40' Steel "Rebuilt" Box Cars
In the twenties, the Youngstown Steel Co. started to make replacement prefabricated
steel sides for wooden boxcars. These became popular during the Great Depression
as capital for new construction became scarce and by rebuilding existing cars
from components keep the railroads own employees working. Also, the tax laws
of the day favored rebuilding over new cars. By 1950, over 18,000 double sheathed
boxcars were rebuilt. During the rebuilding process, the steel roof, steel ends
and underframes were kept and the wooden sides were removed and replaced with
these new steel sides. Later, railroads increased the height of the ends to
make taller cars. The prototype that we are modeling is one of the earliest
versions of this car. The Frisco railroad rebuilt hundreds of these cars with
new sides.
Improved opening and closing steel doors
Running boards feature wood grain detail
Die-cast metal, sprung and equalized trucks
Affordably priced
We are still researching roadnames for this car. We would appreciated any
information that you can supply. Copies of photographs, painting and lettering
diagrams or drawings are always a big help.
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