@Official Lionel Trains, @Conrail6358, @Dave Olson
Lionel has offered the following in their 2024 catalog:
CB&Q #17302 FreightSounds PS-1 Boxcar (2426020, MSRP ~ $210).
I have pre-ordered this item from @Berwyns Toys and Trains
Lionel's model is gold with black lettering and te full color Burlington Route herald.
According to information on the CB&Q io-Groups and a BRHS Bulletin, this is a rare an accurate paint scheme for a hand full of BR prototype boxcars. In 1966, CB&Q won the RPI's (Railway Progress Institute) Golden Freight Car Award. To commemerate this award, the CB&Q's shops at Havelock NE (re)painted a work days production of 8 boxcars in this unique gold paint scheme.
The known road numbers are:
#17302, #17786, #61417, #60682, #61486, (and maybe #61682).
The other 2 (or 3) road numbers are lost and unknown.
The only other 3-rail O-gauge CB&Q gold RPI boxcar that has been made was K-Line's #61417 in their 2002 catalog.
Therefore, Lionel's selection of Road number #17302 for their model is great because it will be a new offering to the 3-rail O-gauge market.
This will be my first boxcar with FreightSounds, so I am very happy that Lionel is offering this model.
CB&Q Bill
@Hannibal-St Joseph RR, @cbq9911a, @Burlington Route, @Ray of sunshine
