The ScaleTrains S gauge 40-foot boxcar, based on a United States Railroad Administration (USRA) rebuilt steel prototype, is in hobby shops now. The model, the company’s second release in its S-Helper Service line, is offered ready-to-run in 10 paint schemes and as a kit in two versions.
The prototype
The sample we received is decorated as Elgin, Joliet & Eastern 7313, part of a group of 450 boxcars that the railroad rebuilt in 1936 and 1937. Upgrades to the cars, part of the EJ&E 7300 through 7799 series, included 10-panel Pullman-Standard Cor-Ten sides, a Murphy roof, Creco three-panel doors, and seven-rung side ladders. The orange-and-green paint on the model was applied to the prototype cars around 1950.
The model
The ScaleTrains boxcar has a one-piece injection-molded plastic body. Freestanding details include positionable doors, wire grab irons, an Ajax brake wheel and housing, brake platform, and placard boards. Molded details include the door stops, stirrup steps, and poling pockets.
Molded floor boards with wood grain detail are visible when the doors are open. There were two ejector-pin marks in the door opening on our sample. Those could be knocked down with a chisel blade and touched-up with dark green paint.
The roof is a separate, one-piece casting. The plastic running board, based on a wood prototype, has nicely rendered woodgrain and fastener detail at the ends of the boards. The wire corner grab irons are a nice touch.
Molded and separate, factory-applied parts can be found on the bottom of the car. Similar to other wood parts on the model, the molded floor boards have woodgrain detail. The body bolsters, center sills, and crossmembers are cast as a single unit attached from the interior with two screws.
Details on the K brake system include the triple valve, brake cylinder, levers, and retainer pipe. A partial brake pipe, which passes through the center sills near the middle of the car, is located between the cross members.
Our EJ&E sample rides on American Flyer-compatible wheels mounted in sprung, die-cast metal Andrews trucks. The AF-compatible couplers, though a separate piece, would be best described as truck mounted.
Similar to the ScaleTrains S gauge hopper I previously reviewed, the boxcar also includes scale code 110 wheelsets, Kadee-compatible couplers, and mounting hardware. Coupler mounting pads with screw starter holes are molded into the underbody.
Measuring up
The ScaleTrains S gauge 40-foot boxcar uses a common detailed body. Since details on full-size cars, especially rebuilds, can and often do vary between railroads, the model may not be accurate for every road name. For example, the prototype EJ&E cars had a 10-panel body, seven-rung side ladders, and Creco three-panel doors. The model has an eight-panel body, grab irons instead of ladders on the side, and Youngstown doors.
When looking through photos accompanying Patrick C. Wider’s article “Rebuilt USRA double-sheathed boxcars” in Railway Prototype Cyclopedia Vol. 24, the details on the ScaleTrains model are similar to those found on full-size cars operated by the Charleston & West Carolina, Chicago & North Western, Grand Trunk Western, Rock Island, and St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco).
Our sample, which weighs 5.9 ounces, is neatly painted green with orange graphics, the smallest of which are legible under magnification. The lettering placement follows prototype photos, though the end reporting marks look a bit undersized and the CU FT stencil should read 3250, not 3200. The model’s dimensions are comparable to prototype drawings of similar USRA rebuilds published in RP CYC 24.
With a pair of freight car releases in short order, it’s clear ScaleTrains is committed to serving the S gauge market. The two-bay hopper and 40-foot boxcar have not disappointed. I can’t wait to see the International Car Co. wide-vision caboose, which is scheduled to arrive in late May.
ScaleTrains S gauge 40-foot boxcar
MSRP: $54.99
Features: American Flyer-compatible metal wheelsets and couplers; detailed brake system; factory-applied brake wheel; metal handrails and grab irons; plastic body; positionable doors; scale code 110 wheels and Kadee couplers included; sprung, die-cast metal trucks. Minimum radius, 20”.
Road names: Elgin, Joliet & Eastern (SHS75148 and SHS75149); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (with [SHS75137 and SHS75138] and without [SHS75139] “The Grand Canyon Line” slogan); Atlantic Coast Line (SHS75135 and SHS75136); Charleston & Western Carolina (SHS75140 and SHS75141); Chicago & North Western (SHS75142 and SHS75143); Detroit, Toledo & Ironton (with [SHS75146] and without [SHS75147] “Automobile Engines” lettering); Rock Island (SHS75144 and SHS75145); and St. Louis-San Francisco (SHS75150 and SHS75151). Undecorated kit (with Andrews [SHS75154] and Bettendorf [SHS75155] trucks).
Website: scaletrains.com
