Micro-Trains - NSC 99-12 - Covered Hopper, 3-Bay, ACF 4650 - Canandaigua Southern - 4623

Specific Item Information: John Armstrong commemorative car.

Series Information: The "Living Legends" of Model Railroading.
The success of the "Heritage" cars prompted the NMRA to begin a special "Living Legends" series in honor of the principal figures still very much active in model railroading.
These cars were available in various scales.

Prototype History: Production of the 4650-cubic foot 3-bay cars began in 1964. ACF built 2504 examples at Huntington, WV, between 1964 and 1972. The ACF 4650 c.f. 3-bay hopper was the same height and width as the 5250 c.f. 4-bay car but several feet shorter in length (and only had 3 bays!). Some railroads that were not concerned about having the larger plate C clearance 4650cf cars (which could not be used on all branchlines or at all loading facilities) opted for large fleets of 4650cf cars instead of 4600cf. UP and SP were two such railroads (all of the current UP 4600cf cars came from either MP or C&NW heritage).

Hatches: 6 30", 6 20", 3 pressed steel elongated (SP, SSW, 3 piece pressed steel continuous or 4 piece FRP continuous. Outlets: Several types of bolted or welded on outlets are used. Uses: Grain, soda ash, platic pellets. Trucks: 77 ton friction or roller bearing. 86 had 100 ton roller bearing.

Road Name History: The Canandaigua Southern model railroad is a masterpiece by one of our hobby’s most prestigious riders, railfans, and modelers. John Armstrong is the layout’s president, the hobby’s premiere track planner, as well as the creator of countless ideas and important inventions that we take for granted. His O scale Canandaigua Southern has inspired modelers everywhere to take the plunge on their first layout.

First breaking ground in 1950, the Canandaigua Southern has been under construction in some way or another ever since. Each of John’s remarkable structures is highly detailed and captivating, and his large scratch built locomotives are something to behold.

The Canandaigua Southern is a 1960’s regional carrier with a lot of bridge traffic, and a point-to-point route that fills a 24×34-foot wood base. Both ends, Canandaigua and Pittsburgh, are represented by hidden loops in the center of the room; the top layered curve is actually a reverted loop!

Images Courtesy of Wit and Wisdom Models

Brand/Importer Information: Micro-Trains is the brand name used by both Kadee Quality Products and Micro-Trains Line. For a history of the relationship between the brand and the two companies, please consult our Micro-Trains Collector's Guide.

Manufacturer Information: Micro-Trains Line split off from Kadee Quality Products in 1990. Kadee Quality Products originally got involved in N-Scale by producing a scaled-down version of their successful HO Magne-Matic knuckle coupler system. This coupler was superior to the ubiquitous 'Rapido' style coupler due to two primary factors: superior realistic appearance and the ability to automatically uncouple when stopped over a magnet embedded in a section of track. The success of these couplers in N-Scale quickly translated to the production of trucks, wheels and in 1972 a release of ready-to-run box cars.

Micro-Trains Line Co. split off from Kadee in 1990 to form a completely independent company. For this reason, products from this company can appear with labels from both enterprises. Due to the nature of production idiosyncrasies and various random factors, the rolling stock from Micro-Trains can have all sorts of interesting variations in both their packaging as well as the products themselves. When acquiring an MTL product it is very important to understand these important production variations that can greatly enhance (or decrease) the value of your purchase.

Please consult our Micro-Trains Collector's Guide