Attn: Maine Central Fans

[2-8-2]

I'm attempting to get some variation in my rolling stock roster, and while at the LHS today, I happened across a Fox Valley Models MEC boxcar. Impressed with the quality of the car, I purchased it without really thinking of the era. Since I'm modeling 1953, I don't want to have a seriously out of spec car on my layout. I've exhausted my normal research channels, and have come up with nothing on this boxcar. Can anyone help?

MEC #31758

[eightyeightfan1]

I think its just a generic 50' RailBox model with a Maine Central paint job. You can compare it to this to the real one in this picture taken in 2004. .

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/mec/mec31758agd.jpg">http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/mec/mec31758agd.jpg</a><!-- m -->


My guess is after 2006 when Guliford becam Pan Am Railways it was painted in PanAm colors, but probably still have the MEC reporting marks.
   

[cnw1961]

Ed, your assumption is right. Here is a pic of MEC 31758 in Pan Am colors: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1358028">http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=1358028</a><!-- m -->

2-8-2, this Fox Valley model is a FMC 5437 50' boxcar. AFAIK, these cars were built in the 70's by the FMC Corporation, Portland (OR).

[2-8-2]

Thanks for that, Kurt.

I found the actual pic on RR Picture Archive too, which shows this exact road # in Pan Am colors, but the reporting marks stayed Maine Central. The build date was my biggest concern. Oh well, live and learn I guess. I thought the car looked a bit too modern for my era, but with some selective weathering, I can fix that.

[Russ Bellinis]

I think the biggest problem for an early 1950's era is the lack of roof walks and the corresponding short ladders and lowered brake wheels.

[2-8-2]

Man, there's just rain all over my parade today.

[viperman]

trade ya for one of my 40' boxcars that are "too old for my layout"

[Brakie]

Man, there's just rain all over my parade today.

And now the super cell storm. :o

That is a FMC 5347 Cuft boxcar and was built in the 70s..

The 70s was one of the most colorful eras in railroading with all the colorful IPD short line boxcars..In fact you couldn't swing a ball bat in a railroad terminal without hitting a short line boxcar.

[2-8-2]

trade ya for one of my 40' boxcars that are "too old for my layout"

...and a glint of sunshine peeks through the clouds. PM inbound.