Triple 53

[Karl]

I think this started off as a challenge from Allen. He sent me an N Scale Kits Triple 53 kit. For those who aren’t familiar, TTX drawbarred two 89’ flats together so they could hold 3 53’ trailers. They made over 1200 of these in the 80’s and they lasted well into the 2000’s.

Here’s the model all wrapped up and some prototype photos I based the work off of:

[Allen]

Great job on those Karl.

[craigtownsend]

Having been reading The TTX Story book lately, my brain immediately went huh, Karl should read the multiple pages of text explaining why TTX built these cars, why certain cars lasted, etc. Then I realized I'm the only one that nerds out on stuff like that.

[Karl]

Having been reading The TTX Story book lately, my brain immediately went huh, Karl should read the multiple pages of text explaining why TTX built these cars, why certain cars lasted, etc. Then I realized I'm the only one that nerds out on stuff like that.

You crack me up! I used those books as a reference on this. James Panza is a regular speaker at the Chicagoland RPM. I sit in on his sessions every time I go. He talked for an hour on the 89J one time and it was amazing!

[Karl]

Such a great set of books!

[craigtownsend]

Good to know I'm not the only one that finds this stuff interesting.

[Tony Hammes]

Alan does great stuff. I have several of his TOFC/COFC kits. They are a bit heavy so I usually only run one or two in a train. Usually right behind the locomotive.

[Paul S.]

Supposedly they can still be purchased here, Allen :

http://www.nscalekits.co.uk/index.html

But what Karl said above would make sense.

Alan Curtis had shut down his business in 2007?

[Allen]

Paul S. No, that is where Matt placed the two orders from, as did the guys on the Railwire.
Yes, Alan Curtis shut it down or sold it to NScalekits about that time.

[Paul S.]

I feel a "What Really Kinks My Rails" coming on: vendors who don't have the courtesy to reply, or update their website, even though they've decided to shut down or take a break. How hard is it?