<html><head><style type='text/css'>p { margin: 0; }</style></head><body><div style='font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000'>There are perhaps three options for these cars in HO: the original F&C flat kit, the revised F&C flat kit, and the revised F&C one-piece body kit. (Scratch building is a fourth option, but something of a challenge.) I have assembled a few of the original flat kits. They took a great deal of work as the main parts were not square and the detail parts were not up to then current standards. They look good on the track, but I vowed never to do more! I have waited for someone to do a better version, in brass, plastic or resin. F&C has said for several years that an improved version of their kit was on the way.<br><br>At the recent Springfield show I purchased several of the new one-piece body F&C kits. I haven't checked the bodies against drawings, but I am satisfied with the body detail; it's square (!) and has interior detail. The underframe and detail parts look adequate, but once again some parts will be replaced. The decals look somewhat "soft" to me. I prefer the Bill Mosteller set...much crisper and with more options. <br><br>The underbody detail drawings in the kit perpetuate the incorrect brake rigging used in the 1950's <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Model Railroader</span> article from which the original F&C kit was designed. By any measure, the dual brake system is a challenge, but the F&C version is incorrect. I believe we ran CAD drawings of the underbody detail of the Yoder O scale model in <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;">The Arrow</span> a couple of years ago. In any event, if anyone wants to tackle the correct underbody brake detail, let me know and we'll see about getting the drawings out again.<br><br>BTW, I used Athearn Buckeye trucks with scratched brake hangers and
replacement wheel sets. The VGN cars used a one-of-a-kind Buckeye
truck, with a 9' 6" wheel base, if memory serves. There is no
commercial model of this truck. My Athearns look fine on the track.<br><br>A couple of postscripts. At Springfield, F&C offered a buy one-get one deal, which made buying kits somewhat less painful. The one-piece body kit lists for $50! Current resin kits in the $40+ range offer much finer detail with etched brass detail parts and much better decals, and much more accurate models. I believe for $50, one should expect more, but at a $25 effective unit price, I was satisfied. I still have to replace the decals and some brake parts. So while I am very pleased that Steve did what he said he would do, I'll wait for train shows and see what deals come along. (OTOH, this is our only present option.) <br><br>Hope this helps.<br><br>Bill McClure<br></div></body></html>