what would be the BEST starting point for these 40ft box cars?

[Bremner]

OK guys, I have found pictures of 40 foot box cars still in use in the late 70's and early 80's on the main line...I would love to know the best starting points to model them. Any help would be appreciated.

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=37757

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2379498

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2379490

http://www.southernpacificmodelerssociety.org/sp-172333-40-xm-yellow-striper-in-1980-t2288.html

http://www.southernpacificmodelerssociety.org/ssw-35021-40-xm-t2270.html

[Sokramiketes]

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=37757

This first one looks like your typical PS-1 with an 8ft (?) door.  If you don't want to wait for Atlas to do a larger door, then get the 7' door SSW boxcar now and add the 8 foot door.  The sill and door track modifications should be doable.

[Bremner]

thanks

[cv_acr]

The first and last cars are both PS-1s, just with different doors.

The middle car (link #3) is a pretty standard 40' box with Improved Dreadnought end. In HO, I'd use an off-the-shelf Intermountain car. Not sure if they offer the same thing in N or not.

#2 looks similar, but rebuilt with a larger door opening and heavy sill reinforcement to compensate for the enlarged opening.

#4 is a car that was heavily rebuilt by SP. Similar door and sill modifications, but also looks like some mods near the ends with the row of rivets just inboard of the ladders.

[bbussey]

The middle car (link #3) is a pretty standard 40' box with Improved Dreadnought end. In HO, I'd use an off-the-shelf Intermountain car. Not sure if they offer the same thing in N or not...

It appears to be the IMRC six-panel boxcar with the ends from the new NYC Pacemaker boxcar.

[skm]

http://steamerafreightcars.com/prototype/frtcars/spboxpdf.html

A nice listing of all the SP 40' Boxcars .... 

[GN63]

Number 3 is a 12 panel riveted car, Intermountain makes one very close if not exactly the same - Current listing is for an older paint scheme, but still boxcar red (or brown - I can't tell the difference) - http://www.intermountain-railway.com/n/html/66013.htm

Byron