This is Walthers 910-5656 HO Great Northern 40' Drop Bottom Gondola #74318. WalthersMainline 40' 50-ton drop-bottom gondola, ready to run. Great Northern #74318 (boxcar red, rocky silhouette logo). In the early years, dirt, gravel and other commodities were shoveled onto and off of flat cars. It was realized early that much of the shoveled on load was lost as the car was moved and the carried load shifted and slid off. Solution, adding sides which brought the first gondola. It was also learned that if the sides were removed, the load could be unloaded easier. This idea evolved into cars with side doors. At about the same time, it was also realized that if doors were added to the bottom of the car the load could be unloaded or dropped even faster.

Numerous designs for many uses were designed by both standard gauge and narrow gauge railroads. Wood construction was the norm in the early years. Composite construction (wood, steel or iron) followed, and was used for many years thereafter and even though replaced by all steel construction in later years, some cars were built to composite standards in later years to conserve weight or materials due to economics, war or commodities carried.

Gondolas are multi-purpose cars, even those with drop doors were used to carry logs, lumber, machinery, scrap, etc. Their main designed purpose was to carry product such as dirt, gravel, minerals, waste, sugar beets and other materials that would flow through the bottom doors when opened for ease of unloading.

Its key features are:
Ratcheted hand brake & riveted interior molded detail
Weighted for optimum operation
Correct 33 turned-metal wheelsets
Proto MAX™ metal knuckle couplers

This item has been graded per TCA standards C-8: Like New based on visual appearance. This item has been out on display previously and its overall appearance could be significantly improved with a thorough dusting or a light wipe down. This item appears to have been run sparingly, and displays overall signs of very light previous use. The wheels show average run-time. The original paint is in great shape, and the rest of the unit displays a like-new overall finish. The instruction manual is not included. The original box is included. Please check the photos for a detailed look at this item. Overall condition is Like New.

Condition: Like New (C-8)
Operational Status: Not Applicable
Original Box: Yes (P-6)

Manufacturer: Walthers
Model Number: 910-5656
Road Name: Great Northern (GN)

Scale/Era: HO Scale
Model Type: Freight Cars


The Trainz SKU for this item is 6325377.

Trainz Product Id: 11963933