HO Scale Assembled Boxcars

The 1937 AAR 40' boxcar is widely accepted as the freight car design that ushered in mass standardization of railroad rolling stock. Prior to the cars' introduction, standardization was minimal mostly due to Government control of the railroads. Once control was lifted, railroads returned to designs that most suited their needs. With economic uncertainty growing in the 1930's however, railroads realized the need for the economic benefits of standardized production processes and the effect that would have on lowering costs. The 1937 AAR boxcar was created as a result. With production numbers in the tens of thousands, these cars were seen in all types of service throughout North America from the late 1930's into the 1970's. The car had an interior length of 40 feet, 6 inches and an interior height of 10 feet 0 inches resulting in a car with a 3,700 cubic foot capacity. Other features typically seen on the majority of these cars were Dreadnaught ends, a straight panel "Murphy" roof, and 50 ton trucks with cast sideframes. There were variations including the NSC-2 and Deco ends. For the first time, InterMountain is offering these two distinctive ends on its current run of cars (March 2020). Canadian National and Ontario Northland feature the NSC-2 ends, Chesapeake and Ohio (two different schemes), and Baltimore and Ohio have the Deco ends. As with all InterMountain offerings, these cars feature accurate laser printing, InterMountain metal wheels, and metal knuckle couplers.

50' PS-1 Single Door Boxcars with Plug Door and  Cushion Underframe
-All are Ready-to-Run
-Cushion Underframe is ALL NEW Tooling!
-Laser Sharp Painting and Printing
-Etched Metal Roofwalk or No Roofwalk Per Prototype
-33" InterMountain Precision Metal Wheelsets
-Metal Knuckle Couplers

*Minimum Radius - 22"

These cars are 10'-0" inside height, have 6' Youngstown or Superior Doors as per road name, and have a Diagonal Panel or Murphy Rectangular panel roof as per road name.

Beginning in the 1960's, automakers approached rail carriers with the desire for larger freight cars to transport auto parts from suppliers to manufacturing centers. In response, the 60' auto parts boxcar was introduced. Carrying a wide variety of auto components including engine blocks, transmissions, brake drums, and others, these cars were a fixture throughout North America for the next four decades and can still be found in service today. Often times, entire trains of auto parts and related cars could be seen near major production facilities as automakers switched to just-in-time delivery methods, requiring prompt deliveries from the railroads providing service. It was common to see trains consisting of 50', 60', and 86' boxcars, specially modified flat cars to carry lightweight chassis, and autoracks all destined for one auto or truck manufacturing facility. As the auto industry supply chains evolved and manufacturing facilities were consolidated, many of the 60' boxcars were used in other markets and could be found hauling a variety of goods including appliances, paper goods, cardboard, and similar items.