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Athearn Streamline RPO
The Athearn RPO is close to 80-81 and 82-88 and a beginning for the 89-98.
RPO 80 as drawn by Frank Ellington, from the Head End Cars.
RPO 80, Robert Loewing photo, Dennis J. Kogan collection, from Head End Cars.
When compared with the 1940 Budd built 80-81, the model lacks the roof reinforcing ribs. The roof air vents numbered 8 on the prototype and were staggered in their placement. Also the upper fluting stopped short of the doorways. Finally, the skirting was flutted as well. These were 63'2" cars.
RPO 87 as drawn by Frank Ellington, from the Head End Cars.
RPO 82 by Joe Shine, from the Head End Cars.
The 82-88 were 1947 AC&F cars. They measured 62'10", had the smooth AC&F roof, double window doors, but otherwise are a close match for the model.
RPO 91 as drawn by Frank Ellington, from the Head End Cars.
RPO 91 by Joe Shine, from the Head End Cars.
The 1954 Budd built 89-98 were 63'3", had the roof reinforcement ribs and fluted skirt, but lacked the fluting next to the doors. It also has 8 roof vents arranged along the roof center line.
None of the number boards or Railway express signs match the model. The window and door spacing is also slightly off of the prototype. The easiest model to replicate is probably the 82-88 by sanding off all the roof fluting or replacing the roof with a Concor roof that has been cut down. Of course the bulge below the skirting where the weight is attached has to go as well.
The number on the Athearn car, 3402, was a Budd Baggage and Mail Car but was nearly 74' long, had three windows per side, and featured a large and small door - nothing like the model.
Reference:
Ellington, Frank M., and Joe. W. Shine. Head End Cars: Santa Fe Railway: Passenger Car Reference Series – Volume one. Highlands Ranch, CO: Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society, 1999. Page 24-27.
Stagner, Lloyd E. ATSF Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment. Edison, NJ: Morning Sun Books, 1995. Page 6 has a photo of 80.
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