Model Railroading > RBBX 84708, my latest car

I Modeled this car using a Accurail bi level auto rack. I modified the car to reflect the modifications the circus did. I replaced the under frame with one from a Walthers 89' channel side flat. I misplaced the brake reservoir  and assorted brake gear, but will put them in place when I locate them.

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Superb work as always! You may have been asked this before, but what paint have you been using for your Ringling cars? 

RBBX 84708
Original Reporting Marks:  SP 515415
Built in May, 1979 by Bethlehem Steel — as a BI-LEVEL AUTO-RACK
 Ringling Bros.’ ownership data:  Purchased in 1987 from Southern Pacific RR. 

1970     SP 515415  North American Automotive transport svc.
1987     SOLD to RBBB Circus
1987-2007: W.Q. 5415                                                        
2007     RBBX 84708  sent to DeCoursey (KY) Shops for RECYCLING
 

            Southern Pacific RR bi-level upper tier REMOVED; custom-rebuilt RBBB upper tier added       
 

2008-2011: RBBX 84708 RED UNIT BI-LEVEL
 

REMOVED from tour June 2011; sent to Kentucky for “recycling” … Upper tier was REMOVED at this time.
           
RBBX 84708 - DeCoursey (KY) Shops  RECYCLE
 
2012     RBBX 84708 RED UNIT Flatcar
2013-2014: RBBX 84708 - DeCoursey (KY) Shops  RECYCLE        
2015-2016: RBBX 84708 RED UNIT Flatcar
 Car Body Type:  (CS) Carbon Steel
Brake Valve Type:  ABDXL
LAST Recycle Date:  4/18/2006 
 

NOTES:  2007 – [fold up] CATWALK added to both sides of car; removed during 2008.


 Equipment characteristics of RBBX 84708: AAR car type M530 (M-O-W, Scale, Passenger, Caboose, and End-of-train information systems), plate type B, tare weight 75,100 pounds, total gross weight allowed 200,000 pounds, load limit 100 pounds, external dimensions (length 94' 6", width 10' 0", height 6' 0"). [Courtesy of [i]BNSF Equipment Characteristics[/i], November 1999]
Railcar fleet details for RBBX 84708: Maintenance of Way, Scale, Passenger, Caboose and End-of-Train, Mechanical Designation: PS; Outside Length: 94 ft 6 in; AAR Car Type Code: M530; Outside Extreme Width: 10 ft 0 in; Outside Extreme Height: 6 ft 0 in; Height of Extreme Width: 3 ft 6 in; Plate Clearance: B; Tare Weight: 75,100 lbs. [Courtesy of [i]CSXT Railcar Fleet Details[/i], December 1999]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/25 15:31 by rbx551985.

CPB284 Wrote:
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> Superb work as always! You may have been asked
> this before, but what paint have you been using
> for your Ringling cars?

I use Tamiya primer and Silver Leaf to paint the cars. After decaling, I use Tamiya flat clear. This gives the cars the color I remember when I saw the train.

Posted from Android

How did they load the upper deck?

Lighter Wrote:
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> How did they load the upper deck?

That's a question for Rhett to answer.

Posted from Android

The car was moved about 20 feet away from the end of the flatcars, and a removable RAMP leading to the upper tier was set up from the last flatcar to the bi-level.  Only practiced traincrew were allowed to drive the vehicles up or down that ramp, as it was dangerous and tedious.  But IT WORKED.

For a story about the Red Unit's PREVIOUS bilevel, RBBX 80708, go here:

RBX 27 - "As the Tent Turns" - a Circus Train Adventure story