MTH 50' PRR Merch. Serv. Phase I, Box Cars:

RJL

I have seen the new MTH 50' PS-1 box car in Milwaukee Road.  I am sure you will be pleased with the level of detail.  These are great models!

Great to know Ted, thanks,

Ralph

I have one available in the for sale forum

It sure is a great looking car. Our local hobby shop had one on the shelf last Saturday.

However, did the PRR ever actually have 50 foot boxcars like that?

Yes, Hot Water.

PRR. Less Than Carload, Merchandise Service box cars, started in 1946 and are listed below:

Phase I 40' (X29B)

Phase I 50' (X41B)

Phase I 60' (X40B)

Phase II 40' (X29)

Phase III 40' (X29)

All three length box cars, with the Phase I scheme, had the intricate, multi color, fancy paint scheme.

Phases II and III had a plain scheme, having white markings on the brown body of the box cars, which saved costs in paint and artistry.

Ralph

Thanks for all that information, Ralph. So you are saying that the MTH 50 foot boxcar is a correct PRR "phase I 50' (X41B)" boxcar?  Obviously you can tell I'm NOT a "slobbering Pennsy Fan", but they sure are neat looking cars.

Not prototypical, but I kind of liked the Varney version, and had decals made from it:

OK,,,,,,so what's NOT prototypical about it! It/they still look great.

The MTH car is a pretty car, it is a 50' car and PRR did have 50' Merchandise Service cars, but a PS-1 boxcar is NOT a scale stand-in for a PRR X40b.  Here are photos of the prototype.

http://prr.railfan.net/freight...ane.jpg&fr=clX41

http://prr.railfan.net/freight...ane.jpg&fr=clX41

Additional info:  The 40' cars had 'Merchandise' to the left of the door, and 'Service" to the right.  The 50' cars had 'Merchandise Service' to the left of the door.  There was a Weaver model that was incorrect, but I have forgotten if it was a 40' or 50' car.

Ron

There was a Weaver model that was incorrect, but I have forgotten if it was a 40' or 50' car.

 

Ron

They were 40' Ps1 boxcars from Weaver models.

I have researched the THREE lengths of the PRR LCL M.S. PHASE ONE box cars:

CAPPilot is correct of where the words "Merchandise Service" are placed on the 40'(X29B) and 50'(X41B) box cars.

The 60'(X40B) box car has the words similar to the 50' car.

And to clear up any wrong info.: 

As, Bob pointed out that the MTH PRR LCL M.S. Phase One PS-1 50'(X41B) car is pretty, but not a scale stand-in.

I must point out that though MTH 50'(X41B) PS-1 PRR LCL MS P I is not modeled to the prototypical car, it is, however, the best model close to the prototype car, so far.

Hot Water, the prototype car's body was not that of a PS-1 style, as the MTH model is, but MTH's is close to the 'Real-Deal' PRR LCL M.S. Phase I 50' (X41B) box. 

I do not know if PRR used a Pullman Standard car building kit for their prototype 50' LCL M.S. Phase One (X41B) box car, or not.

The reasons I have some interest and idea about the PRR MS P I cars are:

The first reason is that my wife's Maternal family live in Nanticoke, Pa., where the PRR ran through.  I had better put this reason, first!!!!!

And the second reason is that the Phase I is a beautiful paint scheme, with its intricate, multi colors.

Ralph

Here is the Weaver Models PS-1 PRR LCL M.S. PHASE THREE 40'(X29) box car:

http://bidderone.com/index.php?slb=1&itmpg=1&itm_id=533270

The road number IS NOT a correct number.

There, was only one prototype car listed, but the Weaver Models' model, is very close to the real car, but the real car was NOT a PS-1 and the prototype's road number was 504087, made by the PRR shops of an old X29 40' box car and wearing a plain color paint scheme, with a 1954 start of the (Large) "Billboard" style herald and PRR's. "Shadowed Keystone."

Ralph

bob2,

The color photo. you posted of the two different scale size PRR LCL M.S. box cars are of a Phase II, scheme, which are close to the prototype car.

That, is why they look different than the Phase I and phase III schemes.

To see the Phase III scheme look at my post, just above this post.

Ralph

If, anyone is interested, as I am, in obtaining a PRR LCL MS Phase I 60' X40B box car, if and when, they are ever made, will probably have to wait for a long time.

So, far no manufacturer has attempted to produce such a car, but then again......?!

http://www.billspennsyphotos.c...to?photoid=121415258

Ralph