Speaking of Models
By Steve Hile

First, a large number of the winning models were N scale, including two complete passenger trains.  The number of more prototypically correct models, details and decals is steadily increasing in this scale and it offers real opportunities to model full length trains that will still fit in modelable areas.  We hope to more fully explore John Matrow�s Golden State in a future Speaking of Models.  It�s very interesting to see how his research into the GS consist have been translated into an impressive model.

Second, several of the winning freight car models used custom decals from Tony Long.  If you haven�t looked into them, please make sure you are aware of what he has.  Tony has a number of accurate sets for RI freight cars that are a pleasure to use because all the data and correct road numbers are right there.

Third, if you�re looking for a way to win an award at a RITS model contest, you might want to consider entering a steam locomotive!

Finally, both the research and the modeling of RI prototypes is a whole lot of fun.  There are a number of RITS members who are willing to share information to assist in your efforts.  I�d love to see twice as many models in the contest next year.

I also want to comment on a couple of current commercial models as well.  By now, I imagine you�ve seen the new Proto 2000 (Life Like) SW-9.  This is an impressive model of a small class of RI locomotives.  The 900 hp numbers 775-779 were built in 1953 and delivered in the black scheme with white safety stripes that the Proto 2000 model displays.  A good photo of 777 can be found in Rock Island Color Pictorial, Vol. 1. (Marre).  This model is very well detailed and smooth running.  It is very comparable to the Kato NW-2s which are the smoothest, quietest switchers I�ve seen.

Another model that has been out for a while, but may have been overlooked is the MDC 50 foot outside braced auto box car.  While not an exact duplicate for Rock Island cars, it does have some potential.  Mine came labeled with road number 262377 and other numbers are available.  I made one modification to match the batch of cars the number indicates.  That is, I removed the fishbelly section from the side sill to make it straight across.

RI 261950-262449 were built by the Bettendorf Company in 1923 as door and a half auto box cars without end doors.  The side doors were wood with Camel fixtures.  The first 250 cars had Murphy roofs (all steel riveted) and the rest had Hutchins roofs.  The diagram sheets talk about pressed steel side posts and braces.  I must assume that these were the hat section that the RI favored as opposed to the Z framing of the MDC car.  The prototype cars had Murphy ends.  The model has 3-3-3 dreadnaught.

Sometime before 1940, about 100 of these cars received end doors and had their side doors widened to 12 feet 6 inches from the original 10 feet.  I have no photographic evidence on the door style one way or the other, but my gut feeling is that Youngstown style steel doors would have looked better on this car for the RI.

The painting and lettering is nicely done and this car can certainly make a good addition to your RI fleet.  95 of the double door cars with end doors were still on the roster in 1952, but that number was reduced to 10 by 1959.  Some of them undoubtedly moved into the 40000 series as hide cars which would be another option (leave the roadname, renumber and heavily weather - see the photo of 40961 in the RI Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Cars).

Short Hauls