Walthers HO scale bi level commuter cars

By Angela Cotey | August 16, 2013

| Last updated on November 3, 2020

Walthers HO scale bi-level commuter cars

Initially offered about a decade ago, these HO scale bi-level cars have been retooled and upgraded to match Walthers’ other current passenger car models in every respect. They feature accurate molded and separate details as well as factory-installed lighting and an interior.

The prototype. Bi-level commuter trains came to Chicago’s northwest suburbs when new gallery cars, capable of carrying up to 161 passengers each, began service on the Chicago & North Western in 1955 and 1956. The initial 48 cars had generators and steam-activated heat and air conditioning until they were rebuilt for head-end power (HEP) operation in 1961. (HEP relies on a diesel-powered generator in the locomotive to provide electricity to the passenger cars.) The popularity of these cars led the C&NW to acquire nearly 300 gallery cars, including 280 built by Pullman-Standard, over the next decade.

The first eight cab cars were built in 1960 to initiate “push-pull” service. This new service oriented the suburban trains so the HEP noise and exhaust fumes were kept away from the passengers.

A set of HEP and multiple-unit control cables run under each car in the train, so the engine crew can operate from the leading end in either direction. The locomotive pulls the outbound train and pushes the inbound train with the engineer controlling it from the cab car. Each of the 64 cab cars seat 153 passengers and can be used as straight coaches anywhere in the train. Similar gallery cars also operated on the Rock Island and Southern Pacific.

The model. The Walthers bi-levels represent Pullman-Standard gallery cars built from 1960 on with four large passenger windows in each section of the car. Each model is a scale 85′-0″ long, 15′-10″ high, and rides on General Steel Castings type 41-HL-11 single-drop equalizer trucks.

The gallery cars follow Walthers’ contemporary construction methods where all of the major carbody components snap into the body frame. Then the fine details are applied, including wire grab irons, end ladders, and diaphragms. Since the cars represent prototypes with HEP, they correctly have minimal
underbody details other than steps and simulated power and control cables.

The new interior includes the center vestibule, inside steps and doors, and proper seating on both levels.

The new interior includes the center vestibule, inside steps and doors, and proper seating on both levels. The cab car has an enclosed cab and crew seats.

Two steel weights in the floor work with truck electrical pickups and contacts to supply power for the overhead light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting. We reviewed the factory-installed lighting version, although a non-lighted version and optional lighting kits are available separately. The lights work on direct-current and Digital Command Control layouts. The headlight on the cab car functions according to direction on DC but is always illuminated on DCC.

The trucks have tubular axles with National Model Railroad Association RP-25 contour metal wheels that are mounted in gauge. All of the wheels collect current for the lighting (if used).

All of the paintwork is smooth with clear, opaque, printed lettering.

Sprung diaphragms are provided at both ends, and the cars include Proto-Max magnetic couplers mounted at the proper height. All of the side windows have a green tint, except the clear cab windows, which is prototypical.

Overall, Walthers has done a superb job of upgrading these models to capture the look of the C&NW’s bi-level commuter cars.

Price: $69.98, or $79.98 (lighted)

Manufacturer:
Wm. K. Walthers Inc.
P.O. Box 3039
Milwaukee, WI 53201
www.walthers.com

Road names: Chicago & North Western, Rock Island, Southern Pacific

Era: 1955 to present

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