1:29 SCALE PASSENGER CARS
Manufacturer: Aristo-Craft Trains/Polk's Model Craft Hobbies, Inc., 346 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07304. Price: ART31308 Union Pacific Coach, ART 31408 Union Pacific Observation Car, ART 31508 Union Pacific Dining Car $199.95 each suggested list.
OUR HANDSOME TRIO of Aristo-Craft Union Pacific passenger cars has impressed everyone. The striking finish is probably most responsible, but the detailing, neat assembly, and overall proportions certainly helped.
Aristo-Craft's models represent 72 foot standard heavyweight passenger cars deriving from Association of American Railroads (AAR) designs of the 1920s. Many such cars are still in use. The models scale 71 feet 4 inches long by 13 feet 11 inches wide by 10 feet high or, in actual inches, 29 1/2 by 5 3/4 by 4 1/8. Our library has no plans to use for comparison, but it appears the trucks are slightly oversize, probably to allow the cars to operate on small radius curves. They actually will negotiate two foot radius track (LGB 1100 or ART 30100). The cars look ungainly on such tight curves, though, and you may expect clearance problems so be sure to use wide tunnel portals or bridges and leave plenty of room at the ends of your sidings.
The models are primarily plastic, with brass grab irons and handrails, chemically blackened metal wheels and screws, and operating sprung trucks. The detailing on the truck sideframes is crisp and very attractive. The clean rivet detail on the car sides is also very evident. The plastic "glass" in the clerestories is indeed clear and the other roof detail is credible.
The cars' other features include interior lighting and removable roofs, opening vestibule and side doors, fully detailed interiors right down to the bathrooms, and diaphragm castings. As all Aristo-Craft cars, they come with operating knuckle couplers. The observation car has an attractive end railing with a "Union Pacific Old Timers Special" drumhead. The gates operate.
The underbodies have adequate detailing, enough to give an accurate impression, and the lettering on the air tanks is a nice touch.
Speaking of the finish, Aristo-Craft appears to have gone to particular lengths to duplicate the correct Union Pacific colors of Armour Yellow, Harbor Mist Gray, and red lettering with a black outline. The Union Pacific Railroad Public Relations Department approved and authenticated the name on each car to reflect actual historic locations.
Overall the quality of each car is very good and all three behind an appropriate locomotive make an excellent impression. No other manufacturer offers anything similar; Aristo-Craft has hit the jackpot with its selection. If you like passenger trains from the steam-to-diesel transition era and Class One mainline railroading, you may count on liking Aristo-Craft's coach, diner, and observation cars. By all means, take a close look at them.-RR
