Trainworx 86' Thrall Hi Cube Box Car

[cv_acr]

I see HCSX 86' cars on CN east of Toronto. I'm told they're hauling peat moss, though toilet paper makes scense, too.

I see them west of Toronto too heading through London & Sarnia. Usually HLMX and HCSX cars travelling together in small groups of 1-3 cars.
(As an aside, almost every HCSX car I've ever seen appears to be ex-CSX family)

Another example is a series of ex-CPAA 86' cars owned by "Western Hay Express":
http://freight.railfan.ca/whcx.html

[lock4244]

So that's what WHCX stands for... seen a few of those myself. I wonder what they carry  ???

I've seen one of the HCSX cars with the Seaboard System SS logo (name painted out). Been a while since I've seen a SBD car around here, even if it's a hatchet job. Can't recall any that weren't in the CSX blue, either.

[Mark5]

I know one road that had Thralls ...

http://imagebase.lib.vt.edu

[randgust]

For all you Santa Fe fans, Great Decals has the 'right' Santa Fe auto parts decals in N.  I did one of the old Rapido/Con Cor cars up with them.  I'll be looking forward to this car though, because if it is the right height and not running too high, I'll probably replace the handful of 86' cars I've got.

[Mark5]

Concor did both the 2 door and the 4 door (per side that is) - hope we'll see both from Trainworx (if they do them "right)

[ai5629]

When this car is produced, it will fill a big void in the N scale freight car offerings.  I am disappointed with the choice of prototype though.  The largest operator of 86' boxcars was Penn Central, then Conrail.  Conrail's fleet was predominantly built by Greenville and Pullman Standard.  Thrall did produce 8 doors (X60H), but not too many four doors I am aware of.  According to the PC color guide, X60X was built by Thrall.  I was looking through my photos of 86' Conrail boxcars, and out of 48 photos, I have one X60X.  X60N's appear close also.  I would have to see the model in person to make a better assessment.  There is one photo of a PC X60X car in the PC color guide.  Sorry my fellow Conrail modelers.

Jeff

[ljudice]

Apparently someone else is set to announce this car type also. So maybe they will pick Greenville or PS.

[GonzoCRFan]

Jeff,

If you happen to have the number series for X60X cars, I can dig through my photos and see what I have. I do have a 295015 and a 295120 that should be X60Xs, but I don't know if the series is fragmented or not....

[GonzoCRFan]

Apparently someone else is set to announce this car type also. So maybe they will pick Greenville or PS.

M4D already expressed the intent to release a P-S version, so hopefully if there is another manufacturer looking to make these, they're planning on doing a Greenville. It would be a bummer to see 2 companies announce the exact same car after needing these for so long, especially when there are enough distinct types to allow everyone to have their model-making niche.

[SirTainly]

Pretty good news for me too, the SP seem to roster several types of 86' cars.

[ai5629]

Sean,

According to the PC color guide, X60X: 295004-295129, nee: NYC 69004-69129, lot 147B.  According to my 10/84 ORER: 295002-295129 with some other cars sprinkled in the series.  Come on PS and GV!  Thanks.

Jeff

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I am pretty sure MTL will be coming out with a version latter this year.

[bobcat]

I am pretty sure MTL will be coming out with a version latter this year.

I'd be surprised if anyone in the industry would tell you anything anymore. :

You sure can't keep anything close to your vest. ;D

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I wasn't told this by MTL. There was an upsubstatiated rumor that they were working on an autobox. They openly stated they will be doing several new boxcars this year. We know they are doing longer cars, somthing they said was a hurdle a few years ago. Sorry, no insider info this time... just tieing togeather loose ends.

[Robbman]

Did MT ever say doing longer cars was a 'hurdle' for them (keeping in mind the 89'4" flat has been around for over one and a half decades, the open autorack for at least 5 years, and the enclosed autorack for at least 4 years)?

Also, how do we 'know' they're doing longer cars in N scale?  The 85' passenger cars you referenced on the Atlas forum are in Z scale, not N.


If you're going to tie together loose ends, at least tie a decent knot...