Rails Unlimited is pleased to announce the following new product: a Milwaukee Road ribside boxcar in O scale (Cars #41 and #42). The prototype is the full length rib version totaling 3188 cars numbered 18000 to 21187 built in 1939 and 1940.
In 1939, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific built the first series of ribbed side box cars numbered 18000-19187. These were ribbed the full length of the sides as were the series following in 1940(some stenciled later though) numbered 19188-21187. The cars varied slightly one way or the other depending upon when they were built. Running boards made of wood were used on cars 18500-20437 with steel ones being applied to cars 18000-18499 and 20438-21187. Also cars 19000-19082 and 19188-20187 received Universal hand brake equipment while the rest were equipped with Equipco hand brakes. All of the cars were XM class.
Most of these cars were painted a shade of boxcar red. The water based Floquil brand of paint has a Milwaukee Road Maroon color that will do nicely or a mixture of 2 parts Floquil Boxcar Red with 1 part Floquil Caboose Red should be fairly close.
Rails Unlimited now has new, correct, custom decal sets that will work for this car lettered as delivered numbered OB- 127.
Champ made a decal set which was fairly close with the major differences being some of the small lettering and the word .Milwaukee. being slightly smaller in height than it should be. Note also that the closest build date they supply is 1941 though. CDS also makes dry transfers for this car.
This car was designed so that the Intermountain underframe and brake detail can be used. A parts package for this car is available includes most of what you need. Correct coupler height is built in using KD couplers mounted directly on the body floor with Athearn trucks. Further information on these cars can be found in Model Railroader September 1989, Mainline Modeler June 1988, and Train Shed Cyclopedia No. 17.
This model is the first to have the correct two panel roof and prototypical two piece ribs in O scale. The A end has a small square lumber door, and the side doors are ribbed. The model will be a standout in any train. Many modelers mistake the completed car for a brass model.
The one piece urethane body is designed for easy attachment of details; the roof is predrilled for the roof walk and the underframe is predimpled for the brake rigging.
Milwaukee 40' Ribbed Side Box Cars #41 & #42 In O Scale!
