I was wondering if any railroads used boxcars to car bags or skis or other merchandise ? Do any use them today? What would they use for cars? Reason for my curiosity I am thinking of running 1 with my train and making it a battery car to extend run times.
Express freight ran at the head end in almost all passenger trains, carried in specially built box cars. I use a reefer as a battery car for my varnish. Do it. Its prototypical.
The Durango and Silverton runs boxcars in some of their trains for LCL (less than carload) freight. I believe in the streamliner days, trains would have an express reefer at the head end.
The Boxcar at the head end of the D&S trains is for firefighting equipment. It contains a water tank, pump, and some hose, and some other stuff, But it’s there for fire protection. They will put a mountain bike, and some camping gear on occasion, as they do work as flag stop, for hikers into the wilderness.
But they do run a 3000 series Boxcar at the head end.
http://www.usatrains.com/r16723.html
Hi Todd,
I’m planning to get one of these for my RCRR passenger service. I like the extra length of the 50ft vs my current 40ft box car…yet its still of the older roof-walk equipped era.
I built an express reefer for my layout. Can be part of a freight or passenger consist.
I built a 40’ REA box/reefer for my passenger train.
It’s riding on passenger trucks, as well.
Thanks fellas for the info. I have some ideas now. I have a 40’ wooden reefer that I will be using with my heavy weight varnish. Probably put some passenger trucks on it instead of the old time arch bar trucks. As a firefighter I like the idea of D&S using a car with firefighting equipment . I would love to know more about it. Thanks again this site is like having a wealth of encyclopedias at the touch of a button…Toad
todd whittier said:
Do any use them today? What would they use for cars?
Union Pacific’s Challenger train had an express boxcar behind the tender carrying fast freight. I just got one to run with my MTH Challenger passenger train.
Rooster,
This one is definitely not at the head end as evidenced by the FRED…
I believe it is known as a mixed freight. Where passenger and freight is in the same train.
When RR’s first started rolling they used to put a buffer car inbetween the locomotive and the passengers to protect them from boiler mishaps.
Amtrak does it today.
Boomer K’s train looks really sharp with that custom painted with his RR’s colours boxcar in there.
Don’t forget it is your RR so you can do what you want.
On mine this photo is of my company car inline with the Schooner Properties sponsored railfan trip headed up by the 38 ton Shay. I bought blue passenger cars so this would be possible. The boxcar contained tables and chairs for when the excursion stopped at a scenic spot for lunch.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/capecodtodd/_forumfiles/SHAYexcursions.jpg)
My railroad runs a mixed (freight and passenger) PRR train. My Delton C-16, with a custom decaled Bachmann boxcar and custom painted PRR Bachmann passenger cars.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/david_maynard/general/2006_0611Image0017.jpg)
Todd, I’m glad that’s for a railfan trip. I’d seriously question the management if they advertised “express service” with a Shay on point.
Later,
K
You are right Kevin the Sunday Special Excursion trips are not express service but they are very popular with railfans who are more interested in the journey than the destination.
I run a refrigerated beer car behind the tender on my layout. This railroad never wants to run out of beer.
I may not drink beer anymore but the town of Silver Onyx doesn’t want to run short.
Joe Zullo said:
Rooster,
This one is definitely not at the head end as evidenced by the FRED…
Is this better Joe?
When the Harvey house was up and running in the 1800’s, the Santa Fe would carry fresh meat and produce to the resturants on passenger trains.
That’s a lot better David.