Earlier I was talking about the search for vintage rolling stock that would work with my era and area modeling. As it happens, I have a fondness for older models, some of which offer the only real viable prototype that fill the bill. PE had a number of drop bottom gondolas early on and the most distinctive were almost a direct match to the old Ulrich metal kit of the G 50. Dated yes, heavy, very yes, detailed...ok. But they are sturdy and hold up to operations at the club and fill up a siding just fine. The other nice thing about these models is the price...$5.00 each at the local shows. I pick them up as often as possible to add to the fleet marked in PE and SP for variety. Granted, not that many are needed on a spur as short as the Orphan, but once all the track is laid there will be space to show them off.

Here they are after being primed and painted. Basic pre shading was used to highlight some of the details to best effect.

And here they are running on Bruce Petty's layout. They give the Baldwin switchers a time, but all I need are 4-6 and a caboose...plenty of power for that.