNSF local with 3 units pulling 2 cars - giving it a really nice HP to tonnage ratio.  Quickly following on the heels of the overpowered local, is an eastbound BNSF intermodal train lead by GE C-40-8W no. 877 and EMD SD75M no. 218 still in the awesome ATSF warbonnet paint scheme.  Enjoy!