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Available Models Lettered For the ACRN Scale - HO Scale - Other Scales
This is a list of commercially available models available in either ready to run or "shake the box" kit
form, lettered for the Algoma Central. The models listed here
are not necessarily accurate, but some of the items listed here will be good for building a fleet of
"close-enough" stand-ins with minimum effort for a more casual modeller.
For those modellers willing to put in the extra time and effort for a really accurate fleet,
see here.
For other suggestions and discussions on accurately modelling AC equipment, and histories of the prototpye, see the Equipment Guide.
Manufacturer: Atlas
Accuracy Rating: Good
Appropriate Era: 1952-1995
Atlas's GP7 represents an early "Phase I" GP7 and is perfect for an ACR model. Although something should
probably be done about those silly little single chime air horns.
Model Photo
Manufacturer: Kato
Road numbers: 180, 182
Accuracy Rating: Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 1971-1995
As with any mass-produced locomotive, there are slight detail differences between the commercial model
and the ACR prototype. The model is based on common US prototype features, and the AC units display common
Canadian features such as low headlights, cab front bell, snowplow, snowshields, Canadian style steps.
Model Photo
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Micro-trains
Accuracy rating: Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 1947-2000
Manufacturer: Model Power
Road Number: 2901
Accuracy Rating: Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 1952-1970s
Only one car ever wore this paint scheme, and is represented by this car.
Model Photo
Manufacturer: Life Like (Proto 2000)
Accuracy Rating: Good/Stand-in
The ACR's GP7s were early "Phase I" units. The Life-Like model is a "Phase II". Basically, the dynamic
brake fan should be 36" diameter instead of 48" and the cut-out holes in the side sill should be filled.
Atlas's model of a GP7 is more accurate to the early style, but is not factory available in AC colours. Also,
the colour of maroon used on the model seems a little dark.
Manufacturer: Life Like (Proto 2000)
Road numbers: 172
Accuracy Rating: Good/Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 1963-1986
There are some slight differences between the
Life-Like model and the ACR units, mostly in the frame. The ACR's
GP9s were the last two GP9s ever built and they have GP20 style frames. The best way to make an accurate ACR
GP9 would be to take a factory-painted GP9 shell and mate it to a Proto2000 GP20 frame and drive.
Model Photo
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Life Like (Proto 2000)
Road Number: 140
Accuracy Rating: Excellent/Good
Appropriate Era: 1952-1995
Model Photo
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Kato
Road numbers: 180, 182
Accuracy Rating: Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 1971-1990
As with any mass-produced locomotive, there are detail differences between the commercial model
and the ACR prototype. The model is based on common US prototype features, and the AC units display common
Canadian features such as low headlights, cab front bell, snowplow, snowshields, Canadian style steps
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Life Like (Proto 2000)
Road numbers: 203
Accuracy Rating: Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 1981-1995
Same comments as the Kato SD40 above.
Model Photo
Accuracy Rating: Poor
Appropriate Era: None
None of the cars in this set match any ACR prototypes, and the models are not of an overall high
quality. Several of these types were not even represented on the ACR at all. (Sleeper, RPO)
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Rapido Trains (announced, expected release fall 2007)
Road Numbers: 5441, 5462, 5474, 5483, 5494
Accuracy Rating: Excellent
Appropriate Era: 1992-present
The Rapido coach is based on a CNR prototype, and the cars currently operated by the ACR are ex-VIA,
originally CN coaches of the same prototype. So Rapido's cars are dead-on in terms of detail. Unfortunately
the colour of the AC cars is a little off, as they are a slightly tan colour rather than the pure silver-grey
of the prototype.
Model Photo
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Athearn
Road number: 715
Accuracy Rating: Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 1958-2000
Athearn's car is 2 feet shorter and has solid ends rather than drop ends. Only available in one number.
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Life-Like (Proto 2000)
Road Numbers: 621, 650, 658, 672, 675, 703
Accuracy Rating: Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 1958-2000
The Proto 2000 car is a high-quality model of a 52'6" drop-end mill gondola, but is based on the Greenville
Steel Car prototype. This car has a deeper side sill and one extra side panel compared to the NSC cars that
the ACR owned, but this is the best stand-in available. Available in 6 different numbers.
Model Photo
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Walthers
Road Numbers: 2420, 2412, 2423
Accuracy Rating: Excellent
Appropriate Era: 1975-present
This is the first RTR release to be fully accurate for the Algoma Central. The model is based on the same
Hawker-Siddeley prototype acquired by the ACR and the lettering is accurate.
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Walthers (scheduled for release fall 2007)
Road Numbers: 2467, 2426, 2474
Accuracy Rating: Excellent
Appropriate Era: 1975-present
Model Photo
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Model Die Casting/Roundhouse (now Athearn)
Road Number: 8600, 8629
Accuracy Rating: Stand-in/Poor
Appropriate Era: 1984-present
The MDC car is too short, and is missing three full panels at the right side of the car where the large
ONR logo should be. Also the colours are wrong. The MDC car is painted black, and the numbers re-marked in blue.
These cars were actually a very dark green, and the reporting marks and numbers were marked out in a lighter
green, definately not blue.
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: True-Line Trains (Hobbycraft Canada)
Road Number: 6049, 6050, 6058, 6066, 6071, 6075
Accuracy Rating: Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 197x?-1984 (1984-present if renumbered by modeller into 8600-8629 series)
Once again, it's the ONR paint scheme on the completely wrong car (Atlas 90-ton hopper). The car body
is too short and has less panels than the prototype, and the lettering is squished in to fit on the car.
Model Photo
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Walthers
Accuracy Rating: Good/Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 1974-1998
Lettering on these cars is very good, but the interior features solid bulkheads, while the ACR cars had
steel tube bracing in a "V"-shape between each hopper. The bulkheads should be replaced with the bracing and
the interior repainted. This modification should be able to be completed without damaging the paint on the
exterior body.
Model Photo
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Walthers
Accuracy Rating: Poor (Lettering)
Appropriate Era: 1995-1998
Walthers released this lettering scheme before doing the original ACR scheme. Their first attempt got
a lot of things pushed over onto the wrong body panel. Available as a single car only.
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Walthers
Accuracy Rating: Good/Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 1995-1998
The lettering errors are largely corrected, reference above for interior detail differences.
Only available in a 3-pack.
Model Photo
Prototype Photo
Manufacturer: Walthers
Accuracy Rating: Good/Stand-in
Appropriate Era: 1995-1998
See comments above about interior details.
