Kevin’s Komments 03/18/2021 Boxcars CNMRRC

Box Cars

I don’t think I’ve sent out a collection of boxcar pics yet. For some reason, this first pic of an older BAR (Bangor & Aroostook) boxcar reminded of the collection of old metal Athearn and Varney boxcars I have stashed away. With our modeling era at the club being the ‘50s, these older boxcars represent the schemes of interest for us

This was taken in Blue Island, IL, 1975. (There’s some weathering tips in this photo.)

In the old days, this would be a 50’ AAR class XAF boxcar (automobile & furniture). Since it’s not displaying the white stripe on the door, we know the auto-rack is not installed. The shot was taken in Hamilton, Ontario, 1980, which verifies the lack of an auto-rack – by 1980, auto-rack cars were well established, and boxcars would not have been used for automobiles. This is a classic NYC scheme.

Here’s a classic NP 40’. The logo is the same, but the lettering and logo appear larger than I think the ‘50s style cars. The pic was taken in Pasco, WA, 1977.

Sticking with slightly later than the ‘50s, this SP boxcar sports the CarTrak decal (the small colored stripes to the left of the door). Cartrak had a short life in the ‘60s. The pic was taken in Fullerton, CA, 1972.

I told you this was going to be ‘50s style cars, but this GN car also sports the CarTrak decal. I’m not sure of the dates when GN started using the “Sky Blue” paint scheme. The pic was take in Pasco, WA, 1974.

This SP&S is classic ‘50s style. Unfortunately, it’s missing it’s doors! Pic was taken in Vancouver, WA, 1974.

Here’s another GN with the smaller logo, but large diagonal lettering. It looks like it has grain doors in it – it’s a double door – probably originally XAF (automobile and furniture). And it has the CarTrak decal. Photo was taken in Fullerton, CA, 1974.