Quick Review: Class One Model Works TWF10

Class One burst into the model railroad scene with one of the most rare prototype intermodal cars possible! The TTX TWF10 was conceived by TTX designers and used unique Waggon-Union bolsterless trucks. Class One successfully models the uniqueness of the prototype in HO scale, with a car capable of being run empty.

These models retail for $65.99 and are ready to run out of the box.

My sample was provided by a fellow modeler for review and to weather for him. I began with photographing the model for this article, and after I got the needed photos, I removed the trucks and got to weathering.

But first! I had to fix the model. Unfortunately the models are constructed in a way that parts fell off in the box.

A side rib fell off, along with one grab iron. To reattach, I needed to use super glue. I chose to use Starbond Medium, and used the same brand's aresol accelerator to cure the CA immediately. Starbond products are available for purchase directly from Model Railroad Tips here.

This was highly disappointing considering the price point of the car compared to similar models from other manufacturers. I appreciate the effort Class One put into designing the model, but I think something needs to change.

On the interior of the car, the etched metal floor wasn't fully glued, and popped free in places. This wasn't a glue failure, but rather a lack of glue application.

Cast holes in the metal body of the car were not cleaned out before paint application, leaving meal casting flash around the cutout. These floor cutouts were added to the prototype shortly after delivery, when it was brought to TTX's attention that brake shoes could not be serviced relatively easy. This unique detail should have more attention paid to it after the metal body was cast.

Brake detail is all out in the open, which is common to well cars. It appears Class One got this all correct. It is worth noting that some of the plumbing doesn't appear to be square, but I don't have drawings to confirm if this is prototypical or not.

The prototypes unique trucks are well captured, but I think Class One had to add a center bolster for model railroad purposes. I can't find drawings or photographs that show the trucks free from the car on the prototype.

The model weighs in at 4.3oz, which was close to NMRA RP20.1.

Coupler height matches that of my kadee coupler gauge.

In all the model is great. It faithfully captures a prototype that we never thought we would see in mass produced model form. So much so that Railroad Model Craftsman published a kitbashing article many years ago, that was copied buy other modelers. The purposes of this review however, warrant an honest opinion. The complete lack of glue on the parts that came loose show a pure lack of quality control by the manufacturer, and a lack of oversight on their factory. Time will tell with future models if this manufacturer can tighten QC.

I'm giving this model a 3.5 out of 5, because I don't feel a modeler paying double that of Walthers models, should have to assemble an RTR car.

I finished off my customers model in a light, but effective weathering job. TTX cars tend to turn a shade of umber or sepia with grime and dirt build up.