At present I am building a rake of D&RG/D&RGW cars that interest me. Where possible, I try to build to ‘scale’ length (1/22.5). I am continued to be amazed at the difference between the typical LGB/Bachmann coach length and actual model length if scaled correctly. Just before its demise in 2006, LGB of A were looking at tooling correct length D&RGW cars, but alas too late!
My present project is RPO #60 in its final shape prior discontinuing in service. These cars were around 48 feet in length. Due postal regulations the end platforms had been removed and the car endwalls rebuilt to afford greater protection to the postal workers. In my scale the car works out around 25 inches in length, nearly twice as long as a standard Bachmann offering. At first I thought that I had made a miscalculation of length and rechecked my mathematics. These cars really are uplifted as a potential model when built to near scale proportions.
When we see these cars ‘in scale’, they become more of a model than the typical factory released offerings. Companies will not manufacture a scale length car in 1/22.5 scale due the infamous R1 rule (4’ minimum operating diameter). This does severely impact on one’s enjoyment of the hobby.