Union Pacific B-50-24

 

Another throwback... of the models I built for the "Essential Freight Cars" series this is one of my favorites. I was thrilled with the outcome, particularly the weathering and it is such an attractive car. In case you did not see the article, the model is a Trix/Marklin UP B-50-24/27 box car, with the body stripped. I replaced the roof with an IMWX roof and added a Speedwitch UP welded underframe. The model was lettered with Speedwitch decals from set D125. I was also thrilled to have a prototype that used the Superior power hand brake from Red Caboose (see below.)

Bob's Photo

The UP B-50-24 & -27, along with several other classes of UP steel box cars and some groups on the SP and SSW, had "alternate center rivets" in the middle of the steel side sheets, as shown in the photo above. This was a subtle, yet distinctive detail that prototype modelers seek to replicate. Below is a table that details the various groups of the B-50-24 and -27 cars.

Class	Reporting Marks	Series	Quantity	Year Built	Builder
B-50-24	UP	187000-187499	500	1939	UP Omaha
B-50-24	UP	187500-188199	700	1939	UP Grand Island
B-50-24	OWR&N	188300-188999	700	1939	UP Albina
B-50-27	OWR&N	189000-189299	300	1940	UP Albina
B-50-27	OSL	189400-189899	500	1940	UP Albina
B-50-27	UP	190000-190599	600	1940	UP Grand Island
B-50-27	UP	190600-190699	100	1940	UP Omaha