MTL 40' PS-1 boxcar is prototypical

[bbussey]

While doing some project research I uncovered some information regarding the early Pullman Standard PS-1 40' boxcars.  As it turns out, contrary to popular belief, the MTL model is an accurate representation of the 10'6" IH prototype - albeit a transitional one.  The pressed rectangles were added to the top of the sides in 1949.  The bow-tie roof stiffeners were added to the outer roof panels in 1950, and the horizontal riveted belt rail was changed to a welded joint in the mid 1950s.  So the model is accurate for PS-1 boxcars built from early 1949 to sometime in 1950.

[Sokramiketes]

While doing some project research I uncovered some information regarding the early Pullman Standard PS-1 40' boxcars.  As it turns out, contrary to popular belief, the MTL model is an accurate representation of the 10'6" IH prototype - albeit a transitional one.  The pressed rectangles were added to the top of the sides in 1949.  The bow-tie roof stiffeners were added to the outer roof panels in 1950, and the horizontal riveted belt rail was changed to a welded joint in the mid 1950s.  So the model is accurate for PS-1 boxcars built from early 1949 to sometime in 1950.

Interesting, which railroads had cars built in that span?

[bbussey]

That I haven't been able to ascertain.  The list of early 10'6" IH PS-1 purchasers from 1947 to ~1954 is relatively easy to find, but the subset that fits in that ~18 month window might be a challenge.

[bbussey]

Just stumbled on a reference that there is a PS-1 40' roster in the March 1988 1993 issue of Railmodel Journal.  A quick jump to the TrainLife archives has yielded this information.  I pulled this by build date, so I don't know if everything is 100% correct, but it's a start.  Note that these are the original owners only.

Railroad	Rptg Mks	Built	Door
ATSF	31250-31749	1950	Youngstown 6'
CIL	532	1949	6'
CNW	57400-57898 (E)	1949	Youngstown(?) 15'
CNW	106600-108598 (E)	1949	Youngstown 6'
CP	269600-269999	7/49	Youngstown 6'
D&H	18400-18899	10/50	Youngstown 6'
GBW	700-899	11/50	Superior 7-panel 6'
L&N	16800-17799	1950	6'
LS&BC	1100-1119	8/49	Youngstown 6'
LS&I	2226-2275	1950	Superior 7-panel 6'
LV	62500-62999	9/50	Superior 7-panel 7'
MKT	90001-90079	1949	6'
NYC	169000-170999	1950	Superior 7-panel 6'
USAX	26021-26120	1950	?

The first CNW series obviously is a double-door car.  All are 6' doors except for the Lehigh Valley series, which I suspect was not part of this Early PS-1 subset.  But I included it because other than the door width it fit the criteria.

I also checked the Original Nine KD cars released in 1972.  This is what was/is needed to make each of the models prototypical

• KD #20018 - GTW 516798.  Built 1957.  Horizontal riveted belt rail on ends must be removed, and roof stiffeners must be added.
• KD #20029 - NH 35149.  Foobie.  Should have been from 33500-34999 series built in 1947.  Superior 7-panel 7' door needed, and end pressed rectangles must be removed.  Brakewheel also must be changed from Ajax to Minor.
• KD #20039 - N&W 54613. Foobie.  Should have been from 44000-44999 series built in 1951-52.  Youngstown 8' doors required, and roof stiffeners must be added.
• KD #20047 - NYC 180189.  Should have been from 169000-170999 series built in 1950 with Superior door, which matches exactly.
• KD #20058 - RI 27653.  Should have been from 21000-22999 series built in 1951, with either Youngstown or Superior door.  Roof stiffeners must be added.
• KD #20062 - SOU 23482.  Should have been from 23487-26486 series built in 1948, with Superior door.  End pressed rectangles must be removed.
• KD #20072 - ATSF 144432.  Should have been from 31250-31749 series with Youngstown door, which matches exactly.
• KD #20089 - UP 124329.  Should have been from 100000-101599 series built in 6/48, with Superior door.  End pressed rectangles must be removed.
• KD #20093 - SP 105043.  Foobie.  SP did not have PS-1 boxcars.

[Sokramiketes]

This is good stuff, and I'll start researching as well.

The CNW cars (106600-108598 even) were built in September 1949, but they had riveted sides.  ASX, CNW, DSS&A, and FCP had riveted side, 6' door PS-1's built from 1948-1953, but it looks like the CNW series you picked up was the only one in the timeframe you identified.  (Ref: RP CYC 1)

[sirenwerks]

So the M-T model is not the "PS-0" version noted in the CGW Color Guide?

[bbussey]

This is good stuff, and I'll start researching as well.

The CNW cars (106600-108598 even) were built in September 1949, but they had riveted sides.  ASX, CNW, DSS&A, and FCP had riveted side, 6' door PS-1's built from 1948-1953, but it looks like the CNW series you picked up was the only one in the timeframe you identified.  (Ref: RP CYC 1)

The RMJ source didn't indicate the riveted sides on the CNW cars.  So that means they are out.  I guess that means the double-doors are out as well.  But yes, that was the only CNW subset built within the narrow timeframe window.

As an aside, who else had double-door PS-1s beside CNW?  I didn't see any others in the RMJ table, but it may have been focused on single door cars.

[bbussey]

So the M-T model is not the "PS-0" version noted in the CGW Color Guide?

According to the RMJ article, the "PS-0" may have been a single expermental car that was repainted for various roads.  The end on the "PS-0" photograph in the article, taken from the 1940 Car Builders Cyclopedia, does not resemble the end of the MTL model.  The "PS-0" sides also have 18 riveted panels.

[sirenwerks]

According to Green in the CGW Color Guide, the first pre-PS-1 experimental car was demonstrator PLM 500, built April 1935 "with dimensions closely approximating the AAR's 1932 box car design." PLM 501 was built May 1937 and was the first true PS-0 (not an official Pullman Standard designation) and its dims matched the '37 AAR car - 40' 6" IL 9' 2" IW 10' IH.

In 1938 200 cars were built patterned after PLM 501 - 50 for CGW (90000 - 90048), 100 for B&LE (90101 - 90200), and 2 groups of 25 for UP (186000 - 186024 & 180625 - 186049) All of these cars EXCEPT for the 1st set of UP cars had 6-panel 6' doors, 18 side panels, flat panel welded-seam radial roof and 4/5 "dart" ends. The referenced exception UP set had Dreadnaught 4/5 ends and rectangular panel roofs.

In 1940 500 more PS-0 were built - 200 for NKP (20000 - 20199), 200 for W&LE (26000 - 26199) and 100 for PM (84000 - 84099). These cars differed in that they had 7-panel 6' doors and 5/5 "dart" ends.

Green refers to a 2/1988 article in Mainline Modeler in his writing.

[Sokramiketes]

So the M-T model is not the "PS-0" version noted in the CGW Color Guide?

I think you answered your own question, but no, the MTL model isn't a PS-0.

[amato1969]

Just stumbled on a reference that there is a PS-1 40' roster in the March 1988 issue of Railmodel Journal.  A quick jump to the TrainLife archives has yielded this information.  I pulled this by build date, so I don't know if everything is 100% correct, but it's a start.  Note that these are the original owners only.

Watch out, once you start reading those RMJ back issues, you'll be counting ribs on car ends and comparing panel versus diagonal roofs!  There are a bunch of good articles on 40-foot cars, and it makes it easy to correct/kitbash using models like the IM 40-footers.

  Frank

[TiVoPrince]

Really? 
Proto = yes, for a specific period of production the precise MT combination of details were possible
Typical = not really, a few thousand in the grand scheme of North American boxcars...

[sirenwerks]

I think you answered your own question, but no, the MTL model isn't a PS-0.

Only after not relying on memory and going back to read Green's text. When I asked I was still relying on the generosity of others to answer.

Still, I'd love to see a pic of a PS-0 to check out the 18 side panels, seems like a lot on a 40' car, unless that's 18 per car and not per side.

[DKS]

Still, I'd love to see a pic of a PS-0 to check out the 18 side panels, seems like a lot on a 40' car, unless that's 18 per car and not per side.

If the Funaro & Camerlengo HO PS0 kit is correct, then it's 18 panels a side. There's a pic here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Funaro-HO-W-LE-NKP-40-PS0-40-1938-Pullman-Boxcar-6352-/310316248523

[Dave Schneider]

Still, I'd love to see a pic of a PS-0 to check out the 18 side panels, seems like a lot on a 40' car, unless that's 18 per car and not per side.

The 40' DSDX reefers arguably had 18 panels per side (2 of them were rather small). Maybe they got paid per rivet back in the day!
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/djs_ank_ak/BeerRailcars/DSDX_4495.jpg

Best wishes, Dave