New Bluford 86' Quad Door Boxcars in the works.

[Bluford Craig]

We are working on a new batch of 86' Quad Door Boxcars. Pre-orders have just opened for release later in '23. http://bluford-shops.com/bluford_93_040.htm

At last check, the batch of Double Door cars is still due to arrive here in December.

Best,

Craig
Bluford Shops

[ai5629]

I have been waiting for the Conrail X60E eight door cars for five long years.  I was even considering rooling my own, as much as I did not want to.  Thank you for releasing these.  I will be preordering for certain.  These will go nicely in trains PIML (Conway to Metuchen Linden) and BAPI (Baltimore to Conway).  Those GTW cars are also high on my list for those trains too.  Thanks Craig.

Jeff

[CBQ Fan]

The Rock Island and UP are very interesting!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

"Boring" Conrail with pre-84 COTS? Hell f'ing yes my man.

[Jbub]

I've been seeing some 86'ers around Salt Lake over the last month. What really caught my eye was a CSX with NYC reporting marks. I don't know why I didn't snag a picture.

[ljudice]

I've been seeing some 86'ers around Salt Lake over the last month. What really caught my eye was a CSX with NYC reprint marks. I don't know why I didn't snag a picture.

Haven't seen one in ages...  What exactly caused their demise? I presume the 60' high cubes are more flexible.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Haven't seen one in ages...  What exactly caused their demise? I presume the 60' high cubes are more flexible.

Their ages and shifting patterns in the automotive industry.
Most of the east coast plants that would use them have closed: Taneytown, Baltimore, Wilmington, Budd in Philly, etc...
Also, I believe, a lot of parts now just move in trailers or containers.

[GonzoCRFan]

Been doing lots of research on GM plants lately and in addition to what Ed said, it's also not uncommon to see stamping plants adjacent to assembly plants, further negating the need for these cars.

The age isn't as much of a problem since AAR instituted new provisions under Interchange Rule 88 that allow for a 65-year life as long as it's demonstrated the cars are structurally sound to last that long and the necessary components are upgraded to modern equivalents (mainly in the brake system). So hopefully more of these behemoths will get a new lease on life.