Today, most trains are made up of either double stack well cars or liquid filled rolling stock. Back in 1970, rail cars were diverse and very interesting. Fallen Flags junction is using rail cars that were actually used by the various featured railroads, or that came from railroads where those cars might make their way to the west coast.
Take a look at some of the interesting rolling stock that will make its way from Portland to Los Angeles – and back again:
GN Stock Car
This is an interesting example of a stock car. In the 1960s most stock cars were 40-feet long, but several roads, including Union Pacific, Northern Pacific, and Great Northern converted boxcars into stock cars, usually with the work done by Gunderson Rail in Portland. Not weathered.
BN Hopper
This 3-Bay BN Hopper would be a new car with little impact visually from weather in 1970. Capable of carrying a wide array of content, these cars would often be very heavy, and be included in either shorter trains, or with more motive power to pull it. Not weathered.
50' Boxcar
This is another perfect example of the right ear for the Fallen Flags Junction project. This 50′ box car still has a roof walk, is in bright red and white Santa Fe colors, and was a common sight on the west coast. Not weathered.
Flat Car
Prior to the “container era,” trailers would transported on flat cars. For the Fallen Flags Junction project, we’ve decided to use shorter flat cars due to the tight radius of track between Portland and Los Angeles. Seeing a train of these is impressive, even today. Not weathered.
SP Hopper
This covered hopper from Southern Pacific became a very common sight on rails across the country, and certainly on the west coast. The covering made load losses less frequent, and different contents, such as cement could be quickly loaded or unloaded. Not weathered.
DF 50' Freight Car
A great example of an insulated 50′ icebox reefer car. The DF distinguishes it as “Damage Free” typically related to cushioned under frames or load-restraining equipment. Another fallen flag line. Not weathered.
PRR Boxcar
This is a good example of a 40-foot boxcar. This PRR example is ideal for the time period being modeled. It still has a roof walk; the brake wheel is at the top of the car and there are ladders in place. This car has also been fitted with metal wheels. Not weathered.
NP Caboose
This is an example of a Northern Pacific Caboose. One of the fun things about modeling this time period is that railroads continued to use caboose cars until 1982, although some roads continued to use them for shoreline, branch, and local operations. Not weathered.
