Boxcar Sunday, Let's see your boxcars.

2 box cars weathered by my son, Chris.

Great looking cars guys! I wish I had something to show right now, maybe a little later!

Here's a Lionel Union Pacific double-door from the 1983 Gold Coast Limited set. When I'd back it into the siding to spot it, I would often have trouble with this car derailing, because it was so light. So, I added a 1 oz. lead weight to each end. I also had to do that with two other box cars. Now, I can run the whole train in reverse as fast as I want, with no derailments. 😉

Painter Bob has decided to do a paint by train series. As his first effort Painter "Box Car" Bob climbed aboard a Chicago Illinois and Midland box car to paint the scenery as it rolls by.

@ScoutingDad posted:

Painter Bob has decided to do a paint by train series. As his first effort Painter "Box Car" Bob climbed aboard a Chicago Illinois and Midland box car to paint the scenery as it rolls by.

I always liked that Lionel boxcar and also liked watching Bob Ross paint.

Well first of all, let me congratulate Tom Market on his retirement and wish him every success in his new role as a "man of leisure".  Like Dave Ripp, I too have some boxcars that Tom made for me, here are my Raritan River RR boxcars that are one of my favorites.  (I went to College..."On the banks of the old Raritan"  - Rutgers University, the State University of N.J.)

For today, I have a new train show acquisition that had me stumped for a moment.  It was printed on the car...6464-375 and indeed all the PW listings of 6464 cars show this number associated with the Central of Georgia boxcar.  However, stamped in the base frame sheet metal was ... product of "Lionel Trains Inc, Mt. Clemens"...so I realized this had to be a re-issue and so it was.  This is actually the LTI catalog number 19279 and it is a classic series re-issue.  Like all the re-issues, the actual Lionel LTI product number appears no where on the car only the original 6464 number and the coloring / livery etc is identical to the original 1956-57 car.  I purchased this because as a family, we have a house on Tybee Island, GA, sort of a summer get away for family members and its in Central of Ga territory, so that railroad is a favorite of mine.

Best Wishes everyone, hope you upcoming week is great

Don

@Don McErlean, Don, wow those are beautiful Raritan River box cars, also they look so real. @ScoutingDad, wow, that’s a beautiful green box car and the Painter looks right at home, cool idea, @Yellowstone Special, Vern, beautiful UP box car, great setting…@Randy Harrison, your son did an excellent job weathering your box cars, Wow. Today I’m showing some cars that I’ve probably shown before, but I like ‘em. Oh Yes, @Krieglok, Tom Market, enjoy getting up when you’re ready now, retirement is fun. Happy Box Car Sunday everyone.  

@ScoutingDad posted:

Painter Bob has decided to do a paint by train series. As his first effort Painter "Box Car" Bob climbed aboard a Chicago Illinois and Midland box car to paint the scenery as it rolls by.

Painter Bob must be pretty quick with his brush to catch scenery as it goes by ... either that or the train must be moving awfully slow LOL!   Super creative scene!!! I LOVE IT!!!  

@trumpettrain  Patrick thanks for the comments, just trying to imitate the master! 

Bob has a photographic memory but is also very quick painting in just 26 minutes an episode - I mean a finished  painting. Either that or the railroad is providing a private car so he can stop and appreciate the scenery wherever and whenever the mood suits him. Probably a little of both.

@leapinlarry posted:

@Don McErlean, Don, wow those are beautiful Raritan River box cars, also they look so real. @ScoutingDad, wow, that’s a beautiful green box car and the Painter looks right at home, cool idea, @Yellowstone Special, Vern, beautiful UP box car, great setting…@Randy Harrison, your son did an excellent job weathering your box cars, Wow. Today I’m showing some cars that I’ve probably shown before, but I like ‘em. Oh Yes, @Krieglok, Tom Market, enjoy getting up when you’re ready now, retirement is fun. Happy Box Car Sunday everyone.  

Thank you Larry!

I love the L&N cars. I want to do some more when I get painting later!

Tom

Lionel/METCA

Good day boxcar fans, late start as I was out digging up a bad cable for work since 4: AM. Here is a Weaver custom from Tom. I like to call it the bankruptcy paint scheme as it was Rock Islands last.

@Dave Ripp.- Wow Dave, digging up a cable at 0400- Well I bet the customers really appreciate that kind of dedication.  Hope you get some sleep later today...hey maybe find a vacant boxcar!  .  My post today is a recent (last weekend) train show find from Lionel (MPC).  Being from New Jersey, I have a soft spot for the CNJ Railroad and her "Liberty" logo.  This boxcar is from 1977-1979 and I was able to get it more or less NIB, didn't look like it had been run at all.  Where its been and what its been doing for the last 40+ years I have no idea, sitting in someone's collection or on a shelf I expect.

So here she is, the 1977 # 9787 Lionel MPC Central RR of New Jersey boxcar:

The famous CNJ "Miss Liberty" logo

Here is the slogan end, note "Passenger Equipped" which I suppose means high speed and a gentle ride.  The car is labeled, "merchandise freight" between Allentown and Phillipsburg so all north of Philadelphia.

Have a good Boxcar Sunday, some local beer drinkers hopping a ride for some fresh brew.

Sorry about the late post. I was working on some engines and cars and lost track of time!

Anyway, I did a few cars this week, but only one boxcar. I am trying to get a “right” looking Erie boxcar. The decals are from a number of sets that have been altered to get what I need…

A MTH 19th Century car I modified and repainted…

Tom

First is an old 1938 or so Walthers kit built box car with bronze chassis.  Not long after they evolved to the wood chassis with cast bolsters.  It also has stamped brass ends.  Very nicely built car this one is.  I have a couple more to get back into shape.  The car is rolling on a nice set of Auel trucks as well. The Reefer is a box stock Scale Craft  Wood reefer on the early Scale Craft frame and trucks .

Lionel/METCA

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Lionel/METCA

And caring and compassionate, too! We lost two of the finest officers and human beings, Officers Gilbert "Gil" Vega and Lesley Zerebny here in Palm Springs in 2016. May they and all our law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty trying to do the right thing be always remembered!

@Sitka posted:

Have a good Boxcar Sunday, some local beer drinkers hopping a ride for some fresh brew.

Yeah, that way they can drink all the UC they want and leave the driving to Mark! Those folks on top of the car might want to slow down, though!

@Don McErlean posted:

@Dave Ripp.- Wow Dave, digging up a cable at 0400- Well I bet the customers really appreciate that kind of dedication.  Hope you get some sleep later today...hey maybe find a vacant boxcar!  .  My post today is a recent (last weekend) train show find from Lionel (MPC).  Being from New Jersey, I have a soft spot for the CNJ Railroad and her "Liberty" logo.  This boxcar is from 1977-1979 and I was able to get it more or less NIB, didn't look like it had been run at all.  Where its been and what its been doing for the last 40+ years I have no idea, sitting in someone's collection or on a shelf I expect.

So here she is, the 1977 # 9787 Lionel MPC Central RR of New Jersey boxcar:

The famous CNJ "Miss Liberty" logo

Here is the slogan end, note "Passenger Equipped" which I suppose means high speed and a gentle ride.  The car is labeled, "merchandise freight" between Allentown and Phillipsburg so all north of Philadelphia.

Lionel reissued a version of this car as part of a set commemorating the centennial, restoration and re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty in 1986. I've got the EV caboose from the set, but not the boxcar or Trainmaster loco.

@Don McErlean posted:

For today, I have a new train show acquisition that had me stumped for a moment.  It was printed on the car...6464-375 and indeed all the PW listings of 6464 cars show this number associated with the Central of Georgia boxcar.  However, stamped in the base frame sheet metal was ... product of "Lionel Trains Inc, Mt. Clemens"...so I realized this had to be a re-issue and so it was.  This is actually the LTI catalog number 19279 and it is a classic series re-issue.  Like all the re-issues, the actual Lionel LTI product number appears no where on the car only the original 6464 number and the coloring / livery etc is identical to the original 1956-57 car.  I purchased this because as a family, we have a house on Tybee Island, GA, sort of a summer get away for family members and its in Central of Ga territory, so that railroad is a favorite of mine.

Best Wishes everyone, hope you upcoming week is great

Don

Well, Don, here's the 2014 version:

Plastic everything and light as a feather, but I like the color scheme...

@Krieglok posted:

Sorry about the late post. I was working on some engines and cars and lost track of time!

Anyway, I did a few cars this week, but only one boxcar. I am trying to get a “right” looking Erie boxcar. The decals are from a number of sets that have been altered to get what I need…

A MTH 19th Century car I modified and repainted…

Tom

Good job on the Erie, Tom. Seems that on the wood side box cars, it would be difficult to get those decals to adhere tightly into the vertical grooves. But this one looks perfect.

@Bill Swatos -  Thanks Bill for the information.  I was aware of the commemorative set and have looked for it over the years, never finding one in the condition (or especially at a price I was willing to pay)...If you have the caboose, all we need is another forum member with the loco and we can re-create the set !  You are right on about the 2014 CofGa boxcar, it would need weights to track properly.

Best Wishes and thanks for your comments

Don

@Yellowstone Special posted:

Good job on the Erie, Tom. Seems that on the wood side box cars, it would be difficult to get those decals to adhere tightly into the vertical grooves. But this one looks perfect.

Thanks Vern! I apply the decals using Micro-Sol as a setting solution. After the first application dries, I run a sharp X-acto knife down each groove. Then a couple more hits with the Micro-Sol before getting a finishing coat…

Tom

@Krieglok posted:

Thanks Vern! I apply the decals using Micro-Sol as a setting solution. After the first application dries, I run a sharp X-acto knife down each groove. Then a couple more hits with the Micro-Sol before getting a finishing coat…

Tom

Wow Tom, your multi-step procedure works very well. No wonder the car looks better than a factory job.

@Yellowstone Special posted:

Wow Tom, your multi-step procedure works very well. No wonder the car looks better than a factory job.

Vern, you are too kind! There are many modelers with more superior skills than my own. I just found a niche that works for me…lol.

Tom

@Krieglok posted:

Vern, you are too kind! There are many modelers with more superior skills than my own. I just found a niche that works for me…lol.

Tom

Nuh-uh!

I have always cringed at the appearence of yellow boxcars (and my Frisco had a fleet of them), but this GARX insulated boxcar project has softened my opinion.  This project began by buying five Atlas PS1 cushion cars all decorated for Napierville Junction (yellow).  These cars lend themselves well to the project as they already have black ends. Only the roof needed painting for the Frisco lease cars. The roof and sides got new paint on the QA&P car.

@Rob Leese posted:

I have always cringed at the appearence of yellow boxcars (and my Frisco had a fleet of them), but this GARX insulated boxcar project has softened my opinion.  This project began by buying five Atlas PS1 cushion cars all decorated for Napierville Junction (yellow).  These cars lend themselves well to the project as they already have black ends. Only the roof needed painting for the Frisco lease cars. The roof and sides got new paint on the QA&P car.

Rob, These are Very Nice !!!

Some time back Atlas did a batch of similar 40’ plug cars like this in HO. At that time, I had hoped they would follow with a similar issue in the O “Master” line - but they did Not.            

MTH did do some of these in their Premier line. They are nice and not as fragile as the Atlas cars or reefers. However, they do ride a bit high.

MTH DRG.
I think the ladder is a bit oversized but if I take my glasses off it’s not noticeable to me. 🤣🤣🤣

Cheers 😉

@Rob Leese posted:

I have always cringed at the appearence of yellow boxcars (and my Frisco had a fleet of them), but this GARX insulated boxcar project has softened my opinion.  This project began by buying five Atlas PS1 cushion cars all decorated for Napierville Junction (yellow).  These cars lend themselves well to the project as they already have black ends. Only the roof needed painting for the Frisco lease cars. The roof and sides got new paint on the QA&P car.

Did Frisco control the Quanah?

Here's my boxcars ( well sorta ... actually reffers ) ... Brews from Baltimore!  

Baltimore American Beer by MTH.

National Bohemian Beer by Atlas O.    

Rob,

You have done a superb job with those Atlas cars.  Not only did you make the effort to take the “ordinary factory job” and turn them into railroad models, you did so with skill!   I wish more railroad modelers would follow this path.

You are spot on about the Atlas cars—along with new Lionel, the are the most scale/ accurate in design.  It is a shame some other major manufacturers are satisfied with “just good enough” e.g. heavy ladders or riding too high, etc.

@Texas Eagle 77

Sometime in 1911 the Frisco assumed control of the QA&P., yet they always had their own agreements for trainmen independent of the Frisco. When I marked up in Quanah to cover a long-term vacancy, I was issued a QA&P employee number and worked with engineers who always had a fireman on the crew.  The Frisco was merged into BN, Inc in 1980 but the QA&P was absorbed later in 1981.  We seemed to be our own entity regardless of corporate mergers.

Happy Box Car Sunday, from Incheon Korea…

@Krieglok posted:

Sorry about the late post. I was working on some engines and cars and lost track of time!

Anyway, I did a few cars this week, but only one boxcar. I am trying to get a “right” looking Erie boxcar. The decals are from a number of sets that have been altered to get what I need…

A MTH 19th Century car I modified and repainted…

Tom

Very nice one Tom

Here’s todays Boxcar Sunday’s. This is a old Atlas O Scale that came in a kit forum. Enjoy your day

Here is my contribution for this week's Boxcar Sunday. It's a Atlas Rock Island 50 foot.

Thanks Lee!

The results of my first weeks on retirement….

MTH Premier 40’ cars…stripped, painted and decaled by me…

The next group is all MTH 19th Century cars. They are all MTH factory paint jobs that I detailed and touched up…

Tom

Have a good Boxcar Sunday all!

@leapinlarry- Hey Man!! I remember the Inchon Station, I was there several times in 2016.  We had a job with KAI that was about 45 minutes up the line from Seoul.  The speed, comfort, and reliability of the express trains was quite a change from Amtrak.

@Krieglok- More great looking boxcars Tom, I don't know where you store them all! 

@trumpettrain - Great beer refer's Patrick, we lived on the western shore about 45 minutes out of Baltimore for nearly 15 years and I recognize "National Bohemian"

@Dave Ripp and @lee drennen - Great boxcars guys!

Well today I have something that is perhaps a bit unusual.  It is what our European friends especially in the UK call a "Goods Van", their name for a boxcar.  This one is by Meccanno for Hornby Trains and it is the N0. 50 Goods Van.  The 50 series of both locomotives and rolling stock (or "wagons" as they refer to them) was Hornby's last gasp at making tin plate gauge 0 trains.  It was a good try, in 1957 they refurbished their entire line with either new lithography (they call it "tin-printing") or new livery.  But unfortunately it was too late.  Costs were up and sales down, the line was doomed.  They lasted until 1962 with the #50 line and all the rest was gone by 1969 (just like Lionel).   So I found this #50 "Goods Van" in nearly NIB condition and so it had to join my collection...so here she is, the Hornby #50 Goods Van from 1957-1962.

A full side view showing the double hinge opening doors (vice the US standard sliding door).  The silver link connecting the wheels and frame is in fact a representation of the prototypical brake linkage used on cars of this period.

Here she is with the loading doors open

An end view, showing the (prototypically  correct) rear signal lamp hook for mounting a signal lamp on the car should it be the last car in the train.

Here is the box, by the way the printer's code "42161" does in fact date the box to the correct time period.

Well best wishes hope your week works out well

Don