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Post by ambluco on Aug 7, 2014 10:04:37 GMT -8
I don't want to get into finances with the question so:
1) Plastic only 2) Money not a consideration
Best Railbox-type boxcar done so far?
Thanks.
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Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Aug 7, 2014 10:18:59 GMT -8
I like my Intermountain PS 5277 cuft box car (item# 47502). From my understanding the later # releases have updated paint schemes which have better accuracy. I don't own any other Railbox cars so I'm unable to say how nice they are.
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Post by drolsen on Aug 7, 2014 10:34:59 GMT -8
In my opinion, the ExactRail ABOX is the best Railbox model produced to date, but you'll need the early version (with blank panels at the ends of the roof), since that's the only one they've offered in the as-delivered scheme so far. I'm hoping they'll do the later version (with X-panels on the ends) in the as-delivered scheme soon, since there were more of them built.
The Intermountain PS 5277 and Athearn FMC 5347 are both excellent models too. As already mentioned, the early Intermountain models had a poorly-rendered paint scheme, and Spring Mills Depot actually had a custom run of Intermountain cars produced with accurate artwork (but they are long since sold out). The Athearn model is the least-detailed of the three, but it is still a good, accurate model, and a good value for the price.
Dave
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Post by ambluco on Aug 7, 2014 10:40:42 GMT -8
Thank you all!
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Post by Brakie on Aug 7, 2014 10:58:02 GMT -8
I don't want to get into finances with the question so: 1) Plastic only 2) Money not a consideration Best Railbox-type boxcar done so far? Thanks. I favor my 3 ExactRail ABOX boxcars..I also like my lone Intermountain PS Railbox boxcar..
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Post by atsfan on Aug 7, 2014 11:58:30 GMT -8
Intermountain and Exactrail
Factoring in money my dozens of Athearn kits from long ago......
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Post by riogrande on Aug 7, 2014 18:18:05 GMT -8
Did anyone mention the Atlas Trainman ACF Railbox?
Right now I have:
MDC combo door Railbox, not a bad looking car considering its age.
IMRC railbox,
Atlas railbox.
I need more so I guess that is on my list.
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Post by Brakie on Aug 7, 2014 18:38:51 GMT -8
Intermountain and Exactrail Factoring in money my dozens of Athearn kits from long ago...... Wish I could sell my collection of BB and Roundhouse cars.I already have 47 top end cars I would need to buy 13 more to make it a even 60.60 makes a nice car rotation on my ISL.
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Post by jbilbrey on Aug 7, 2014 19:10:32 GMT -8
My favorites are the Atlas FMC 5077 and Branchline Berwick Railbox's. Riogrande mentioned the MDC combo-door [ABOX] boxcar in which Athearn later re-tooled and re-released with separate grabs, ladders, etc. But, the problem with them is they are about a foot too wide. That bothers some [Athearn's PS-5344 boxcar share the problem]; however, that issue can be minimized by selective car placement (i.e. don't put on next to a scale-width car of the same time in a train).
The Trainman Railbox represents a smaller [Plate B] prototype than the rest. However, most of the details are cast-on vs. separately applied.
James Bilbrey LaVergne, TN
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Post by drolsen on Aug 7, 2014 19:22:24 GMT -8
My favorites are the Atlas FMC 5077 and Branchline Berwick Railbox's. The only problem with the Atlas FMC 5077 (well, aside from needing non-cushioned draft gear if you're modeling Railbox) is that they were transferred to other railroads fairly early, so depending on the time period someone is modeling, they may no longer belong to Railbox. I'm modeling one like this in 1998: CSXT 141745 (ex-RBOX 18516): drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1369333No, the Trainman model represents a Plate C 5290/5300 cuft prototype like this one: RBOX 32463: drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2570713I wish we had a quality Plate B ACF 5090! Dave
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Post by WP 257 on Aug 7, 2014 20:21:54 GMT -8
I have a slightly different take here:
1. I have purchased a number of the Intermountain PS 5277 boxcars that had issues with poor plastic molding that slipped through QA/QC. These include particularly the St. Mary's hot reddish orange paint scheme cars, and a few also in the other more common roadnames.
2. Original post says Railbox-type, so I'll include the similar Incentive Per Diem boxcars of the late '70's: the ExactRail PS 5344 (with the flat roof). I have not had any quality control issues with any of these that I have purchased, other than the trucks could roll more freely than they do. Maybe Railbox didn't specifically have these, but a number of shortlines did in some awesome paint schemes. I'd personally rather pay the higher price for the ExactRail PS 5344 and be more confident of the product quality than I am with Intermountain.
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chuckc
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by chuckc on Aug 7, 2014 20:47:03 GMT -8
My favorites are the Atlas FMC 5077 and Branchline Berwick Railbox's. The only problem with the Atlas FMC 5077 (well, aside from needing non-cushioned draft gear if you're modeling Railbox) is that they were transferred to other railroads fairly early, so depending on the time period someone is modeling, they may no longer belong to Railbox. I'm modeling one like this in 1998: CSXT 141745 (ex-RBOX 18516): drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1369333No, the Trainman model represents a Plate C 5290/5300 cuft prototype like this one: RBOX 32463: drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2570713I wish we had a quality Plate B ACF 5090! Dave I thought the Atlas FMC 5077 RBOX had non cushioned draft gear.
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Post by columbusrrfan on Aug 8, 2014 2:04:04 GMT -8
The only problem with the Atlas FMC 5077 (well, aside from needing non-cushioned draft gear if you're modeling Railbox) is that they were transferred to other railroads fairly early, so depending on the time period someone is modeling, they may no longer belong to Railbox. I'm modeling one like this in 1998: CSXT 141745 (ex-RBOX 18516): drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1369333No, the Trainman model represents a Plate C 5290/5300 cuft prototype like this one: RBOX 32463: drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2570713I wish we had a quality Plate B ACF 5090! Dave I thought the Atlas FMC 5077 RBOX had non cushioned draft gear. Out of the box the Atlas car has a representation of a Freight Master ME-10 cushioned draft gear, which is right for some of the roadnames they have produced in the 5077 line, but not the Railbox version. Nick Molo has a great detail part of a non-cushioned draft gear. It's pretty easy to install it on the Atlas car and looks great. Jack Mougin
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Post by riogrande on Aug 8, 2014 5:06:02 GMT -8
The only problem with the Atlas FMC 5077 (well, aside from needing non-cushioned draft gear if you're modeling Railbox) is that they were transferred to other railroads fairly early, so depending on the time period someone is modeling, they may no longer belong to Railbox. Dave I model 70's and 80's so the Atlas should work for me but I do need to get a few more so this thread is of interest.
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Post by antoniofp45 on Aug 8, 2014 5:53:13 GMT -8
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Post by drolsen on Aug 8, 2014 6:29:15 GMT -8
Antonio - The Athearn BB "Railbox" model is supposed to represent an ACF 5090 cuft Plate B box car, which is a very common prototype that Railbox rostered, but I believe most, if not all of them were returned to the railroads that participated in the Railbox pool in the '80s. CSX still has a bunch of ex-Railbox ACF 5090s: CSXT 141048 (ex-RBOX 12392): drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=440723The main issue with the Athearn model is the roof, which should be a diagonal panel instead of X-panel. The model is also too wide and too short in length. I started a project about 8 years ago to modify the Athearn model by cutting it in half to narrow it and then chopping off the ends to add more length. I added a Moloco diagonal panel roof to it but didn't get much further. It was more an experiment to see if I could do it. I need a couple dozen of them for my CSX fleet and don't plan to kitbash that many. Dave
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Post by atsfan on Aug 8, 2014 7:17:23 GMT -8
No railroad is complete without some of these Athearn cars.
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Post by jbilbrey on Aug 8, 2014 16:09:45 GMT -8
No, the Trainman model represents a Plate C 5290/5300 cuft prototype like this one: Dave Sorry about the mis-information on the Trainman boxcar representing a Plate B vs. a Plate C boxcar. That's what I get for going off my memory instead of looking up if that is correct. James Bilbrey LaVergne, TN
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Post by antoniofp45 on Aug 8, 2014 16:20:09 GMT -8
Thank you Dave! I had the feeling that the Athearn version was not accurate, but is a decent looking foobie. I remember seeing brand new prototype Railbox units "all over the place" back in the 1970s. To me they were very attractive and always stood out in passing freight trains. (Eventually the 1990s arrived and graffiti vandals trashed the majority of the fleet since) Learned something new! - You made me say "Huh?" when you commented about the length...but you are correct. I had always thought that the original Railbox units of 1974-76 were 50 footers. I did some checking on line and found information indicating that they were actually 55 feet long: www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=16470
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Post by bigb6flyer on Aug 8, 2014 19:07:37 GMT -8
I have the Exactrail ABOX combo door version and the Intermountain 5277... Both are great models! Brad
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Post by keiffer47 on Aug 8, 2014 20:23:04 GMT -8
I know of the Atlas Plate B cars and the Athearn BB... Are there any other Plate B models out there?
I also have the Exactrail ABOX car, IMHO the best one produced. I like the Atlas Trainman cars too!
Keith
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Post by Brakie on Aug 9, 2014 0:31:27 GMT -8
Antonio - The Athearn BB "Railbox" model is supposed to represent an ACF 5090 cuft Plate B box car, which is a very common prototype that Railbox rostered, but I believe most, if not all of them were returned to the railroads that participated in the Railbox pool in the '80s. CSX still has a bunch of ex-Railbox ACF 5090s: CSXT 141048 (ex-RBOX 12392): drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=440723The main issue with the Athearn model is the roof, which should be a diagonal panel instead of X-panel. The model is also too wide and too short in length. I started a project about 8 years ago to modify the Athearn model by cutting it in half to narrow it and then chopping off the ends to add more length. I added a Moloco diagonal panel roof to it but didn't get much further. It was more an experiment to see if I could do it. I need a couple dozen of them for my CSX fleet and don't plan to kitbash that many. Dave Dave,For me that sounds like way to much work..After noticing several Irv Athearn "short cuts" on the modern boxcars I decided Roundhouse was the better car that filled my needs better--until I found those cars was a foot to wide.Even the supped up RTR ex Roundhouse FMC cars is a foot to wide. Looking back I'm not sure what route would have been better-Branchline cars was out of the picture simply because I hate a car kit with a million tiny pieces. At my age(66) does it really matter? Of course I could store my Athearn and Roundhouse cars in storage totes and buy 13 more top end cars to supplement the 47 I already have..
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Post by drolsen on Aug 9, 2014 6:58:56 GMT -8
Learned something new! - You made me say "Huh?" when you commented about the length...but you are correct. I had always thought that the original Railbox units of 1974-76 were 50 footers. I did some checking on line and found information indicating that they were actually 55 feet long: www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=16470 No, you were correct - box cars are normally discussed in terms of their interior length (50' 6" in this case) because the exterior length can change significantly based on the type of draft gear the car is equipped with. I forget whether the exterior length is measured from the coupler pulling faces or the striker plates on the draft gear, but either way, that length can be several feet longer than the length of the actual car body. This car has non-cushioned draft gear, but they still result in an exterior length that is 5' longer than the interior. The Athearn model's body is about a foot or so too short in length for a 50' 6" interior length car, which is noticeable when you put it next to a correct length car like the Atlas Trainman Plate C ACF 5290 or the Intermountain PS 5277. It's also very noticeable when you try to put a correct length 50' diagonal panel roof on it! and the Intermountain 5277... Brad - That appears to be an ExactRail Evans 5277 box car, another good model. The wide side grab iron panels and the straight side sill with the extra reinforcement under the door are good spotting features. I know of the Atlas Plate B cars and the Athearn BB... Are there any other Plate B models out there? Not really - I think we're missing two important Plate B cars, and one additional car that I'd like to have but isn't very common - all of them were used by Railbox though: ACF 5090 (as already discussed) CSXT 130539 (ex-RBOX 10839): drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=345784PS 5076/5077 CSXT 141457 (ex-RBOX 16214): drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=97967PCF 5077 (more rare and not used by many other roads) CSXT 141955 (ex-RBOX 19688): drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=536358The PCF 5077 looks similar to the FMC 5077 at first, but the side post arrangement is different, the side sill is straight except for the notches at the corner stirrup steps, and the X-panel roof is overhanging Dave,For me that sounds like way to much work... It was definitely too much work! The only reason I attempted it as an experiment was because I attempted to put a Moloco diagonal panel roof on it and discovered that the body was way too short and too wide to accept the correct roof. Even after adding 0.060" spacers into the grab iron panels at each end and increasing the length as much as I thought was visibly acceptable (to avoid making the grab iron panels too wide), I still had to shorten the blank end panels on the Moloco roof. Dave
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Post by Spikre on Aug 9, 2014 11:56:34 GMT -8
listing the length of Boxcars over the Strikers is a Trend that has become sort of common recently. Diesel Era does it when they show boxcars,and have seen it in other magazines or books also. not sure what to do about it,so correct it when seen in something brought home. but it is a disturbing trend that is rather Amerturish. Spikre
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Post by keiffer47 on Aug 10, 2014 8:50:15 GMT -8
Thanks for the response Dave!
My problem exists in that I have to build a number of car (former plate B) with extended roofs for pulp service. A task to say the least....
Keith
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Post by drolsen on Aug 10, 2014 9:58:37 GMT -8
Keith, those pulpwood cars will make for an interesting modeling subject. I caught this one a few years ago (I assume that's what it is based on the square vents along the roof line): CP 214537: drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2730234I forgot to mention the Athearn Genesis (now RTR) Evans/SIECO Plate B box car - while not that common anymore, it's an excellent model, and undecorated kits show up periodically for kitbashing projects. I'm planning to model this raised-roof car eventually: HS 75404: drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=495983Dave
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cvacr
Full Member
Posts: 123
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Post by cvacr on Aug 11, 2014 10:50:54 GMT -8
No railroad is complete without some of these Athearn cars. I'm good without any...
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Post by keiffer47 on Aug 11, 2014 18:26:30 GMT -8
Dave - I have to make a couple of the CP cars. Plan on using a Moloco roof, Cannon ends, and then scratch the sides and doors. I did just come across the Fox Valley 7 post car which looks like I might be a viable starting point. Is that a plate B or C car?
Keith
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cvacr
Full Member
Posts: 123
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Post by cvacr on Aug 12, 2014 12:54:55 GMT -8
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Post by keiffer47 on Aug 12, 2014 17:23:28 GMT -8
Chris already grabbed about a dozen of those and some of the Exactrail roofs to finish them off... nothing is easy.... haha
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