Whose kit is this

[up148]

I got this car in a small group of items I wanted. Don't know anything about it except I saw a lot of similar cars for sale at the MM back in the 90's and passed on them. I'll keep it, but would like to know what I have.

[bob turner]

Looks like Athearn from here. Quite common, and indistinguishable (almost) from All Nation. I think those Roundhouse couplers came with the kits in the 1950s.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

1) If you measure the length of the car from the underside, from the inside of one metal end to the inside of the other metal end, an All-Nation car will measure 10", whereas an Athearn car will measure 10-1/8". This is the same dimension as the car sides.

2) If you open the doors, an Athearn car will have a wood or composition inner wall, whereas an All-Nation car will not.

3) Just below the right end of the lower door slide, the scalloped edge along the bottom of the car side, an All-Nation car will be cut vertically, whereas an Athearn car will be cut at an angle, just like all of the other scalloped edges on both cars. Obviously, a modeler could trim an All-Nation car to look like an Athearn, but an Athearn car would never be made to look like an All-Nation.

4) Along the bottom edge of the roof overhang, along the side of the car, most Athearn cars will have a row of rivets, whereas an All-Nation car will not. Do not confuse this row of rivets with the row of rivets along the top edge of the car side, which both cars have.

[Jay Criswell]

Looking at a few telltale signs, I'd say that car was built by Will (Si) Simonton. Maybe for Don Miller. He built 100 for Don prior to his passing. They were A-N. But he built Athearn too.

Jay

[up148]

Great information and I appreciate the help guys. I'll check it out further this morning, but it has unpainted metal interior walls on the sides. I can see where the ends and roof were attached to wood structure. No idea how difficult these were to build, but it's a nice assembly job. It would be great if it was one of the Si's cars as that would make it special for me.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

No idea how difficult these were to build, but it's a nice assembly job.

Relatively easy, but to do well and above average takes some effort particularly if you are going to install a fully detailed brake system and also upgrade some of the supplied detail parts. Good fun all around and these are still readily available!

[Jay Criswell]

Butch,

I'd bet on it. Without going into any details I can assure you he built it. We sat down and talked about some of the things he did differently than others.

Jay

[up148]

Excellent! Thanks Jay.