My new Box Cab was the subject of many discussions during the 2012 American Invasion. I am way behind on catching up on all the postings and email, that is why it is a called a vacation, but wanted to get a thread started.
Thoughts, opinions and sources of reference of these little critters is always interesting. Do you have one or two? Could you post an lmage?
I’ll get some pictures of mine posted shortly, but maybe other people can start as I catch up.
How about kits?
Thanks in advance.
Probably the most in-depth reference for boxcabs are S. Berliner’s pages:
http://sbiii.com/boxcabdx.html#index
Lots to dig through there, on boxcabs of all sizes and shapes.
I’ve done a couple box cabs over the years. Here is the most recent,
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/HLW%20Boxcab%2001.JPG)
Basically an HLW drive with two reworked cabs, this one is still shiny from the shops, no weathering yet Its that I only recently did this one why I’m waffled on the kit idea. Plus this one is better size wise at 1/22~1/24, than a 1/20 kit would be on my layouts.
There is a thought, especially in the HO world, that Box Cabs worked in pairs. Where did this idea come from?
Ric I think that notion comes from the old Grant Lines Boxcab Model, it was available in HO or HOn3 , the trouble with it was that it has so light and feeble tractionwise, in order to actually be usable required using two in tandem just to be able to move anything. Malcolm Furlow famously used a pair on one of his HOn3 layout, the San Juan Central.
Victor Smith said:Is that the only reference? Wow!
Ric I think that notion comes from the old Grant Lines Boxcab Model, it was available in HO or HOn3 , the trouble with it was that it has so light and feeble tractionwise, in order to actually be usable required using two in tandem just to be able to move anything. Malcolm Furlow famously used a pair on one of his HOn3 layout, the San Juan Central.
Ric, thats the only reference I am aware of, the thing is that Furlow’s articles and San Juan Central (SJC) layout pics, including pics of those dbl headed boxcabs, were published in the biggest circulation rags of the time, I know the SJC was published in Model Railroader, the Gazette, and I believe also in Railroad Model Craftsman, also he had a habit of taking trains off an old layout and reusing them on whatever new layout he was working on for pics, so they invariably showed up in later articles. Also I believe Furlow added sound to one of the cabs, maybe from the beginning. That might help explain why the notion came about. It’s the best I can come up with and I’ve been around HO most of my days.
I found this: Not Furlow but shows the Grandt’s dbl headed
Victor,
Thanks, that really is pretty good video. Notice that they are not meant to be separated, no headlights in the center ends of either unit. And I guess that is a bell on what is the front end. Either that or a sand cap. A friend has a set of the HO models and I’ll try to get some good reference pictures from them.
Its just hard for me to believe that Grandt Line made a model that wasn’t prototypical. 
And if you’ve ever seen it on the internet or in a magazine, you know its the truth.
Thanks again, great video!
Ric,
The Red River Logging Co. operated electric boxcabs and even steeple cabs in pairs on its logging trains in, I believe, Minnesota. It also operated steam as well of course. Even the NYC and Pennsy seemed to operate their early boxcab electrics in pairs.
Most of the diesel boxcabs seemed to operate individually as switchers from the photos I’ve seen. No reason not to utilize them in train service in addition on our railroads though. They do make ideal “travel lokies” for visiting other railroads as they are both compact and durable. I really think they’re neat as well as practical.
In the March 1984 article, Malcolm says
Quote:
“There wasn’t room for a receiver in a single powered unit, so I decided to use two boxcabs coupled together. One cab carries the receiver, the other is motorized.”
And the rest is history. 
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/thejoat/Boxcabs/boxcabs.JPG)
My 7/8ths boxcab
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/bob_mccown/78ths/BoxCab/IMGP7755.JPG)
Thanks Bruce for clearing that up, I knew it was something along those lines 
I built this pair almost ten years ago based on but not exact copies of the Grandt Line kits which I still have. I used fewer windows as I had no clue as to what the interiors looked like. They’re powered by USA 44 tonner trucks, one unit has the batteries and the other the receiver and a weight to even them out. The trucks came with traction tires which I left in place. It would easily pull any load the Bachmann Annie could pull. This past year they were updated with a LiPo battery, Revo and Phoenix sound. The units are mu together with a dis-connectable cable between them. They are smooth runners and great for switching.
Victor Smith said:
Thanks Bruce for clearing that up, I knew it was something along those lines
Hehe. Well, they probably weren’t very good pullers either…I never had them, so don’t know for sure. But, two of them sure look nice together. My boxcab was done in 1:20 and only travels alone.
Gary Buchanan said:
I built this pair almost ten years ago based on but not exact copies of the Grandt Line kits which I still have. I used fewer windows as I had no clue as to what the interiors looked like. They’re powered by USA 44 tonner trucks, one unit has the batteries and the other the receiver and a weight to even them out. The trucks came with traction tires which I left in place. It would easily pull any load the Bachmann Annie could pull. This past year they were updated with a LiPo battery, Revo and Phoenix sound. The units are mu together with a dis-connectable cable between them. They are smooth runners and great for switching.
Gary, Those are fantastic and what I plan to copy. Did you build those to 1:24? Please do not take my enthusiasm to the double cabs to mean a slight of anyway to anyone else. I like them all and plan to get my 2 or 3 posted here shortly. All the examples are great!
There is a good picture of Malcom’s Box Cabs, but unable to copy. You can see them here -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/henrywagner/2927995187/in/set-72157607901825015/
I have to say that I still remain dumbfounded that in all these years no major mfr ever produced this one in LS, its just such a natural for LS.
Probably have to make some new molds. Those guys aren’t really big on that.
It is always available to copy, if you can see it on your screen.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/thejoat/Boxcabs/BoxcabSJC.JPG)
Here’s a 7/8 version I took over at Jim Stapleton’s meet.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/thejoat/Boxcabs/IMG_0441.JPG)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/thejoat/Boxcabs/IMG_0444.JPG)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/thejoat/Boxcabs/IMG_0442.JPG)
That’s just great ,now you guys have me looking at and contemplating a freaking boxcab!
I do need something to pull Ralphie around and have a virgin face to adhere to it!
