Bluford Shops is bringing back our popular 86’ Double Door Auto Parts Boxcars. These will include our recently improved draft gear, magnetically operating couplers and metal wheels. The minimum radius is 11”. They also include separate wire grab irons and etched metal platforms on the ends. The draft gear is mounted to the body but has a spring centered swing action that both resists string-lining the train pulling through curves and resists the trucks climbing the rail during shoving moves.

These super-size boxcars were originally built to carry high-value low-density automobile parts such as body panels and window glass to final assembly plants. Cars were acquired in wide ranging pools including several plants and the railroads that connected them. It was common for cars to run for months or years without traveling on their home road’s rails.

Pennsylvania Railroad took delivery of 150 70-ton cars in 1964. The black ends add an extra touch of class but were actually the result of a clerical error. The ends were supposed to be the same red as the sides. PRR accepted them anyway and subsequent orders came with red ends.

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