Eastern Seaboard Models - 600200 - Gondola, 65 Foot, Mill - Undecorated - Class G32c Gondola Kit

Specific Item Information: Slightly over 100 of these Pennsylvania cars were rebuilt from Class G32a gondolas in 1966. These cars lasted deep into the Conrail era, with many retaining their PRR reporting marks.

This kit contains a polyurethane resin body; etched brass detail parts; brass floor/weight; BLMA pre-formed stainless steel grab irons and ASF Ride Control roller-bearing trucks and wheelsets; Micro-Trains® Miner brakewheel; and decals with assorted railroads and schemes.

Model Information: ESM introduced this model in 2009. The body and detail parts are made from injection molded plastic, while the underframe is diecast. The underside is stamped "ESM China". The metal underframe gives these cars enough heft to track well.

The drop ends can be positioned either up or down. Intricate and accurate detail is present inside as well as outside. For example, you can count the rivets inside the body of the car if you like. The model rides at the prototypically-correct height above the rails, on Micro-Trains® truck frames fitted with low-profile injection molded plastic wheelsets. The style of truck frame utilized is specified with each model. The model is equipped with body-mounted Micro-Trains® #1015 couplers.

Due to their length, operation of this model over curved trackage of less than 12½-inch radius is not recommended.

Prototype History: Generally used to haul scrap metal and loose bulk materials, gondola cars vary in length and side heights. Mill Gondola cars are more commonly used for high-density commodities and have a flat bottom while regular Gondola cars are most commonly used for coal or crushed aggregates and can have a flat or tub bottom configuration.

Steel-sided 65' mill gondolas date back to at least the 1940s, however specialized rib-sided "mill" gondolas are a relatively modern design. These cars are intended for use with the steel trade, and they are used to transport just about anything that can be loaded using an overheard crane. They date from the 1970s forward.

Road Name History: Although they may be molded in color, unpainted and unlettered, undecorated products are marketed to modelers who seek to custom decorate their models for private roads and/or road and/or company names that were not commercially produced by any of the major manufacturers.

Undecorated models are frequently also unassembled or only partially assembled and required modelers to be comfortable with glue, paint and sometimes solder in order to prepare their models for display. Materials for these models can vary but often include plastic, pewter and resin. Models may or may not come with decals or other decorations such as plastic signage, railings and ladders to enhance the appearance of the final product.

Brand/Importer Information: Eastern Seaboard Models was founded in 1987. They are a manufacturer of N scale reproductions of North American eastern railroad prototypes. The have both decorated other manufacturers' models as well as designed body styles of their own. They are located at PO Box 301, Waldwick, New Jersey 07463-0301 U.S.A.

Their 2016 lineup includes ready-to-run gondolas, well cars, hoppers, tank cars and boxcars. They also produce craftsman quality kits in their "Made in America" series. ESM products may be purchased directly from their website.