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| Union Pacific Road #U.P. 170774 40' Double-Sheathed Wood Side Box Car, 1½ Doors w/Vertical Brake Wheel Part #MTL-41010 N Scale Supply Price:  New body style: July 2000
In order to accommodate the shipment of automobiles, this 50-ton capacity car was built with a steel underframe and 12’6” door openings. It is a 40' double-sheathed wood box car with 1-1/2 doors. Built by Ralston Steel Car Company in July 1917, this car was painted box car red with white stenciling on sides and ends. When automobiles began to be shipped by rail in the 1920s, box cars were used to protect them from steam loco cinders. The cars were lined with wood boards inside and out for strength and protection from the elements. However, shifting freight was causing significant damage to the wooden ends so many cars were rebuilt with steel ends. A large number of these durable cars operated into the 1950s and some of their design features, such as the heavy steel underframes and large door openings, proved to be valuable improvements to railroad freight service. |
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