HO model available now.
N scale model (ladder version only) coming 2025

GN-01 - CPR Steel "Baby" Hart-Otis Gondola

The CPR had approximately 1950 steel drop bottom Hart-Otis patent gondola cars used for transporting coal and coke, later cinders, sand, gravel, etc. There were generally two door release mechanisms used on the cars. The early version was a leverage-latch type that used gravity to open the doors. The later version used a rachette mechanism to move the door hardware. The model is the 38'10" long 346415-347437(odd numbered) series cars built by Dominion Car & Foundry 1909 that utilized the late rachette mechanism similar to the Big Otis cars. These cars were out of revenue service by 1962. In 1955 a handful were reassigned as cinder cars in the 416xxx number series. Kit GN-01a will be the as built car with grab irons on the sides and GN-01b will be the 1926'ish rebuilt cars with ladders.

This project is referencing Dominion Car & Foundry general arrangement drawing 10115, CPR folio drawings 4842 & 4843 and stencil drawing 34-C-31 Rev. B.

For more detailed information on the baby Otis cars please refer to Ken Goslett's excellent 2 part series in Railroad Model Craftsman December 1987 and January 1988.

Kit Instructions as of February 13, 2025.

Final model painted and complete.

Trail 2 Drawing updated and print.

I found a few issues in the trial 1 and fixed them. And then I came across a photo of the interior of the car and had to change the inside.

Next step is to build it. Getting closer.

Trail 1 Painted and complete.

Trial build 1 update.

Here's the first of two trial build to write instructions, check details and any other errors. The second print will hopefully be the final model.

Hot off the printer - body and underframe.

Grab iron and ladder body resting on underframe and trucks... just to show.

Inside and out

Floor has space for weight

underframe

Still to do... door levers