Boxcar Sunday, Let's see your boxcars.

A recent purchase from MTH. The empty scenery bottle on the left is by Woodland Scenics. Lots of work going on in the background.

@SIRT posted:

  Empties...

nice weathering

@Bill Swatos posted:

Very nice; love those Tucker 48's. It'd be fun to see a couple of '38 Lincoln Zephyrs rolling out of that car, too!

sweet

@SIRT posted:

  Empties...

Great work Steve.  I love seeing a detailed scene.  Keep up the good work.  Details are more important to me at times than running trains.

Heber Valley RR

Williams kit, Lionel trucks, K4 decals

Nice looking Boxcars all! Have a good Sunday!

Bill Swatos,

I too like the CB&Q auto box car and the way you added the vehicles for all to see. Nice job.

RAY

Picked up my new MTH special run Western Electric boxcar from Berwyn's trains. Photo of Western Electric Hawthorne works, my dad worked there for over 35 years.

Well hello to all you BxCrSun fans, its near spring here in Central Texas with a sunny temp today of 73 degrees.  Today I have a classic Marx "6 inch" lithographed boxcar but this one has an interesting twist.  It dates from the early 50's, about 1954, and the "twist" I talked about is the special attachment for the couplers.  In 1952 Marx brought out the #21 Santa Fe AA diesel but it had tab/slot couplers.  Although Marx brought out a plastic knuckle coupler in 1953 many of the lithographed 6inch cars had the older tab / slot and thus were ok to pull with the new diesel but clearly were not compatible with the new knuckle couplers on Lionel sets.  So Marx packed in various set boxes (and perhaps had for separate sale although I am not sure about this) a die cast non-operating knuckle coupler which Marx advertised " for use with other makes of trains (read Lionel).  So here is the humble B&O #384299 boxcar fitted with those rather unique die cast coupler adapters.  Note these are easily removable to be used on another car or locomotive and are also very easy to lose!

Here is the basic car, from the early to middle 50's , metal wheels, black frame, tab/slot couplers (not counting the adapter)

Here is a close up of the Marx supplied non-operating die cast knuckle coupler adapter to use with "other makes of trains".  It has a flat copper spring tab that fitted into the slot which then allowed the car to be coupled to Lionel couplers.  This was a Marx accessory item packed in a paper envelope in the set box.  As you an imagine these things are very hard to find today.

Well Happy Sunday to everyone.

Don

Here are a few more.

@franktrain posted:

Picked up my new MTH special run Western Electric boxcar from Berwyn's trains. Photo of Western Electric Hawthorne works, my dad worked there for over 35 years.

Frank, we thought alike.  Having grown up in a telephone company family and spending more than half my working days at telephone companies, I couldn’t pass this one up either!!

I had to look up what Manufacturers’ Junction Railway was!  Very interesting information.  Cicero, Illinois rungs a bell for Al Capone territory also! 😮

@Don McErlean posted:

Well hello to all you BxCrSun fans, its near spring here in Central Texas with a sunny temp today of 73 degrees.  Today I have a classic Marx "6 inch" lithographed boxcar but this one has an interesting twist.  It dates from the early 50's, about 1954, and the "twist" I talked about is the special attachment for the couplers.  In 1952 Marx brought out the #21 Santa Fe AA diesel but it had tab/slot couplers.  Although Marx brought out a plastic knuckle coupler in 1953 many of the lithographed 6inch cars had the older tab / slot and thus were ok to pull with the new diesel but clearly were not compatible with the new knuckle couplers on Lionel sets.  So Marx packed in various set boxes (and perhaps had for separate sale although I am not sure about this) a die cast non-operating knuckle coupler which Marx advertised " for use with other makes of trains (read Lionel).  So here is the humble B&O #384299 boxcar fitted with those rather unique die cast coupler adapters.  Note these are easily removable to be used on another car or locomotive and are also very easy to lose!

Here is the basic car, from the early to middle 50's , metal wheels, black frame, tab/slot couplers (not counting the adapter)

Here is a close up of the Marx supplied non-operating die cast knuckle coupler adapter to use with "other makes of trains".  It has a flat copper spring tab that fitted into the slot which then allowed the car to be coupled to Lionel couplers.  This was a Marx accessory item packed in a paper envelope in the set box.  As you an imagine these things are very hard to find today.

Well Happy Sunday to everyone.

Don

Very cool Don glad you shared

@Mark Boyce posted:

Frank, we thought alike.  Having grown up in a telephone company family and spending more than half my working days at telephone companies, I couldn’t pass this one up either!!

I had to look up what Manufacturers’ Junction Railway was!  Very interesting information.  Cicero, Illinois rungs a bell for Al Capone territory also! 😮

Nice WE cars. My grandfather was an engineer at Western Electric in Kearny, NJ. My father was an engineer with Bell Labs in Parsippany, NJ. My mom also worked there as a draftsman.

Who made the cars you have?

Here is my contribution this week. Just some miscellaneous cars I painted…

Tom

@Krieglok posted:

Nice WE cars. My grandfather was an engineer at Western Electric in Kearny, NJ. My father was an engineer with Bell Labs in Parsippany, NJ. My mom also worked there as a draftsman.

Who made the cars you have?

Here is my contribution this week. Just some miscellaneous cars I painted…

Tom

Tom, they are MTH Premier cars.

Your cars are always great!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Frank, we thought alike.  Having grown up in a telephone company family and spending more than half my working days at telephone companies, I couldn’t pass this one up either!!

I had to look up what Manufacturers’ Junction Railway was!  Very interesting information.  Cicero, Illinois rungs a bell for Al Capone territory also! 😮

I need one of these to complement my old phone!

@Ray of sunshine posted:

Bill Swatos,

I too like the CB&Q auto box car and the way you added the vehicles for all to see. Nice job.

RAY

@Jeff B. Haertlein gave us those great Tucker 48's coming off his unique CB&Q "Route of the Zephyrs" auto boxcar. I just suggested that a couple of '38 Lincoln Zephyrs coming off that car might be a fun "play" on the well-known CB&Q slogan.

@Bill Swatos posted:

I need one of these to complement my old phone!

Yes you do!  I needed it to compliment my old phones and other old phone related items.  😊

@Mark Boyce - Really nostalgic to hear you talk about Western Electric in Kearny N.J.  I lived very close to that plant in North Arlington, N.J. and had my first engineering job at Wothington Corp in Harrison, N.J.

Best Wishes

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

@Mark Boyce - Really nostalgic to hear you talk about Western Electric in Kearny N.J.  I lived very close to that plant in North Arlington, N.J. and had my first engineering job at Wothington Corp in Harrison, N.J.

Best Wishes

Don

Don, that was Tom @Krieglok who was in New Jersey.  My experience was with North Pittsburgh Telephone and our interaction with Bell, also when I worked for Virginia Power in Richmond, we had some Western Electric equipment and interacted with Chesapeake and Potomac a Bell company.

Good Morning Boxcar fans here is today’s Boxcars a pair of Phoebe Snow I custom built one is a Lionel Standard O and the other is a All Nation. Have a good week.

                                            New twins for J.L. # 2300 & 2301

Weaver & MTH CNW's.

Here are a few projects from the past week…

First is a pair of Reading boxcars…one early 1900’s (MTH modified and painted by me) and one 1950’s (MTH Premier, painted by me) both built by ACF in Berwick, PA 50 years apart…

And a MTH 19th Century car, I stripped and repainted. It is a experiment as the decal sets for this era are not available yet. It was lettered with a mix of K4 and Microscale decals…

Tom

@Krieglok posted:

Here are a few projects from the past week…

First is a pair of Reading boxcars…one early 1900’s (MTH modified and painted by me) and one 1950’s (MTH Premier, painted by me) both built by ACF in Berwick, PA 50 years apart…

And a MTH 19th Century car, I stripped and repainted. It is a experiment as the decal sets for this era are not available yet. It was lettered with a mix of K4 and Microscale decals…

Tom

Tom, you're painting, and decal work is above board as always. You should do a tutorial article for OGR. I'd also be interested in your weathering technique as I've tried washes, paints and powders with dismal results.

Great looking cars everyone!

I will have to go out to the train room and see what I can dig out from underneath the layout. I'm still in the redo faze!

This K-Line Scale boxcar was a “gotta have it” after I saw it on Melgar’s layout in one of his videos. The hunt took a lot of time, patience, and emails. O gauge eye candy. Separately applied ladders, hand grabs and roof walk. Door latch is actually functional!

Well hello BxCrSun fans.  Today I have a couple for you from my tinplate collection.  Not all that realistic but fun to collect and noisy fun on the track especially when pulled by a Marx wind up loco.  These are both Marx cars by manufacturer and are from his classic 6" line of freight cars, the line that lasted the longest in production - from about 1936 to 1972 in various forms.

First here is the famous Marx "Man in the Door" C&S refer.  This has a Heitshaw scarcity value of S3 so its rather uncommon.  I want you to note the detail lavished on the lithography of the "man" at his work.  Even more unusual, especially for Marx who liked saving money whenever he could, note that the "man" on the other side of the car (picture 2) is different from the man in picture 1.  It took considerable extra expense to create the lithographic plates for a different man on each side, quite unusual for Marx.  This car was produced just before the war, 1940-1942.  Unfortunately (perhaps due to the recessions of the 50's) , the "man" lost his job and did not return after the war.

Now here is one, I just had to include because Dave Ripp gave us a beautiful scale version of the same car.  So here, for your fun comparison, is Marx's take on the car with the same logo and livery.  This car appeared in the Marx line up in 1939 and it came in several colors - alas I have but only this one.

Hope you have a great rest of your weekend.

Best Reagards

Don

@Krieglok posted:

Here are a few projects from the past week…

First is a pair of Reading boxcars…one early 1900’s (MTH modified and painted by me) and one 1950’s (MTH Premier, painted by me) both built by ACF in Berwick, PA 50 years apart…

And a MTH 19th Century car, I stripped and repainted. It is a experiment as the decal sets for this era are not available yet. It was lettered with a mix of K4 and Microscale decals…

Tom

Tom great work I always enjoy your pics of your customs.

@Don McErlean posted:

Well hello BxCrSun fans.  Today I have a couple for you from my tinplate collection.  Not all that realistic but fun to collect and noisy fun on the track especially when pulled by a Marx wind up loco.  These are both Marx cars by manufacturer and are from his classic 6" line of freight cars, the line that lasted the longest in production - from about 1936 to 1972 in various forms.

First here is the famous Marx "Man in the Door" C&S refer.  This has a Heitshaw scarcity value of S3 so its rather uncommon.  I want you to note the detail lavished on the lithography of the "man" at his work.  Even more unusual, especially for Marx who liked saving money whenever he could, note that the "man" on the other side of the car (picture 2) is different from the man in picture 1.  It took considerable extra expense to create the lithographic plates for a different man on each side, quite unusual for Marx.  This car was produced just before the war, 1940-1942.  Unfortunately (perhaps due to the recessions of the 50's) , the "man" lost his job and did not return after the war.

Now here is one, I just had to include because Dave Ripp gave us a beautiful scale version of the same car.  So here, for your fun comparison, is Marx's take on the car with the same logo and livery.  This car appeared in the Marx line up in 1939 and it came in several colors - alas I have but only this one.

Hope you have a great rest of your weekend.

Best Reagards

Don

Don thanks for sharing those are really neat

@Don McErlean posted:

First here is the famous Marx "Man in the Door" C&S refer. 

My brother was an avid pre-war Marx collector, and was part of the TTOS Marx Standards Committee way back when.  He had this car in near pristine condition and told me the story behind it, but unfortunately I forgot what it was.  I had the opportunity to get all his Marx items when he passed, but they did not interest me then and I thought my sister-in-law could get some descent money for the collection.  I'm still kicking myself for that decision, especially since she sold all of it as a lot to an auction house for a lot less money then I thought it worth.

@CAPPilot- What a story I am afraid we all have some tale of regret like that. I do wish you remembered the story on the car however as ,at least to me, it shows a somewhat different business philosophy on the part of Marx from his normal behavior. Glad you enjoyed the pictures.

Best wishes

Don

Boxcar Sunday we have Exploding cars from PW Lionel #6448 from 61-64

#6470 from 59-63

#6448 61-64 should be with red top and sides bought as parts a few years back.

#6480  from 1961 have not found yet, does anyone have?

Sunday already again ( Palm Sunday ) and this time I'm doing ' Boxcar Sunday '

MTH high cube........

......cool but a beautiful sun filled day today.     Enjoy the day and God speed to all.

@Don McErlean posted:

Well hello BxCrSun fans.  Today I have a couple for you from my tinplate collection.  Not all that realistic but fun to collect and noisy fun on the track especially when pulled by a Marx wind up loco.  These are both Marx cars by manufacturer and are from his classic 6" line of freight cars, the line that lasted the longest in production - from about 1936 to 1972 in various forms.

First here is the famous Marx "Man in the Door" C&S refer.  This has a Heitshaw scarcity value of S3 so its rather uncommon.  I want you to note the detail lavished on the lithography of the "man" at his work.  Even more unusual, especially for Marx who liked saving money whenever he could, note that the "man" on the other side of the car (picture 2) is different from the man in picture 1.  It took considerable extra expense to create the lithographic plates for a different man on each side, quite unusual for Marx.  This car was produced just before the war, 1940-1942.  Unfortunately (perhaps due to the recessions of the 50's) , the "man" lost his job and did not return after the war.

Now here is one, I just had to include because Dave Ripp gave us a beautiful scale version of the same car.  So here, for your fun comparison, is Marx's take on the car with the same logo and livery.  This car appeared in the Marx line up in 1939 and it came in several colors - alas I have but only this one.

Hope you have a great rest of your weekend.

Best Reagards

Don

Once again a great look into the unique past tin artwork from the grand collection of Don McErlean Nice.

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Heber Valley RR

Back out railfanning again Mark !?!      Nice photo.

Ookaaay  Lee Drennen .......another railfanner posting on boxcar Sunday huh !?!   Nice photo.

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Ookaaay  Lee Drennen .......another railfanner posting on boxcar Sunday huh !?!   Nice photo.

Thanks Dallas for the complement. That is not one of my best Custom painted and decaled cars too. I used some very old Champ Decals for this one.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Yes you do!  I needed it to compliment my old phones and other old phone related items.  😊

Well Mark, I just ordered #148 from Berwyn's. My Granny Svatos and "Aunt Weeto" practically raised me in their home in Berwyn in my early years as both of my parents worked. As I mentioned in another post, I think my aunt's first job in the Chicago area was at that WE plant in Cicero, so, in addition to complementing my 1955 Model C/D phone, this car will remind me of them.

@Bill Swatos posted:

Well Mark, I just ordered #148 from Berwyn's. My Granny Svatos and "Aunt Weeto" practically raised me in their home in Berwyn in my early years as both of my parents worked. As I mentioned in another post, I think my aunt's first job in the Chicago area was at that WE plant in Cicero, so, in addition to complementing my 1955 Model C/D phone, this car will remind me of them.

Good way to remember them, Bill!