Manufacturer
Hornby America, Inc.
3900-C2 Industry Drive East
Fife, WA 98424
hornbyamerica.com
Era: early 1900s to 1950s
Comments: Separately applied acetal plastic detail parts and a die-cast metal body highlight this re-release of the Rivarossi HO scale skeleton log cars from Hornby America. The separate parts include K-type air brake equipment, air hoses, and a brake wheel. The die-cast metal body features simulated wood grain.
Although our review sample is decorated for West Side Lumber Co., a three-foot gauge railroad, the model is standard gauge. All the lettering is straight and the road numbers are correct for West Side cars. The Rivarossi models are labeled as 38-foot cars, but their sills actually measure 40 scale feet in length.
The cars also come decorated for Chicago, St. Paul, & Pacific (Milwaukee Road), Coos Bay Lumber Co., and Northern Pacific.
Each car includes nine plastic logs and metal tie-down chains. The logs have wood grain texture, but their ends have noticeable mold marks. You could sand these seams smooth and paint the logs to give them a more realistic appearance.
The car weighs 2 ounces, which is 1¾ ounces too light according to National Model Railroad Association recommended practice 20.1. However, the included logs weigh 1¾ ounces, so when loaded the car matches RP-20.1.
The operating knuckle couplers are at the correct height per NMRA specifications. The scale 36″ metal wheels are in gauge. You could make the shiny wheels look more realistic by painting their faces and backs.
A string of these skeleton log cars would look great running through the forested scenery of a logging model railroad.
