Comparison of 12-Panel Box Cars - Southern Pacific and Great Northern

Many years ago (longer than I can believe) I built the model shown above* and patted myself on the back for having made an SP class B-50-25 12-panel 10'0" inside height postwar AAR box car. Truth be told, it's an acceptable outcome. However, it is many years later and I am now an SP modeler and this B-50-25 model no longer scratches the itch. Why? Well, there are numerous differences between the GN 12-panel box car (the basis for the Intermountain kit used to make the B-50-25) and the SP and T&NO's B-50-25 and -26 classes of 12-panel box cars.

First an interesting point: while the GN 12-panel box cars garner lots of attention, the SP had a sizable fleet of 12-panel cars and if confined to the inside height of 10'0"/10'2", the SP/T&NO cars were more numerous, at 3,475 for the GN vs. 5,600 for the SP/T&NO. 

There are several well-documented differences to these prototypes: the end panels on the GN cars were welded together while they were riveted on the SP/T&NO. The side sill support tab sections on the GN cars were welded to the underframe crossmembers while they were riveted on the SP/T&NO. The door stops on the cars were different for the GN vs. SP/T&NO. The GN cars used Murphy diagonal panel roofs while the SP/T&NO had rectangular panel roofs. These differences alone add up to these being quite different looking in aggregate (not to mention the early Improved Youngstown doors on the SP/T&NO B-50-25, with their wide overlapping sections.) The Intermountain models skew all of these detail differences in favor of the GN cars, making an SP/T&NO model a compromise on many levels. I did address many of these things in my model shown above, but the difference in the side construction was not addressed. Here is what that looks like (click on the images to see a larger view)

March 22, 1959, Hamlet, NC, Col. Chet McCoid photo, Bob's Photo

June 6, 1948, Wilmington, CA, courtesy of Paul Koehler

Yes, these differences are subtle, but when added to the ledger of other differences in roof, ends, doors, side sill support sections ('tabs') and additional details, it all beckoned me to take the plunge and fix everything. So, I have created new side and end patterns to be incorporated into a full kit with one-piece resin body, accurate side sill support 'tabs' for the different builders (they were different!), correctly spaced ladders, etc. for the B-50-25/-26. Stay tuned as these will be available this year from Speedwitch.

*one interesting thing I found when making decals for the B-50-25 is that the Pressed Steel cars (which the model is based upon) used a zero for the 'O' in "SOUTHERN PACIFIC" lending a pronounced oval shape to the character, as opposed to the more rounded "O" as shown in the prototype photo of B-50-26 SP 59057, shown above. The prototype photo of SP 21264 is shown below

November 9, 1947, Reading Allison Hill Freight Terminal, Harrisburg, PA, Bob Charles Collection, Kalmbach Memorial Library

Tangent's SP "Pullman-Standard" Box Cars

 

Tangent Scale Models photo to display a decorated model

I posted last week with some prototype information about the Southern Pacific Lines B-50-28 and -29 postwar AAR box cars. I mentioned that I would follow up with my thoughts about the new Tangent Scale Models HO scale offerings for these cars (note: I am not presenting info about the B-50-30/-31/-32 as they are past my personal modeling cutoff date, but the thoughts presented herein apply equally to those models.) Quite simply, these are some of the finest HO scale box cars ever offered, with the overall package rivaling the exceptional Kadee PS-1 models. Considering the price points of $48.95 for undecorated kits and $52.95 for ready-to-run cars, these are a steal compared to other freight car models being released in HO scale for reasons that will become apparent if you continue to read.

I purchased undecorated kits and my thoughts specific to the kits are included at the end of this writeup. However, I will cover the model details first. The car body faithfully replicates the prototype. Of note, these cars featured a version of the Improved Dreadnaught end that has not been replicated to date in HO scale (manufacturers in both styrene and resin have added a narrow thin rib at the top of the end and called it a job well done; however, the other major characteristic, the "flat" horizontal bottom portion of the main top rib on the ends has been ignored.) Tangent has captured both the narrow thin rib (suitably diminutive) as well as the different top main rib. The ends are beautiful. The sides are nicely captured as well, with miniature rivets that are in the same class as those on the Branchline AAR box cars. The characteristic narrow side panels on either side of the door are replicated, as well as the "notched" side sill supports at the body bolsters. The Diagonal Panel Murphy roof is also nicely captured, with fine rivets on the caps at the panel joints. The underframe is beautiful, as well, with fine renderings of the center sills and stringers. Tangent has replicated all the major traits of these cars in extremely fine detail. My only complaint here is that I wish these had been tooled as separate parts to allow me to more easily use them for kitbashing fodder.

As the saying goes, "the devil's in the details" and that is another area where these models shine. 

• Instructions for the kits may be found via this link
• On the underframe, the mountings for the brake parts use prototypical brackets and similar fixtures, as opposed to just sticking things into holes in the floor, as many manufacturers do. This really sets these models apart.
• The AB brake set is nicely detailed, with fine representations of the reservoirs and AB valve, plus nicely rendered dirt collector and tee between the trainline (which is also present) and dirt collector. There are wire parts for connections of some of the various brake equipment.
• The draft gear (coupler pockets) are narrower than most manufacturers offerings. They are functionally wide at the opening and taper to match the width of the center sills where they meet the body bolsters. They have a mounting apparatus on the side for the angle cock/air hoses, which are nicely detailed and are cast in a rubberized material, making them extremely durable! This is quite welcome. Another small nit is that the built up models include Kadee couplers, but the kits do not. Why?
• The model includes 50-ton ASF A-3 Ride Control trucks. They may not be as nice as the legendary Kato A-3s, but they are still some of the nicest trucks included with a model that I have seen. One of my few nits with these kits is that they do not come equipped with 0.088" tread width wheelsets. It's about time that we adopt 0.088" the de facto standard and make those who want 0.110" buy them separately. Or perhaps offer the 0.088" wheelsets in the kits as it's highly likely that those buying kits would care more about such things.

• Closing the underframe topic, it is overall the best detailed underframe I have seen on an HO scale mass market model. The fidelity is there and the accuracy is there

• End detailing is also exemplary, including the aforementioned faithful representation of the corrugations
• In the kit there are seven (!) different power hand brake options, including two Miner, two Champion, and one each of Ajax, Universal, and Equipco. Each includes its own mounting bracket and they are "full" parts with chain and rod integral to the parts. These alone are a trove of parts to use on other projects!

• There are three etched metal brake steps, all pre-bent for addition to the model.
• The placard boards for the ends and doors accurately follow the prototype as opposed to being simple, generic three board parts.
• The uncoupling rods are pre-bent and are fine representations of those on the prototype. The mounting brackets are also finely detailed.
• The pressure retaining valve ('retainer valve') includes a nice bracket and piping that runs down the end of the car. The valve appears too small and that is accentuated by the large size of the corresponding pipe (the pipe is styrene and is slightly larger than the prototype, but not grossly so)
• Ladders, grabs, and sill steps are all finely detailed. The ladders are beautiful, faithfully matching the prototype. They are so well-rendered that I worry about their durability, since they are molded in styrene, which is prone to breakage. The bracket grabs are equally finely replicated in styrene. However, any potential damage due to the fidelity is not Tangent's issue. The end sill and latitudinal running board grabs are formed wire, again fine, but obviously more durable. I did have damage to two ladders in the one kit that I inspected. Given the fineness and the material, I suspect this is not unique to me.
• The kits are supposed to include two running boards: Morton and Apex Tri-Lok. My kit included the Morton, but was missing the Apex. Apparently, this is the case with all kits. Tangent may be contacted for the missing Apex part. The parts are styrene and are "see-through". They are beautiful, but again are fragile because they are styrene. Being styrene, they are easier to attach to the roof, though.
• The kits include four pairs of doors: two pairs of Youngstown plus 7-panel and 5-panel Superior doors, as well as corresponding bottom door tracks for each type (note: prototype lower Superior door tracks do have different hardware than the tracks for Youngstown doors and have been mostly ignored by manufacturers, particularly in HO scale. To their credit, Tangent has offered both styles)

Returning to my original thought, I believe these to be one of the finest mass market HO scale Steam/Transition Era freight cars ever offered. Actually, I wouldn't restrict it to an era... they're great overall

As always... comments are welcome!

Southern Pacific Lines B-50-28/-29 Postwar AAR Box Cars (including St. Louis Southwestern)

 

This is a particularly interesting photo with no less than three of the B-50-28/-29 box cars visible: T&NO 61062 (left center), SP 102260 (behind and left) and unknown SP/T&NO behind the PRR X43B at center. The SP Lines car to the left of SP 102260 is a sibling B-50-27 class box car. Columbus, GA, ca. 1958, image CG-2590, Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society, courtesy of Allen Tuten

Like many of you, I am eagerly awaiting my order from Tangent for these exciting new box cars. I ordered a couple of undecorated kits. As soon as I receive them, I will provide a follow on post with my thoughts about what's in the box, as well as how it compares to the old Sunshine kits, which were not without their errors. In future, I will post a third part after building a couple of the cars, but that will be a few months away. As a prelude, I present some data about the B-50-28 and -29 classes.

In 1950-1951, the Southern Pacific and Texas & New Orleans received a total of 3,000 and 1,500 class B-50-28 box cars, respectively, from Pullman-Standard. At the same time, SP-affiliated line St. Louis Southwestern (the Cotton Belt) received 100 identical box cars. In 1951, the SP also built 500 identical box cars in the Sacramento shops that were assigned to class B-50-29 (SP only.) The accompanying tables provide the details about all cars.

SSW 33938 was one of the 100 clones of the B-50-28 received by the Cotton Belt from Pullman-Standard in 1951. Note the "short" panel at the top and the wider panel (third from top) on the Superior door. Fayetteville, NC, October 12, 1952, Col. Chet McCoid photo, Bob's Photo

The cars continued the large scale program by the SP Lines to bolster its box car fleet in the postwar period. There is a direct line from the B-50-24, -25, -26 and -27 classes to the -28 and -29. Given the period of the cars' construction, there were evolutionary changes along the way.

At delivery, Texas & New Orleans B-50-28 no. 60049 included the '&' in the reporting marks and "SOUTHERN PACIFIC" spelled out above the reporting marks. Illinois Digital Archives, Pullman History site

This group of cars followed the AAR design standards of the era, including recently introduced underframe where the crossbearers were shaped to pass below the four floor stringers (previous versions of the underframe had straight crossbearers and the stringers terminated on both sides of the crossbearers.) In SP fashion, the box cars maintained the inside height of 10'0", six inches less than the 10'6" that most other roads had standardized on by that time. Instead of having ten evenly sized panels on the sides, these SP cars had eight evenly spaced panels with two narrower ones on either side of the door openings. The Improved Dreadnaught ends were as noted in the photo caption below. Murphy diagonal panel roofs were standard on all of the cars in these classes. Hand brakes and running boards varied as noted in the accompanying tables. Interestingly (for the SP,) all 5,000 of the B-50-28 and -29 were equipped with ASF A-3 Ride Control trucks.

Build data is tabulated below. All Lot numbers are Pullman-Standard, except where noted as SPE, which indicates built by Southern Pacific. For the Cotton Belt cars (nos. 33850-33949), all 100 used Superior doors, Universal hand brakes and Morton running boards and brake steps.

Reporting Marks	Series	Qty.	Lot	Class
SP	102100-103599	1500	5967	B-50-28
SP	103600-104099	500	SPE	B-50-29
SP	104100-105099	1000	5982	B-50-28
SP	105100-105599	500	8001	B-50-28
T&NO	59750-60249	500	5967	B-50-28
T&NO	60250-61249	1000	8001	B-50-28

Reporting Marks

Series

Qty.

Lot

Class

SP

102100-103599

1500

5967

B-50-28

SP

103600-104099

500

SPE

B-50-29

SP

104100-105099

1000

5982

B-50-28

SP

105100-105599

500

8001

B-50-28

T&NO

59750-60249

500

5967

B-50-28

T&NO

60250-61249

1000

8001

B-50-28

The B-50-28 employed an Improved Dreadnaught end with a couple distinctive traits: the narrow rectangular stiffening rib at the top of the end and the "flat" horizontal bottom of the main top rib on the end. Illinois Digital Archives, Pullman History site

The specialties applied to the B-50-28 and -29 are as follows:

Reporting Marks	Series	Hand Brake	R/B & B/S	Doors
SP	102100	Miner	Apex Tri-Lok	Superior
SP	102101-102599	Miner	Apex Tri-Lok	Youngstown
SP	102600-103099	Champion	Apex Tri-Lok	Youngstown
SP	103100-103599	Equipco	Morton	Youngstown
SP	103600-104099	Ajax	Apex Tri-Lok	Youngstown
SP	104100-104224	Miner	US Gypsum	Youngstown
SP	104225-104599	Miner	Apex Tri-Lok	Youngstown
SP	104600-104849	Champion	Apex Tri-Lok	Youngstown
SP	104850-105099	Equipco	Apex Tri-Lok	Superior
SP	105100-105299	Miner	Morton	Superior
SP	105300-105549	Champion	Morton	Superior
SP	105550-105599	Universal	Morton	Superior
T&NO	59750	Miner	Apex Tri-Lok	Youngstown
T&NO	59751-60249	Miner	Morton	Superior
T&NO	60250-60374	Universal	Morton	Youngstown
T&NO	60375-60449	Universal	US Gypsum	Youngstown
T&NO	60450-60749	Equipco	US Gypsum	Youngstown
T&NO	60750-61149	Miner	Kerrigan	Youngstown
T&NO	61150-61249	Superior	Kerrigan	Youngstown

 

SP 105054 employed an Equipco power hand brake and Apex Tri-Lok running boards and brake step. Illinois Digital Archives, Pullman History site

T&NO 60299 was equipped with a Universal power hand brake and Morton running boards and brake step. Illinois Digital Archives, Pullman History site

T&NO 59951 was repainted eight years after delivery in an entirely different scheme, with large "SOUTHERN PACIFIC" name and no SP medallion. Note that the placard board was moved to a lower location on the door. Fayetteville, NC, Nov. 27, 1959, Col. Chet McCoid photo, Bob's Photo

When repainted, Cotton Belt cars received a stencil at the upper left of the end that identified paint, location, and date, as shown here

References:

• Ed Hawkins, "10'0" IH Postwar 40'6" A.A.R. Box Cars," Railway Prototype Cyclopedia 8
• Anthony Thompson, Southern Pacific Freight Cars Volume 4: Box Cars (revised edition) 

IF YOU SEE ANY ERRORS IN THE DATA PRESENTED HEREIN, THEY ARE SOLELY MINE AND I WOULD REQUEST THAT YOU KINDLY LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW! Thank you

Southern Pacific Lines B-50-15 and -16 Box Cars

 

several members of the B-50-15/-16 classes, early 1950s, ebay "grab" image, photographer not known

Recently, there has been considerable discussion in forums and social media about the forthcoming Rapido SP Lines HO scale B-50-15 and -16 box cars. I thought it a good time to post some information about the prototypes. I am also including recent photos of the models, while avoiding any conjecture about the accuracy of what Rapido may or may not have produced until I actually have the two models that I ordered in my possession.

B-50-16 SP 37352 in Los Angeles ca. 1936-7, Michael Urac Collection

The design of the cars was a derivative of the American Railway Association's ARA 4D design for a single sheathed box car. The SP (as well as the Santa Fe in the Bx-11/-12/-13 classes) constructed cars that were taller than the ARA design. The SP modified the ARA underframe, as well. One other important feature is that the cars used 3-1/4" sheathing boards, which was not unheard of, but was far less common than 5-1/8" or 5-1/4" boards.

B-50-15 T&NO 53395 in Los Angeles ca. 1936-7, Michael Urac Collection. Note the different Camel-Allen door hardware, common to the T&NO cars

I have included a table herein that I created using the excellent Southern Pacific Freight Cars Volume 4: Box Cars (revised edition) by Anthony Thompson (2006, 2014, Signature Press, although Signature ceased operations at the end of 2022; copies can be found on the secondary markets.) Also, there are many photos, including detailed images, from the Michael Urac Collection on Focus on Freight Cars, Volumes One and Nine from Speedwitch Media (note: Vol. Nine is being reprinted and will be available again by July 1, 2023.)

	Series	Qty.	Blt.	Builder	Class	Roof	Trucks	Doors
SP	14480-15229	750	1925	Standard Steel Car	B-50-15	Murphy Radial	Bettendorf T-section	Camel no. 32
SP	15230-15979	750				Chicago-Cleveland Viking
ML&T	36210-36509	300	1925-6	T&NO	B-50-15	Murphy Radial	Arch bar	Camel-Allen
ML&T	53060-53559	500	1925	Standard Steel Car	B-50-15	Hutchins Dry Lading	Bettendorf T-section	Camel-Allen
SP	20000-20499	500	1926	SP - Sacramento	B-50-15	Hutchins Dry Lading	Columbia Steel T-section	Camel no. 32
SP	31560-32659	600	1926	Pullman Car Mfg	B-50-15	Chicago-Cleveland Viking	ASF T-section	Camel no. 32
SP	32160-32659	500				Hutchins Dry Lading
SP	37340-37839	500	1927-8	SP - Sacramento	B-50-16	Chicago-Cleveland Viking	Columbia Steel T-section	Camel no. 32
SD&A	7000-7002	3	1927	SP - Sacramento	B-50-16	Chicago-Cleveland Viking	Columbia Steel T-section	Camel no. 32
T&NO	53560-53959	400	1927-8	SP - Sacramento	B-50-16	Murphy Radial	TCI&R Co. T-section	Camel-Allen
T&NO	53960-54059	100						Youngstown steel with Camel-Allen no. 35 fixtures

Notes:

• all B-50-15 were built with Murphy corrugated ends, 7 corrugations in the top panel and 9 in the bottom
• all B-50-16 were built with Dreadnaught ends, 3 main corrugations in the top panel and 5 in the bottom
• some, but not all of the B-50-15s, were equipped with small lumber doors in the A end of the cars
• Kingpin-to-striker distance on the B-50-15 was 5'0" vs. the B-50-16 distance of 5'6". The structural members on the sides were relocated and adjusted to accommodate this difference
• edit: notes about the Murphy radial roof

B-50-15 SP 14721 displays the postwar Overnight scheme of black car with yellow & black SP medallion above the reporting marks and red, yellow & black Overnight logo on the right side of the car. Note the power hand brake and ASF A-3 trucks. The stencil to the left of the door reads, "RETURN TO NWP"

These cars also enjoyed a period of notoriety due to rebuilding and special paint schemes for use in head end and "Overnight" LCL (in conjunction with SP subsidiary Pacific Motor Trucking [PMT]) services. Beginning in late 1935 through early 1936 and continuing through late 1941, 472 cars were modified. This included specialties for passenger service, as well as steel sheathing in place of the wood for most cars. Head end cars were painted dark olive with gold lettering while the "Overnight" cars were painted black with Daylight orange lettering and trim. The story continued including suspension of the Overnight LCL service during the war as well as postwar repaintings once Overnight LCL service resumed, but more detail is best left to the excellent Thompson book.

Steel sheathed B-50-15 SP 15294, ca. 1940, Charles Winters Collection

Steel sheathed B-50-16 SP 37356, ca. 1950, Paul Koehler Collection

In addition to the cars that were steel sheathed as referenced above, 930 class B-50-15 and 200 class B-50-16 box cars in general freight service were steel sheathed. Between 1950 and 1956, 775 more cars from these two classes were steel sheathed and also received replacement Murphy panel or diagonal panel roofs.

B-50-15 SP 20197 in cement service (note small hatch near left end on roof) ca. 1954, Col. Chet McCoid photo, Bob's Photo. The bulkheads fitted in these cars are illustrated in the Thompson book

San Diego & Arizona Eastern 7000 was one of three B-50-16s on their roster, San Diego, CA, Oct. 2, 1954, Will Whittaker photo

ebay "grab" of right side of an SP B-50-16

Sunshine Models offered an extensive line of SP and T&NO B-50-15 class HO scale kits that covered almost all known variations of the cars. These still appear on the secondary markets and have become (relatively) affordable in light of the Rapido announcement. Westerfield has also re-released many of these in one-piece body castings. Bill Welch authored an article about using the Sunshine Models kits to replicate T&NO B-50-13A and B-50-15 box cars in Prototype Railroad Modeling, Volume Three.

Photos of the Rapido models recorded at the 2023 NERPM are included below. These should still be considered test shots and not "final" models.