| SP 333538 | July, 2010 |
| ©2010 Daniel Cortopassi
| Please do not redistribute without permission. Usage Info |
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ExactRail Gunderson 2420 Cubic Foot Gondola, SP 333538
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This car is my first model from ExactRail. It is based on a real SP prototype, the Southern Pacific G-100-7 class. I have not measured it with a scale rule, but the model looks to compare well with photos of the prototype cars.
As part of ExactRail's "Express" series, the car has molded-on ladders, unlike some of the higher-end offerings from ExactRail that have such parts as separate items. Still, the overall effect is good and the ladders are well done. When viewed from any distance, it is hard to tell that the ladders are part of the body. The underside has brake system detail, though little of it is visible when the car is on the track. It comes with metal wheels in free-rolling trucks and some type of plastic coupler that I swapped out for Kadees.
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I had to use Kadee whisker couplers in this model, as the draft gear box is too narrow for the conventional Kadee spring. I opted for No. 158s.
I added just a couple of details, Detail Associates uncoupling levers and Hi-Tech rubber air hoses. I had not used the Hi-Tech hoses before, but they look good and were no more difficult to install than plastic hoses. The nice thing about being made of rubber is that they are flexible, so they will not break when something touches them (like a stray finger). They do hang down a little far, actually slightly below the railhead, but so far that has not caused any problems since the hoses just move out of the way when they encounter something.
Once all the details were added I weathered the model using many of the techniques I described in HO Weathering & Detailing Volume 1 and Volume 2.
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