A.C. Gilbert Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Steel-sided Gondolas

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

911

Prototype Info

Style:

steel-sided

Year/Era:

1948

Length:

42'9"

Volume:

1000cuft

Road Name:

Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O)

Model Info

Gauge:

Introduced:

1955

Road Number(s):

911

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

Supplemental:

General A.C. Gilbert Gondola Notes

Online Article:

Has Photos

Supplemental Part:

B.T.S. Wood Flooring (part #02601)

Supplemental Part:

Replacement Pipe Brackets

Supplemental Part:

Replacement Pipe Brackets

Supplemental Part:

Replacement Pipe Brackets with Tie-down Wires

Notes:

The model came with the gray pipe load. A rare version with brown pipes can also be found. It was produced from 1955 through 1957 and has four variations. The first variation is painted black over either a black or a red plastic body. The word "PROGRESS" is in large letters (29/32" long). The second variation has a black painted body however, the word "PROGRESS" is in small letters (13/16" long). The third variation, shown in the photos, has a black plastic body with large "PROGRESS" lettering. The last variation, made in 1955, is thought to have come in the #5520 set. The car is painted black over a black plastic body it has large lettering and brown pipes.

Bill Winans converted his #911 to scale.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24109

Prototype Info

Style:

steel-sided

Year/Era:

1948

Length:

42'9"

Road Name:

Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O)

Model Info

Gauge:

Introduced:

1958

Road Number(s):

24109

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

Supplemental:

General A.C. Gilbert Gondola Notes

Online Article:

Has Photos

Supplemental Part:

B.T.S. Wood Flooring (part #02601)

Supplemental Part:

Replacement Pipe Brackets

Supplemental Part:

Replacement Pipe Brackets

Supplemental Part:

Replacement Pipe Brackets with Tie-down Wires

Notes:

Renowned collector and author Ted Hamler stated that official collector books list #24109 as having been produced in 1957. However, while the A.C. Gilbert catalog listed item #24109, the actual red and white box (labeled #24108 !) contained the #911 car. In 1957 Gilbert began using their new 5-digit numbering system that they assigned three numbers to each item for accounting purposes. For the C&O gondola, the three numbers were 24107, 24108, and 24109 depending on how it was to be sold/packaged. Starting in 1958 the C&O gondola first appeared with 24109 on the car that came in red and white box marked with #24109 on the end flaps. Of the five variations, the first variation, made in 1958, has yellow lettering and silver plastic pipes. The second variation was made in 1959 and 1960 and has yellow lettering and silver cardboard pipes. The third variation has yellow lettering and brown plastic pipes. The fourth has yellow lettering with orange cardboard pipes. The fifth variation has a black painted body, silver lettering, and silver plastic pipes.

This shows an example of the first variation mentioned above.

An example of the second variation, with silver cardboard pipes.