Weekend Photos July 2025

[webenda]

The AMT Southern boxcar feels quite heavy. I wondered if it weighs 5 ounces plus 1 ounce per inch per NMRA RP20.1?
The car is 10 inches long, so it should weigh 15 ounces.

14.65 ounces, rounded off to the nearest ounce, equals 15 ounces.

[webenda]

The AMT Southern Boxcar has a cast metal frame.


Since the car feels quite heavy, I assumed the cast metal frame was something heavy, like Zamac (a zinc alloy.) How can I determine if it is zinc? Searching the internet revealed that the frame was metal. Well, that is good to know.

Aha, measure the frame's density.

[webenda]

One more thing... N.P.C.
https://www.newproductscorp.com/

New Products is a custom, precision, high pressure aluminum and zinc die caster.

History
We have delivered excellent service to the most exacting customers for over 100 years. Founded in 1922 by Walter Miller, New Products Corporation started doing tool and piece work that other businesses did not want.

[Norton]

Quite the analysis Wayne. I am surprised its aluminum and not Zamac. Pretty sure Zamac has a lower melting temperature and easier to cast.

Pete

[healey36]

Pretty interesting; I recall a time when Hughes was an affiliate of General Motors, the HNS purchasing group had a referral from GM for NPC and their diecast business. I don't recall what the specific item or range of items was (might have had something to do with the backplanes for computer equipment racks), or whether they ultimately used their services, but it's a name not unfamiliar to me. Definitely a niche manufacturer, but one that might benefit from any serious effort to re-shore diecasting to the U. S.

[webenda]

Pretty sure Zamac has a lower melting temperature and easier to cast.

Pete

Google AI is sure you are correct, Pete.

[webenda]

One more thing... N.P.C.
https://www.newproductscorp.com/

Here is a copy of the email I received from Eric Larson at New Products Corp.:


Eric Larson <Eric.Larson@newproductscorp.com>
9:00 AM (13 hours ago)

Wayne,
The N.P.C. does stand for New Products Corporation. Are you interested in additional information about castings?
Best regards,

Eric Larson
Chief Engineer
New Products Corporation
P.O. Box 666
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 925-2161 ext. 347

[webenda]

Information about Jack Ferris, who founded American Model Toys in 1948 and reorganised it as Auburn Model Trains in 1954.

Name: John Walter (Jack) Ferris
Birth: 16 Apr 1911 Huntington, Huntington, Indiana, USA
1930 Census: His occupation was musician
1940 Census: His occupation was Foundry Salesman
1950 Census: His occupation was Plastic Construction Engineer in the business he owned (AMT?)
Death: 18 Oct 1979 (68) Sarasota, Sarasota, Florida, USA

[HONDO74]

Wayne, since you seem to have an interest in AMT here is some more info for you.

American Model Toys (AMT)
https://www.robertstrains.com/AMT.htm

It took me a little over a year to collect a full set of the AMT ATSF aluminum passenger cars. They also have an Aluminum diecast frame.

American Model Toys - AMT Passenger Cars
https://www.robertstrains.com/AMT4.htm

In one of your other post about the couplers on the cars
American Model Toys - AMT Liftamatic Uncoupling Ramp
https://www.robertstrains.com/AMT7.htm

I have yet to find one of the Liftamatic Uncoupling Ramps

The scale length boxcars by AMT is what caused Lionel to come out with the 6464 series boxcars.

[webenda]

Wayne, since you seem to have an interest in AMT here is some more info for you.

Thank you, Hondo.

This site has more photos of the Liftamatic uncoupling ramp:> https://www.binnsroad.co.uk/railways/am ... index.html

There was also a two-rail liftamatic:> https://www.robertstrains.com/Kusan24.htm

Nor have I ever seen a liftamatic uncoupler for sale.

[webenda]

Lionel 6-39119 O Gauge Southern Aluminum 4-Pack Passenger Car Set


It appears that many passengers are using their cell phones.

[healey36]

Those window graphics look pretty sharp, Wayne. I don't have any of the aluminum passenger cars...just not wide-enough curves here to provide sufficient clearance. The layout was really designed to accommodate prewar stuff primarily, and the smaller stuff at that. Even some of the stuff that was designed for O-31 track struggles to make it through the tunnel...just not enough clearance for the overhang.

Last week I spent an afternoon trying to get the set's 831 back into shape. Digging around in the bits and dust-bunnies at the bottom of the box, I found two of the missing stakes, along with the missing brake-wheel stand (albeit somewhat bent-up). With two more repro stakes from the bit box, we had the stakes all accounted for and back in place.

The frame holes for the brake-wheel stand were badly disfigured, likely from playwear over many years. Even after a bit of metal work, I couldn't get them back into a shape that would hold the tabs in place. I finally said the heck with it, installed it loosely, then gave it a dab of JB Weld. Seems to be working, but an abomination to the purist. Here's a before and after:



No paint, no touch-ups; basically as found. I did give the lumber load a very slight sanding, but that's it.

[webenda]

The 831 looks really good.

You are blessed with a bit box. I have either been buying the part or buying another car to obtain the part I need. As a result, I am creating a bit box of incomplete cars.

Overhang?


The overhang on the ends clears the O-22 turnouts. As does the underhang in the center if I remove the signal box from the turnout.

[HONDO74]

A really nice looking 831 log car. Apparently these were made from 1927 to 1942. I think the little 4 wheel cars are kind of cute. I have 2 of the 831. One is light green with logs the other is very dark green no logs. I have a Lionel 257 to pull mine with no reverse forward only.

[ScaleCraft]

The AMT Southern boxcar feels quite heavy. I wondered if it weighs 5 ounces plus 1 ounce per inch per NMRA RP20.1?
The car is 10 inches long, so it should weigh 15 ounces.

14.65 ounces, rounded off to the nearest ounce, equals 15 ounces.

Here's another one for you:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/376344642713