3 Tunnel Motors run a Grain Train around the layout in HO Scale

I just got my new SP speed lettering tunnel motor from Athearn so I decided to get out my my older Southern Pacific and Denver & Rio Grande tunnel motors and run a grain train around the layout.Hope you enjoy and dont forget to like and subscribe

[@chicagoterminalrr907]

So, is the Blue 4650 ACF for the CNW a real thing? Can you get me the number off the car? Just when I thought I've made them all for the CNW.

[@milepost110models]

I bought this in 3/95 as I still have the original box.It was a 3 pack set from Accurail #3320 C & N W and the blue car is # 172176

[@chicagoterminalrr907]

Interesting car to research. Thanx for the response. So, was there ever a Blue ACF? Well, no, but maybe. In 1973 and 1974 the CNW bought two series of 4750 PS covered hoppers 173000-499 in 1973 and 173500-174499 in 1974. If you look at photos of these cars you will find that they look blue. They were in fact pained Green originally. When Pullman painted them they used a paint that, after a period of time, sunlight reacted and turn them Blue. If you chip away the surface paint you will find Green underneath. It was a flaw in the paint formula. They swear up and down they never painted anything blue, ever. Transportation Company photos (those taken for CNW management) just after they rolled out of Pullman's shop new, are clearly Green. None of them lasted long in Green after sunlight. The ACF 4600 series was built new for the CNW in Feb-Mar 1973. Were a few or any painted with the flawed paint, who knows but maybe. As a side note it can be determined by photos of these ACF cars that they were made to carry kernel corn. This is based on the size 4600 cu ft vs load of 199000, trough loading hatches, and 24" X 36" 45 degree gravity gates for unloading. @@milepost110models