Does this Athearn car have any basis in prototype or is it a complete foobie? The build date on the side says "1-65". IF there was an actual SLSF car similar to this, any pics, or idea of build dates for the first ones into service? Had an Athearn car like this a loooong time ago, and think it would be a fun "time travel trip" to have one puttering about on my KC&G "Ozark Sub". I enjoy that sort of thing. (i.e. Models that connect me to my youthful modeling years.) Thanks for any input you can offer. Andre
I just acquired NIB (for five bucks) this same Athearn model, only undecorated. I have since painted it boxcar red (Floquil, of course) and bought a set of Microscale decals to finish it off. I found some Internet photos of similar cars, but wasn't able to read the build dates. Here's the link to the images. GS https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs...and-location-unknown-600x389.jpg&action=click
Thanks Greg for the link. I suspect the Athearn car is somewhat a foobie. However, if at least the livery and basic configuration (i.e. 50' dbl door) is correct... I may overlook the foobieness and have one on my layout for old time's sake. I'm NOT completely anal about prototype accuracy! Hm. Rethinking, I'm a "gnats n' camels" kind of guy... gag at some supposed lack in a model, but overlook huge significant discrepancies in others! Edit: Omitted typing "NOT". Sheesh, what a fumble fingered squid. erdnA
Athearn produced these cars about 1967-1969, and my brother and I bought two with our lawn mowing money at Spotlight Model Railroad Shop, KCMO. As I recall, each car sold for just under three bucks, and during the days when we received about five bucks per yard, it was a significant sum to pay for an Athearn. I don’t believe that these cars were a part of the Athearn catalog, but were part a "special run”. After we bought the cars, I never saw them in the shop again. I also believe that as far as Athearn cars go, they are a rarity. The Athearn Blue Box described the cars as “auto boxes”. A check of the model’s number, 152705, indicates that the Frisco had nothing that matches the model. The 152658-152898 series auto boxes were a 1930-built (General American Car) group of 9-panel, wood, outside braced, Howe-truss cars. The cars had two, double doors on each side, and a Dreadnaught end door on the A-end. My diagram book offers two classes, the 7000-7049 series, and the 154300-154439 series box cars that are a close match. The over-all car dimensions and the door size of the model are very close to the prototype. At odds with the prototype are the number of side panels and if they are welded or riveted and the car end manufacturer. Molo’s book has photos and additional details of these cars. I doubt if the Frisco painted any of these box cars yellow. For what it’s worth, I never repainted or re-lettered my two models.
Karl: So it's as I suspected: The yellow Athearn Frisco dbl door boxcar in question is a complete Foobie. That is, Frisco never had that type of car, and the outline coonskin herald is probably "wrong" for Frisco equipment in '64, too. Hm. SO... I guess in this case it's not a gnat (rivets in the wrong place/etc). THUS... I need to decide if I'm willing to swallow the camel. (i.e. It's a total foobie.) OH, and I too, have noticed that they aren't for sale in notable numbers, and they're pricey when you do. Decisions, decisions. (Actually, I think I've considered these cars before, but never made a move on one. May be the same case this time, too.)
