Athearn's 40 foot hi-cube boxcar
Athearn
40foot hi-cube boxcar...
Athearn makes a 40foot high cube boxcar that is based
loosely on a western prototype. These cars aren't particularly accurate
for any class of Chessie boxcar but they are just fine to fill up a train.
They come in B&O only, that I know of. The retail price is $6-7.
If you find one, you may want to buy it. There is however, no need
to get a ton of them. Just one will do nicely.
I have been unable to find a pic of a Chessie 40foot hi-cube.
These are not the most common car on any railroad. Most hi-cube boxcars
came in 50 or 60 foot lengths. The 40foot is a bit unusual.
Below is a pic of mine. This type of car is an old
car in the Chessie Era so make sure to weather it lots. I rusted
the roof and streaked the sides heavily. The white ends let you know
it is a hi-cube. I got this car very early in my Chessie modeling.
It wears number 19818, that does not correspond to any B&O boxcar number
during the Chessie era. This class may have been completely retired
by the time Chessie came around. If I find any definite evidence
that they were not in the Chessie Era, I will remove this car from the
roster. But, for now, it is a great predecessor painted boxcar to
have on the line.
