I’ve been working on adding more links to the “101” articles in this site (many of the articles that had been linked to these articles in the old Blogger site “disappeared,” as that content went into the book), and looking at the Nason 101 article I realized I had nothing to link that was an example of their Easy-Built passenger cars with the brass sides. But a perfect example came to mind.

The PRR P70 coach model (of this type!) was introduced to the Nason line in 1936 (they had a sand cast aluminum version out in 1934). For me the size and style of the car are visually attractive, and I like to think Carl Appel felt the same. This car is lettered for his famous Norfolk & Ohio layout.

An online reference informs that “The P70 was the first of the Pennsy’s 80-foot all-steel coaches. Over 1,000 of the cars were built by Altoona and several other car builders between 1907 and 1929.” They also note that “The ‘70’ designates the length of the passenger compartment. The P70 series was an 80-foot car less two vestibules leaving a 70 foot passenger compartment.”

I had thought that these were “shorty” cars, shortened somewhat. However, they actually are essentially full size. The reason they “seem small” compared to a Scale-Craft 80’ car is that they are a good 4’ scale feet shorter. It depends on what you measure, but a J-C Pullman is about 80’ long, a Scale-Craft 80’ car is actually about 82’ long, and the Nason PRR P70 is about 78’ long.

Looking at the bottom of the car, it is essentially as Nason visualized, using most of their parts, except that Appel did not use their frame. He opted to build one up from wood shapes that he undoubtedly felt was more visually accurate. The trucks are Nason trucks but rebuilt with new wheels, insulated on both sides. Makes me want to look at rebuilding a few more pair.

Looking inside there is one other surprise. Appel soldered brass stock to the inside of the model, leaving the roof removable. He did not opt to add an interior but still this allows access for repair of the window glazing. It is a nice upgrade. A final upgrade, not quite visible in the photos, is he used MHP (Monroe Hobby Products) diaphragms on the ends, cut down with less folds. This postwar product is described further in the book.

I have parts for several models from the Nason Easy-Built line of passenger cars, and likely will do a similar build on a combine I have in mind to complete.