New Q Connection Projects Announced...

Because Q Connection is a small family business, we don't have a large amount of "venture" capital...so, here's how we bring new kits into production.

Q Connection explores future run kits we think will be popular enough to justify a minimum number of kits produced and for which enough material exists for the creation of the model.  Once a kit is chosen, its announced via a flyer in the BRHS mailings and here on the web site.   Included with that announcement will be a pre-production reservation offer that works like this:

Reservations for the proposed kits shown below are taken prior to production. A deposit for each kit reserved is required. The retail price for these proposed kits has not yet been determined, but if you reserve by the deadline you will receive a 10% pre-production discount!  If there are not adequate reservations by the final cut-off date, the kits will not be produced and deposits for that kit will be returned promptly. When the kits are ready to ship, an invoice for the balance, including shipping and applicable sales tax, will be sent with full payment expected in 30 days. Kits will not be shipped with an outstanding balance. Anyone failing to redeem their reservations within 30 days will forfeit their deposit.

Fall 2007 
GATX Pressure Slide Hoppers
HO Scale Resin Kit

RESERVATION PERIOD EXTENDED!!!!

Q Connection, in cooperation with Wright Trak Railroad Models, is pleased to announce our first ever resin freight car kit, the GATX Pressure Slide Hoppers. These high-quality HO scale kits will be produced in two, prototypically correct versions, CB&Q and SAL.  The kits will be an undecorated, one piece cast resin body design with stainless steel photo etchings, Athearn’s A-3 Ride Control roller bearing trucks and Kadee® #58 couplers included.  They will be of the same high quality that has been maintained by the toolmakers of Wright Trak Railroad Models since 2001.  These cars have only been available previously in brass, most recently from Railway Classics at $285.00 each. 

We are estimating the price of this kit to be in the $50-$60 range, but for those who make a $10 per car reservation deposit prior to October November 15^th the price will be 10% off the retail price per kit. As always, if there are insufficient reservations to justify the production of this kit, your deposits will be refunded.

We are working closely with Microscale Industries and they will be adding appropriate decals for these models to their product line.

These kits will be sold exclusively through 2^nd Chance Trains in Pooler, GA.  Photos and a reservation form may be found on their web site at www.2ndChanceTrains.com.

A-3 Ride Control roller bearing trucks 

History of the cars:

In 1965, General American Transportation Corporation (GATX), designed a new-style covered hoppers called “Pressure-Slide” for the transporting of dry bulk material.  They provided only one compartment that was pneumatically discharged using an elaborate low pressure (50-80 p.s.i.) air ductwork system.  The unique shape of the tank quickly led to their nickname, “whalebelly hoppers.”  The 38’ 7” long cars had a capacity of 2,800 cubic feet (appx. 100-ton) of material.

The Seaboard Air Line (SAL) purchased 50 from GATX in 1966.  Classed LS-21, they were assigned road Nos. 7050 through 7099.  These were equipped with A-3 Ride Control trucks and Timkin roller bearings.  All cars were assigned to service out of Lehigh, FL.

The SAL cars became Seaboard Coast Line (SCL) cars 747050 through 747099 in 1967.  Initially, the only change being the Empty Return instructions in a yellow box from “Return Agent SAL Lehigh FLA” to “When empty return to SCLRR Lehigh Fla”.  We will do the SAL version with the SAL yellow box.  These later received a new Seaboard (SBD) red with yellow band paint scheme.  These were later lettered for the CSXT after the merger.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CB&Q) purchased 50 of these cars with slightly different brake plumbing from GATX in January 1967.  Classed LO-9, they were assigned road Nos. 84950 through 84999.  An unusual feature of these cars was the obvious omission of a Burlington Route herald from the paint scheme.  They were immediately placed in cement service over the whole system.

The CB&Q cars became Burlington Northern (BN) cars 495000 through 495049 in 1970 and were eventually repainted with black, stacked Burlington Northern lettering and a large BN logo.  The BN cars became Dragon Cement cars in the 300 and the 2800 series in the late 1990s and were repainted with black, Dragon lettering.

Corbin/Wagner Collection           (Click on Image to Enlarge)

Jim Ehernberger                        (Click on Image to Enlarge)

Summer 2007 
2-Story Lines West Depots
HO Scale

RESERVATION PERIOD EXTENDED!!!!

Originally built by the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska, these depots were located in many smaller towns along CB&Q Lines West. Many of these lasted well into the BN era.

Q Connection is considering two HO scale versions - one with and one without the freight room attached. These will be 100% Laser-cut wood with layered, Peel & Stick window and door assemblies, 4” clapboard siding with the operator’s bay, tabbed and notched walls and roof pieces, rolled roofing, and cast white metal chimneys. We expect the smaller depot to be in the $50 - $60 price range and the larger depot with the freight room to be in the $60 - $70 price range. 

Pre-reserve yours now with a deposit and get a 10% discount off of the retail price! If sufficient reservations are not received to do the project by September 15, 2007 (Now extended to October 31^st!!!), deposit checks will be returned.

Click Here to Reserve!!