One Not-so-Modern Freight Car That's Ignored...

[jmlaboda]

Photo by Conrailman.

One car from olden days that has not been executed appropriately in more recent times is the 40' single-sheathed boxcar.  Be it as originally built or rebuilt with various ends and doors models of these cars are desperately need in N-scale.  There simply has not ever been a quality model produced.  I know that modern modelers likely would never give much thought to such a model but, as the car shown above shows, they lasted at in service until June 1977 (and some, like the cars owned by Wellsville Addison & Galeton, remained in service into the late-70s, being rebuilt in the late-60s with sheet steel replacing the wood slated sides... a common prototype in western N.C. through this time).  To say the least they are really needed.

More modern modelers may actually find prototypes that remained in MofW service much later than the late-70s so there might even be a reason to make them a consideration for them.  Just got to find more photos of cars that lasted into the more modern era.

[C855B]

Well, a testament to its "lateness" is the ACI label. KarTrak on a single-sheathed? Amazing.

[nkalanaga]

These cars aren't THAT old, having been built in the early 40s, as one of the War Emergency designs.  The Great Northern built several thousand double-sheathed cars about the same time, and RMC had an article on them last summer.  The NP only had a few hundred of those, preferring the single-sheathed versions.  Basically they're AAR standard boxcars, but with wood sides, and the trusses to replace the stiffness provided by steel side sheets.

Both designs would be naturals for IM, as they already have all of the parts needed except  the sides.  I've kitbashed one GN car by cutting the steel sides off and replacing them with scribed styrene.  RTR or kit versions would be nice, and decals are available for both the NP and GN cars/

[thomasjmdavis]

Intermountain has war emergency cars cataloged and they appear to be for sale at

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/N-Scale-Box-Cars-s/1476.htm?searching=Y&sort=3&cat=1476&show=30&page=1&brand=Intermountain

http://intermountain-railway.com/n/nboxcars.htm (scroll half way down)

I figured that Jerry was looking for that specific NP prototype, or for rebuilt USRA cars.  No idea how close the IM car is to those.

[jmlaboda]

Intermountain has war emergency cars cataloged...

These were the WWII era boxcars built because of steel restrictions.  Atlas also has a similar model.

These cars aren't THAT old, having been built in the early 40s, as one of the War Emergency designs.

How 'bout some that look similar the NP car but with a 1930 built date... note that they use rollers or a bracket at the bottom of the door instead of the track seen on the NP car.  Note the different ends and roofs on these cars...





Both photos, RR - Fallen Flags website, Jay Williams Collection.

And a few more... from the Georgia & Florida, which got me first thinking about this type of car to begin with...

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In service these early single-sheathed cars received a number of upgrades, from better ends to better doors.  A lot can be done with a basic model to fit various times in their time in service, making them quite valuable for steam and early diesel era modelers.

[thomasjmdavis]

I'm all in favor Jerry.  I'm old enough to remember trains in the late 50s-early 60s when such cars were more common than a lot of folks realize.  Perhaps they could be done in the way Intermountain did the ATSF stock cars, with details appropriate to several different eras, brakewheel variations and the like.  I would certainly buy a few (well, if pricing were in my ballpark).

Spookshow lists the Atlas USRA cars (plus the old Rivarossi and Mehano single sheathed cars also sold by Atlas years ago- I think I have a couple of the Rivarossi stashed somewhere), Bachmann, Con Cor, and Roco (definitely have a couple of those).  The Mehano and Roco cars were sold under a number of labels.  He notes that most of these were 6 panel cars (rather than the 8 in USRA design) which prototypes were likely manufactured in the  1920s.

[sd45elect2000]

Don't forget these !!

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=fowler+box+car&view=detailv2&qpvt=fowler+box+car&id=8D3BCAA975A5EA8A4FCBE4E842D19414B2EE010D&selectedindex=8&ccid=hG%2BULGmN&simid=608032482160083259&thid=OIP.M846f942c698d6d0f781c4d22d07b076co0&mode=overlay&first=1

I would like a few DOZEN outside braced cars. Atlas usually releases the cars in pairs, micro trains singles.. not a good way to collect a large fleet. I usually buy all the outside braced cars I can find.

Randy

[Spikre]

 
   the WAG cars shown are ex-B&M ARA Single sheath cars.
  WAG had other cars also,so its easy to get confused about
  where they originated.
   some WAG cars were leased to PC with T&OC or TOC reporting
  marks in the early 70s,then seemed overnite they disapeered from
  EL trains,believe PC leased the cars until they outlawed at 40 years
  of age.
   the Georgia and Florida cars also seem to be ARA "Z" braced cars of the
  20s,note the 2 piece ends,not 3 piece like USRA cars.
      Spikre
       

[Spikre]

 
   the 40s War Emergency cars also came in 8 Panel versions,
  10' IH,10'4" IH,and 10'6" IH.
  seems every road had something different about their cars.
  there have been several good Articles and Rosters on these cars.
  note- the GN Double Sheath cars were built earlier and are a Modified
  1937 AAR 10' IH box car.later GN modified the design to Plywood sides,
  until they switched to a Steel Car circa 1947/48.
  Edit- RP CYC 19 has a good article on All the War Emergency boxcars
   as built.
     Spikre

[Angus Shops]

I've got a kit for the Canadian style 36 foot Dominion (Fowler) outside braced boxcar (available through Central Hobbies). Canadian roads had thousands upon thousands of these cars, and many lasted a surprisingly long time. I don't know if American roads used 36 footers, but I'm sure these cars interchanged frequently south of the border, although I suspect in decreasing numbers into the 50's. A little short car like this sure adds variety to a string of boxcars.

Geoff

[sd45elect2000]

A Lot of American roads had Fowler "clones" so these cars would have application on many US roads. You're right , A 36' boxcar would break the monotony of a string of boxcars.

Randy












'

[Cajonpassfan]

I don't know if American roads used 36 footers, but I'm sure these cars interchanged frequently south of the border, although I suspect in decreasing numbers into the 50's. A little short car like this sure adds variety to a string of boxcars.

Geoff

Geoff, I forget the source, but recall reading that in 1950 (my modeling period), there were more 36' house cars on American rails than there were 50 footers. We have a good selection of 50' cars, but the lack of well done 36' cars has been a pet peeve of mine ever since....
I'll have to check out your Fowler kit.
Otto K.

[Spikre]

 
  Erie and Susquehanna had plenty of 36' Fowler boxcars.
  Westerfield had HO kits for them at one time.
  a Plastic version was made by Canadian Hobbycraft ?
  and sold in the U.S. by Life Like.
  are those HO cars still available ?
   Spikre
     

[wcfn100]

The XM-1 would be a good candidate for a new 40' SS box car.  I think all the reference material is readily available as far as drawings and road names go.  I'd personally like to see because the CGW converted them into stock cars later in life.


Jason

[jmlaboda]

Erie and Susquehanna had plenty of 36' Fowler boxcars.

Geoff, do you have some pictures of your model you can share?  The Central Hobbies site doesn't have any and I may yet have found just what I am looking for in your models.