1
1: Bachmann’s ore gondola works as a Pennsylvania RR
prototype.
Bachmann photo
.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Bachmann ore cars
Q.
Does anyone have info concerning Bachmann’s 27’ ore car
(1), with square ends and sides w/large outside ribs? These
are not the typical ore car as used in the Iron Range. I am try-
ing to find out if they copied a prototype and if so, what man-
ufacturer. I cannot determine how the car discharged its load
as the sides have five large ribs, four small ribs, and there is
brake gear on the bottom near the center of the car.
– Dave
A.
I am not familiar with that model but it sounds like a former
PRR or SP ore car, said Dave Husman. Search for “PRR ore car
images” on Google or a railroad photo site. The PRR carried
taconite pellets to steel mills. The SP cars were used for ore
and are now used for aggregate loading in Texas.
Reserve Mining, now called North Shore Mining, used
this type of car, said Thomas G. They hauled iron ore-
bearing rock, not pellets, to a mill on the shore of
Lake Superior. Check out
.
The Reserve Mining photo is dated 1955, making Bachmann’s
product pretty much a diesel-era car, or a new car in the very
late steam era.
Bernd suggested
as a web site that has some pictures
of the real ore cars that you have. There’s lots of info here
on a Brazilian ore-hauling line using North American-style
equipment.
– MRH
Questions, Answers & Tips - 1
MRH-Jan 2014
