Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Walthers announces the release of its new HO Scale USRA Steel 46' Gondolas, LCL Coke Containers, and LCL Bulk Containers. These detailed, ready-to-run models will be available in January, 2002.

Model railroaders are continually striving to add new, realistic models to their train consists. New Walthers 46' USRA Steel Gondolas and LCL Containers give modelers eye-catching prototypes which have never before been offered as layout-ready models. Suitable for use on steam- and classic diesel-era layouts, these new gondolas and loads will add a dash of the real world to freight trains and freight terminal scenes set between the 1920s and the 1970s.

The ready-to-run 46' USRA Steel Gondolas are great for modelers who want to add realistic LCL operations to their railroad. Based on a standardized design developed by the United States Railroad Administration during the teens, these versatile cars were able to handle everything from sugar beets and scrap metal to aggregates and machinery. Many were also outfitted to handle expedited less-than-carload containers. These 1920s-era gondolas lasted well into the diesel-era, making them suitable for use on steam and diesel model railroads. They're natural additions to scenes using the LCL Container Terminal kit, 933-3174 $29.98, plus industrial scenes which use gondolas, such as steel mills and sugar refineries.

These detailed, ready-to-run cars feature distinctive fishbelly underframes, one-piece bodies with applied details, separate wire grab irons, free-rolling trucks and knuckle couplers. Cars are available individually and in 2-Packs for a total of three roadnumbers per roadname. Roadnames and part numbers are as follows:

Single cars, $13.98 each
932-7451 B&O
932-7452 PRR
932-7453 NYC
932-7454 Erie
932-7455 NKP
932-7456 WM
932-7457 MP
932-7458 LV
932-7450 Undecorated

Limited-run 2-Packs, $27.98
932-27451 B&O
932-27452 PRR
932-27453 NYC
932-27454 Erie
932-27455 NKP
932-27456 WM
932-27457 MP
932-27458 LV

The system of hauling containers in gondolas began in the 1920s as railroads attempted to make handling less-than-carload (LCL) freight shipments more profitable. Many tried to standardize the way LCL cargo was handled while at the same time reducing labor costs, damage and pilferage. The result was a fleet of small, specialized containers designed to be hauled in cars like the 46' USRA Steel Gondola or on specially equipped flat cars.

Once the concept was introduced, several types of containers hit the rails -- some designed for hauling small parcels and merchandise, others built for small, convenient lots of bulk materials. The bulk containers were great for materials which receivers could not use all at once. These included coke hauled in open-top units, and industrial minerals and chemicals, like dolomite, used in steel making and hauled in enclosed containers.

As a complement to the 46' USRA Steel Gondolas, Walthers is also producing LCL Coke and LCL Bulk containers. LCL Containers were typically used for hauling coke and other commodities in small, easily used quantities to steel mills and other industries which didn't require an entire carload all at once. Because coke is not affected by the elements, LCL Coke containers had an open top and a hopper bottom, allowing for quick loading and unloading. LCL Bulk containers, designed for hauling powdered or granulated materials like dolomite and lime, were weather-tight.

Walthers LCL Containers come completely assembled and decorated, ready for use as loads in gondolas or at container terminal and large industrial or steel mill scenes. The containers come three to a pack, are individually numbered, and sell for $10.98 per pack. Roadnames and part numbers are as follows:

LCL Coke Containers
933-2121 B&O
933-2122 PRR
933-2123 NYC
933-2124 Erie
933-2125 NKP
933-2126 WM
933-2127 MP
933-2128 LV
933-2120 Undecorated

LCL Bulk Containers
933-2101 B&O
933-2102 PRR
933-2103 NYC
933-2104 Erie
933-2105 NKP
933-2106 WM
933-2107 MP
933-2108 LV
933-2100 Undecorated

The Walthers 46' USRA Steel Gondolas, LCL Coke Containers and LCL Bulk Containers are available from Walthers. For more information about the line of Cornerstone Series HO Scale kits, or to locate a dealer, visit Walthers on the Internet at www.walthers.com. Contact Walthers at 414-527-0770 or write Walthers, PO Box 3039, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3039.