Micro-Trains - NSE MTL 20-51 - Gondola, 50 Foot, Composite - Monsanto - 7004, 7005

Specific Item Information: Two gondola set with container load: Road Numbers MCHX 7004 & 7005
Modified in Elizabethport N.J. for use by O-T-D Corporation transporting polyethylene resins in large bladders, these 140,000-pound capacity composite gondolas carried a large placard on the side advertising the product and company name.
Monsanto transported it's Polyetylene Resin Pellets in bladders in gondolas in the 1950's-1960's similar to this model. There was a built-up rounded end to accept the rounded pallets.

Prototype History: In 1918, the United States Railway Administration (USRA) designed a composite (steel frame with wood sides and floor) gondola. 20,000 steel-braced, wood-sided cars were built, many of which lasted through the steam era. Even after the USRA was dissolved in 1921, some composite gondolas continued to be constructed through the 1920s. Once again, during the 2nd world war, composite designs became necessary to conserve steel. Hence, the AAR produced designs for both general service and mill gondolas during the early 1940s.

Road Name History: Monsanto is a sustainable agriculture company. We deliver agricultural products that support farmers all around the world.

We are focused on empowering farmers—large and small—to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. We do this with our leading seed brands in crops like corn, cotton, oilseeds and fruits and vegetables. We also produce leading in-the-seed trait technologies for farmers, which are aimed at protecting their yield, supporting their on-farm efficiency and reducing their on-farm costs.

We strive to make our products available to farmers throughout the world by broadly licensing our seed and trait technologies to other companies. In addition to our seeds and traits business, we also manufacture Roundup® branded herbicides and other herbicides used by farmers, consumers and lawn-and-garden professionals.

Monsanto could not exist without farmers. They are our customers--the lifeblood of our company. More important, they are the support system of the world's economy, working day in and day out to feed, clothe and provide energy for our world.

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

Commissioner Information: The N Scale Enthusiast Society (previously known as The N Scale Collector until 2011) was established by Wick Brandon, as a sole proprietorship and was a stand alone company until Wick passed away in 2000. The company has been owned by Micro Trains Line since then.

Wick was the founder of TexNRails and he established NSE right after he sold the pioneering N Scale retailer to the Herz family, and the store moved to Florida. Wick and Lea moved their family from Texas to Bakersfield California, and the entire operation was run from his home in Bakersfield. George Johnsen, the current Chairman, came on board as Associate Editor starting with the third issue of the magazine, and the growth of the organization hasn’t stopped. Wick and George did the first convention in Medford in 1993, and added staff and advisors as the organization grew. Wick held the first auction for the NSE in 1995.

The NSE mission statement reads: “This organization is dedicated to the preservation of the history of N Scale Model Railroading, and the railroads they represent.”

They do:
- Special Run Cars
- Regular Auctions of "collectable" Cars
- Annual Conventions
- Bi-Monthly Magazine