A.C. Gilbert Erie Railroad (ERIE) Depressed-center Flat Cars

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

This car was produced from 1947 through 1953. Their bodies were all made out of die-cast metal, except for the one shown in the photo, which was only produced in 1952. It is made out of pressed wood. You can tell from where the paint is chipped off; the chassis is a brownish/tan color confirming that the chassis is pressed wood. This variation is somewhat more rare than most and as such is higher priced in today's market. Note the tie-down cables are black elastic bands that pass through the car and are butt-spliced under the car. The elastic bands are very fragile and due to age they are typically broken or become broken when handled.

This is the rare pressed-wood version.

A scan from the 1947 catalog.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

646

Prototype Info

Style:

depressed-center

Length:

56'

Road Name:

Erie Railroad (ERIE)

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1950

Road Number(s):

7210

Product Type:

metal

Finish:

painted and lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Lighted:

yes!

Online Article:

Online Article:

1950 Catalog Page

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

A scan from the 1950 catalog.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

936

Prototype Info

Style:

depressed-center

Year/Era:

1929

Length:

56'

Road Name:

Erie Railroad (ERIE)

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1953

Road Number(s):

7210

Product Type:

metal

Finish:

painted and lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Online Article:

1953 Catalog Page

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

These cars were produced through 1956. This version has the attachment brackets, four on each side that are not there on #636. To secure the load, a thin metal wire is attached to the brackets across each end of the reel.

This is Paul Heater's first attempt at converting an A.C. Gilbert car into a "scale" freight car. Paul repainted both the car and the reel, and applied NWP decals. He replaced the tie-down wires with actual chain and attached them as they would in the real world. He also added wood cribbing to keep the load from shifting. Paul removed the exposed portions of the cast-on side steps, and replaced them with hand-formed wire steps. The trucks are American Models 6-wheeled tender trucks. He also replaced the couplers with those by American Models. Finally, he added and weathered the wooden decking, which is decking material sold by Micro-Mark for ship building.

A scan from the 1953 catalog.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

946

Prototype Info

Style:

depressed-center

Length:

56'

Road Name:

Erie Railroad (ERIE)

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1953

Road Number(s):

7210

Product Type:

metal

Finish:

painted and lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Lighted:

yes!

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part: