Atlas Precision Design boxcars build dates

[sirenwerks]

When did Precision Design start making the different versions (ribbed and 'un-ribbed') of the model Atlas makes, and who had them 'first'? I need pre-1973 roads/schemes, and am happy to strip and repaint, but don't see any in photos on the WP around that time.

[bbussey]

Don't know.  But the Atlas site says late 1960s/early 1970s.  They also have every batch since 2002 listed on their Past N Scale Releases page and all but the first release include the new date in the table, so you should be able to find what your are seeking there.

[Robbman]

Except for the first and the latest run, Atlas has given the build and/or rebuild dates applicable to the scheme on the ACF PD cars... but to answer your question,  IIRC, they were all built ~1965-1974/75.

Here's the runs with dates given:

http://www.atlasrr.com/NFreight/npreboxcar1.htm
http://www.atlasrr.com/NFreight/npreboxcar2a.htm
http://www.atlasrr.com/NFreight/npreboxcar3.htm
http://www.atlasrr.com/NFreight/npreboxcar4.htm


The first run was all pre-1968 built cars...
http://www.atlasrr.com/NFreight/npreboxcar.htm

No ACI label, no COTS...


The latest run has no cars good for pre-1973...
http://www.atlasrr.com/NFreight/npreboxcar.htm

[ai5629]

I don't have the cars in front of me at the moment, but the Penn Central rib side was built in late 71.  The Texas and Pacific smooth side has a built date of 68 or 69.  The Missouri Pacific smooth has a built date of 68 or 69.  The Western Maryland smooth side should have a built date of pre-72 since that is when it was added to the kitty (Chessie System).   I thought the Rock Island rib side, the Chicago North Western Rib side, the Illinios Terminal rib side, and Illinios Central smooth side  were built before 73, but I am not sure.  That's all I can think of without the cars in front of me.  I hope this helps.

[cv_acr]

The CN cars are ex-RI (via UP) so they're no good for your time period.

[sirenwerks]

Thanks goys, this helps alot.

[sirenwerks]

I gotta say, that having the build and/or rebuild or clean dates posted is exceptionally helpful. Too bad they don't provide this information consistently, I mean all rolling stock manufacturers, not just Atlas. It would certainly make internet purchasing easier for those who wish to be faithful to a specific time period, since web site photos are never of a quality that you can enlarge them to read such information.

[3rdrail]

I gotta say, that having the build and/or rebuild or clean dates posted is exceptionally helpful. Too bad they don't provide this information consistently, I mean all rolling stock manufacturers, not just Atlas. It would certainly make internet purchasing easier for those who wish to be faithful to a specific time period, since web site photos are never of a quality that you can enlarge them to read such information.

It could also depress total sales, as it might give someone who is unaware of the use dates pause about buying one.  Were it to lose two sales for every one gained, would you do it?

[Robbman]

It could also depress total sales, as it might give someone who is unaware of the use dates pause about buying one.  Were it to lose two sales for every one gained, would you do it?

Highly doubtful... even modelers who are picky about service dates (and those modelers are an extreme monority as is) still buy stuff that's technically 'out-of-era'...   I have a Family Lines boxcar that is right on the fringe of my 1975-1978 era.  Don't you have some C&NW reefers that are too new for your era?

 

[3rdrail]

It could also depress total sales, as it might give someone who is unaware of the use dates pause about buying one.  Were it to lose two sales for every one gained, would you do it?

Highly doubtful... even modelers who are picky about service dates (and those modelers are an extreme monority as is) still buy stuff that's technically 'out-of-era'...   I have a Family Lines boxcar that is right on the fringe of my 1975-1978 era.  Don't you have some C&NW reefers that are too new for your era?

 

Oh. definitely. I implied "could", not "would". But the thought might be in the back of the minds of marketers of model trains.