Manufacturer
Atlas Model Railroad Co.
378 Florence Ave.
Hillside, NJ 07205
www.atlasrr.com
Comments: Atlas has added the Berwick Forge & Fabricating 50-foot boxcar to its Master Line of ready-to-run rolling stock. The model, originally offered as a kit by Branchline Trains, features factory-installed wire grab irons, separate underbody brake hardware and piping, and an overhanging X-panel roof.
Berwick introduced its 50-foot boxcar in 1972 and sold the exterior-post car to more than 35 railroads. Though Berwick stopped production in 1982, the boxcars are still commonly seen throughout North America.
Our sample is decorated for Minnesota Commercial Ry. The paint is smooth and evenly applied, and the white lettering is crisp and opaque. The reporting mark is in the correct Futura font, but the road number should be Helvetica (some cars in this series use Futura road numbers). The car features Berwick’s distinct non-terminating “sine wave” ends. The roof is painted silver like the prototype.
The car’s dimensions closely follow data listed in the April 2012 Official Railway Equipment Register. The car weighs 4.6 ounces, which is .1 ounce too heavy based on National Model Railroad Association recommended practice 20.1. The Accumate knuckle couplers are at the correct height, and the metal wheels mounted on plastic axles are in gauge.
In addition to MNNR, the boxcar is decorated for BNSF Ry., Canadian National (with Illinois Central reporting marks), Chicago & North Western, Ferromex, and IC.
