Original stock # 489-20586

   When the Alton Railroad realized a need for head-end cars, they met that need in February 1945 by purchasing ten of these lightweight 40' box cars with single door. The Mount Vernon Car Company of Mount Vernon, Illinois built the cars of aluminum supplied by the Reynolds Aluminum Company. The metal was left in its natural color and the cars were lettered in red. Using the lightweight metal instead of steel was a common solution during this era for building head-end cars. Five of Alton's cars were equipped with Youngstown doors, and five (like Alton 1200) with Superior doors.