A correction to my post of May 7, 2009

I would like to correct my post concerning the trucks under the 9600 series gons. Earl Knoob and Terry Rider both informed me that the original trucks were Bettendorf-style cast sideframe with integral journal boxes (how they are described on the D&RGW folio sheet as printed in Bob Sloans A Century + ten of D&RGW Freight Cars book). I really shouldn't post information like this without my reference books in front of me. Duh.

Bob Sloan writes in his description of the 9600 Gons saying that are very similar to the Bettendorf style trucks used under the 6500 series flats. Looking at all the available pictures I have not found one with Andrews trucks, so it is not known how the 9613 got the Andrews trucks and probably dosen't really matter. There are lots of possibilities and there is probably a very simple explanation. One can speculate ad infinitum but it is what it is.

And yes, the 9613 is NOW slated for a future project to return it to its original configuration when funding and resources are available at some undetermined future date. Any cosmetic changes for the near future are to be done in such as a way as to preserve the overall structure of the car but still serve the immediate needs of the railroad. Perhaps someone can provide a lead to a set of Bettendorf style NG trucks that could be put under the 9613 someday and the Andrews trucks could then be held in reserve for the future restoration of the 5900 series stockcar.